Breech options…

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I’m currently 35 weeks. Baby is breech, and really always has been. Have been told that there still is a smallish chance he’ll turn, but presuming he hasn’t by next week I need to start thinking about options.

I’m happy to try an ECV - I know the success is about 50/50. It’s what to do thereafter. The general midwife/medical preference seems to be an elective section but I have been told that I could consider a breech vaginal delivery. I’m not anti-CS per se, it’s just never something I’ve wanted (have concerns re recovery times and some of the surgical risks). Equally I don’t want to put my baby at risk.

Has anyone had a planned breech vaginal delivery? Any advice or thoughts about it?

What sort of breech? Bum first I might be willing to give vaginal birth a go, feet first no way as what do they do if only one foot comes out instead of both?

Bum first! I think when it’s a footling breech they don’t even give you the option (would be wrong).

The ‘medical preference’ for a section relates to the fact that there isn’t as much experience these days in breech vaginal deliveries as there used to be in the past. Depending on the staffing where you choose to deliver it may be that a section is the safer option… or it may be that vaginal delivery is fine too. It’s probably worth speaking to the midwives/obstetricians at the unit you’re planning to deliver at to get a feel for their experience (factoring in things like the difference between ‘in-hours’ and ‘out-of-hours’ staffing etc).

I’ve heard this site recommended before with some tips on trying to move a breech baby www.spinningbabies.com/ haven’t tried it myself but could be worth a go before the ECV.