Breech baby - help!

[kidsareok]

Hi - just had my 36 week appointment and my baby is breech. I've always suspected he is. I have a position scan tomorrow morning and if he's confirmed breech then it's a planned c section or an ECV (which I will turn down). Has anyone had a planned c section with a breech baby before? Was all ok? I've stupidly googled breech babies and read stuff about their being problems with the babies so they can't turn head down 🙈🙈 I hate the internet! Just looking for any positive c section breech birth stories xxx

I had a breech baby and I tried the ECV but unfortunately it didn't work. I then opted for a c section. My LO arrived early so I ended up technically having an emergency c section but it went incredibly smoothly. The anaesthetist went through the process and when I went in all of the staff introduced themselves and explained what would happen. LO arrived within 10 minutes and I was delighted. They stitched me up again and then pushed me through to recovery. Admittedly I couldn't feel my legs for a while but seeing my LO made me forget everything.

Congratulations and try not to worry about this. I know it's easier said than done but I took heart in that it's a common process and they wouldn't have continued doing thousands if they weren't confident in what they were doing.

No section advice but mine was breech at 36+3, and had turned head down by the next day. She had been transverse since 28 weeks, flipped to breech at 34 ish weeks. I was genuinely panic stricken as I really didn't want a section and was going as far as to consider a vaginal breech birth. MNet talked me out of that, by the way! I have another scan next week at 38+4 (growth related) so hoping she is still head down. Just wanted to say there is time for baby to turn, people said it to me and I really didn't believe them at 36 weeks I thought that was it. I didn't even feel her turn by the way.

I had an undiagnosed breech and had a c section. Surgery all went smoothly and recovery was manageable. I was home the next day and obviously had to take it easy for the first few weeks but pretty easy recovery. I'm asking for elective section this time.

I am a breech baby from 34 years ago :-)

Mum was an emergency c section and I was in some sort of brace for a wee while.

Pretty sure that's why one leg is shorter than the other...although no one believes me

I'm sure all will be fine!

One of mine was breech around 36 weeks. He turned eventually on his own but I'm convinced the old wives ideas I tried helped! Get on all fours, head down and bum in the air. Do for as long as you can stand it.
Also try putting a wrapped ice pack on the top of your bump. Theory is baby will turn away from the cold.

Hope all goes well x

Try not to worry, although I get that this situation will have thrown you. You will not have mentally prepared for this.

My first was discovered to be breech at 41 weeks, so couldn’t attempt an ECV. Section the next day was lovely and straightforwards, recovery good - one night in hospital. You can’t pick the baby up yourself as you can’t stand or move much for the first 4/5 hours, but otherwise fine.

I went on to have a second ECS and now planning a third!

Have a look at spinning babies always worth it before any procedure

My baby was breech. I refused the ecv and had the elective section. They discovered during the operation that her leg was stuck under my ribs, which is possibly why she didn't turn. Caused a few issues for me but she was fine.
The baby will automatically get an appointment for a hip scan at 6 weeks, as breech babies can sometimes have hip issues but it's very rare.

Another suggestion to look at the spinning babies site, it didn't work for me but it is informative and works for lots of people.

I opted against ECV for personal reasons and booked in for an ELCS (I had an EMCS first time round), turns out she couldn't have been turned even if I wanted to as she was transverse and one side was sort of wedged under my ribs so they had to use forceps but both she and i were absolutely fine!

Good luck

I second to have a look at the spinning babies techniques!! Head down arse up for a couple of days OP

I had an elective c section for a breech baby.
I turned down the ECV - my friend had it and it was brutal and beyond painful apparently and she likened it to a scene from country file where they turn the calves 🤣 put me right off!

I had no issues with DD when she was born - most of the time breech is just one of those things - I suspect it runs in families as every child born in the last 40 years in mine has been breech

I had a c section with my 3 year old, as she was breech from 34 weeks. They gave me weekly scans to see if she'd turned, but I could tell she hadn't!

They didn't recommend the ECV which I was glad about, so I had an elective c section at 39 weeks.

All went very smoothly, skin to skin contact straight away, was home in just over 24 hours. Sore for a while after but controllable with painkillers. Had to inject for a couple of weeks to prevent blood clots but it was ok. Just have to take it easy for a while, I found I hurt if I walked too far!

I'm 19 weeks pregnant now and wouldn't hesitate to have another CS if needed.

I tried the ECV which wasn't that bad. Uncomfortable but I really wanted to attempt a water birth. The ECV didn't work so I had an elective section. I was devastated initially but It was really positive and baby came out perfect. Got to do skin to skin straight away. The recovery is tough, ibuprofen and paracetamol only (and oral morph in hospital).

@kidsareok how did you get on? Was baby still breech?

Hi @kidsareok I'm in this situation too. 36 weeks tomorrow. Baby was transverse for a few weeks (well I guessed that because all the kicking i felt was on my right side). At about 31 weeks it was very active then I stopped feeling anything at all, went to the hospital and it had turned to breech. Had to have another scan last week because of reduced movements again and he or she is still very much breech and quite far down in the pelvis. Their head is permanently under my ribs so I don't think they've done any experimenting with turning yet despite trying different advice! Have another scan at 37 weeks for the same reason as you if it hasn't turned to decide whether they should try and ECV or go for the c section. A c section is the last thing I want but I'm kind of at peace with it now and feel what will be will be. Wishing you all the best.

Thanks so much everyone! Such helpful responses! @Hatepickinganame I went to the hospital and they said he wasn't breech?! But he's moved again so back next week for another position scan. It's stressful! I'm getting to the point where I want to just opt for a c section then at least I know what's going on!

Yeah it's super stressful, I keep getting really painful kicks just above my pubic bone and I can't work out if its her head trying to engage my pelvis or if she's breech again! All I get by my ribs now is a big old lump and lots of pushing/rolling/wriggly movements. Not a clue which way up she is 😅 good luck for your next scan, mine is Tuesday!