breech baby/birth defects

[klou]

My baby is breech and i am booked in for a c-section in 3 weeks. I read today that there was a higher chance of birth defects with a breech baby and i can't stop worrying. Can anyone put my mind at rest - thanks.

My DD was breech and delivered by CS the only follow up I had to attend was a hospital appointment at 6 weeks to check her hips. I think breech babies have a slightly higher chance of clicky hips due to the position in the womb. That was 4 years ago I don't know if they would still do that now.

they do still do hip scans.

There is a higher chance of congenital abnormalities in breech presenting babies, but it's the abnormality that causes the breech postition rather than the other way round. But this will only apply to a small proportion of breech presenting babies - most are breech for other reasons.

Have you really been booked in for a caesarean this far in advance? Have you not been offered ECV? Or advised that vaginal birth is both possible and a safe option if managed correctly? The baby still has plenty of time to turn on its own - my last baby didn't turn till after 40 weeks. If this is your first baby that's less likely as your uterus will be less, er, roomy! but it's still possible.

Thanks to all who replied. Yes - i really have been booked in this early - at 35 weeks, to be done at 38.5 weeks. Of course if she turns great - we'll be thrilled and go for a natural birth, but they are not going to take chances and leave it then have to do an emergency c-section. I'm in the States so maybe that makes a difference? . My worry is that due to the baby being breech, i read there is a higher chance of birth defects. I know all about "clicky hips" - hip dysplacia - as my son was born with this and he was not breech, and no family history at all.