Any experiences of breech babies turning after 31 weeks?

[Rebecca41]

Hi

I'm 31 weeks, 2nd pregnancy. My baby is breech at the moment, and I've been told that if it stays that way then a Caesarean will be recommended.

I just wondered if anyone had been breech at a similar stage, and that the baby had turned? I've read the statistics, but they're never as useful as real experience.

I'll go along with medical advice, but I'd really really like my baby to turn, because the thought of a Caesarean fills me with dread. I have a very active 3 year old, I'm a single parent, and I live in a village with no shops - not being able to drive for 6 weeks would be a total nightmare!

Any reassuring stories?!

You have tons of time yet. Baby is still tiny and will probably turn. Don't stress.

DS2 was breech up until just over 36weeks, the night before my final scan where they'd have booked me in for a C/S.
He was massive as well, over 10lb born and he turned with relatively ease (I just thought I had indigestion/eaten too much ).

Worry not and good luck

Mine turned last week at 37 weeks the day after all the doctors said it was too late for him to turn. He had flipped to breech then head down at 34 weeks and back to head up at 37 weeks and then down again 4 days later - I'm only 5ft with little fluid left (had a water leak at 32 weeks) and a big baby and he managed to move.

First time he flipped I went on all fours and did figures of eight with my hips the second time he shifted without me doing anything as likely to have a planned section anyway.

My DD never turned - she was born as a breech baby at home with IMs. If you can find MWs with breech experience (which can often mean turning to the independent sector) then a vaginal breech birth is a realistic option. (One of the reasons why NICE recommend against vaginal breech birth is due to a lack of skilled MWs, and a recent study in Paris found that as long as strict selection criteria were met for mother baby and Dr, vaginal breech was at least as safe as CS)

Try and get hold of a copy of "Breech Birth" by Benna Waites and/or "Breech Birth: What are my options" by Jane Evans - I found them much more balanced and informative than the NHS registrar I talked to. The former also has a chapter on complementary ways of encouraging breech babies to turn.

Do try not to worry too much - something like 30% of babies are breech at 30 weeks, but only 4 or 5% are still that way at term - so you've got a very good chance they'll still get their head down by themselves.

Fingers crossed for you

Hiya, I posted the same thing when I was 32 weeks, someone reccomended this site. I did the exercises on there (not religiously just every now and then) and baby turned at 35+4- remember when exactly as it was really quite painful! Now I'm 37+3 and she's fully engaged so really you have got loads and loads of time, don't panic

My ds was breech - can't remember exactly how late he turned but it was in last few weeks. I did exercises - on floor on all 4s and then put my arms down so arms resting on floor (bum in air). Had to stay like that for a while ... did it a couple of times a day. Also had a few sessions of accupuncture (needle in left little toe). They also put taped a little stone/seed to my left hand in the V between my first finger and thumb. I had to massage it twice a day for a minute each time. Baby used to move like crazy when I massaged it. Never knew how or when Ds moved but he did and had a normal delivery.
Good luck

DS turned at 36 weeks

On his own, that is.

Am somewhat surprised that you haven't been offered a procedure where they are turned under gas and air (can't remember the name).

DS didn't turn but he was my first baby - you have the advantage of it being your second pregnancy, much more likely to turn of it's own accord. Also an ECV (whichi s what ILMDAMO means) would be much more likely to work if it is not your first pregnancy, so you could opt for this around 36/38 wks if your baby is still breech.

But it is v early days as others have said, and if you get into all-fours positions every day you'll be giving yourself the best opportunity for turning to happen.

Both mine turned on their own at 36 weeks, the day before the consultant's deadline for considering ECV v. caesarean options.

My DD was transverse until quite late on (I can't remember when 36/37 weeks?) She was turned by the consultant - I think ECV, although no gas and air or anything. She remained correctly posisioned until born at 41.5weeks. Don't panic!

Mine turned at 39 weeks - found out on the operating table and was sent home. She was breech at the scan the day before. Plenty of time yet!!

You have a while yet. The most common time to turn is around 36 weeks.

See this link for exercises:
www.birthinternational.com/articles/andrea13.html

mine turned at around 33 weeks, might be coincidence but it was not long after I'd had an antenatal massage and had spend a long time on my knees leaning over a birthing ball - I am sure it helped.

I was quite stressed about the baby not turning too, especially as it had been transverse for most of my pregnancy, MW said don't worry til 36 weeks which seems to be the general advice given here.
Hope your baby turns soon!

My second baby turned breech and back twice after this stage of pregnancy - I think at about 34 weeks? I was scanned at 36+2 and she was head down but even then the dr said she might go back again! (She didn't.)
Hope baby turns round for you soon.

my DD, now 20 months, was born by c section as she was breech. am afraid she never turned but then she spent the entire 9 months sitting like a little buddah!! Have been told that acupuncture can make a baby turn. I think they stick the needles in your big toe. Maybe make some enquiries as cant hurt to try!