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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Frank breech baby at 36W - could really use some stories of babies turning/being turned

20 replies

Electroswing · 21/04/2015 14:30

I've just found out that my baby (DC1) is in frank breech position (head at the top, bum in my pelvis, legs straight up). The MW has told me I can try an ECV, or book in for a C-sec and wait to see if it turns by itself. I'm feeling pretty disappointed that I may not get a chance at normal vaginal delivery (I don't want to try breech vaginal) and I'm also scared of the ECV and worried it might distress the baby. I don't massively want a C-section.

I'm feeling a bit sad and dispirited and could really do with some stories about babies turning - did yours turn late? Did you have an ECV that worked? I need hope!

OP posts:

Chickenfillets · 21/04/2015 14:36

Hi, my baby was breech but turned the day I had my 36 week appointment. The next day I felt him flip right back and his head was under my ribs again. A few days later he completely flipped round again and has stayed head down ever since. So there is still chance of your bubba turning.

nicnac1603 · 21/04/2015 14:39

Oh no you poor thing!!

Firstly, you potentially still have around 4-6 weeks for baby to turn and it can happen. I am sure she has told you already all the tips for turning baby naturally, such as exercise ball, lying on your left and night, etc, but they really do work!

Secondly, my DC1 (still waiting, 40+3) had been in the correct position from week 24 but last week decided to turn around entirely. Midwife was very positive with me, told me that baby will move with some encouragement.

Try to stay as positive as you can. I know it can be really disappointing and I am in the same boat. I do not want a c-section either but at the end of the day, I want whatever is safest for the baby. That's all that matters in the end

MayfairMummy · 21/04/2015 14:43

OP, I'm literally lying in hospital bed being monitored post ecv as I type. I have a similar post to yours from a few days ago on the childbirth topic. My ecv couldn't have been smoother. Dc3 now cephalic and seems very happy. Didn't even want or need to use the gas and air I was given tho my belly is somewhat red!

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 21/04/2015 14:56

DS who is 16 days today was breech until 37 weeks, have you looked at the spinning babies website? I spent a lot of time sitting on my birthing ball or on all fours with my bum in the air, he turned one afternoon whilst I was washing up.

NeuroticFox1 · 21/04/2015 16:32

Sounds odd but a friend of mine said her baby turned after she had some reflexology. From memory I think she said they worked on her little toes and the baby got into the right position.

Original poster

Electroswing · 21/04/2015 16:46

Thanks everyone!

I've been doing yoga all through pregnancy so know a few moves that are supposed to help baby turn, plus have a birthing ball & will use that. I've checked out spinning babies, smiling, I'll also be doing some inversions!

I'm not normally a believer in alternative medicine but I will try reflexology as a friend has recommended someone to me. I may also give moxibustion a go.

mayfair, I'm really glad your ECV went well. There are so many ECV horror stories on here that I was getting a bit freaked out. May I ask, is it your first baby? I'm concerned it has a low chance of working for me because it's my first and I've got pretty strong stomach muscles and a small, tight 'all-baby' bump.

I think I've decided to give it a go though. It's got to be worth a try.

nicnac, I hope it works out for you! You are right that the most important thing is what's safe for the baby - and if I need to, I'll have the CS. I'm just a bit gutted at the idea . . .

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Original poster

Electroswing · 21/04/2015 16:47

Ignore me mayfair, you said DC3 in your post.

I'm sleep-deprived from worrying, I blame that

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MayfairMummy · 21/04/2015 18:57

Electroswing, I will very definitely say that they thought my baby wasn't tight in the uterus; having had a biggish DS2 helped that, I'm sure. Having said that, I also spent the last week doing the spinning babies exercises, to try and keep her out of my pelvis, plus I got reflexology on Friday night. The reflexology really seemed to do something; she was moving soooo much after that, but she just didn't seem to be able to get around...

I was also really worried about it, and totally couldn't sleep this morning, and now don't know at all what i was worried about :-) Don't get me wrong; there are still risks (1/100 of baby having some distress and a c-section for example), but if you read the various mumsnet threads on ECV, it feels like you're almost certainly going to be having an issue! The docs at my hospital were great; the most unpleasant part for me was the injection to relax the uterus and the shakes/heart racing i got afterwards. That's normal for me, though (i use the same drugs for my asthma and have the same reaction).

It might be worth buying some moxibustion sticks, too, if you can - you can do this to yourself and they're inexpensive online; there are instructions on what to do online. If you're in london, i can recommend my reflexologist, who comes to you so you can just chill out and relax (mine comes when ds1 and ds2 are in bed)...

Mslad · 21/04/2015 18:57

electro I'm in the exact same position as you. 36+1 today and baby has always been breach. I have to decide if I want an ecv and like you I've also read a lot of horror stories. Apart from having to decide that, I kinda think what will be will be. I'm trying all the tips and hope they work, but its out of our hands really. Whatever gets baby here safely will be the best option. I really do hope your little one turns for you.

MrsLovell · 21/04/2015 19:47

Here to hold your hand op, I'm in exactly the same position as you. 36+6 today with dc1 and booked in for ECV this Thursday. I have read some horror stories, but also all the NHS advice and rcog advice. I gave up with the spinning babies website when they started talking about all the homeopathic remedies that work. Each to their own, but I'm not a believer. I really don't want a c section if I can help it, so my feeling is I might as well try ECV as it's probably the only chance I'm going to avoid one. My consultant says the chances of the baby turning by its self after 37 weeks is less than 5 percent and that there is no scientific evidence that anything I do will increase the chance of it happening. But I'm still really nervous about the whole thing, this is not how I imagined it would go. I hope it works for you xxx

Original poster

Electroswing · 22/04/2015 11:10

Thanks everyone.

mayfair, that's reassuring. I am now booked to have the ECV next week. I felt like I had to give it a go. I'm not in London unfortunately, but a friend locally has recommended a lady that she saw for reflexology.

Mrs, that's just it - it's not how you imagined. I would feel OK if I knew for sure that I was going to have a C-section, or for sure that I was lined up for a natural birth. But having it be uncertain means I can't make my peace with one or the other. All my nice calm confident feelings about labour are crumbling, and I might still have to do it.

I hope your ECV works!

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kiwiscantfly · 22/04/2015 11:16

Hi there,
My first DD was frank breech and we gave an ECV a go, because we thought like you, what do we have to loose. We had a 30% of success according to the consultant. We had one go, I used the gas and air and it was the most painful thing I've ever done. It didn't worked and when we were offered two more goes my husband refused, he said it was awful.

I'm sorry to be a Debbie downer but I thought you need to hear both sides of the story, and I honestly wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

However I do recommend ELCS, way different to an EMCS, my birth was calm and relaxed. So much so that even though I was a perfect candidate for a vbac I chose another ELCS.

I really hope it works out the way you want.

Original poster

Electroswing · 22/04/2015 11:19

Yep, I've seen other horror stories on MN kiwi so know it doesn't go well for everyone.

I've been reassured that I can stop the procedure at any time and even decline it on the day after a chat with the doctor, if I want to, so I feel happy that if it turns out to be too painful I can call a halt.

Good to hear that you had a good ELCS experience

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YawnyMcYawn · 22/04/2015 11:27

Two of mine turned the right way up. 1 at 37 weeks and 1 at 38 or 39 (can't remember exactly - it was nearly 20 years ago) I had other issues which meant I was being scanned every 2 minutes so we knew when they'd turned.

I was told to get into a swimming pool as often as possible to support the bump and make it easier for the baby to turn.

Again, I can't remember where I was told/read this but I was terrified of any type of surgery and prepared to try it. It wasn't on the internet, though, as it hadn't been invented properly

I can't say that the pool was the reason for the babies turning - they might have done so anyway but it was so good to be in the water at that point as I was massive (10 pounders)

I hope your baby flips soon

Original poster

Electroswing · 22/04/2015 12:22

I'm off to the pool this afternoon for that very reason

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YawnyMcYawn · 22/04/2015 12:24

I remember not doing a lot of swimming but I enjoyed going to the deep end and sinking down to the bottom just for fun.

Enjoy!

Original poster

Electroswing · 22/04/2015 12:35

Ha! That may cause the lifeguards some panic.

Although they didn't bother doing anything the last time I was there and a deranged man nearly jumped on my head doing dives into the 'Medium' lane, so maybe they won't notice . . .

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YawnyMcYawn · 22/04/2015 14:26

I do remember the looks I got from staff. Remember that I was colossal - but they kept looking all 'Bloody hell! I can't believe you haven't had that baby yet!' when I kept going in there

Original poster

Electroswing · 28/04/2015 14:48

Update - went in for the ECV today to find that baby has turned head down! I think I felt it go on Saturday evening, so it turned at precisely 37 weeks Cutting it a bit fine . . .

I did do all the ball exercises, swimming, breech tilt, forward-leaning inversions etc, but there's no way to tell if they worked or if the baby just needed to go when it was ready.

For other ladies reading this in a similar situation to mine . . there is hope!

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CuppaSarah · 28/04/2015 20:10

Dd was breach at 36 weeks. I got her turned in the bath. On my hands a knees top of the bump in the warm water bottom in the air. Fingers crossed for you!

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