Breech - please tell me your tales of babies turning!

[wigglerose]

After mainly hanging out with head down and bum up, my baby has been in breech since I had a growth scan at 34 weeks (suspected massive bump meant massive baby, nope just a big bump). I'm 35+5 and at my 36 week appointment today my midwife felt my baby is still breech so I have a scan on Friday to check. Baby doesn't feel engaged yet so there is still a chance it could turn.

Has anyone had their baby turn? Please tell me it's happened!

I think there’s certain positions and things you can sit in that might encourage baby to turn, try Googling some and see if any work

Look at the spinning babies website if you haven't already and give it your best shot. My DD turned from breech to transverse c36 weeks then head down at 39+5. Felt like big pair of trainers banging around in a washing machine. I was eating a blueberry muffin at the time, in case that helps...

Oh OP I feel your pain! My third baby was constantly turning in the third tri. To the point where I had an ECV, then a couple of days later had a scan to double check he had stayed head down and.... he hadn't.

Midwives were fully prepared to do a break birth. Consultant came to room to prep me for a repeat ECV and.... he had turned back to head down. They wanted to break my waters ASAP.

I will tell you that they took my breach position quite seriously due to the risk of cord prolapse. I was actually admitted to hospital as I had been in for reduced movement and that was how the late breach position was discovered. It made sense I was having reduced movement has I know longer had the strong sensation of his head in my lower abdomen which I mistook for reduced movement.

I was told that in later pregnancies babies can change position and usually are okay until about 36 or 37 weeks. By then, they (medical staff) do like babies to be in the rignt position.

However, I had a lot of drama around my breach position and in the end, he did turn.i do wonder what would have happened had they not insisted on breaking my waters as soon as he was in the right position. Midwives seemed quite confident about a breach birth (she actually said, midwives love a breach birth!) But consultants did want the situation very contained due to it being my third and the possibility I could labour very quickly. I was told when not in hospital to get down on all fours and call an ambulance if my waters went at home.

It was a stressful couple of weeks but everyone around me was lovely and it all went smoothly because they were diligent and cautious. If you have any concerns do talk to your MW and make sure they take you seriously. But hopefully the little one will turn! Best of luck :) x

As another option, acupuncturists have techniques to encourage turning, if you want to find out more best to contact a MBAcC registered one.

My 3rd baby was cephalic for whole pregnancy (as far as I knew). Went for presentation scan at 38 wks and she’d turned breech! Turned up for my ECV appointment at 39 wks and she’d turned back!! I had spent ages on my hands and knees cleaning the floor the day before but actually I’m pretty sure she had turned the evening after while I was lying on my side in a hotter than recommended bath! They definitely can turn so don’t worry too much yet xx

To offer another perspective - 2 of my babies were breech and would not turn! I had very straightforward c sections and recovered well. So it's not the end of the world if they don't turn.