Breech at 36 weeks.

[GlitteryBalls]

Went for 36 week MW apt yesterday. Everything thing fine and perfectly normal just as it has been throughout whole of pregnancy, BUT MW thinks baby is breech atm. Typical as at every apt up til now it has been head down!

Have to go for scan next week as I will be officially full-term/37 weeks, then they will try and turn it if it is breech. She explained that most breech babies are delivered via CS and that sometimes they can be delivered vaginally with an epidural and little pushing, just using contractions and gravity. But of course I am now thinking of lots of questions I should have asked her so am turning to you lot!

I am trying not to let it worry me too much, but I think up til I have just taken it for granted that evrything would go fairly according to plan as I have been very lucky up til now. Did anyone have a baby presenting as breech at 36 weeks that then turned on it's own? Or is it likely it will stay that way now? Also, is it likely that the turning will work? Also, has anyone donw those exercises where you stick you bum in the air on all fours and had any success?

In terms of delivery, is a CS inevitable? Why do they tend to do them? Is it because the labour more longer/painful or is it because you are more likely to get "messed up" down there and need episiotomies etc? Also, if they decide at 37 weeks that I am breech, will they wait for me to go into labour/go to my due date? Or will I be pretty much whisked in straightaway?

Sorry about all the questions! Just didn't think to ask at the time and don't think I want to wait a week to find out!

I don't tend to mention that I am a med student that much unless they ask, as I expect that everyone should get the same treatment and obviously this is still my first baby and first time doing this so I don't want to be a know it all. The only time it was brought up really was when I went once with my mum and she was getting annoyed at by behalf at how patronising the MW was being so politely pointed it out! Yes I am hoping that if/when I speak to an obstetrician and I explain it to them that they will explain everything to me properly.

I will have my 37 week scan on Wednesday, if they have had a feel and think she still may be breech. Mine also feels like she's trying - lots of really strong big movements that are almost painful sometimes.. Everytime I have a poke of my belly it feels different - sometimes it feels like she's lying sideways as I can feel a lumpy bit on both sides but not at the top!

Also a bit concerned as today and yesterday I am getting crampy/periody pain more than usual and lots of BHs. Have had an upset tummy since Friday though so may just have something to do with that. No shows or anything that I have noticed though...

My friend reckons she had an upset tummy and then her baby turned (with each pregnancy) so that might be a good sign - though perhaps a little too anecdotal.

Well I suppose if it's wriggling around in there it makes sense...I hope so!

I hope it gets better in case I have to have an ECV. I find it quite uncomfortable when the midwife is just having a feel and what with my tummy being quite tender at the moment...

Are ECVs painful at all as a rule?

The ECV wasn't half as bad as I'd expected. Quite a lot of waiting about (lots of monitoring before and after). You have to have a light breakfast because it can make you feel nauseous. Then you have an injection of something in your stomach (I forget what - begins with 'T') which relaxes your muscles to stop your uterus becoming irritable so that the procedure can be done.

I had entonox on stand by and I asked when I should use it. The Obstetrician said I wouldn't need it - and if I did, it would mean he was pressing too hard. (I should point out, I was with my aunt, a MW, and she said she's never known anyone not need gas and air - and it wasn't that I have a high pain threshold, I think he was just super gentle. The Obstetrician has an 80% success rate - which I believe is quite high).

It was really interesting and the most amazing thing to witness (and you might find it more so, being a med student) - there was a little pressure, but to be honest, it was no more uncomfortable than having a head under your ribs for weeks! It was a case of gentle coaxing, of holding and a bit of prodding and gentle pushing - and I could feel his feet move from the lowest point in my uterus and he sort of slithered round.

The effects of the injection were a bit strange. I felt a bit hot and a bit shakey - like I had low blood sugar (but then I'd had no breakfast and by the time it was done it was lunchtime, so it could've been that, too).

There was a bit of monitoring afterwards and that was it.

I had packed a hospital bag just in case (I never pack them usually, just because I'm stubborn and it annoys my MIL!!) - if you have/need an ECV it might be an idea to take some stuff with you.

If you do need one, I'm sure you won't find it as bad as you imagine.

hmmm still sounds a little bit scary! But of course I will give it a go if necessary and I suppose it's never going to be as bad as childbirth anyway is it! Hopefully they've got it all wrong and it won't come to that...

Well thanks so much to you all for sharing your experiences, you have pretty much answered all my questions! And good luck to you other breechers - kiwi, mac etc. Let me know how you get on! I've got to call tomorrow morning to arrange Wednesday... x

Oh - sorry - I didn't mean it to sound scary. Let us know how you get on!

Oh no, not your fault! You didn't make it sound any scarier than I already thought it sounded! Like I said I'm just a bit wary as my tummy is so tender and crampy anyway because of this upset. I didn't know about the injection to relax you though. The MW said I have quite strong ab muscles as it's my first and I imagined what with being a bit sore/anxious etc I might tense up even more, so the injection sounds a good idea. I'm also a bit gassy - I hope I don't inadvertantly fart when they're doing it - think I would die of shame! Sorry, have just lowered the tone of what was up until now quite a civilised thread!

of your strong abs...

When I told DH that I'd have to have a muscle relaxant - he said, 'Oh, does that mean you might poo yourself?'. Obviously I was unimpressed (and horrified) at that comment. (I didn't, it's not that kind of muscle relaxant obviously.)

I live in fear of farting when being prodded - haven't (so far) not even in childbirth (which amazes me, to be honest). Can't say the same about pooing sadly. I have done that each and every time and I'm still horrified by it. That's definitely the worst bit for me.

Thing is I might just poo myself or fart atm I think! Although there can't be much left in there as everything I eat goes straight through me atm. Hopefully my bowels will have calmed down by wednesday... Anyway there is way to much sharing going on now on my part! Will let you know how it goes!

P.S. I don't have a six pack or anything! Just think my abdominal muscles are a little bit stronger than someone who has already had other pregnancies. They have a nice insulating layer of blubber on top of them so they're hardly wash-board-like!

Not sure I ever had a 6 pack either - but my muscles did once meet in the middle and I didn't used to have a gap I could push my fingers in...

Just to follow on the side track, I never had much in the way of abdominal muscles (which is possibly why I never got very far trying to ride a horse, but that's another story) - and having carried 2 babies I had a gap I could drive a train through. (DD1 is now pushing 4, and DD2 was born in early January).

Then a physio friend dragged me along to Pilates (for the muscularly incompetent). Since (and bear in mind this is me trying not to sound evangelical) I've done 11 classes of about 1 hour each and diddly squat in the way of homework (slap wrists), but my gap is now an indentation, even when I try and find it, and I'm starting to get the top 2 of a six pack for the first time in my life. The scales say I haven't lost a significant amount of weight (maybe 1 lb), but I've somehow lost over 3" on my waist. And its made my muscles hold me up properly so I no longer "hang" off my spine and look 3 months pregnant (a habit that I had, although less pronounced, before pregnant with DD1).

Did I say I was a convert [hblush][hgrin]]?

Anyway - I know it won't be appropriate for you ladies right now, but I wanted to try and give you hope that however knackered your muscles may appear to be now there is hope that things can change and improve once you've given birth and had a few months off to recover :)

I had heard that pilates was the way forward (I did it years ago before I had kids) with post pregnancy stomach muscles. And I even bought a DVD of Prenatal Pilates.

Needless to say, it still has the cellophane on it... .

Babies can turn in labour. I remember a lady who was in labour but her water hadn't broken yet. They knew she was breech so weren't happy about breaking the water. She was sent down for a scan and baby had turned, back to ward to break water, baby was breech. Left her awhile, sent her down for another scan as they thought baby had turned, yes head down. Came back baby was breech. IIRC it happened 6 times! I don't know how that one ended though, they were discussing using a mobile US so they could break water straight away.

I would be very cautious about booking a section for a breech because you just don't know what would happen if you waited.

There was a massive study done a few years ago that showed it was dangerous to birth breech babies naturally and the guidance came out that all breech should be section. However in the last few years that report has been torn to pieces as there were so many holes found it. The biggest danger with a breech is that someone touches the baby before the head is born. During the birth baby doesn't know they're out but if you touch them they could startle and gasp for breath, which is obviously bad when their head is still unborn! Generally doctors and even some MWs aren't used to being hands off, they need to get in and do something so breech is very difficult for them and after years of being told breech = section they don't have the skills to be at a breech birth.

The options you have or what you're allowed to do is whatever you want. Allowed is not a word that should be found in a maternity department! I agree with using your BRAINS but I teach TBRAINS - the T is Time and Talk, whenever they tell you they want to do something you ask "Do we have time to talk about this?" If the answer is no then it's serious (I didn't even have Time to ask and my baby was born 20 minutes later under GA, that was a different scenario to yours). Always talk though the options that you're given and always remember they are only options. It is your body and you get the final say. Just because you have a baby inside you doesn't mean that they can take your right to your own body from you.

Quick update - got scan tomorrow at 2pm.

DP probably won't be able to come as he is manic at work at the moment - he would have been able to come in the morning but that time is about the worst time for him! He's going to try and do his best though. Luckily my mum has a day off work tomorrow so she can come regardless and I won't be on my own!
.

Any other breechers on here had any news/updates?

Sending you spinning vibes. Mine was breech/transverse at my last scan at 32 weeks and I'm due another scan on Thursday when I'll be 36 weeks. However at my MW appointment a fortnight ago, MW and the student MW with her were convinced the head was down - have to say I felt a lot of pressure down there for a while and I sort of felt different. But I'm not convinced she hasn't moved again as lying in bed I can feel hard bits all over and I'm not sure if it is bottom, head or something else! Hope I'll find out Thursday but depends on whether I can get out in the snow.

Best of luck for tomorrow.

My 37 scan is also tomorrow too! Fingers crossed for us!
Interesting that my baby is also moving like crazy, like its trying to move itself, although I'm not sure how successful she is, head up under my ribs all evening yesterday.

Yup, she's breech!

Decided to try ECV and they've booked me in for xmas eve morning! I did have the option to forego the ECV and book in for CS if I wanted, but I think it's worth giving it a go. If that is unsuccessful then they will definitely be strongly advising CS especially as it's my first. Felt a bit rushed through tbh so didn't get much chance to talk things through, but I suppose they can't help that they're busy what with the time of year and all. They gave me lots of information leaflets though - nothing like the personal touch!

I have been reading some research papers as I can access the full articles through my uni online. I think that basically vaginal breech births are associated with higher risk to baby, whereas CS poses obvious short-term risks to the mother. My instinct is telling me now that if the ECV is unsuccessful that I would probably follow advice and go for the CS. Maybe if it hadn't been my first I'd feel differently, but I just feel that I don't want to take unnecessary risks with LO. If I'm honest, my reasons for wanting vaginal birth would be wanting the "experience" etc and they are not worth it in the end, all I care about is a healthy baby! I am quite young (28) and healthy and hopefully I will recover fairly well from a planned CS. And I think nowadays it is fairly likely I could still go on to have a vaginal birth in the future.

I'll see how ECV goes. If it is successful I will probably be wishing I just went for a CS when the contractions kick in!

Even though I felt a bit rushed through, luckily as my dp and I had read up a bit and discussed it already I do feel quite comfortable that I'm following the right course of action for me I think. And of course you ladies helped too!

How did yours go Kiwi?

hey GB
Baby still breech so they offered an ECV for a couple of hours later, which we did, even though she said there was only a 30% chance of success. Any way tried, and yes lots of waiting but didn't work, only had one go, even with equinox it was sore. She did say that it's bum is firmly stuck in my pelvis and that it was gonna be hard cause it's legs are up near it's head (does that make sense?) Still pleased we did it though, worth a try and now booked in for a section the week beginning the 10th of Jan. Good luck!

Oh I'm glad you didn't have to wait for ECV, they seemed rushed off their feet when I was there so didn't ever seem like a possibility for me - they even said that I have to ring delivery suite an hour before I go in on Fri to check that they are not too busy to see me then!

And it was a bit painful? Oh well I'll brace myself then!

Sorry it didn't work out the way you hoped. The obs I spoke to earlier did say that they were more difficult if it's feet are up near it's ears rather than just crossed in front of it.

You sound like you are ok with CS? Tbh I just can't wait to get ECV out of the way and whichever way it goes I will just be happy to know what's happening so I think I would feel the same as you. Now you have you LO's arrival to prepare for and look forward to!

Best of luck to you too. xxx

Had a breech birth (footling breech) with DD. Took 2 1/2 hours. Was undetencted so strated off at home and transferred to hospital during "pushing" stage which was the only uncomfortable bit as I had to not push. Gas and air helped. Gave birth in the OR between contractions. They were prepping me for a c-section and I knew DD was ready to come so I just said "Can I try pushing her out now?" It was all fine, and actually much easier than DS who was head down.

Just thought you might like a positive outcome to boost your confidence!

Thanks Moira. Glad it went so well for you! My mum also had an easy breech birth, but it was her 2nd DC. I suppose if they don't realise they have no choice but to deliver vaginally, but I'm guessing I would be up against some resistance as they know in advance! And of course I know so that will raise my anxiety levels as well. Who knows maybe ECV will work and I'll be able to have a vaginal birth and I suspect then I will be wishing I had a CS when I'm in the midst of labour!

It's not higher risk to have a breech birth and sections to offer risks to the baby as well as the mother which are not all short term effects (take it from someone with a 4.7 year old who is still suffering because of the section).

A breech birth is only higher risk if someone touchs the baby before the head is out as baby could startle and try to breathe.

The problem with scheduling a section is that you're not giving baby chance to turn on their own. They like being breech and it's not uncommon for babies to be breech until the mother is in labour and turn in time to deliver. What would you do if you schedule a section and when it comes to it baby is head down?

You see, I think it's perfectly logical that they would want to be upright - I mean, we are.

That happened to a relative of a friend. They were scheduled for a CS and went in for it that morning. The MW checked her and, I think, she had a scan, and found the baby was head down - and then they were sent away (to wait for nature to take its course) as that would then have become an elective CS.

I've just been for my scan (39 weeks tomorrow) and he's still head down. So all looks promising for homebirth, at least.

thereisalight, that is exactly what happened to me. I was sent home the morning of my planned CS as baby turned head down. I ended up with emergency CS after induction and a long labour. With the benefit of hindsight, I would have the planned CS everytime.