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Original poster

Elective cesarean or breech vaginal with first baby?

27 replies

zaalitje · 13/05/2018 10:05

As the title, what would you opt for? And what experience (personal or of friends) do you have of each?

I've spent the last few days in hospital as baby was traverse with a risk of cord prolapse if my waters went. Today it seems baby has turn full breech and engaged (on palpation by both midwife and Dr who agree on position).
If a scan tomorrow confirms he's breech and engaged which birth option would you take?

OP posts:
readyforapummelling · 13/05/2018 10:09

ELC without a doubt. They thought DD was breech and whilst I was waiting for a scan, I weighed up the options of a manual turn or ELC.

There is more to go wrong with a breech baby and she might not turn and you end up with an ECS after all the trauma of trying to turn her. I would rather just get the baby out on my terms as safely as possible.

Original poster
zaalitje · 13/05/2018 10:13

I think I've ruled out and ECV to turn baby after reading a thread on here with several tragic outcomes.

OP posts:
readyforapummelling · 13/05/2018 10:13

And to add, my DM had a VB with me and an ECS with my Dsis and she said the Elective was a dream, all nice and calm, wheeled into theatre, didn't feel a thing and handed a baby! She also made a quick recovery, showered herself the following morning. I know this isn't the case for everybody.

You just have to weigh up your options I guess but that's my opinion.

Good Luck with whichever you decide to do and congratulations SmileThanksThanks

stargirl1701 · 13/05/2018 10:15

Does the team have experience of breech birth or breech delivery?

Have you spoken to AIMs?

https://www.aims.org.uk/contact

readyforapummelling · 13/05/2018 10:18

I heard such awful things about ECV too, that's why I decided that if she was breech I would just opt for the elective.

In the end, DD was back to back and turned herself at the last minute and I found that about as painful as being set on fire, split with an axe and crushed all at the same time. I couldn't begin to imagine what giving birth to a breech baby feels like!

I also had bad tearing which took its toll, in hindsight I would have opted for ECS but the scan shown she was the right way round. Two days later when I went into labour they discovered she was now back to back but it was all happening so I didn't get the option.

Strawberry2017 · 13/05/2018 10:20

My hospital wouldn't let you try naturally with breech, you would have to have a C-section.
Too many risks and I'd rather chose to have a planned C-section then have an emergency one or have interventions to get the baby out.
Good luck Mummy whichever you chose. X

Catstar123 · 13/05/2018 10:21

2 of mine were breech. Opted for ELCS for both.

fruitpastille · 13/05/2018 10:28

I've had 3 sections, 2 due to breech and had a straightforward recovery each time. I would follow the hospital recommendations personally.

TheChineseChicken · 13/05/2018 10:40

Read up on Mary Cronk, hands off the breech. You should only consider vaginal breech birth if you think you can adhere to this protocol and your hospital has an experienced breech team. In theory there's no reason not to do it but only if the birth is approached appropriately.

Another thing to wonder is the baby's size. Small breech babies are more likely to end up with c sections so you might as well go for an elective.

What hospital are you under?

jamoncrumpets · 13/05/2018 10:41

ELCS. DO NOT attempt a breech birth.

TheChineseChicken · 13/05/2018 10:41

And if you can face it look for some breech birth videos online. Fascinating and inspiring!

hildabaker · 13/05/2018 10:45

My 4th was breech. I would advise you to go elective caesarian OP.

Eatmycheese · 13/05/2018 10:47

Elective Caesarean, without a doubt.

My daughter was footling breech at 39 weeks scan
She turned overnight before the section the next day so it might change but this was apparently v unusual. My very experienced consultant said to me I cannot make you do anything but I cannot stress enough how much I do not recommend a breech delivery. That was enough for me.

Good luck and best wishes for safe delivery and newborn cuddles 💐

RedLemonade · 13/05/2018 10:47

ELCS absolutely. Too much risk with VB.

TinyTerror1 · 13/05/2018 10:47

I've been reading about birth recently and generally the recommendations are for ELCS with a breech baby. It's definitely a safer option than starting VB and having to have an EMCS.

Freetodowhatiwant · 13/05/2018 10:49

My first was breech and I went for ELCS. All went well, no regrets, a bit painful for a week or so afterwards but so can post VB be too. I went for elcs for number two too.

SoupDragon · 13/05/2018 10:49

I have no experience of breech birth or CS but I think I’d opt for a C-section. Labour is hard enough when the baby is the right way round!

thetriangleisarealinstrument · 13/05/2018 10:50

ELCS. Because of the pain, because of the danger to the baby and because you may end up with an emergency section anyway which by all accounts can be traumatic. Better to just have a calm planned one on a specific date if you have the option to!

Im planning a home birth and am due soon but my baby is currently breech... if she continues to be breech I fully intend to have a section. So this is coming from someone who was hoping to have the baby without any intervention at all in their living room.
My view on it is that you may well end up with a cascade of very stressful intervention if you attempt a vaginal delivery with a breech baby. That is what I want to avoid so personally I will be going straight for a section if my baby does not turn.

Slatternsdelight · 13/05/2018 10:51

Please please do not take the risk of a VB with a breech baby when you have an alternative choice

ELCS all the way

BiologyMatters · 13/05/2018 10:52

Elcs. I had a cord prolapse and nearly lost my dd after being talked into a vaginal birth. If id gone for the elcs it wouldn't have happened. Id be wanting that baby out now if there was still a risk of cord prolapse. Elcs is a relatively known outcome. Anything could happen with a breech vaginal and you're at far higher risk of interventions such as forceps that can cause injuries to you and your baby.

beardymcbeardy · 13/05/2018 11:10

After reading the horror story about the breech vaginal birth in my local hospital last week go caesaerian.

soapboxqueen · 13/05/2018 11:16

You need to find out what expertise your hcp have first. The standard recommendation is cs for breech births. Therefore there are fewer and fewer hcp who have experience of it and are willing to do it. If you are in that situation, there isn't much of a choice to make.

My dd was breech and born vaginally. I've no idea what the HCP would have said if they'd been able to have any input but it is a large, well equipped hospital so who knows.

MaelstromOfLunacy · 13/05/2018 11:19

I went for ELCS when my first baby was breech, and I’d definitely advise it. Everyone varies but I found it calm and relaxed. Got to hold my son straight away, was out of bed and showered myself six hours later, and home just over 24hrs after birth. Recovery was painful but not for too long (off all painkillers after a week). I’d say take the c section :) good luck!

tenbob · 13/05/2018 11:37

I had the same recovery as maelstrom after my ELCS
Wonderful experience and off painkillers after 5 days, unlike pretty much everyone I know who ended up with a tear or episiotomy, which is pretty much a given if you have a vaginal breech birth

Ratbagratty · 13/05/2018 11:42

I had 2 breech babies 1st was emergency c section for hellp syndrome too, second she was just breech and they said c section is best. I was not offered a breech birth (probably due to previous issues) but would have taken c section anyway. Good luck

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