Breech birth success stories please!

[Sheisfee]

Hey,

Found out yesterday at 35+6 that I’m breech - doctor basically said that it’s EVC or section.

Has anyone chosen too and successfully birthed a breech baby?

Xx

My MIL gave birth to my BIL who was breech, this was about 25 years ago. They only knew he was breech as his feet came first when she was pushing! As far as I’m aware the birth went well. I have a couple of friends who had breech babies but they did go with a c section.

I haven't, but I was listening to this today and you might find it useful to help you decide.

www.buzzsprout.com/615412/2108814-3-breech-birth-your-choices-with-guests-dr-shawn-walker-and-emma-spillane

Yes, I have!

PM me if you want more details

From what I understand some hospitals have staff experienced in breech vaginal birth but many don't. I know my grandmothers each had breech babies but nowadays would probably have been advised as you have.
The thing is they can't make you have either of those interventions (I would have the C-section without attempting ECV but that is only what I would do). I personally would do the research that you can, and choose whatever you feel is the safest for you and your baby. If you consider staff experienced in breech as a facility that your hospital does or does not have maybe that will help rationalise it, if you feel like the VB option is being taken away from you is there any way to transfer at this late stage if you are very adamant. Bear in mind it may end in a C-section anyway.
I'll keep fingers crossed though that your baby flips over.

Have gone to an old username as identifying and I post a lot.
Me!
He is 13 now.
Actually OP he was the second of twins and came out with his arms up. Its a very long story, but I had a homebirth booked before I knew it was twins, and kept my midwife on so I didn't have to see a new midwife every few weeks - she came to my house throughout the pregnancy.

I was extremely lucky as this midwife was incredibly experienced and had actually dealt with quite a few breech births. Most midwives will never have seen one. They are not something I'd happily do if I wasn't 100% sure of who was looking after me. The 'lucky' thing was that twin #1 had already been born head first so there was clearly enough room for the head to pass - breech births can be tricky as the head comes out last and is the biggest bit!

There was an incredible midwife called Mary Cronk who won an MBE for her work. She supported many, many women in breech birth and write a lot of guides for midwives and pregnant women. More about her is here www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/hands-off-that-breech

Not sure I should tell you this op as I am not a medic and this is a very biased opinion on my part, but I would strongly advise a C-section and to skip the EVC.

My decision was influenced by two things; one of which was a friend having a really bad experience with EVC when the cord was wrapped around the baby's neck. The other was my 20 week scan where the practioner dug really deep and hard to try and get a picture of dd's head which was very low (the practioner's bedside manner was atrocious too and looking back, I was far too meek and passive) and although this sounds over the top, I felt pretty violated and protective of my bump, and it was all I could do not to physically push her away. After that, the thought of an EVC was too much to handle tbh! (And I am a fairly rational person normally!)

Glad to report though that the C-section itself was calm and lovely and DD emerged happy, healthy and smiling!

Good luck op

My daughter came along a little early at 37 weeks. They had previously told me her head was engaged, but it was actually her bum! It was 1988, if that counts (and I also had not known she was a she until born).
I think bum first is actually double breech (?) ... An epidural was needed as not sufficiently dilated even though she was on the, way. Not a massive amount of active labour due to the epidural which was not topped up at about 08:45, and she arrived at 09:10 (had gone to hospital by ambulance at about 3am, due to waters having broken: not really sure if that would be the case now and if that happening was due to her position...) ... But I also had no real say in what happened.
Forceps were used, but obviously on her rear end, but she came out fine as 6lb 4oz.
I think it would be handled very differently nowadays and might be considered a bit traumatic these days, or her position and a c-section considered earliet/at all.
But we were both fine, and I recovered very very quickly (physically) and my baby had a perfect head as it never got squashed.
I hope this is a positive story for you I hope everything goes well!

Double breech here, delivered normally with just one shot of pethidine.

Have you looked into moxibustion? I know it sounds woo and that puts people off but my midwife told me it had a good evidence base and I tried it, baby had turned by 37 weeks. If nothing it was very relaxing.

Yes, my daughter was breech and I had a c-section. She is 16 now! Went very well.

I had a c-section after consultant and head midwife told me they were very happy for me to give birth naturally, as neither of them had ever attended a breach birth. Didn't fancy being their guinea-pig.

@turkeyboots

I had a c-section after consultant and head midwife told me they were very happy for me to give birth naturally, as neither of them had ever attended a breach birth. Didn't fancy being their guinea-pig.

Oh that reminds me - In addition to my experience written above, the case was unusual, so attracted something of an audience. As well as husband, midwife, at least two nurses, and a doctor (stitches were needed despite her tiny size), word got round and about six students came in to "watch".

I didn't like that aspect.

That's awful dumbest and you should have been asked. I would encourage women and their partners to stipulate no observers on their birth plan and to insist people leave the room if anyone turns up that isn't involved in caring for mother or baby.

@Undersnatch

Have you looked into moxibustion? I know it sounds woo and that puts people off but my midwife told me it had a good evidence base and I tried it, baby had turned by 37 weeks. If nothing it was very relaxing.

I was going to suggest this. I had this too for DC1 and she turned. I also spent some time everyday on my hands and knees (!) when I could as it gives the baby more room to turn apparently.

Ask questions and listen to the answers. The point about whether there are midwives and doctors with experience in breech delivery is important; for some time now the recommendations have been for c-section in most cases of breech presentation (second twins being the main exception), so although all will have learned the principles of breech delivery the experience of doing it is much much less.

If breech delivery is contemplated, the actual presentation is critical. If bottom first I think that is considered lowest risk, foot first is much higher for example. I hope you will be able to have meaningful discussions about your situation, but do listen to what you are advised and the reasons why.

Best wishes.
(background - medically trained but haven't done any obstetrics since student days)

Not me, but I did look onto it before having an ELCS for breech DC1.

It used to be much more common but due to the risks, less so now. Consequently there are fewer staff experienced in breech births. It might (qualitative rather than quantitative data) be 'easier' for a breech birth for a non-first baby or second twin.

There are plenty of success stories, especially amongst now 'older' - including my age - babies. I presume less common now as the risks of c sections have gone down and easier recoveries.

The hardest thing for me in the decision making would be the lack of guarantee of which staff would be available on the day and I would choose an ELCS over and EMCS any time.

Just came on to say a friend had a breech baby and even though she was in a major hospital with breech-experienced medics, in her case they suggested she had a CS following failed EVC. She was young and fit too so there must have been reasons BUT my point is in a big hospital the conversation was there to be had, so worth exploring. I don't think 'my' hospital would have offered it but it's much smaller.

@Pythonesque I know the recommendation is section - that is because of the Hannah breech trial which was held at 121 centres in 26 countries so doesn’t show a balanced data gathering. But because of this trial c-section went up from 50% to 80% for breech pregnancies within 2 months of hospitals receiving the info which is crazy to me. Also, infant morbidity may be fractionally higher with breech birth - this actually evens out at 2 years of age.

The issue is that staff aren’t sufficiently trained in this area now and women are just told to have c-sections which is a real shame. Prior to the trial breech birthing was common - this is why I’m in two minds about going with it or not as I don’t want to just be scared by people’s opinions of vaginal breech birth.

@FoxtrotSkarloey sure, that’s my issue - the lack of staff training which is a real shame. It’s frustrating that it’s not something that is commonly seen anymore as from my research breech vagina birth can be really positive.

@Undersnatch I have just bought some moxa sticks so I’ll be trying them whilst upside down in a couple of days!!

Thanks everyone for your experience - I’ve called my hospital today and waiting to hear back from a senior midwife about their feelings. Feeling rather gutted by the entire situation and let down that this isn’t something that is supported more so with women as it would prevent c sections. I’ll try and get my head around the fact that I may be having a c section in a few weeks and the positives that can come of that too but I pray my baby turns xx

@Sheisfee

Thanks everyone for your experience - I’ve called my hospital today and waiting to hear back from a senior midwife about their feelings. Feeling rather gutted by the entire situation and let down that this isn’t something that is supported more so with women as it would prevent c sections. I’ll try and get my head around the fact that I may be having a c section in a few weeks and the positives that can come of that too but I pray my baby turns xx

Just sending a mental hug. I can tell you are worried; so I do hope you get the best advice and support. Things have certainly come a long way since I had my baby, that's for sure. I think there will be pros and cons to your "options", so I hope that you work out with the medical professionals, what will be the best and resolve yourself to taking that approach and enjoying bringing your new life safely (for both of you) into the world, by whichever means. xx

@Estasala

That's awful dumbest and you should have been asked. I would encourage women and their partners to stipulate no observers on their birth plan and to insist people leave the room if anyone turns up that isn't involved in caring for mother or baby.

Thank you. I never really thought I had a choice (living up/down to my name....). I would like to think I would do diffferently now, or that the same would not happen to my own daughter....

I haven't yet birthed a breech baby but Im currently 36+4 with a breech baby. (Has been since 28 weeks!)

They are sending me to a scan on Monday to confirm breech and discussing options there.

As someone mentioned above im going to skip the ECV and go straight for an elective c section if it comes to it.

Good luck!! Xx

I see it’s an old thread but just in case someone new is still reading.
I tried a moxibustion, it was recommended by midwives in my hospital and my baby turned from being breech in the last 2 days, so I had a normal vaginal delivery (with epidural though). It’s crazy how moxa sticks worked!