Baby is breech, can I chose C section?

[Royalsighness]

Hello!

I am 33 weeks and have found out my daughter is Breech, I know she has time to turn but if she hasn't by the time I go for my 36 weeks check up can I demand a Caesarian? Rather than having them try to turn her and everything or risk going into labour with her breech?

Also if I have a ECS what week during the pregnancy do they usually perfom this? I suppose I just want to know if anyone has had any experience in demanding a cesarian and if I am allowed one on these grounds? Am I allowed to refuse to let them try and turn her and suggest a cesarian instead?

It's more likely to be the other way round! (Excuse the pun)

Women with breech babies have to fight not to have c sections.

Really? Me and midwife were discussing home birth and then she measured me and said I'm breech, also had MIL check me over who's a midwife and she's certainly breech, can I already start planning for a cesarian then? I'm not scared of the natural birth as I have done that before 18 months ago, I'm scared of going into labour with her breech and her being stuck and them not being able to give me an epidural for an emergency cesarian because I'm contracting! I'm panicking.

I think they will strongly recommend you have a c section if the baby is still breech once you get to term. There are loads of exercises and positions you can use to try to convince the baby to turn. I found out too late that mine was breech so didn't get a chance to try them, unfortunately

Why wouldn't you be able to have an epidural if contracting? I did twice, it is quite standard.

Also I dont think you should demand, but you could request.

I will Google some of the exercises tonight and try them, I have just heard horror stories about breech deliveries being dangerous for mom and baby.

Aren't most epidurals given when contracting?

I have heard if the contractions are very close together but the baby is stuck so you need an emergency cesarian, keeping still for an epidural during a contraction can be very difficult. I couldn't have an epidural during my first labour for this reason as the anesthetist said it was dangerous and that I had to keep completely still which I couldn't do while contracting

I had c sections with both of mine. First emergency after a long labour and then they discovered he was breech so had no choice. Second time round saw consultant halfway though pregnancy and was given the choice of c section or attempting to turn baby. I was then left to decide after scan at 37 weeks and as he was breech I went for an elective section which they wanted to do at 39 weeks. As it happened my waters broke early and I had another semi-urgent section with contractions coming really fast! They managed to give me a spinal anaesthetic in between contractions. All went really well. Good luck!

And no some epidurals are given for elected c sections before labour has started

When I found out I was breech at 40+2, I had to meet with a consultant to discuss options. Natural birth was mentioned but she said it would be dangerous for the baby. I felt that c section was the only option she supported. I'm not sure how far they will let you go before they book you in. I imagine they'd rather you didn't go into spontaneous labour

I had my ecls at 40+1 at Chelsea and Westminster. This was not for a breach baby but size as they predicted he'd be over 11lbs and a foot problem and I didn't want to risk the chance of birth injuries (to him or me)

My breech baby turned at 33 weeks. I tried loads of things, but what finally worked was... lying semi-upside down (along a shelf balanced against sofa - don't try it by yourself!) and then putting frozen peas at the top (bottom) of the bump, for 10 minutes I think. We then went for a long walk and during it I suddenly felt like my tummy was going round like a washing machine... a scan a couple of days later confirmed she'd turned. Apparently they don't like cold on their heads so will move to get away from it. :) Good luck.

I went into spontaneous labour with my first twin being breech.

I was over 5cm dilated and contracting goodo when I got my spinal block for an EMCS. Not a problem.

Check out the Spinning Babies website for tips to encourage baby to turn.

Good luck

I am having an ELCS on Monday as my baby is breech. I declined the ECV and there was no pressure. The doctor said he didn't recommend a vaginal birth but it was entirely up to me if I wanted to try. Good luck :)

I did feel I was put slightly under pressure to have the ECV - it was positioned to me as my 'last chance' for a vaginal birth - they evidently weren't keen on a breech birth. Anyway the ECV didn't work so I had a section anyway snd it was fine - I was 40+5 so v glad I didn't go into labour naturally.

Thanks for all the advice and letting me know I could still have an epidural if I go into labour. I am usually a quite laid back person but the breech presentation makes everything so uncertain that I would really prefer a cesarian than risk the dangerous labour. Does anyone know how common it is for the baby to turn by themselves?

I had an epidural after I had already been pushing for an hour and a half (I needed forceps). It was possibly the worst part of the whole labour having to sit still while they put it in, but it makes me think that's never really too late!

They won't do ELCS before 39 weeks, so plenty of time for baby to turn.

I myself turned at 41+5, labour started 41+6 and I was born at 42 weeks.