Transverse breech baby! What happens at clinic please?

[summeryet]

Hi,

Following a 36 week scan today it seems that baby is transverse breach.. meaning that I've been invited to the breach clinic. Has anyone been please? If so, what happens there?

Thanks!! All of the panic going on here, as I'm scared of hospitals!

You'll probably be offered ECV, where they turn the baby. You can decline; we did go ahead, DD was turned, but turned back. If your baby is transverse rather than stable with its bottom down, then you'll be told to come in if there is any sign of labour. You may be admitted at 37 weeks (I was) in case you go into labour. Unless the baby can be turned head down and stays that way, you'll be having a c-section, so they will probably discuss that.

Your baby will be fine; the next couple of weeks will probably include a fair bit of uncertainty - I didn't enjoy it at the time, but I'm very grateful to have a healthy child.

Thanks so much for the swift reply! How was the 'turning' experience?

Uncomfortable, but not awful. I think I had to fast beforehand, which I didn't enjoy either! I had been hoping for a vaginal birth, and I think trying ECV helped me accept that I'd done everything I could, but an ELCS was definitely necessary. If I ever had another child, I wouldn't be at all concerned about a vaginal birth, and I'm not sure I'd go for ECV again - the success rate for breech babies is 50%, but the consultant couldn't tell me for transverse babies; I suspect it's lower.

I'm told scrubbing a floor is a good way to turn a baby. Being on all fours and rocking back and forth apparently jiggles it about and gives it room to move.

Worth a try? If nothing else, you'll get a really clean floor.

My baby was breach until 36 weeks. I was recommended spinningbabies website. I just used the free videos and did the exercises and she turned herself thankfully. Whether the exercises helped or she was going to turn anyway who knows but it can't hurt

Thank you for the tips ladies! I'm a second timer, with a 16 month old, and limited family support, so keen to avoid surgery if at all possible, as DH will only have a very short period of time off, and DS isn't going to grasp that I might be out of action for a while!

@bathorshower did they do the turn on your first visit to the clinic? Just wondering what to prepare for!

Thanks :)

In my case, it wasn't a clinic, but an appointment with a consultant midwife. I had the scan, DD was transverse, I then saw the consultant midwife who discussed options. We decided to try ECV, and that was booked in for a couple of days later. I then went home! I really doubt they will expect to try ECV at the clinic - you'd have been told if you need to fast before hand. My best guess is that they will discuss it.

There are techniques for persuading a breech baby to turn, but I'm not sure how well they work for a transverse one - DD was simply more comfortable sideways, and moved around a lot; she did go head down at one point of her own accord, but didn't stay there.

Thanks again!

DD2 was transverse breech up until week 37. She turned spontaneously, which was bloody painful but a massive relief. I spent a lot of time on the website "spinning babies" which has lots of stretches/ positions to encourage turning.

They should offer you gas and air for an ecv. It's meant to be very uncomfortable. If baby stays transverse then they may have to admit you as the risk of cord prolapse if you went in to labour is too high.