Breech baby at almost 37 weeks

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I'm booked in for a scan to check what the midwives can feel is correct and then I've been told options are an ECV, elective C section or to deliver a breech baby 'naturally'.

I won't lie, I'm really scared because it seems like everything has its own risks and I'm having to work out what the lesser evil is. I had a very good labour with my first child so no experience of anything like this.

Has anyone had an ECV before, is it painful?

Has anyone got any experience of delivering a breech baby?

I'm also nervous about having a C section due to the aftercare but I know there are plenty of threads on here about those already so I'll get reading!

Hi, my first baby was breech in 2020. I had an ECV, I didn't find it very comfortable and unfortunately it didn't work, although I am sure there are plenty of positive stories out there! After it failed the consultant very much steered me towards an ELCS rather than attempting a vaginal breech delivery. Maybe because I had never laboured/ delivered before? I'm not sure, but I followed his advice and found it overall a really positive experience, so much so that I've chosen it again this time around over a VBAC. Second section booked for 11th April! Good luck with whatever you decide, I remember being scared too but it will all be fine x

I had a breech baby. I tried for an ECV and it was a very uncomfortable experience (I would not have one again) however talking to people others have a very positive experience where the baby turns and all is good.

I read up about delivering naturally and from my online reading I found that if the midwife is experienced in natural breech deliveries then outcomes are no different to other types of deliveries. My concern was that how could I guarantee a midwife with lots of experience in delivering breech babies (especially when people are increasingly opting for c-sections)

I decided that my best option was a planned c-section. It took me a while to get my head round it and found it a positive experience overall.

Hi OP I wrote almost exactly this back last year when I was expecting my DD.

She had been breech from around 26 weeks and was still breech at 37. Similarly to you I was offered a ECV or to wait and see if she turned naturally (unlikely at that point) I really wanted a homebirth and was dead set against a C section unless absolutely necessary for the baby's safety.

I had an ECV at just over 37 weeks and I won't lie it was a little painful at times but mainly just uncomfortable. I didn't need any pain relief, they did offer gas and air, but I didn't feel it was necessary. Luckily baby was turned successfully but I think the chances are pretty much 50 / 50. Thankfully she didn't turn back either and we had a successful homebirth.

The whole procedure took a few hours including scanning before and after to check the positioning and I was able to drive home afterwards. I was a little sore around my lower stomach for a few days but nothing I couldn't handle.

I would personally say try the ECV if you'd like a natural birth. My second option would be a natural breech birth but obviously that carries it's ow risks.

Good luck OP.

Thank you so much @Lucy304 , that has definitely made me feel a bit less worried. I think I've already driven myself a bit mad this afternoon alone by doing so much googling that I wanted to hear real life stories and yours sounds a positive one.

Good luck for the 11th! I hope all goes well for you.

I was breach at 37 weeks and declined an ECV, opting for an elective section. They scanned me on the morning of the section at 39 weeks and he'd turned on his own. I was then given the choice of whether to go ahead with the section or not (I chose to go ahead). So there's still hope-baby can turn right up until the end!

My DD was breech. I didn’t fancy the ECV so opted for section. I’d had a horrendous natural birth with DS so at that point I was happy to go with the elective!

Thank you @lorisparkle and @TheHopefulMum , you've definitely given me something to think about, your comments are really helpful.

Currently I'm thinking of going for the ECV, provided it's not too painful, as the risk appears very low but I'm mentally preparing myself for a C section which is the opposite of what I'd hoped for but I now just want the best and safest option for myself and baby. The worry of on the day having a midwife not experienced in breech births really worries me and I think the anxiety around this alone could be too much.

Doesn't help I had a water birth with my first So this is all VERY different!

Thank you @nattergal and @DaysofHoney - I think the majority of people here are helping me with my anxiety and worry over a C section more than anything! I appreciate your replies.

I would suggest if you are planning on having a natural breech birth find someone who’s had one, chances are you won’t since the 70s/80s and get their experience rather than the breech midwifery team. I had similar and then had the ecv, it was uncomfortable rather than painful but I did become unwell from the position I had to be in. I’d also say that a planned c section with a breech can be good positive experience.

My eldest was a vaginal delivery and honestly I don't regret going for the section for my second. There is a recovery process, and i struggled with things like getting in and out of bed on my own for a couple of weeks, but on the whole it was absolutely fine-I think was cooking a roast dinner by about 5 days PP. And it was so good being able to plan for childcare and knowing when he was arriving, and he arrived in a lovely calm environment. Good luck whatever you choose!

I honestly would not worry about having a c-section. I ended up having 3 - all for different reasons.

You can plan for your recovery and I found with support from my DM I coped well. In fact with ds3 I went shopping for a new washing machine the day after I came out of hospital!

This happened to me too, had a scan when I arrived and he had turned! I wasn’t given a choice though, was sent home and had to wait for labour to start. It was a very long wait!

I've felt on the verge of tears all afternoon (I'm blaming the hormones!), but you're all making me feel so much better about everything.

Thank you so so much.

I went into labour with a ‘surprise’ breech at 35wk. Midwife missed it. Had emergency C section on the spot which was hard with no mental prep. The team said no one here has delivered a breech baby so it’s up to you.
DC2 also breech and planned C section. both fine but more prepared when I knew it was happening . I would, say try the ECV but mentally prep for C section.

Planned c/s was wonderful! I could finish work in time, plan everything, arrange childcare, and DD was born in the most calm and gentle way - very special and no less amazing than DS natural birth.

I would never have the ECV. I was offered one with DD and the night before I had to make my decision I read on MN about a woman who’d had one and this led to a placental abruption and she lost her DD.

I had the c section and didn’t regret it for a minute. I would think carefully before having the ECV.

My youngest was breach the entire time. I had a scan at 37 weeks and he had turned much to my shock!
I actually remember the night before I was extremely uncomfortable... I wonder if that was when he turned?

They also told me he was estimated to be approx 6lbs..... he was 9lbs13oz 😅🙈

I had a successful ECV with my second. I didn’t find it painful. Unfortunately after being induced at 41 weeks I ended up having an emergency Caesarian after baby wasn’t keen to come out and got distressed. With hindsight I wish I’d gone for the elective. Best wishes whatever you decide.

Do you know what type of breach your baby is OP? I think that impacts on the likelihood of a natural birth. My DS was footling breach (feet first) and they refused a natural delivery. I was offered an ECV, I think I was given a % chance of it being successful based on my own circumstances but might be misremembering that.

@Worriedmum40284 , I'm not entirely sure, the midwives have just said his head is right up by my ribs and then his feet are down the bottom by my pelvis. I think he's more curved round rather than feet stuck completely downwards where his head should be. I suppose they'll know for sure when I have my scan but it does sound like a 'natural' delivery won't be the top choice.

Please make sure baby gets a hip scan after birth (which ever method is chosen for birth) usually done within 2-6 weeks to check for Hip Dysplasia. It is more common in breech babies.

Hope baby turns for you in the meantime xxxx

I had 'natural' footling breech at full term, but only because no-one noticed he was breech till his foot descended first (i did voice my concerns, but what did I know )
That was 16 years ago. Hes a fine strapping lad now.
His birth was horrific though. He did get stuck. No-one present had ever been involved in a breech birth, and he was in a right state when he came out. Touch and go. In SCBU for a week where he made a miraculous recovery. We had to wait a year though before he was discharged as its hard to tell if babies have sustained damage when oxygen deprived. So I dont really recommend it, no. If Id known Id have gone c-section route.

Another person popping in to say that I had a really positive Elective caesarean due to DS1 being breach. I didn't fancy at ECV and a section seemed to be the safest option for the baby (although not for the mother). Recovery was nowhere near as hard as I thought, though when I had by second I needed more help with the toddler in the early weeks than I might have done wta natural birth.

I’ll be the one woman to have a vaginal breech birth 👋

he was my twin #2 and I was exceptionally lucky to have a very experienced midwife who had attended many breech babies. It’s a very long story - the second twin being breech isn’t unusual (they were like a little ‘yin and yan’ in utero) but is more reliable as a head has already been born so there no problem with head size.

it was fine. All I can say is I’d be ok with a singleton breech birth if I knew beyond doubt the midwife had experience - but that’s the shame now as there aren’t many.

very best of luck

Ah sorry, I missed that you hadn't had a scan to check. They'll hopefully be able to give you a better idea of what's likely after that. He could be bottom first rather than feet which I think would make a vaginally delivery more possible?

That may just have been the case in my trust by the way, others may have considered delivering footling breach so definitely worth checking all your options and not taking my word for it!