Found out today that baby is breech and they are going to try turning it - any advice??

[Tallgirl]

Went to hospital for check up today as concerned about baby's size and discovered that baby is breech and i am 36 1/2 weeks. Only found out by accident really as didnt give me a proper scan but i asked the Dr to check position and he couldnt really tell by just feeling so did a quick scan and - discovered was breech. Feel lucky to have found this out after reading the recent thread on undiagnosed breech and having a friend with similar experience. Did have a feeling that it was breech but obviously a bit concerned. My hospital does do External Cephalic Version and i am scheduled to have this done on Friday afternoon. Not looking forward to this obviously as have heard can be uncomfortable but want to avoid c-section if possible (already hav DS nearly 3).

Anyone had this done or have any experience of ECV? have heard that there is 60% chance of success but have to take hospital bag in just in case all goes wrong (rare apparently) or they havce to do c-section.

TIA
Tallgirl

I Was watching Portland babies on the Health channel yesterday and one of the suggestions to a mum in a similar position as you was to put frozen peas on her bump. The baby would not like this and may, hopefully move. I suppose anything is worth a try but please check first with a midwife or doctor!

Best of luck Tallgirl, hope all goes well and lots of people who have had this done give advice - not me I'm afraid.

In 'Misconceptions' by Naomi Wolf, a book I really disliked but found a couple of good things in, she mentions a thoroughly hippy dippy moment where she focused on the baby and asked it to move. It did. Of course, if it hadn't, she'd hardly have included it in the book! But hey, can't do any harm I guess?

I've had it and it was bloody painful, I have to say. The whole thing took much longer than I thought because I was on a drip to stop me going into labour. It didn't work either. Having said that I have heard lots of people describe it as merely uncomfortable- my guess is that my dd was stuck so fast that it made it more painful and this was also why it failed. It's definitely worth a try, I think. Good luck

Elephant walking? I was told baby was breech until yesterday (but I am only 32 weeks) and read on another thread about elephant walking - like Mowgli in the Jungle Book? On hands and feet?
I tried it and it seemed to work (baby no longer breech), although it could be massive coincidence or the baby felt sorry for me lollopping about living room with ar$e in the air and moved out of sympathy Also, you may want to do this with a suchion strapped to your forehead as balance can be a bit of a problem!

On a more serious note, hope the baby turn before Friday for you. Have heard ECV is uncomfortable but not terrible, but still hope you don't have to have it.

I had an ECV and it wasn't painful but was uncomfortable. It worked but then baby turned back again - awkward bugger! You'll be fine I'm sure. you can try all the usual stuff to get them to move, spend time on all fours etc but IME they decide for themselves.
Good luck

That's cushion on your head, by the way

Get on your hands and knees and scrub the kitchen floor!

Sit in a proper chair, not on a comfy sofa. I saw the peas thing too, and I would try that as well.

As a last resort I would try acupuncture, as personally I would not want them to try turning the baby until I had tried everything else.

Good luck!

Forgot to add that even though my turned back after ECV it then turned again so wasn't in the end breech.

Thanks for your messages - have been trying to be more upright and on my front and not sitting on my comfy chair/sofa! Also friend has leant me a yoga stool which tips your hips forward and hence is supposed to help with baby's position. Also have been on my hands and knees with bottom in the air but find it hurts my arms and blood goes to my head after a while! Spoke to a friend today who had it done several months ago and it did work for her although turned again! They tried to keep her in when she first had it done but i have busy weekend as is DH's 40th birthday on Monday so not good timing. As only just 37 weeks tomorrow will not agree to anything yet and goingto investigate acupuncture as well.

Will keep you posted!

Thanks

DS was breech and I had ECV at 37 weeks. It was a bit sore but only for about 10 seconds. It was definitely worthwhile as he stayed put and I went on to have a natural delivery even though he was 10lbs! Before performing ECV, they injected a muscle relaxant into the uterine muscle wall - this had a side effect of making your heart beat fast and feeling a bit sweaty, which was slightly unpleasant, but felt fine not long after. I think this was because he was big, though, so you may not have to have that.

Good luck-it's really worth it, I think.

Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you but just to let you know - turned up at hospital on Friday afternoon and guess what - baby had already turned! So that was a relief - had been sitting upright and on my yoga stool (although not doing elephant walking!) although dont know if still in that position as has been quite wriggly. Consultant told me to do a few brisk walks during the day but so far only managed one so need to get back into that.
Thanks for your messages.
Hopefully baby is still in that positiona and will stay that way for the next few weeks.