Extended breech baby - what to do??

[Fleurie76]

I'm 35+5 and had a scan today that confirms that my baby is breech. Apparently it?s bum is in my pelvis and head and legs are up at the top, so it seems to be in a U shape which the ultrasound technician put down on my results as 'extended breech'

I'm due to chat through options with a consultant on Monday which I gather will be a decision on whether to leave or turn (assuming it can be turned). Really confused as to what to decide on this one, mainly because I have been rather phobic (for years) about the thought of giving birth vaginally and not so long ago would have jumped at the chance to potentially have a planned section.

I have been dealing with my birth demons throughout the pregnancy and seem to be on top of it, so now I actually feel like I would be a bit robbed if I got booked in! However I am far from desperately wanting a VB and there is still a little voice inside me encouraging me to refuse turning and leave it to fate (which is possibly more likely to end up in a section) but I think if I did this there would be a bit of me that would feel I had copped out!

This may all be academic as I know the baby might well turn itself but very confused with how I feel about all this does anyone else have a similar story to share?

Also, just wanted to say (before I get jumped on!) that I am well aware that a section is far from the 'easy' option but I don't have an irrational fear of operations

Basically, breech's began being CS following the publication of a study in 2000, 'The Term Breech Trial'. It said that breech babies born by CS had better outcomes than those born vaginally. However, since then the trial has more or less been rubbished. A more recent study (the PREMODA study) showed that in normal, low risk women vaginal breech birth was safe for mum and baby, however they said that a doctor/midwife 'experienced' in vaginal breech birth should always do the delivery. The problem with that is after the term breech trial we have got so used to CS for breech, most people are out of practice and don't feel confident in doing a vaginal breech birth.

Anyway, as you said your baby still has a while to turn yet, although if still in breech at 37wks you should be offered ECV to turn the baby. Its a decision you have to make after you've looked into it a bit more really! See if you can get hold of 'Breech Birth' by Benna Waites, its very easy to read and tells you EVERYTHING.

Moxibustion (heat rather than needle based acupuncture) works very well according to what I've read so far.

You need to see a good chinese practitioner. They'll burn something next to little toes and even conventional medicine now admits it's success rates.

Ask your Dr