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Original poster

Vaginal breech birth experiences?

37 replies

Heavenscent86 · 13/03/2016 15:44

I apologise for the amount of posts I've put on over the last couple of days but we have had a lot chucked at us and just trying to figure out the best option. Baby is currently breech. We think footling but need definite confirmation of this. I am petite, 5ft 2 and slim (not sure if this makes any difference). I refused an ECV so we have the options of elective section or if the consultants agree a vaginal breech birth. So far they are encouraging a section but we have yet to go in for a full discussion about the options. Has anyone been in a similar position and gone on to have a vaginal breech birth?

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VimFuego101 · 13/03/2016 15:49

I think the problem is that most midwives/ consultants have very limited experience of breech births, even if they are open to the idea of you having a vaginal delivery. I would ask them specifically about how many breech vaginal births they have had, and their success rate.

stiffstink · 13/03/2016 15:53

DS was almost 9lb and breech which was a factor in my decision to have a c section. I had a failed ECV which made the decision for me. After all the research I did, I realised the prospect of delivering a huge baby bum first was just too dangerous, especially as relatively few MWs have experience of breech deliveries.

I'm curious why you declined an ECV but would be prepared to try vaginal breech delivery?

Original poster
Heavenscent86 · 13/03/2016 15:57

I declined an ECV because I read that the success rates are only 40-50% and baby can go into distress during the procedure possibly resulting in an emergency section. I guess what I'm wondering is how likely it is I could have a vaginal breech birth without it resulting in an emergency section or other complications. I'm guessing slim but just hoping for people's experiences of it.

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Original poster
Heavenscent86 · 13/03/2016 16:00

Also I'm a little scared I'll book in for an elective section, they'll scan me on the day and send me home because baby has turned head down only for it to turn again and then face a possibly overdue breech birth. That might be a long shot but if I don't feel it turn I won't know if it's turned breech again.

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mrsmugoo · 13/03/2016 16:11

I chose an ELCS after a failed ECV because the prospect of a highly medicalised vaginal breech birth on delivery suite with stirrups and epidural and loads of doctors was a gazillion miles away from my planned MLU water birth that I thought I might as well just go for the no stress, super chilled option.

I'd go for the section!

Fluffy24 · 13/03/2016 16:14

I had huge breech baby by ELCS, I shiver to think what might have happened if I'd tried to deliver naturally, not a risk I'd take willingly.

Original poster
Heavenscent86 · 13/03/2016 16:14

Yeah that's the kind of birth I wanted Mrsmugoo. Possibly that won't happen now.

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madwomanacrosstheroad · 13/03/2016 16:15

Have you tried moxabustion as a first step? DD2 was first breech then unstable lie until the day she was born. I did look into vaginally delivering when she was breech, but in my case it was dc4. The reason we decided against it was that she was a very big baby and anyway while still deliberating she turned into an unstable lie.
We tried external version which was not that bad except that she turned back before the consultant was out the door.
Eventually she got into position herself and was born within 2.5 hours.

MrsL2012 · 13/03/2016 16:17

I chose a section after doctors discovered my DS was breech at 41+5! I was glad I did as he was almost 9lb!

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 13/03/2016 16:20

I had a vaginal delivery of a breech baby. It was fine.

I had a pair of independent midwives who had lots of breech experience. Cost nearly £3k.

I would not have done it on the NHS because I could not have guaranteed getting a midwife with that experience. In fact it would have been extremely unlikely that they even had one such person on the books, never mind who happened to be working the shift when I went into labour.

The outcomes for vaginal breech births of otherwise healthy babies to otherwise normal mothers depends heavily on the experience of the care givers.

GinandJag · 13/03/2016 16:29

I had a vaginal breech. It wasn't any different from my other births, tbh.

It depends on what type of vaginal breech you are. Mine was frank breech which is pretty uncomplicated.

mrsmugoo · 13/03/2016 16:30

Don't beat yourself up over it heavenscent - you can't change anything and it's no ones fault your baby is breech.

I really had my heart set on a certain type of birth (done all the hypnobirthing classes, read all the Ina May books) but the second my DS was delivered onto my chest I couldn't have cared less about the birth I didn't get - I only cared about having my baby with no drama.

The ELCS was an easy recovery btw - far easier than many of my friends' natural births.

FWIW I'm pregnant again now and planning a VBAC but if this one is breech too then I'll take a section without a 2nd thought.

GinandJag · 13/03/2016 16:32

This was my midwife's first breech and she did brilliantly (sat on her hands, basically).

Graciescotland · 13/03/2016 16:35

My DTD2 was footling breech. They were hoping to turn her but didn't manage she was delivered by the head honcho consultant who was there to supervise the doctor who was supposed to be turning and delivering her. It was all very calm tbh and no problems for DTD2. I would have a good chat with your consultant. I did have an early epidural so would be easy to nip me into theatre if necessary. In comparison to previous births there were nine medics in the room though but most nipped in at the last minute. I laboured with DH and the midwife and a student doctor I was kind enough to let in the room :) Would say it didn't feel overly medicalised though; it was actually much calmer and a better experience than my two previous. I think this was down to really effective pain management.

BearPear · 13/03/2016 16:36

Both my babies were breech. Son was standard bottom first and 8lb, daughter was a footling and 7lb. She ended up as an assisted forceps delivery. Both were fine, delivered by the same registrar. I'm 5'4" and had a pelvic x-Ray to see if my pelvis was deemed big enough. I'm a size 5 shoe, apparently this has some indication of pelvis size too!

BearPear · 13/03/2016 16:39

...I should add to my post that I had an early epidural too in case of complications. The room was full of students for both deliveries (I gave consent for them to be there). Registrar delivered both due to them being breech. No drama in either case. Good luck op.

Original poster
Heavenscent86 · 13/03/2016 16:45

Thank you for all the responses. It is helping put together a list of questions to ask about the possibility of a vaginal birth although we may be there all day as we have the elective section option to discuss too!

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April2013 · 13/03/2016 17:57

My pregnancy book by Prof Lesley Regan says c section safer than vaginal for breech. It sounds like sections are now so safe that most agree this is safer than vaginal and because of this fewer and fewer have expertise in this. Looks to be some good info about sections on mumsnet. I have position stress too, mine is unstable, so I totally sympathise.

stargirl1701 · 13/03/2016 18:01

I would contact AIMS OP.

http://www.aims.org.uk/Journal/Vol10No3/breechCSvsNormal.htm

stargirl1701 · 13/03/2016 18:01

Maybe here too

http://breechbabiesclub.org

stargirl1701 · 13/03/2016 18:02

And here

http://www.midwifery.org.uk/?page_id=623

GinandJag · 13/03/2016 18:22

C-sections are safer than obstetric vaginal, but not necessarily safer than hands-off midwifery deliveries. The devil is in the detail.

The standard planned vaginal breech is in theatre, in stirrups, with special forceps. A natural delivery is far superior to this.

The attitude I took with my breech, following the advice of the mighty Mary Cronk, was to have absolutely no interventions. If labour progressed, then all well and good. If not, then C-section was the only option.

Original poster
Heavenscent86 · 13/03/2016 18:25

Thank you. I'll check out those links.

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Original poster
Heavenscent86 · 13/03/2016 19:25

I certainly don't fancy the sound of a vaginal breech birth in theatre if that's how it has to be.

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