Transverse babies

[Undomesticgodde55]

I've just turned 34 weeks, and I have been aware for a while now that the head of the baby points towards my left and the bottom bulges on the right with the feet pointing upwards (so back down towards my pelvis). I asked at m midwife appointment yesterday if I was correct and she agreed the baby was laying in the position - she didn't seem concerned and said I still have time for the baby to move.

Stupid me on Dr Google has now made me worried. At what point do I need to start worrying? The baby has always been comfortable on the right (to my discomfort which I thought was normal - first pregnancy)

I think it's laying in the sort of position but it's head is further to the left (I see it bulge out when it stretches)

You've got 6 weeks left OP, so baby can turn at anytime.
Worst case scenario you'll have a C-Section as they don't try and turn your babies these days.
My friends baby was breach and they didn't try and turn hers, they just took her for a section.
All being well, baby shifts into position for you! 🤞🤞

Baby has got plenty of time to move and probably will, however if baby is still transverse at 37 weeks there is a risk that if your waters broke the cord could come out as baby's head isn't engaged and that would be an emergency - in my trust they would admit you to hospital until baby is born (or until they turn) as a precaution, not sure what other trusts do.

My boy was breech at 36 weeks, they tried turning him (it hurt, but would have been worth it if successful) but no luck so I had an elective Caesarian at 39 weeks. They wanted to do it to before I went into labour naturally. No big deal. And you still have plenty of time for your baby turn!

My first was transverse/unstable lie. I was admitted at 38 weeks as a precaution due to risk of cord prolapse as PP said. Then had my section at 38+6. The week in hospital was fine, if a little dull.

I was offered an ECV and was told if it was successful they would then induce immediately before the baby had chance to turn back, but I declined it.

I'm now 34 weeks with number 2 who was breech when I was scanned 2 days ago. I'm hoping they stay that way and I can avoid the admission for a week this time round.

Thanks everyone I am a bit calmer now. DP has talked sense into me and thankfully you guys have too. I'll worry once I'm full term.

Blimey at the messages above! I knew my baby was transverse for pretty much the whole time I could feel her. Midwives brushed it off as being in my head and claimed at my last appointment that she was starting to engage, and I had an ELCS booked so wasn't too worried how she was positioned. CS comes around and sure enough, she was completely transverse. On the plus side, by using my pelvis as a hammock, i found late pregnancy a doodle compared with most of my friends. Didn't realise there was a risk of cord prolapse! Bit cross now that I was ignored by the midwives!

My twin 1 flipped from head down to oblique(?) breech-ish at 35 weeks. Head under left rib, bum over my right hip, legs under right rib (best position to boot her brother in the head, bless him!)

I went into labour at 38+4 and she had moved breech by then, no bother. Your baby definitely has time and space to turn! In the meantime, check out Spinning Babies, as that'll help encourage the baby into a vertex position.

Best of luck!

@keeponrunning85 is a transverse baby more risky than a breech baby then? I assumed (probably wrongly) they were the on the same kind of level.

With a transverse baby there's no part of it down in your pelvis to stop the cord coming out if your waters go whereas with a breech baby their bum is down in your pelvis.

I'm not convinced this one will stay breech because there is a pocket of fluid under its bum and also DD went breech for a day or two around 37 weeks and then back to transverse. But I can but hope!

I was always told that it is very unusual to have a transverse baby for your first, but I have an abnormality with my uterus which is probably why it was the case for me.

@Undomesticgodde55
A Positive ECV story if you’re interested.

I had it done yesterday for my breech. It went so well, was over so quickly. I do understand your worries. Yes you do have time left but I expect it’s still on your mind.
I hope he/she turns for you

Have hope, my first was transverse until the middle of week 36 when she turned to head down engaged two days before my consultant appointment...

I had a transverse baby at 36 weeks. At 38 weeks I had an appointment at the breach clinic, and when they scanned, he had turned! I didn't feel it, and they said that it's common!

If he hadn't have turned, they would have attempted a turn. If it failed, the options were a c-section or to attempt a breach delivery. It depends on your hospital trust, but oxfordshire deliver breach babies, some Trusts don't.

Ps... check out the spinning babies website! I spent allot of time doing handstands in the local pool between 36-38 weeks.. no idea if it helped, but it certainly didn't hurt!

Thanks everyone I do feel a lot better today and reassured it's more common than google lead me to believe. What will be will be

Google is dangerous! 😬😬😬

I had a transverse baby, ECV was initially successful, but she turned back that night. I spent 10 days in hospital in case of labour before an ELCS at 39+1. She was fine, I was fine, so a successful outcome. You might have a dull stay in hospital (depends on the trust) but you are almost certainly going to have a healthy baby.