Baby not turned at 36 weeks and 2 days. Trying Moxibustion

[JoeyLin]

Hi all,
Baby is still breach at 36 weeks. What are my chances? Any stories - either way?

They say my babys feet are to the side, not straight down... which 'they say' is bit more hopeful it has a platform to turn.

Went for Moxibustion, and will commence that for next 10 days.

Is there any reason why you’d be against going for a planned section? That’s what I did, and am very glad. Recovery fine, home within 24 hours. Was a really calm experience. I refused all suggestion of manual turning, but wasn’t aware there was medication to help turn a baby- was never offered, and they also didn’t suggest a vagina delivery due to the lack of specialist midwives likely to be available.

Good luck, it worked for me.

@Skinnermarink - I am also not considering ECV at all.

I am not against c-section, I've not mentioned it. I would do what is safest and not pursue risks associated natural birth to a breach. I am just wanting the baby to turn. Yes, I would prefer a natural birth, but moreso I am just worried if baby is comfortable / safe / healthy if not in the most opitmal position.

@Skinnermarink - ECV is the manual turning .

Yes I know that- what is Mozxibustian?

im surprised no one has mentioned ELCS.

mine didn’t turn on his own obviously but I often felt him trying, very weird sensation.

Mine eventually turned at 37 weeks with no intervention. He was an ELCS though at 38+1 (12 years ago), and 9lb.

Is this your first baby? If it isn't, then there's every chance they could turn on their own still. My second was breech at 36 weeks, but turned head down at 36+5 or 6. There's less chance if it is your first, but still possible. My colleague's first baby turned the day of her elective C-section.

@Skinnermarink Moxibustion isn't a drug. It's a form of acupuncture involving holding a lit stick of mugwort near the acupuncture point on your little toe.

An elective isn't for everyone, I'd only have one if there was no other choice. I saw no reason to have surgery when there was still the option of an ECV. Especially when I'd already had one successful vaginal birth already. I wouldn't have attempted a vaginal breech birth if I'd been offered one though.

@Skinnermarink Moxibustion is a traditional chinese remedy which involves applying heat (using moxi sticks) at accupuncture pressure points, in this case the ones at the furthest part of your body in the little toe (side not tip). I am into this type of thing, but was more keen to try it given midwives and NHS also mention it on the websites. It also has no risk so no harm.

I do not want any manual turning of the baby. and if the baby does not turn after the things I am trying (remaining upright forward and open), then so be it and I will have the C section for the health of my baby.

And what you're saying about "feeling him trying".. awwww, that melts my heart.

@Dyra Do they give a scan just before a c-section then?
That would be good, its like we would have given it every chance to turn up to that point, and I hope if baby had turned at that point, can refuse the c secion?

Don't know why you'd jump straight to C-section for a breech birth unless it's your first baby or there are other risks.

My third baby was in all sorts of positions in my later pregnancy, 37 - 39 weeks I'm talking. Was discovered at a reassurance scan at the hospital for reduced movement - he had been in the correct position at all my previous scans - that's why I had reduced movement, because he had completely moved position so wasn't feeling kicks the same way!

Why won't you consider ECV? I had one, it was a bit weird and uncomfortable and at the time I was scared but as they tell you, while the risks are there they are very small and they are well prepped for them. Mine was successful but the little bugger managed to turn back around, and then turn right again just before I was about to have another ECV!

My midwives were also really comfortable with the idea of a breech birth in the event baby did not turn back (no one though he would turn back, but bless him he knew what to do when the time came ).

Is this your first baby? I was told there is more room in the womb in subsequent pregnancies so it makes a difference in the likelihood of baby being able to get into the right position so would affect my decision if I was in your shoes.

And yes they will check up to right before they do any procedures. The doctor about to do the second ECV on me already new baby had turned as he could feel the head but they did a scan anyway. They definitely will especially if the reason for the C-Section is position.

There are positions you can get into (upside down, forwards off the sofa) that I tried to get DD to turn. Can't remember what they're called though.

Also sorry to spam your thread but you may wish to look at the Spinning Babies site which is all about getting them into the right position naturally, especially if you are not comfortable with ECV :)

@JoeyLin Yes they will scan you shortly before your C-section. If baby is head down you should be given the option of continuing or not.

I also recommend Spinning Babies. Full of good tips for trying to get a baby into position.

I also refused an ECV, due to the likelihood of failure (50%), pain and risk of a problem requiring emergency C section which was fairly high. I would rather have an elective section than an emergency one. Luckily mine turned on her own at 36 +5 (I did do some spinning babies positions, may or may not have helped!)

I actually knew what moxibustion was already... Mugwort is waste of time & money, won't do anything. Well, the smoke may irritate your eyes. There's that.

Mine was transverse, advised to be on my hands and knees wherever possible, watching TV etc. Worked, she did turn about a week later.

No one really has to justify why they’d ‘jump to’ a c section for a breech baby or indeed any other reason. It’s a perfectly acceptable and legitimate way of giving birth. I can assure you I did my research into all options surrounding a breech birth and decided on the best option for me with the help of medical advice.

@Skinnermarink

I wasn't intending to hit a nerve, of course a C section is a valid way of giving birth. If you did you research and chose a ELCS as the best choice for you, then that is by definition not "jumping" to the decision.

All I meant is that some HCPs are keen to write it off as a default c section whereas my practice was very patient centred and assured me that a breech birth is also perfectly acceptable. It wasn't intended as a criticism of someone's personal choice I didn't verbalise that very well.

In the same breath, it's not the only option to the OP and there are benefits to having a vaginal birth if possible, just as there are risks and benefits to all her options.

I had moxibustion (which the midwife recommended) but he wouldn't turn and it seemed really weird. Spent the majority of weeks 36-38 watching TV upside down and did everything suggested. Two manual turns, first one by a large male doctor who seemed to think he could do it by force (😬) and the second by the consultant who had one semi attempt and agreed that he wasn't going to budge. Was offered an ELCS as the (albeit small) hospital couldn't promise to have any one available who had previous done a breech birth, I took the ELCS and I'm glad I did.

If you do need a section, be reassured that many women actually prefer them.

I chose to have two, and had two very very pleasant and painfree deliveries. Recovery was really easy both times and I have zero regrets.

Obviously it's not for everyone, but there are definite advantages to it as well.

Fingers crossed you get the delivery you are hoping for, whatever happens.