Scan shows baby is breech, do they turn usually or will this scupper my home birth plans?

[sorkycake]

This is the 1st time I've been told my child is breech. My other two were always either side or head down, either by palpating or on scans.
This one hoofs me big time in my bladder, never used to wee as much with other two pg, or feel the kicking in the places this one kicks.
Does anyone know if he'll stay this way or is it likely he'll turn the right way around?

hi there

I haven't experienced it myself so this is just what I've remembered from other mums' experiences. It depends how far on you are, and basically I think they could turn round right up until they engage. I believe there was a study done a few years ago which scared doctors about the risks of breech births, which is why if you're booked with a hospital they will try to get you to go for a Caesarian, and definitely recommend you against the home birth. But experienced midwives will have managed vaginal breech births. And there are many ways you can try to get the baby to turn. Just try a Google search for 'optimal foetal positioning' or OFP. Or this page on Babycentre gives a quick summary

Try looking at the homebirth.org.uk site (if you haven't done already). There's also a link to a very interesting discussion on the UK Midwifery Archives. Here's another short one and here's another discussion on ivillage.co.uk.

hope that helps

How far along are you?

Sorky, most babies who are breech at your stage will turn. Even if yours doesn't, it is (just about) possible to have a home birth although you might have some fighting to do as a lot of midwives and doctors will recommend you don't, and you might have to pay for an independent midwife. My local health authority won't cover home breech births. Someone on here (can't remember name) had a breech homebirth a few weeks ago.

For what it's worth, I wouldn't risk it myself having seen the Canadian research on vaginal breech births which showed that 5% of babies died. Have a look at all the statistics before you make your decision - that sounds really patronising and it's not meant to be, I just don't know how else to put it.

Mine was breech & was taken to hospital at 37 weeks in suspected early labour, registrar called to discuss emergency c-section etc then found he had turned so I dont think its ever too late.
I personally wouldnt risk a VB with a breech but that is just me & have had lunch with some cousins today, one of who had a VB breech 1st baby in just under 5 hours with no pain. Now everyone is different but that was pretty impressive. WOuld be very concerned for a homebirth but it all depends on your MW & how comfortable you are with it.
It will also depend on policy in your area (I think-someone correct me if I'm wrong)
Good luck

MS,Actually...m/w's ans consultants can only advice a woman, in the end it's the womans decision though...much as they might to try to make you belief otherwise!

We have a good midwife-led unit here, and they said that they wouldn't deliver breech babies in the unit. Apparently there was a large-scale study going on, under the auspices of NICE, to assess the risk of breech vaginal births, but it was actually stopped early, because it became clear that the complications were significantly higher in the breech deliveries.

My 1st was breech but we didn't know until I waswell into labour so had to have an emergency c-section. My 3rdwas breech fairly late in pg but turned himself.

Hiya,
Im almost a Homeopath, find a good one becuase thare are remedies out there that can help. Its not guranteed, but I do know women who has used homeopathy and the baby was breech, and the baby wasn't breech after the remedy was taken.

twocats....Birth Units will only ever deliver straightforward Births, if you have anything out of the ordinary, this could be GD or Breech position you have only 2 choices, one being at home and one at Hospital!
Here some more good links
radical midwifes link
good article
another breech article on aims website
aims homepage
Mary Cronks website
radical midwifes on Breechbirths in general
campaign for normal Breechbirth weblink
Sorry, so many links but all a good read
Always good to know as much as you can...imo anyway

Yes to everything 3andnomore said. Also recommend the homebirth yahoo group

The Hannah term breech trial is the one that everyone's referring too and it has been widely criticised. There was a review published in the American Journal of Obs and Gynae earlier this year that said its recommendations should be withdrawn.

Chances are the baby will turn anyway, but a homebith isn't necessarily ruled out even if he/she doesn't.

this might repeat stuff in the threads you've been given the links to , but here you are, -
anecdotal evidence that pulsatilla can turn a breech baby - homeopathic remedy, and moxybustion (mugwort) which an accupuncturist can do for you. also, visualisation, talking to baby and asking it to turn...... and of course external cephalic version, which will be done by your hospital , can have a good success rate. can turn by themsleves....

Ladies thank you sooo much for all the info and the links, I'm halfway through them.

It's early days for me atm, I'm only 21 wks, so I know there's plenty of time for the baby to turn.
I just thought it might pay to be armed with info ready to make MY informed choice.
I tend to avoid hospital like the plague anyway so I doubt I'll be going there. They're scalpel-happy, as far as I'm concerned.
My sister delivered her 1st baby double breech in hospital in 6 hours with little pain relief, so I know they will allow it but saying that she was too far for a C-section, and had about 10 people in the room to witness it as they don't get to see it in training.
Someone has recommended to me today to get the birthing ball out as that helps apparently. Will try all methods!

Hi...don't spend all that money on a proper Birthing ball, get one of thos Gym balls instead, they aer much the same thing and Asda and Argos and many other shops do them cheap!
link