Not being offered a scan at 36 weeks despite previous emcs - is this normal?

[PussinJimmyChoos]

Thought I needed a scan at 36 weeks to check position of baby due to having an emcs with first baby and midwife seemed to think so also. No appt had arrived so I rang clinic and they said notes said to only see their doctor and no scan

Is this right? I mean I know they can tell position of baby at 36 weeks but surely they need to scan as well??

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no, no scan as a matter of routine .

you could insist on one, but if there is no doubt about position , then it's not necessary.

if there was doubt over the position or had been unstable lie then yes

previous c.s was not for breech ?

Oh hello dear

Can't you tell I am getting a tad flappy as birth approaches??

EMCS with DS was due to failure to progress - he was back to back but not breech

flapping, reallly???

have you done VBAC birth preferences/plan?

Have midwife on Wed and going to do a draft birthplan for her to look at...although quite frankly, am not convinced they even look at it on the labour ward!

Friend's DS was back to back and she was close to emcs until dr went in and physically turned baby, she then dilated much more effectively and birthed vaginally...puzzled why they didn't do this with me so may put that down as a preference if this one is back to back

Its cos I'm so desperate for a VBAC..wish to be more chilled and Que Sera Sera about it all but...

Hi Pussin,

Am pregnant with 2nd child, first was back to back and got stuck so ended up with EMCS. Saw consultant at 23wks this time and she has told me to come back at 37wks for a growth/position scan then to see her to make sure I can go for a VBAC this time. Not sure if this is the norm though.

Exactly the same here pussin - emcs last time for failure to progress/back to back - I'm seeing consultant tomorrow (am 33 weeks) but no mention has been made of a scan. Will be interesting to see if that comes up tomorrow - incredible how much it differs between HCPs!

I would think that a scan to check for back to back is a bit pointless tbh.

The MW will probably be able to tell the position by palpating, and the baby could move position at any time.

Would knowing if the baby was back to back make any difference about your decision to VBAC?

ITs not to check for back to back - they have to make sure baby is not breech as risk of c scar rupture if you labour with breech baby as far as I understand it

I've not read that a breech presentation leaves you at more of a risk of uterine rupture. I'm no expert, but I had a VBAC and done some extensive reading before embarking on it. Of course that doesn't mean it's not true, just because I haven't read it

I have never heard of a VBAC'er being scanned to check they aren't breech unless they have had a previous undiagnosed breech, but then again each hospital has different 'rules'.

Would you feel more confidant having been scanned?

turning a back to back baby is not really that usual i didnt think? lots of back to back babies turn in labour or are born back to back.. DD was, and she was VBAC

you are not more at rsik of rupture if breech, you are going to be more strongly recommended to have an elective section rather than a trial of labour though

baby can move around the last few weeks, if you are in labour and there are doubts about whether head dwon or breech, you will be scanned.

DC1 was emcs. DC2 was VBAC. At my 36w consultant appointment he felt to see if DC2 was breech. He wasn't 100% sure, so he left the room and wheeled in a portable scanner. He held it on my lower abs and saw what he needed to see in 2 seconds and then took it off and said 'fine - not breech!'

I don't think a proper, 20min scan appointment is necessary.

Oh I see...I automatically assumed that if baby was breech, it was elective c section with no option to have a trial of labour - that is what they said when I saw the consultant in the first trimester but perhaps I can challenge it if so required (hopefully will not be a need for it!!)

Will discuss futher with midwife at my appt this week

Thank goodness for Mumsnet

Some Cons would opt straight for a csection with a breech baby (whatever breech position the baby may be in) whether you are a VBAC'er or not.

If it's on your mind have a good chat with your MW and don't be fobbed off, get an answer from her - or a promise of an answer if she needs to consult with someone.

Good luck, I hope to see your VBAC birth announcement on her in the next month or so

I hope so too! Or a live labour thread...but I would probably end up in labour and posting at 3am in the morning, not getting many replies and then sobbing that I am a mumsnet outcast to DH! ha ha