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Original poster

'BREECH WATCH' !!

473 replies

Hopeitwontbebig · 06/08/2007 21:16

So who's breech at the moment and how many weeks are you?

I'm 33+1 and I don't reckon this LO will turn!

Will keep you updated

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MrsMar · 15/08/2007 20:03

that's great news lizziemum, I hope the LO likes his/her new position and stays put!

orangecat · 15/08/2007 20:22

Can I join in too?

Am 32 weeks and just found out I'm heading for breech baby no. 2! Knew I could feel the head... I didn't think it had any bearing but MW reckons it can happen for 2nd after 1st, related to shape of pelvis.

This combined with low lying placenta makes me feel things are increasingly stacked up against the home birth I was hoping for

Congrats lizziemum. I had ECV with DD too, and it was completely fine and she stayed put - fingers crossed yours does too.

Any update from anybody else?

Nettee · 15/08/2007 21:53

Lizziemum - that is brilliant news.

Orangecat - fingers crossed for your homebirth

my little one seems to have been head down for most of today so hopefully it is starting a new trend

soontobeamummy · 16/08/2007 11:40

Hi just found this little thread!
Need some advice really DP is 36 weeks today and little pip is extended breach ( feet up round ears arms squished in between legs)hasn't moved from that position for nearly 5 weeks, They kept saying that we have plenty of time to turn etc etc etc We have been refered to accupucture to have some sort of hot pin treatment - can't remeber proper nmae sorry and also refered to the consultant for manual palpation -sounds uncomfortable- Friends have told us that it is distressing fof little pip and also uncomfortable for mum? do we have to try this?
Would you all give it a go?
Or just opt for the c-section?
Please help it is our first and we are unsure what is best.

Ceolas · 16/08/2007 11:43

Mommalove - do you still want the moxibustion sticks? Haven't heard from you.

lizziemun · 16/08/2007 12:53

soontobeamummy

I had a manual palpation (EVC) yesterday, I have to say it was more uncomfortable then painful. From my post from yesterday

"
I had my ECV today, and it worked i just have to wait to see the midwife on friday to see if LO has stayed in the right way.

I have to say it wasn't painfull in what the consultant was doing, i got more pain where his gloves got struck to my skin.

It the actual EVC only took about 5 mins, then monitored for 10 mins to make sure the baby wasn't stressed and then another 10 mins to check for movement.

I just feel abit sore now."

The hospital i am at only do the EVC between wk37 - wk38 as the baby is likely to turn back.

My LO was head up and feet down for most of this pg.

orangecat · 16/08/2007 13:11

soontobeamummy

I had an ECV with DD - which much like lizziemum was uncomfortable (and v wierd seeing bump change shape) but absolutely fine. Once out of pelvis (ouch) turned on first try and stayed put.

I have heard different stories to these, though. I was quite famous at the hospital after the successful turning, which definitely makes me think it's not always so easy!

I would recommend giving it a try but, perhaps, bearing in mind you can ask them to stop if baby doesn't turn easily.

Not sure whether turning is harder with extended breech - worth asking before you commit to go for it.

MrsMar · 16/08/2007 13:25

soontobemummy - like you i'm a little unsure about the ecv thing. My cousin had it and said it was pretty uncomfortable, didn't work for her and she ended up with a cs anyway, plus of course there's the risk of distressing the baby so you end up with an emergency cs. I keep wondering if I can opt out of ecv, try my hardest to turn the baby by myself and if it doesn't work then accept I'll be having a cs. My baby has been transverse or breech for the past 6 weeks (I'm 35 weeks now) and I think he's just comfortable that way. I don't feel that optimistic about the ecv!

SixtyNiner · 16/08/2007 16:32

had an ECV at 39 weeks! It was very painful. DD born a week later head first but caught a bit in cord so the last part of birth was long, tiring and a bit worrying. Not sure I would do it again but every case is different.

horace · 17/08/2007 12:09

Lovely to find this thread. MW thinks baby is breach and am currrently 32 weeks. Since she mentioned it have become obsessed with where head is and if it's moved! Going back next week and have scan booked at 36 weeks due to fibroid. Was really hoping for home birth but everything seems to be conspiring against me!Will try some of the exercises and hope for best.

betsycoe · 17/08/2007 12:18

Just found this thread.

I'm 34 weeks and baby is still breech! I've been doing all sorts of exercises for the last few weeks to get her to turn but to no avail!

I'm not too worried though. I had an appointment with my midwife yesterday who said that even if the baby stays breech I can still stay at home and have a trial of labour. Apparently she and her practice partner (they are independant midwives) have delivered many breech babies at home and believe that women and babies are just as suited to a breech birth as head first.

Fingers crossed she turns if not I'm sure she will come out fine bum first!

lizziemun · 17/08/2007 12:33

MrsMar

I can understand what you are saying, but i have to say i'm glad i had the ECV as i would rather had the 5mins of being uncomfortable then having a major surgery.

I know i have been lucky and LO has stayed in the right place have just a visit to the midwife and it is still head down.

MrsMar · 17/08/2007 14:04

I'm glad your LO is staying put lizziemum... I'll have a chat with the mw about ecv... and I guess a scan would be quite useful too as we're not 100% of the position. He's been so wedged in for so long, I'm sure a scan will give a better idea of how successful the ecv will work, or does it not work like that?

frumpygrumpy · 17/08/2007 14:18

are you already trying daily down on all fours, head on a cushion, bum in the air?

Isn't exactly the most attractive position (well, some DHs might find it so ) but it is meant to work a treat.

FWIW, will none of the hospitals allow breech births? I had an excellent midwife and my breech birth was fine.

MrsMar · 17/08/2007 14:29

I have tried the bum in the air bit, it makes me kinda sick but I'm sticking with it. I think the baby's head squashes against my stomach when I do it. I did ask my hosp about breech vaginal births, it's not their policy to do it, but if I insisted they would of course. Two things put me off though... 1) as a first timer and not knowing what exactly to expect, I'm not sure of my ability to cope with something like that. 2) It's not something they do a lot of, and I'm quite nervous that I'll get a mw or obs who hasn't delivered many breech babies. It's so selfish I know, but I don't want a novice delivering my baby. I'm going to do as much as I can to turn the baby, but if it doesn't turn I'd rather opt for a cs than something I'm more terrified of, vaginal breech birth.

KerriTJ · 17/08/2007 14:40

Hi I am a mum of little girl 18 months old, she was undiagnosed breech, and tried to enter the world bum first!! I caused major chaos in my street when i was in labour and felt what i thought was a head but ambulance crew informed me was her botty! and had midwife and ambulance crew blocking my little terrace street. thankfully she arrived safe and sound after emergency c-section. so to all of you who know its breech, hope it turns for you but if not be glad you know - good luck all you mums to be!! its great!!

frumpygrumpy · 17/08/2007 16:18

MrsMar, I think you go with what you feel best with. You still end up with a baby I had a student deliver my first child. It was a horrible experience and I only found out afterward that she was a student. I wouldn't have agreed. Then I had two lovely midwives help me with a breech delivery. They were experienced, calm, and I had confidence in them. Good luck, I hope that baby is for turning

FWIW, I had an epidural for the breech birth (was DTs and risk of emergency c-section). It made it very straightforward and controlled. Just more thoughts to add to the pot.

MrsMar · 17/08/2007 16:26

Thanks for that frumpygrumpy... I think I'll feel a lot better when I've had a proper breech chat with the mw... when I saw her last (at 34 weeks) she wasn't too concerned, as I think she thought he'd turn. Once we've decided he's definitely not turned then we can seriously discuss options. I'm not one for making decision until I know for sure what I'm facing IYSWIM.

Wow what a story kerri... that sounds scary. I've been convinced for ages that the baby was breech, everyone kept dismissing it, but I KNEW! Silly gp said I was feeling his head bumping my cervix, but I knew it was his feet all along. Just goes to show, they should listen to people sometimes. I am glad I know, not sure I'd like to go through what you did, although it's great it was all ok in the end!

frumpygrumpy · 17/08/2007 16:29

Mars is a lovely doula with experience of footling births..........

MrsMar · 17/08/2007 16:50

thanks for that, I may well get in touch with her when I know for sure where he's lying. I'm not convinced he's a full breech iyswim... I think he's bent across my body, head sticking out one side, bottom out the other and feet down in my pelvis (kicking my cervix - ow!) I guess a scan will confirm. I think there are some types of breech postion that are easier to deliver vaginally than others aren't there?

Nettee · 17/08/2007 23:31

Hi everyone - my lo is transverse this evening - oh dear. Mind you I picked up a tip for turning a breech baby at work today (I am midwife and was on labour ward). They said put some frozen peas on the babies head. The other pregnant midwife did this at 32 weeks and her baby turned that day. Probably a bit of an old wives' tale but maybe worth at try?

The best breech position for vaginal delivery is where the legs are bent up so the feet are away from the cervix - transverse - as you are describing Mrs Mar - is no good for vaginal delivery but as you say a scan will see what is what and there is no point getting worried until after 36 weeks (so Monday for me then!)

MrsMar · 18/08/2007 13:59

Thanks for top tip nettee.. knowing my contrary baby he'll probably turn the wrong way!! I'm not going to do anything too drastic to change position until I know for sure what position he's in... he could have moved to head down for all I know (but I don't think so) and all my leaning forward puts him back to breech!! eek!!

toadstool · 20/08/2007 12:27

A gentle bump for this thread... Bub is still breech (I encountered her head boring into my ribs at 3AM this morning). Haven't unleashed the frozen peas or burning moxi sticks yet, but as I'm entering week 36, this may well be the time! MW visit on Wednesday will no doubt confirm position, and I have the hospital appt end of next week. I'm not sure about ECV, because the consultant said that my mobility issue means I really don't need an induction - the muscles wouldn't be ready. But it would be nicer to have a natural labour than to deal with CS recovery on top of all the fractured leg mess. Decisions, . Is anyone else tempted to have a trial of vaginal labour?

Nettee · 20/08/2007 16:15

mine is still breech too - my crucial midwife appointment on Wednesday too - I have been thinking about whether I would go for a vaginal breech and I think on balance that I wouldn't. Yes moxibustion needs to be done early I think - probably time to arrange some toadstool.

I would definatly try the ECV option though

MrsMar · 20/08/2007 17:53

Crikey we've all got the crunch appt on wednesday!! I'm seeing my mw then too, and if baby hasn't turned then I think it's scan to confirm and discuss further. I'm not sure about ecv at all, not great success rate and the risk of distressing the baby is worrying me too much. Also, in talking to a friend who's a community midwife yesterday, I'm not sure about a trial at labour either. I sound really negative, but the thing I really want to avoid is 12 hours of pain and struggle, exhausting myself totally and THEN having major surgery. My friend said I would be much better off going straight for a cs and making sure I'm as rested as possible beforehand. I'm so inclined to agree with her.

We'll all have to check in again on wednesday. I'm still getting the big kicks downstairs, so I'm pretty sure things haven't moved much, although he's sticking out to the side a bit more. Maybe he's trying to turn, but I do think he's stuck in there. I can't wait to find out, the suspense is killing me!