Breech baby - hoping it doesn't turn

[breechbabies]

My baby is breech at 36 weeks. I am not a suitable candidate for an ECV for various reasons, so that's not on the cards. What are the chances of the baby turning now? First baby. I really do not want it to turn as I am comfortable with the idea of a Caesarian and feel happier having certainty about the plan for baby's delivery. I realise this is coming at it from a slightly different angle to most people, as most are desperate for their babies to turn!

So assuming I don't do anything to actively try to encourage it to turn, is it likely that baby will stay put now? Baby has been in this position for a while.

Why can't you have an ECV?

I’ve heard horrible things about EVC. If I was offered one I would turn it down.

Have they scheduled you in for a section yet?

I wouldn't have an EVC tbh

Babies can turn up to delivery but much less likely after 38 weeks. If you feel that strongly you should let your midwife know you want an elective c section regardless...

Dd was breech at every scan I had (and I had lots!) until between 36 and 37 weeks. She was always bum down, toes to forehead so I assumed she would stay that way. I had a short labour, straight forward delivery and easy recovery so I'm very glad I didn't have to have a section, especially as ds was only 19 months old at the time.

I doubt the baby will turn now. We had to be rushed in for an ECV as I was 37 weeks first pregnancy and they said here would be less room for the baby to move (I turned down the ECV I just didn’t have enough time to weigh up my options before being hooked up to the monitor). I doubt baby will turn now but it’s always possible! If you really want a c section I’d mention it to your midwife as something you me want regardless of baby’s position.

DD was breech until the night before the section.

I still had a section (as DS had been an EMCS and I didn't fancy a VABC)

Tell them ASAP you want a cs and you should be able to elect for one regardless.
Just tell them after you thought you would definitely need one if baby stays breach, you read up on risks of cs and risks or vaginal delivery, and now, having weighed it up, you would prefer cs regardless of babies position.

What sort of breech? Extended breech (legs straight) are less able to turn themselves but not impossible, flexed or footling breech more likely to turn than extended, but still not a high chance I didn't think. I was told that if I was scanned on the day of my section and baby had turned I'd have the option of going home and wait for labour/natural delivery but implied it was a choice not that I'd be forced either way. Have you discussed it with your midwife?

My baby (first) was breech all through the pregnancy - she turned at maybe 38 weeks? It's a long time ago but it was just before the appointment when they were going to book the Caesarian,and picked up then...
I was gobsmacked,the gynae had been pretty sure she wouldn't turn as I have a bicornate uterus and so even less room than normal.Hadn't really paid attention in the " how to give birth naturally" bit of the antenatal classes!

Thanks for your replies. To be honest I've had a pretty terrible experience with the hospital. They've messed up at every turn and I've seen a different person every single time so I don't have "a midwife" (or anyone really) to discuss it with. It's just whatever random person turns up to the next appointment. They never know me or anything about me and there's never any time to discuss anything. I'm getting quite worried about what will happen if Baby does turn. I am not having an ECV because it's not worth the risk for me as the consultant advised it has a low chance of success (baby's position, first baby, length of time baby has been breech).

My eldest DC was breech until 36 weeks, went head down and they turned breech again by the time he was born at 36+5.

mine was breech up until two days before section at 39 weeks, but I went in anyway had the scan and chose to have the section anyway as had one before and I was ready for the baby and get too anxious to have gone home at that point to wait.

Sorry to hear you’ve had such a bad time. Can you request an appointment with consultant you’ve seen before? Or perhaps with a consultant midwife? It’s not good enough that you don’t feel you have anyone to turn to.

I would advise you call your community midwife. Tell them you want to elect for a cs regardless of babies position, and can they discuss this with the consultant, or make an appointment for you to explain to the consultant yourself.

I was the same as you - dd never turned, I refused the ECV (they were pushing me) and had her by CS, much to my relief!

Thanks all. @egdehsdrawkcab I really hope this happens for me too...

It's naughty that they tried to push the ECV on you. It is a risky procedure! I am grateful that they accepted my decision seemingly happily on that.

They were quite matter of fact about the ecv with me, they said 'we will be booking you in for one of the baby hasnt turned by next week 'at which point I replied 'you can book it but I won't be there!'. I'd been having weekly growth scans since 26 ish weeks because dd was measuring under the 10th centike, growing perfectly well just small plus breech. At 36 weeks they basically said if she stays this size and doesn't turn you will have ecv, followed by section if it fails induction if it succeeds. If she doesn't turn you'll be induced at 39 weeks due to her size. As it was she turned between 36 and 37 weeks and had a tiny growth spurt inching her a whisper over the 10th cebtile mark so I went straight back to mw led, wait for labour, give birth where you like.

Although it worked out very well having spontaneous labour and vaginal birth I had made plans assuming she would be born one way or another by 39 weeks, dp planned his paternity early, we had babysitters organised etc, so when all of the plans changed it was very stressful. By 40+4 weeks when she was born (during a heatwave similar to this)I was the grumpiest human being alive.