Encouraging baby to turn - what if it does and I don't realise, could it turn back again??

[KirstyJC]

Hi

I really ought to know this since it's my third pregancy and I was breech both other times but I didn't make much of an effort to turn them before!

So, Baby was breech at 28 weeks and am now 32 weeks. Not due to have MW appt until 34 weeks and I am planning a homebirth.

Both previous babies were breech and successfully turned with ECV, although DS2 was VERY hard work to turn because he was massive, and I presume I have a funny-shaped womb .

MW said that although loads of babies are breech at 28 weeks and turn by themselves, given my history it was entirely likely s/he would stay breech and need to be turned by ECV. I had expected this so no problems there. Only I am now wondering about the chances of it not turning with ECV given how hard it was last time and the fact that I seem to be bigger than before. If it doesn't turn, I would imagine they will try and get me to have a ELCS which I really don't want. Equally, I don't know much about option of a breech homebirth which is something I plan to discuss with MW next visit.

So, I have decided to try and get baby to turn by itself. Twice a day I am getting on all fours with bum in the air and head as low as possible. I have bad SPD too which isn't making life easy but with lots of pillows it's OK.

Then the thought suddenly occurred to me - would I know if it turned? Can you tell - I imagine so, but since neither previous baby turned of it's own accord I don't know how noticable it would be? And if it does turn and I can't tell, would continuing to go on all fours mean it might turn breech again?

Typing this out, it does seem silly to ask but then I realised you all don't know me so it doesn't matter if I make a fool of myself!!

If its your 3rd pregnancy, your womb will be more "roomy" than in your 1st pregnancy (due to having it pre-stretched by previous pregnancies). Its not unusual for babies to turn ini the last month for 3rd pregnancies or even turn during labour. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you, however, there are many ways to encourage baby to turn and to stay in the right position - i.e. Optimal Foetal Positioning. This website explains it :

www.homebirth.org.uk/ofp.htm

Things like Moxibustion and acupuncture are said to be helpful if done at around 36 weeks I think.

Thanks for the link - I will have a look now! I have trawled the internet for info but missed this site!

I had looked at Moxibustion and have the details of somewhere near that can do it, but it's a bit early yet - like you say 36 weeks is what they say too.

I think my main worry is that if it isn't turned by the time I have the 37 week scan (which they do for all planned homebirths) then I will be pushed into ELCS. Guess this is something I need to talk to MW about.

Hmm, that site seems to mainly be about babies that are head down but posterior facing - mine is breech ie head up.

Also, a lot of the positions would not be possible to a)get into or b) maintain with my SPD.

Interesting about not putting your legs up - I have been advised to do that for my varicose veins but this site says that encourages posterior positioning?!?! .

Anyone had experience of baby turning by itself? Is it really obvious when it has?

I'm sorry you didn't find the website helpful, I didn't know you also have SPD which must be very painful for you and could make these OFT techniques unworkable or painful to try. What I do know is that for subsequent babies, there is more room for them to move around so its not uncommon for them to turn in weeks near to birth, so don't lose hope yet. My friend is now 39 weeks and its her 3rd baby. She was breech at 36 weeks. Her baby only turned last week at 38 weeks. Hope someone else comes along who can give you the advice you are looking for.

Sorry, I just noticed you said SPD in your OP! My fault for not noticing earlier.

No problem tiger! I tend to write loads so not surprising you missed it!!

There must be more room in there to move around, after 2 big babies I have, er, stretched somewhat on the outside, so hopefully on the inside too!!

It's encouraging to know babies can turn, even at the last minute. Was your friend planning a vaginal breech delivery then, or booked in for ELCS? With both previous births I think the ECV was done at 37 weeks with CS being booked for the week after if it didn't work??

The website was helpful actually but when I clicked on the links to breech birth it was page not found! D'oh!

Hiya. I'm 31 weeks with DC2 and currently breech. My MW has told me that I have plenty of time to turn, so I'm trying not to worry yet (although easier said than done!!).

She has said I'm welcome to do the exercises to encourage it to turn (i.e. on all fours), but has told me to make sure I'm not in the house alone when I do it, as it could be very uncomfortable and make me dizzy/faint so I'm guessing we'd know. :)

I had a friend who's DD turned at 36 weeks and she said it was uncomfortable and she knew about it so I'm assuming you'd know, but I suppose the further you are on the higher the chance that you'll feel it.

Good luck and I hope baby turns. By the way, how uncomfortable was ECV?? I had DD1 at 36+2, so I'm nervous about waiting until 37 weeks - hoping I'll get it done at 36 if still breech.

Try this site
-www.spinningbabies.com/baby-positions/breech-bottoms-up/about-breech
Selina

I suppose it must be obvious when baby turns really, does seem a silly thing to ask now I come to think about it!

As for the ECV, sorry to tell you this but IT REALLY HURTS. Seriously, the booklet said 'might be uncomfortable'....who the hell were they kidding?!?! That's like saying labour 'stings a bit'! In fact, it was about the same pain as contractions were - although I could be a bit of a wuss and it might not be as bad for you!

The good thing is that it is over quite quickly - my first was only a couple of minutes and even the second, which was really hard work (consultant really straining!) was only about 5-10 mins I think. I would go for it a third time if needed since I think this is a much better option than a CS and prob hurts a lot less.

Good luck with turning yours too!

Ooh thanks Selina - this looks really interesting!

I did look at spinning babies website but couldn't find anything - the site I got seemed to just be links to adverts and I got confused (easily done) and impatient (even easlier done!) so quit it!

Will go have a browse over lunch.

I'm not sure how obvious it will be... I suppose it depends on how far along you are and also whether its done in one go.. i.e. it could go transverse then head down over a couple of times rather than in one go?? I've wondered the same question, but just assuming the further I go on the more likely I'll know about it.

I'm not surprised about your response re ECV, just preparing myself really :) I had a "lovely" (well as lovely as labour could be I suppose) with DD1, so am desperate for baby to get in correct position and it to go as smoothly again. Glad to hear its fairly quick though.

I can usually tell a bump is breech by looking at it. If you look frok the side, it looks like the wider part of the bump is at the top, under the boobs and tapers down to the pubic area (the opposite of a head down bump)
Spinning babies also has a section you can look at where you can tell position by movements/kicks etc

Kirsty - also, forgot to mention that my MW suggested doing the exercises when baby is active... suppose this makes sense as its more likely to turn when awake :)

Good luck

That spinning baby website is fantastic, thanks so much for the link!

I have been looking in the mirror and it seems the widest bit is about 1 inch above my tummy button, fairly central really so not much help for me there!?

I have tried to do a baby map but although some bits are clear - only feeling little kick type movements on right for example - I can't find which bit might be the back - baby appears to be central up/down and not to the sides at all. Trust me to have an awkward one!

I will wait until it wakes up (due any minute) and try some of the turning techniques. Many thanks!

Hi there - my baby was breech until 29 weeks when I went to an acupuncturist (who specialises in fertility/pregnancy) and after one treatment (needles not moxibustion although I did take the sticks to use in the future if he turned back) and he turned the very next day (which could be coincidence).... and hasn't turned back (but is posterior... which is another problem!). She is London based and I can pass on the details if that would help.

I have terrible problems with my hips (similar to SPD) and could not do the exercises (for posterior) either as after one day of doing them I could not walk the next two days at all and was in terrible pain so I understand how frustrating that is.

I had a baby exactly a year ago so my baby has a lot of room to move about too.

I don't think it is obvious when babies turn. My DS was transverse/unstable at 37 weeks and midwife thought his head was down and it wasn't. When he did turn briefly, I didn't feel it as he had been wriggly anyway.

This one is my 6th, lots of extra room inside and out and she is oh so comfy facing backwards on her side. I can't tell which bit of her is which though as sometimes she kicks one side and thumps the other and they both feel the same....unless she does the splits lol.