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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Breech at 32 weeks

26 replies

Springforward · 08/04/2013 20:23

Hello. I just found out my baby is currently breech. I know that there's a good chance it will find its way head down naturally by 36 weeks (when I have another scan booked), but I've just made the mistake of consulting Dr Google....

Could someone please tell me some nice positive stories about breech births and healthy babies? I'm not that bothered by the idea of a planned cs to be hones, I just want my baby here safe and well.

TIA.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

SmokeyEyes · 10/04/2013 10:50

Hi Springforward, I'm in the same situation as you. Baby has been correct way up for ages then at my 31 week appointment, midwife said she's fully breech. They don't seem too concerned until I reach 36 weeks (currently almost 34wks) but I'm trying to sit with correct posture on the off chance it helps!

My sisters baby was breech and they couldn't turn her so did a planned c-section which went totally fine. In fct, my sister said since she didnt have a choice in it, it was great because she just turned up, had c-section then left. Obviously there was the recovery but there were no problems. I guess there's only so much you can do!

I wouldn't worry too much. Easy to say, I know. I keep googling things then regretting it too! Sorry I'm not too helpful, thought if just let you know you're not alone.

phantomhairpuller · 10/04/2013 10:51

My baby was breech at 34 weeks. He's head down now at 37 weeks don't worry!

Original poster

Springforward · 10/04/2013 19:52

Thank you both :-), got all wobbly there for a bit. I even started a second thread in childbirth - and I'm usually much, much better behaved on here than that!

If babe doesn't turn naturally I think I'm going to just ask for a planned cs, the midwives have given me lots of information (think they worked out I'd get it from somewhere and so it might as well be them, even if a bit early) and despite a good record on ECVs and vaginal breech births it feels a bit like the risks fall on the baby, whereas if I have the cs the main risks are mine, and that feels better to me at the moment.

Now I just have to work out how to leave Google alone!

OP posts:

Hermionewastherealhero · 10/04/2013 20:08

I went for a planned c section instead of having my baby turned, he then came 2 weeks early do it was a elcs.
It was fine, honestly!
The epidural was awful as my contractions didn't have a gap between so couldn't relax and keep still but everything else was lovely to be honest. My husband sat next to me and we chatted throughout.
Baby was very bent at first (legs around head) but straightened out quickly and his hip scan, that all breech babies have, was clear.
We both recovered easily.

Hermionewastherealhero · 10/04/2013 20:10

Sorry - ended up being a emcs

Original poster

Springforward · 10/04/2013 20:24

Ooh - Hermione, do you think that when the websites talk about birth defects they mean mostly hip dysplasia, then? I have been catastrophising that bit, despite 1 in 700 nuchal result (massively better than my age related risk) and normal 20 week scan....

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lotsofcheese · 10/04/2013 20:28

My baby has been consistently breech since week 20 & today (34+5) my consultant has booked a sevtion for 39 weeks. I had a section 1st time too so ECV isn't an option.

I'd rather have a planned c-section than go through labour & need EMCS.

Good luck & hoping your baby turns.

Original poster

Springforward · 10/04/2013 20:37

Totally agree about planned cs - DS was ventouse delivery so no experience of either, but if I'm having surgery I want it to happen in a calm controlled kind of way.

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mamalovebird · 10/04/2013 20:40

My ds was breech right up to 38 weeks but turned after I spent the day painting the bathroom floor. I was all mentally prepared for a cs but he didn't need it. Get on your hands and knees and do some clockwise circular movements to see if that helps move baby. Good luck.

DrMcDreamysWife · 10/04/2013 20:41

My dd was breech at 34 weeks but midwife advised going for some nice long walks and it totally worked! Dd was born head down, actually very straight forward birth. Might work for you too

weeblueberry · 10/04/2013 20:52

Try not to worry just yet. My baby was breech at 32 weeks and stayed that way til 34. Am now 36 and although my midwife appointment isn't until next week I'm almost certain she's starting to engage.

BearPear · 10/04/2013 20:58

Both my babies were breech. DS was standard bum-first with his feet up around his ears. DD was a "footling" breech born feet first in a cross-leg position.

Both were vaginal deliveries, DD was assisted forceps but DS was no additional assistance. I had a pelvic x-ray to make sure my pelvis could deliver ok because I'm not especially big (5'4"). I had an epidural for both in case of emergency section, and both were delivered by the registrar (I think that's the right term - the consultant obstetrician).

This was 21 & 19 years ago - I think they go for c-sections these days.

It can be done, easy peasy, good luck!

aloysiusflyte · 10/04/2013 21:08

My ds was already breech at 20 weeks and we found out at about 30 weeks. Nothing I did would make him turn even though it really felt like he was trying to turn himself but he didn't have enough room.
I went for the ECV at 38 weeks which was painful (probably didn't help that I had a student doctor doing it for practice!!) but my ds was well and truly stuck. But I felt that I needed to give it a go and was hopeful it might work.
Anyway, I opted for an ELCS at 39 weeks because as you say, there isn't so many risks for the baby, more for the mum and a vaginal breech birth sounded fairly scary. The ELCS was a good experience, I felt relaxed and calm and still had the skin to skin contact afterwards. Recovery is sore but quite quickly got better.
Unfortunately my ds was born with hip dysplasia (his hip sockets hadn't formed properly) which was caused by the silly position he had grown in (head under my ribs, bum engaged and legs pointing straight up towards his head) so in our case, the dysplasia was not caused by the method of delivery but I have always thought that if I had opted for a breech vaginal birth, his hips could have been more damaged.
But, the story has a happy ending, he had to have treatment when he was small but he's now an incredibly active 2.5 year old and you couldn't tell at all that he started off with all that!
Sorry for the essay but it's all on my mind a bit at the moment cos I'm pregnant again and wondering what the next 8 months might hold!
Hope some of the info might have helped :)

Original poster

Springforward · 10/04/2013 21:48

Aloysius, thank you - really reassuring to. learn that hip dysplasia doesn't have to be a big problem.

Ladies, you are marvellous - feeling much less wobbly now.

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StiffyByng · 11/04/2013 18:34

Glad you feel better, Springforward.

I had a breech baby at 32 weeks. I have my 36 week scan tomorrow. I have no idea if the baby has moved so I am crossing everything that tomorrow brings good news.

Original poster

Springforward · 11/04/2013 19:50

Hope it goes well, Stiffy .

I've never been any good at guessing how the baby's positioned, but there's been so much violent kicking and wiggling this week that I wouldn't be that surprised if something was changing. Also checked back through handheld records, since MWs have been recording it they seem to have been alternating between cephalic ( that does mean head down, doesn't it?) and mobile, is it possible that this one is just constantly on the move? I've always said this one moved so much more than DS did....

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StiffyByng · 11/04/2013 20:26

My midwives had this baby down as cephalon the week before my last scan but then decided they had been wrong! But I reckon plenty of babies spin around a lot so you could have one of them. This one has done lots of violent moving too, but I think the telltale head shape (that I'm now familiar with) is still at the top sadly.

Original poster

Springforward · 11/04/2013 21:21

The sonographer did explain how the midwives could have been mistaken by the head being splinted by baby's arms and legs, so I guess it's possible that it's never been head down at all I guess.

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StiffyByng · 12/04/2013 10:40

I now have a head down baby. And I had such inner certainty that it wasn't going to happen. Fingers crossed for the other breech babies to spin around!

Original poster

Springforward · 12/04/2013 13:31

Great news Stiffy

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Original poster

Springforward · 06/05/2013 18:20

The baby turned of her own accord , just found out at scan. Thanks to all for your support while waiting!

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DesparateHousewife83 · 06/05/2013 19:00

Hi Springforward!
My DD was breech from 32 weeks and never turned! We were almost pushed into having the proceedire to turn her but decided against it. If DD wanted to be breech ten we weren't going to mess with that.
We had an elective c section booked for only 4 days before due date but didn't make it- I went in to Natral labour at 38+4. Straight to hospital where they checked breech again, and emergency c section. It was amazing an the most incredible experience. The drs were reassuring and the whole thing was frankly magical! I loved the caection so much I am now pregnant with my 2nd and am going to try for an elective this time too.
The funny thing was that when DD was born she wasn't sucking her thumb, she was sucking her toes after being in her breech position for so long!!!
You have nothing to worry about- whichever way they come out it will be totally incredible. Good luck, and enjoy! Xxxx

DesparateHousewife83 · 06/05/2013 19:01

Just seen baby turned! Good luck for everything xxx

Original poster

Springforward · 06/05/2013 19:04

Thanks I'd also decided that I wasn't going to consent to an ECV so I'm really pleased, although an ELCS wouldn't have been the end of the world I was hoping for a fuss-free vaginal birth really.

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Skelosia · 06/05/2013 19:22

Bit worried about this hip dysplasia, not been told that would be a problem for us. I had to have my 20 well scan repeated, and at the first scan baby was head down, then the second was transverse, which baby has stayed in since. Well be having or 36 week scan in for Weeks though and hope baby turns. Congratulations on your baby turning though OP and I've found this thread very useful.

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