Argh! Transverse lie at 36 weeks!

[AmeliaEarhart]

So apparently my baby thinks my uterus is a hammock. He (baby) was breech at 31 weeks, then cephalic at my 34-week growth scan. On Monday DH commented that my bump had changed shape, and as I was no longer being kicked in the ribs I assumed the baby had ?dropped?, so I waddled off to my 36-week check-up today expecting to hear about an engaged head. Instead I had the midwife AND the GP both groping my belly, frowning and saying to each other ?The head shouldn?t be over there. I think we should call the hospital?. Now I?m booked for yet another scan on Monday afternoon, by which stage I?ll be 37 weeks.

Has anyone else experienced this? I plan to spend the weekend on my hands and knees (the floors could use a clean anyway) and massaging the bump, but if the little monkey hasn?t shifted by Monday what can I expect to happen next?

You were all so lovely and helpful about my knicker-confusion.

I can't help with what will happen at your next appointment but I've heard also about being on your hands and knees scrubbing the floors. Also been told to keep your pelvis upright, forward and open... So no sloaching on the sofa :( try sitting on a birthing ball at home as much as possible, keep as active as possible by walking which forces babys head down with the gravity. Good luck!

I was found to have a transverse lie at 40 weeks plus 3 when I went for a check up.

Sent immediately for a scan to conrim. They then tried to book me on for c-section next day. There is a danger of prolapsed cord if you go into labour I think.

I insisted that they try an ECV first (have to drive for school run so really didn't want a c-section).

Eventually they agreed to try that. Came back next day for the procedure. Had scan, only to be told that he had turned the correct way overnight (didn't feel a thing despite him being 10 lbs at this stage..)

Due to unstable lie I agreed to being induced that day and he was born the next day.

Good luck!

DS1 was transverse at 37 weeks. I had to go into hospital immediately after my scan and they tried an ECV 2 days later (which failed, ds1 wouldn't budge an inch). I had a c-section at 39 weeks, but had to stay in the hospital from 37 weeks until 5 days after the c-section.

I think the hospital stay prior to the c-section did affect how I felt about the whole thing though and found recovery afterwards quite hard. I had another c-section with ds2 without the hospital stay up front (arrived at the ward at 8.30am, in theatre by 12 noon, all done by 1.30 pm) and this was so much better, so if you do need a section, try to avoid a hospital stay up front if you can.

Cece, that's quite a story! I'm amazed I haven't felt the baby turning - he must do it at night.

UnseenAcademicalMum, can I ask why they kept you in hospital for so long before doing a c-section?

Is it possible that something I've done has caused him to move out of position? I've been doing my perineal massage faithfully for the last few days, and I have to sort of lean forward to actually reach down there. I'm slightly concerned that he hates being squashed so much (even if it's just for 5 minutes, twice a day) that he moved to avoid it.

this is exactly what happened to my best friend....most people role their eyes at this but she's been seeing an accupuncturist throught her pregnancy and he treated her after she found out about the traverse lie and it corrected it. Well, you could argue it moved itself but hey! its well worth thinking about.

AmeliaEarhart, we lived at the time in a rural area about 25 miles from the hospital. The consultant decided that because 37 weeks was technically "term" (i.e. I could go into labour at any time and ds would not be considered premature), there was a risk of going into labour whilst at home. Going into labour with a transverse baby could result in cord prolapse which they didn't want to risk given the possibility of not being able to get to hospital quickly. in reality I didn't even have a Braxton Hicks contraction before my section, so I was probably unlikly to go into labour, but the consultant didn't want to take the risk. They then didn't want to plan a section before 39 weeks due to increased risk of respiratory problems prior to this.

If it's any comfort, I doubt it is something you've "done" which would make him that way. Some women have uterus's which are shaped such that this may be the most comfortable position for baby. I should also add that ds2 was an unstable lie (though not completely transverse, he was oblique at 36 weeks) - it seems some women are just more prone to it.

DD2 was transverse from 20wk scan onwards. I was booked in for a section at 38 wks and went in at 37+6 for checks to find... she'd turned head down, nearly fully engaged! I had no idea, despite being really uncomfy previously!

Cue consultant saying section was not necessary and dd being born at 39+4, naturally.