Unstable lie / transverse baby at full term

[Curtains2004]

Would be good to hear other peoples experiences with an unstable lie or transverse lie at full term. It’s not something I was aware of before this pregnancy at all!

Were you admitted?

When you went in for your c section, was baby still in an unfavourable position or had they moved to head down? If so - what were your options?

I was admitted dead on 37 weeks and they delivered him 6 hours later by csection. He moved head down just before I went in for surgery but actually flipped whilst they were trying to pull him out and had to use forceps! I didn't even know that was a thin in csections 🤣

Yes my first was transverse at 36 weeks and they kept me in until 37 weeks and then elective c section. Cheeky baby decided to turn just before the section and they discovered her breech, she got stuck and it was a bit of a panic to get her out but all was well in the end.

@bbyno2 were you then offered any other options when baby was head down for your section? Induction for example or to go home and wait for natural labour?

@Mistymeow oh wow - when you say turn, do you mean you thought baby was head down for the c section?
Policy where I am is 39 weeks for a c section for transverse lie but have seen a few posts where people have had earlier sections. Did you have any additional risk factors?

My baby was transverse lie at 36+6. They sent me home for the night as wouldn't admit til 37! Went back the next day and still not head down so admitted me. I spent 3 days in hospital then baby went head down. Re-admitted at 38 weeks for induction due to gestational diabetes. Baby was back to unstable! Did balloon induction, which fell out at 23 hours so they "waited to see what will happen" as it was busy with two local maternity hospitals closed. Ended up having my waters broken 3 days later, after a quick scan to check baby position. Ended up forcep delivery in theatre as heart rate kept dropping when I pushed. Cord was round her neck twice! She is a happy healthy one year old now (birthday was last week).

This happened to my daughter in her pregnancy. She was admitted at 37 weeks, they checked baby’s position daily but she alternated between transverse and oblique so she remained in hospital until she had a c section at 39 weeks. They told her she would only be sent home if the baby remained head down or breech for 3 consecutive days but this didn’t happen. She was bored staying in hospital but staff and care were wonderful
and she felt it was the safest option for her and her baby.

Baby was flipping constantly but head down at 37 weeks (I went in to have her turned and she had flipped herself). Got sent in for a growth scan at 38 weeks and she was breech again. Got admitted there and then for an unstable lie, in hospital she moved between breech/ transverse. Stayed in until 39 weeks when I had a section. Not exactly what I’d hoped for but the safest option for the baby in the end.

Mine didn’t move and I had a c section. Was planning on one anyway though.

My second was stubbornly transverse all the way through. I wasn't admitted, but this was during the first lockdown, she was back down, and I had a failed induction at 41 weeks on my first, so perhaps they assessed I was unlikely to go into labour.

I had a section, which I'd planned on anyway.

@Curtains2004 when I went for my scan to check her position the morning of the c section she was still transverse but turned to breech when I walked up the stairs for the surgery! What an imp. I was having an early c section at 37 weeks because baby had stopped growing and I had gestational diabetes. I’m 32 weeks now with no gestational diabetes but apparently a gigantic baby who is also transverse! I am having a c section anyway but I think it’s also my hospital’s policy to keep you in at 37 weeks if baby is transverse.