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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 with 7 weeks to go.

30 replies

Spidermama · 31/08/2006 22:04

My friend has just learned her baby is breech. The MWs say they'll try to turn it in a couple of weeks if it hasn't turned by itself. They also say if it's breech she'll have to have a CS.
Really?
Has anyone had a baby turn at this point?
Has anyone delivered a breech naturally?

She's in a bit of a pg haze and not sure what to make of all this so I'd love some MN wisdom to pass on to her.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

susie68 · 01/09/2006 00:37

I had my first baby naturally. He was breach and a month premature. Not a particularly pleasant birth as all a bit quick and out of control but would definately think its better for the mother than CS. I was up and about the next day. Not sure if I'd have been able to persuade them for natural birth if hadn't all have been out of their hands but it worked out best for us and it does show its quite possible. Think there is a higher risk to the baby though. Know of a couple of people who have had theirs turned a few weeks before their due date. At the end of the day its only a means to an end and a healthy mother and baby has got to be the most important thing whatever the method of birth.

Elibean · 01/09/2006 08:37

I had dd turn from transverse, where she had seemed permanently lodged for weeks, to head down at about 36 weeks. I think your friend still has a fair bit of time for her baby to turn, meantime it might help to spend some of it on her hands and knees watching tv or reading! Wishing her luck..

Pamina3 · 01/09/2006 08:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

coppertop · 01/09/2006 09:04

Dd was breech until about 36 weeks - when she moved to a transverese position. She was head down by 38wks.

Original poster

Spidermama · 01/09/2006 09:31

Thanks for these. Tips on turning would be good too. My friend's baby is now transverse so possibly on the way round.

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Pamina3 · 01/09/2006 09:33

This reply has been deleted

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Mercy · 01/09/2006 09:36

Ds was transverse then breech until nearly 38 weeks, the hospital didn't seem particularly bothered by this.

He turned of his own accord - and it bloody well hurt actually.

SIL's sister had breech twins which she delivered naturally!!

Good luck to your friend

Original poster

Spidermama · 01/09/2006 09:53

Is it very common to insist on CS's if a baby is breach? Also, crucially, have I been spelling it wrongly? Is it breech or breach. (I'm criging at myself now [shame])

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Pamina3 · 01/09/2006 10:06

This reply has been deleted

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Mercy · 01/09/2006 10:09

It's spelled BREECH!

It does seem increasingly common for a CS to be recommended for a breech baby which is why I was surprised when my hospital didn't mention it as a possibility.

whiffy · 01/09/2006 10:58

I had breech with DS1 but had it turned by reflexology. Was a sceptic but it worked, promise. Try it - even if it doesn't work for your friend it will leave her very relaxed and feeling pampered.

Original poster

Spidermama · 01/09/2006 11:41

It's her second baby. Wow wiffy reflexology? I'd be up for that but, at a guess, my friend wouldn't. She comes from a medical background so alternatives are possibly a bit snort worthy in those circles. I've sent her a link to this thread.

Hello if you're reading.

OP posts:

wools · 01/09/2006 13:52

Spidermama, I'll be watching this thread with interest. I'm in the same boat as your friend. I'm 34 weeks and baby is transverse. I like the sound of Pamina's tip with the frozen veg - might give that one a go.

TuttiFrutti · 01/09/2006 13:57

It's unusual to deliver breech babies naturally these days, because if it's known about in advance nearly all hospitals will insist on a C-section. There are a tiny number of breech babies born naturally, but nearly always that's because the breech wasn't diagnosed beforehand and by the time they realise it is too late - susie68, presumably that happened in your case?

Breech babies suffer high risks of being stillborn because they can get stuck after the body is born but before the head. I've seen one study which showed that 5% of breech babies died during vaginal births.

clairemow · 01/09/2006 14:03

I know several people who had breech babies vaginally without problems. I also know quite a few people whose babies have turned at 38 weeks or so.

I would advise that your friend asks for a scan to check which sort of breech position the baby is in. My first was breech, with his feet sticking straight up round his head, so I would have had to give birth to head plus 2 feet at the same time. I opted for a section without much hesitation... and it was totally fine. He arrived a week before the appointment we had to turn him - I would have preferred this route, but didn't get the choice.

I think one of the problems hospitals have with it is that many midwives and doctors do not have much experience with delivering breech babies, and feel that section is the safest way to go. This is a shame, and I guess a result of many people opting for/being advised to opt for a section if the baby is breech. However, I think the baby can get into distress as well, since the largest part of the body, the head, is delivered last when the mother is already tired etc.

Perhaps your friend could have an appointment with a consultant nearer the time if the baby is still breech, to discuss her options through thoroughly, and scan to see the position clearly.

Also, apparently, accupuncture can work to turn the baby. No idea if this is a myth or true though!

clairemow · 01/09/2006 14:05

Re hospitals insisting on a section - I was at Queen Charlotte's in London, and they didn't insist at all on a section - it was entirely my choice. This could vary I guess, depending on the experience of the staff.

Pamina3 · 01/09/2006 14:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Spidermama · 01/09/2006 21:08

Bumping for the evening.

OP posts:

Orlando · 01/09/2006 21:20

I delivered dd2 naturally. Had to have an epidural which wasn't what I would have wanted, but was utter bliss in the event.

We watched in fascination as a purple foot emerged from my fanjo. Then it was a swift trip to theatre while the consultant (called away from watching England v Wales at rugby on the telly) hovered with his scissors.

Luckily she came out with the second push.

Original poster

Spidermama · 01/09/2006 21:31

Great description Orlando.

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Orlando · 01/09/2006 21:44

Did try all that bum-in-the-air, accupuncture, moxobustion malarkey, but the lady wasn't for turning.

Sheila Kitzinger is a great advocate of natural breech delivery. I took her book into the hospital to try to persuade the consultant that I could still have a home birth, but they weren't having it, sadly. If only I'd realised at the time how lucky I was not to be forced into a cs. (it was 8 years ago now)

Recommend Sheila for a bit of plain old fashioned commonsense midwifery advice, though.

Original poster

Spidermama · 01/09/2006 21:48

Yes I'm a big fan of Sheila. Her books were my bibles with my first two pregnancies. Then I joined the Ina May Gaskin fan base.

OP posts:

Jods · 06/09/2006 14:12

Hi All!
I'm nearly38 wks and the baby has only just turned.

MissChief · 06/09/2006 14:15

go for an ECV in hospital to get baby turned properyly. worked for me at 36 weeks, no pain, v quick. moxibusiton/bum in air etc etc just didn't do the trick

sunnydelight · 06/09/2006 14:52

I can highly recommend an acupuncturist in Brighton spidermama - at one point DD was breech and we discussed it and he said he has a very good success rate turning babies. I have used him loads, including in pregnancy, and he was a nurse for years so I really trust him. Text/call me if you want his details.

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