Concerned about possibility of undiagnosed breech

[Bojangles33]

I'm 37 weeks and midwife has been saying baby is head down since about 30 weeks I think, but I'm concerned it might be breech and she just hasn't realised! All kicks and movements seem to be low down, I get a lot of what feel like kicks into my hip joint. I've had a lot of rib pain but not actual movement near my ribs, just pressure and pain. My midwife is lovely but fairly sure that if I question it she will just brush it off as she seems convinced it's head down, has anyone else had undiagnosed breech? What were your symptoms?

My dd was only found to be breech at 41 weeks. The main thing I felt was a lot of discomfort under my ribs, you could easily feel the head wedged under there (I thought it was a bum) and my bump was very high. Kicks were mainly down in the bottom right of my belly, but it can be difficult to distinguish between kicks and hand movements.

I’d speak to your midwife about it and raise your concerns. For me a high bump and lack of head engagement would set alarm bells ringing. Your midwife may be able to offer you a presentation scan. My hospital routinely scans everyone who comes into the MAC after 37 weeks (just a handheld scan to check presentation). Otherwise you could have a private scan to check?

Hi, like PP I was really uncomfortable. I only knew it was odd b/c it was my second pregnancy, and I knew he definitely was breech b/c I'd had a private growth scan at 33 weeks. I mentioned it at my midwife appointments after that but they were convinced he'd turned (not that he could have done that without me noticing because he was huge!). I was already booked in for a CS but I'd like to think they would have done a scan to check if I hadn't been. So if I were you I'd get a private scan if you can afford it or keep asking for one at your local hospital.
Hope it all goes well

INSIST on a scan to find out, and don’t take no for an answer! I had this in my first pregnancy (now in my second).

I was initially examined by student midwife who said - I think baby is breech. Experienced mentor midwife said ‘head down’. This happened TWICE at my last two appointments. I didn’t think much of it and trusted the experienced midwife. I’m easy going by nature.

Found out baby was actually breech whilst in labour on entering hospital. It was a busy night, and the (very stressed) midwife on duty shouted at me AND rolled her eyes ‘the baby is obviously breech’ - like it my was fault that I didn’t know! They had to check with a mobile scanner which literally took 2 minutes of their time.

Was stuck in a queue for emergency section, and a horrible recovery which I was unprepared for (had great preg, lots of birth prep).

I’m still angry (3 years later) that is was undetected, as I had complained about AWFUL reflux (couldn’t swallow water) sleeping totally upright and movements like yours etc etc. Which were brushed off. I had a feeling she was breech. I didn’t have the opportunity to try and turn her, and even unsuccessful I could have prepared myself for a section.

A planned section would have been very different from emergency at 4.30 in the morning!

As you can tell from my rant, go check it out. I would never wish my experience on anyone. This second time around I’m definitely less easy going and I’ll trust my instincts ALOT more if I’m unsure something isn’t ‘right’.

A scan will take MINUTES, give you peace of mind and ultimately save the NHS money too (if baby is breech and elective costs less than a emergency section)!

Hope it helps......

Thanks for this. Yes I get a big lump right near my ribs which I've kept assuming is a bum but now I seem to have two obvious bumps which I think might be head on one side and then knees on other side and slightly further down. I have a MW appointment Thursday so will raise it again then.

Hey OP, don't accept being brushed off. If you just state your concern as "I think the baby might be breech. For my own peace of mind, I would prefer to confirm the position by ultrasound scan." As a PP said, it's better + cheaper to offer you a scan now. I'm an HCP and this is a sort of thing that happens frequently. Basically a physical exam alone can be wrong and it helps nobody if this is not recognised. Trust your instincts :)

When I was in labour with DD they scanned as they thought he was breach and it turns out they were confusing his head with his arse 😂 story of his life really!

Definately push for a scan. Ive been saying for weeks baby is breech. I can feel her shoulder by my ribs and keep getting kicks in the cervix. I was told I was wrong but I kicked up a fuss and low and behold baby is breech. You know your body. If your concerned ddont take no for an answer xx

Definitely insist on a presentation scan! My baby was breech from early on but by midway through my pregnancy the midwife insisted she had turned but i just knew it wasn't the case. I had to have a scan later in pregnancy for unrelated issues and low and behold she WAS still breech! I ended up having a planed c-sec and was very relieved my LO arrived safely.

My first was breech as is this baby. There are so many different ways a baby can present itself in the breech position which is why it can be missed. I have a 'perfect' breech positioning this time. Baby's head is under my left rib cage and feet are up under my ribs. Breech babies are VERY uncomfortable. However, saying that I have nothing to compare it to as both mine have been.

I do also get a lot of pressure on my cervix from its bottom and it's hands seem to punch very low down.

I echo what everyone has said. Insist on a scan, explain that your anxiety is high and that you wont be able to relax for labour if you aren't reassured by the positioning.

Mine was breech at my last scan (34+2). The thing that confused me was midwife telling me 2 days earlier that she's 4/5 engaged! Prior to this baby has been transverse. I don't really trust the midwife to get it right now. I have a scan next week at 36 weeks so will see what they say. I'd definitely push for a scan if I were you.

Yes midwife has been telling me baby is engaged as well but I'm doubting her! I think they are so used to them being in the right place they just assume what they're feeling is a head down there! Mine was transverse for ages and I've never really felt it do a big move. Will definitely be asking about a scan

I haven't felt a big move either. I have also felt pretty much all the main movements in my lower left hip/groin area and a little in my right side (since she apparently went breech) and nothing else. I have an anterior placenta and baby is not massive so I guess that affects things too.

My first baby was breech, didnt know until I was in birthing pool and midwife realised she was coming head first. Delivered her safely thankfully.

I used to feel very uncomfortable under the ribs which I've not felt at all with my second pregnancy but obviously I didn't have any idea first time round. I'd definitely push for a scan, my mw scanned me second time as she wanted to be sure this time round

bum first even!

DS's head was way up near my ribs, super round. I used to rest a brew on it.

They didn't twig I was breech till I was 5cms dilated

Ask for a scan

Definitely ask for a scan - but to reassure you amongst all the ones that did turn out to be breech, mine were all head down and I didn't notice a change of movements tbh, most movements were on the side of my bump and low down so presumable a lot of hitting with hands that was hard!

If baby is breech, just be prepared that if they turn it can be painful.
Dc1 didn't turn until 38 weeks - I thought I was in labour! (But it did go off quickly.)