I feel guilty that I've only just seen this thread! Ooh, I can tell you all about breech births! My baby was breech right up until the end (she's two weeks' old now). I really wanted a home birth from the beginning, so was reluctant to go down the c-section route as she was also my first.
I found out she was breech at around 34 weeks. I tried everything - moxi, reflexology, yoga, positioning, frozen peas on the bump, swimming, positive thinking, the homeopathic remedy pulsatilla and finally ECVs. I'd say def try these if you can as they did stimulate movement, but not turning (frozen peas, moxi and reflexology being most effective for me!).
I had two attempts at ECV (I posted a thread a while back explaining the procedure in detail - will try to find it). Neither worked and I'd describe it as uncomfortable by and large but massively helped by gas and air.
I was then told that I wouldn't be able to have her at home as they don't have community midwives experienced in breech births in my area. I was informed that I'd have to labour in the consultant-led unit along if I wanted to try for a natural birth. This meant accepting their medical package of epidural, stirrups, continual monitoring and preventative episiotomy and forceps if necessary. The thing is, I'd read from independent midwives such as Mary Cronk that that is where the risk comes in - with medical interference with breech births. I was concerned and read up widely. I managed to find a very sympathetic consultant midwife at the hospital who agreed to support me and let me labour on the midwife-led unit on the condition that we'd 'bail out' if the birth didn't progress. This means a c-section and is recognised as the safest route if a breech birth doesn't progress.
In the event, I went into labour naturally, 5 days early. I had a good experience at the MLU and even got into the birthing pool. I laboured for 26 hours and progressed to 8cm dilation, but then it all slowed right down and I was advised to have a c-section. I was disappointed, but glad to have had the opportunity to labour on my terms and having contractions meant that my uterus contracted well after the op and my milk came in soon after. Nell was born weighing 6lb 1oz and she was breech even after birth as she came out sucking her toes! I'll try and find a pic and attach it to my profile.
The c-section was fine and I've recovered well. I don't regret waiting to go into labour naturally - some babies will turn in labour and I thought it was worth waiting.
So, long story, but hope it helps. Good luck to all you with breech babies!