Vaginal breech birth experiences?

[Heavenscent86]

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?

Those hands off midwife deliveries are just so so rare and hard to come by. Almost impossible within the standard NHS model.

I was reading up on breech births yesterday as I really dislike the hands on approach for every birth. Hence wondering how a breech home birth can be managed. I've talked to a few mums who had a normal breech birth and even at home. That said I'm going to put what u read in smaller points from the aims website.

There is no research that can support that a breech birth dome naturally increases risk of stillbirth compared to c sections. People are not told this.

C sections can be worse because baby is still delivered breech and lots of injuries can be caused to baby which can be avoided during natural delivery.

However nowadays so fee midwives and consultants know how to deliver a breech baby that it's worth weighing up the options. Will it be safer in your heart for a natural or a c section, based on lack of expertise of natural deliveries?

Michel O Dent, a awesome birth writer in my opinion said in his place most breech births are done naturally because they know how to deal with them. They can normally tell when a labouring mother needs a c section from the first stage of labour such as her feeling lots of pain but not really dilating. Most of their birthing mums delivered naturally though.

If I was in your position I would first know that it is my right and choice on how to birth and where, not the consultant. Secondly I would find out if the hospital has a few midwives who have experience with natural birth deliveries and are confident to be there during your birth. Basically midwives who see breech births as a different form of birth, not a crazy to deliver naturally type of birth.

Then I'd make a decision based on their answers. No scare mongering, no unsupported random statistics.

I highly recommend the aims article on delivering a natural breech baby.

My mum had me at 17 and I was a double breech (I think that's what it's called, bum first) she had early epidural and a room full of students watching. She says now if she'd had the option she would have chosen a section because she felt quite scared throughout having me. Probably a lot to do with her age and the fact I was early but I think if my baby is breech I'd opt for a section, if it's going to be super medicalised I'd rather just get it over and done with.

Dd 8m was an "undiagnosed" breech. She wasn't though as I'd been into the monitoring unit countless times due to my mw not knowing which position dd was in. I refused ECV and was never offered a section as I was "undiagnosed". They told me as I'd had 7 previous large babies, 9lb 7oz - 11lb 6oz and one tiny 7lbs 14oz all natural vaginally births that's It'd be fine whichever way she was presenting. I managed to wrangle induction on due date with a scan to confirm positioning at time of induction. Only thethe refused to scan me when the time came. Baby was in distress and Dr said she would break my water and pop a clip on dds head. All previous babies have been born in the instant my waters have been broken so this seemed daft to us but what do we know hey? A few more agonising hours went by and my waters went and out popped a foot and her cord and half a placenta. Then everyone panicked. Too late to do anything I just had to push her out. Her other leg and body followed with the cord all around her and her head last then the rest for her placenta. She was lifeless and grey and didn't breathe for a good couple of minutes. The dr that made all these decisions had disappeared and I ended up in theatre as I was severely haemorrhaging. Dd is fine but should I ever have another I will be demanding a section and I wish I had with her. It was awful.

I had a vaginal breach birth but only by accident, DD was born at 37 weeks (I was due to go to be checked and try to be turned the day after) I was told upon arrival at hospital c section was the only way but just as I was about to be given the spinal a nurse ran in and the anaesthetist left for another emergency. He didn't make it back in time, we were lucky and DD was fine very low apgar score initially but rose very quickly. There were a lot of people watching me give birth and many disappointed off shift midwives it seemed (which I found a bit odd) however wasn't aware how rare it was for a vaginal breach birth were we were. I'm pregnant now and I think If this baby is breach I would opt for a c section because although it was absolutely fine reflecting back we were very lucky and had the cord been placed differently it could have been a different story. But actual birthing wise I had no after effects, I had a few stitches were they cut to make sure I wouldn't tear but DD was small 6lbs 2 which may have helped.

Good luck with whichever way you choose :)

My dd ended up being a huge 10lb 14oz

DD was extended breech, we had requested a section because of her being beech and with no fluid around her. She came too quickly there was not time for spinal and section so I was brought back out of theatres to a normal birthing room. Very simply straight forward labour lasting around an hour of pushing. They did perform an episiotomy, but she arrived safe and sound. She was small, 5lb 3 but healthy.

Ultimately when the time comes, you'll do whatever you need to wherever you need to just to deliver a healthy baby. Good luck.

Ps in my local hospital they have a very low section rate, and a experienced team dealing with breech births so many of the are born via natural vaginal birth.

Hi thank you for all the replies. They have been really helpful. We have decided to opt for an elective section. I'm nervous about it but as we still have a couple of weeks there is maybe a chance the baby could turn head down which would be fantastic.

I think an elective section sounds like a sensible decision. I had a hands-off breech delivery at home (they hadn't noticed she was breech until the very last minute) and, despite having the good fortune to have two very experienced midwives who had been involved with breech deliveries before, I really wouldn't recommend it. Dd3 was completely grey when she came out, with an initial Apgar of 2 and needed to be revived at the kitchen table (then we were both rushed off to hospital in separate ambulances). She's totally fine now, but it wasn't much fun for anybody! Good luck, I hope it works out well for you,

DD was extended breech and I planned a vaginal delivery with the full support of my consultants. Hospital had many foreign doctors who were used to breech deliveries. Had epidural because it chuffing hurt, otherwise main memory was of registrar standing at end of bed doing nothing with his arms folded as he said he didn't need to do anything

Anyway, DD got distressed half way out (you can't use forceps on a bum) and we progressed to theatre where after a bit more pushin she eventually arrived by EMCS - no muss, no fuss and we BF whilst I was stictched up in theatre.

Whole shooting match was about 6 hours - breech deliveries tend to be very quick or don't go at all. I wouldn't try for a vaginal breech after a section and only went for it as I had been brainwashed by the hypnobirth crowd....Anyway, no regrets, fab care from doctors and DS arrived 18m later by VBAC.

I'm glad you've managed to come to a decision that will allow you to plan- and you never know, the baby might turn yet!

I'm 33 weeks and my baby is still turning- he was breech at 31 weeks, head down again at 32, and then on Friday they confirmed he's breech again. Goodness knows whether that's him done with moving now or what will happen!

There is a registrar at my hospital-I saw him when my consultant was on holiday, and he rubbed me up the wrong way with some rather old fashioned remarks regarding my age and why I had delayed motherhood until 'old age' (I was 39 at this point). I mentioned it to my consultant when she was back from holiday (not to complain, but because I was a bit Hmmmmm) and she apologised and said that it was down to certain cultural differences- he is from Nigeria and has spent much of his practise doing field work there and in other african countries. She went on to say that they turn a blind eye to a lot that comes out of his mouth because technically and practically he is a genius and can 'deliver breech babies blindfolded'.

While this is all very reassuring, I will still be having an ELCS if my baby remains breech at 39 weeks! :'D