35 Weeks and Baby Is Breech - Is There Anything I Can Do to Help Him Flip?

My son was breech as well and I was worried about having a c-section because you read about all of the problems women can have. My doctor explained that the women that have a hard recovery are the ones that push and try to have a vaginal baby and then end up having to have a c-section. Recovering from a planned c-section isn't that bad.
Also, someone commented that it's a shame doctor don't delivery breech babies anymore. I did a lot of research on the problems that can happen with delivering a breech baby and it helped me make peace with the idea of a c-section. I would much rather me have more pain and discomfort than something happen to my child.

The baby should flip. I hesitate about any external manipulation because I have heard that there quite a big risk of possibly getting the cord around the baby's neck. A c-section is not bad if needed.

I would just give it time! My daughter was breech at about the same time as well. She flipped herself around 37 or 38 weeks & I delivered her vaginally. I agree with the other poster~frequent walking can definitely help flip him/her over.

I was so upset when I first found out too. Upon hearing two negative stories about version procedures, I knew I'd rather try naturally and have a planned c section rather than have an emergency one or something go wrong. The minute I made that decision I felt at peace. I've had friends try Webster technique with chiropractors and acupuncture with moxa, I tried both plus the flashlight/talking/board tricks and nothing worked. It turned out she was too big and my placenta was in a place that wouldn't have allowed her to turn. I had a great planned section and recovery and my baby arrived nice and healthy and closer to on time than if shed come early following a version mishap. It's always best to have an open mind about birth, almost none of them happen exactly the way we hope for, it's a lesson in parenting :)

Go see a chiropractor who is experienced with the Webster method. Basically she/he will get your hips in alignment and then your uterus will take the proper shape for your baby to go head down. Also, take homeopathic pulsatilla. Works amazingly well! (Hylands brand: 4 pills every 4-6 hours. Safe for you and baby. Tastes like sugar, they dissolve very quickly under the tongue. )
My 6th was breech and these methods worked for me. My midwives suggested these, and I had never used a chiro before (I was so nervous, but now I go regularly!), and had never used homeopathy before either (and we use it all the time now!). The chiro will not touch your belly, will not try to manipulate the baby. If you are out of alignment, it can cause a tilt in the uterus. Fix the alignment, fix the tilt. Go soon though because it may be getting too late. And, I had to go at least twice a week to keep aligned. She turned back a couple of times because I tried to stretch out the time between visits. ;)

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Birthing from Within (book) shows Breech Tilt position in the back of the book. Local acupuncture - Dr Steve Holcomb ###-###-####) has procedure called "cupping" that can be performed in your ob gyn office to ensure monitoring of baby and Mom while having this procedure. I agree with feedback about chiropractor having technique that also gets used. Congratulations on expecting your baby. Positive thoughts for you "my baby and I are connected in love" (do what results in healthy baby and healthy you). Also suggest you contact JoAnn Lindberg for birthing consultation at www.birthlink.com
C. L
prenatal yoga teacher in Naperville and Aurora

I went through this exact same thing just four months ago with my second baby. I first went to a chiropractor in Aurora to have her try the Webster technique. She puts pressure on your lower back to try and open your pelvis area so that the baby might flip on its own. I went four days in a row, but I had one stubborn little baby and she didn't flip. I had the external version scheduled already for the following week; I just wanted to try that way first. If you want her name, let me know. She did a very good job and I loved her. Just some babies don't flip from the Webster. She's on North Eola, close to 88. You should find a chiro who specializes in peds and is trained specifically in this method if you don't go with her. I also tried the methods of placing a frozen bag of veggies on my belly to try and make her move as well as playing slow country music on headphones and moving them down so the baby might follow. Again--a very stubborn baby who wouldn't go for that.

So I went to Edward Hospital for the version at 38 weeks and it was successful. It wasn't incredibly painful for me, but it was VERY uncomfortable. I researched the procedure online beforehand and some women said it was too painful to continue. I think it is different for each person. I had to breathe through it like intense contractions, but I tried to remain calm and focus on her turning. They gave me a shot to relax the uterus so that helped some. The main thing is trying to keep your belly relaxed because if it's too tense, it goes against the turning. I wanted to avoid a c-section if possible, but certainly would have had one if it warranted it. My doctor did a quarter turn, checked the baby's heart rate and then asked how I was. She did that four times, each time checking the baby on the ultrasound. If anything was causing stress to the baby, or if it was too painful to me she told me she wouldn't continue. We went in that day with the possibility of having an emergency section, but luckily she did flip. It took about 7 minutes for the procedure.

I stayed an hour after for monitoring and then went home. I went into labor on my own 10 days later. I did have a nurse friend tell me not to bend over once she flipped to reduce the chance of her flipping back. I did this. It wasn't easy not bending over for 10 days, but I really didn't want her to flip back after all of that:-) They also gave me an abdominal binder to help things stay snug. She also said to try to avoid sleeping flat. It was too uncomfortable in the bed so I slept in our comfy recliner for those 10 nights at a partial recline. It was a lot better than the bed and being propped up on pillows.

My baby was almost 10 lbs at birth so maybe she was just pretty snug where she was, but it was a successful procedure.

I was very nervous, too, but my doctor did a great job and it worked out. Good luck!

My second baby turned on her own. I had already decided not to do the version. My doctor insisted that I would have to be admitted to the hospital as an outpatient to do it. I figured that I would have rather done a C-section than go through that...

Don't be down or nervous-he will probably turn-it is very likely-in the meantime-check this out:
http://www.bellybuds.com/2010/10/turn_your_breech_baby/

God bless you and baby!

First I would not risk having the baby turned manually. That is me. My daughter was breech at 39 weeks. My husband and I took a walk. One
street was a huge hill. I walked it. When I got to the top, I had to stop because I was hurting. My baby was turning and turn she did. Went to the
doctor two days later and he was happy and surprised. Really did not want
a c-section after having three super easy deliveries. Good luck.

I would go to a chiropractor who is certified in the webster technique. You can pm me and I can give you recommendations of someone in your area. Keep visualizing baby head down facing rear. Do lots of hands and knees positioning. I also recommend HypnoBirthing as ot is a great class for this very problem! Go to a pool and try hand stands in the water. Accupressure and accupunture can work. Bottom line is relaxation and less stress. A relaxed uterus gives way for baby to turn. If you are anxious and fearful, your uterus will stay taught and baby won't turn. You can pm me for more info as I have worked with so many moms whose babies turn at 37, 38, and 39 wks!

my girl im pregnant with now was head down, then flipped, i spent a few hours on my knees on the floor with my son playing, and it helped her flip.. try getting on your knees and crawling around, it helps gravity work its magic, lol, and should help you get him/her to flip. i wouldnt do the external manipulation, ive heard it can be quite painful for both you and the little one, and the risks are greater than the pros, in my opinion. good luck and hope this helps.

Oooooohhhh... external versions hurt so much! Try a chiropractor or accupuncturist and homeopathy. You can find the homeopathic drops at any natural food store, probably even Whole Foods.

My 2nd turned on her own at 36 weeks, then I went into labor the next day and delivered vaginally.

I have heard good success stories with the Webster technique with a chiropractor. I was going to try that the following week, but did not need to since she flipped on her own.

I did the exercises where you lie on your back with your hips raised, several times a day. I think you can find videos and directions online. My baby was huge, I am small, but she turned. The exercises were uncomfortable but not painful, and there are no risks like with external version.

We opted out of this procedure due to the risks. I went in at 40 weeks exactly for my scheduled section..at 6am they did an ultrasound her head by my stomach they prepped my belly and I was almost ready to startt and felt a lot of pain and the doc wanted another ultrasound at which time she was heads down. They induced immediately and at 10pm I held my 8lb 6 oz baby girl. They baby will do what they want to do on their own time. Many days of happiness with your little one await you.

Have you thought about moxibustion? If you're open to Chinese medicine, it's another technique that sometimes works. Many acupuncturists have the experience to do this.

There are all kinds of techniques to flip a breech baby; please try some of them before resorting to the version. But if nothing else works, I've heard that the momentary pain of the version is preferable to the side effects of a C-section.

My daughter still had not turned at 36 weeks, and I went to an acupunturist and it worked she turned after the 2nd visit! Minimal pain, minimal price.

I would wait. Many times the external version will induce labor.

I found out on a Friday at 36 weeks with my 1st that I was breech. We had a family function 2 hours away that weekend. I asked to wait until Monday when my husband could come to the appointment, in case it induced labor. We went to the family function (over the mountains and through the woods!! ) . The next Monday we went in. They did an ultrasound before beginning the version. The put the wand at my ribs and said 'we can't find him!' ... 'well he didn't leave!!'... the doc walked in said, give me that and put the wand down near my legs. There he is! He had turned all on his own. He then went on to be 10 days late, so I ended up being pregnant for 3 more weeks.

M.

I'm sure others suggested this... but chiropractic and acupuncture can both have amazing success rates. And whatever you do, if you end up scheduling a c-section, wait as long as you possibly can and then make them do an ultrasound right before the c-section to make sure baby didn't flip head down (it can happen without you or anyone else knowing, and nothing worse than being cut open and then realizing... oops, turns out baby WAS head down!). My husband is an acupuncturist in the NW burbs, only charges $35 per treatment, and he has had success turning breech babies. www.SassackAcupuncture.com. Good luck!!!

Ouch ouch ouch is all I can say. Mine hurt so bad when they tried to flip my baby girl. I was lucky and not pushed into labor or an emergency c-section but I was so close to my due date that my c-section ended up being 2-days later.
If you can get to a pool, you can swim and that can help get baby back into position.
Good luck to you! Keep your head up! You don't have to consent to the procedure if you don't want to.

http://www.spinningbabies.com/

I did the Webster technique with a chiropractor and had a version (the manipulation you are talking about). It is not a fun time. My boy turned 3/4 of the way and neither of us could take anymore. I took a break for a day and came back Fri (initially had it done Wed) and he had completely flipped back. Sat AM. I started leaking fluid slightly after that and ended up going into the ER Sat morning for a C section. It is so sad that doctors do not deliver breech babies anymore. Good luck with everything, they can still turn, I hope your lil one does for you.

I have a friend with twins who had this procedure done successfully and went on to have her babies at 37 weeks (she was induced, though, because of the multiples).

I would look into if any OBs or Midwives in your area were willing to deliver a breech baby... delivering breech has proven to be safer than a cesarean - but cesareans make more money, are much more convenient and according to the ACOG - "You cannot be sued for giving a cesarean, even with the death of the Mother".

I wish you lots of luck and no unnecessary major surgical procedures.

My sister had this done at 36 weeks or so. It was successful and did not cause her to go into labor or any other complications. Her water broke three days before her due date and she had a normal (albeit quick) labor and vaginal delivery. Best of luck!

My daughter who is now 4 months turned breach at 35 weeks, turned right at 36 wks, breach again at 37 wks and was head down again at 38 wks. She was also a big baby. She was born 4 day overdue and was 9 lbs 4 oz. I did the hips up with soft music playing at my pelvis and hard music at my chest. She was an active baby.

check out www.spinningbabies.com, it gives some suggestions on there.
Baby still has time, my daughter flipped from head down, into a breech position just days before birth, which I hear is much harder for them to do at this point! (She was a scheduled c-section anyway)
Good Luck!! I hope your little one turns for you!!

Looks like you have had lots of advice already but I put a book under the foot of my bed and did the modified downward dog pose (on my knees with my head down and resting on my elbows) for 20 min each night for both of my girls (per my OB reecho). They managed to turn themselves over so that when I arrived for my external version, they were head down and there was no need for the painful procedure. (My first was only transverse lie so she didn't have as far to go but my 2nd was in the breech position and flipped completely over.) Good luck!

My son was breech and I had the option of external version. I opted against it because the sucess rate for a first pregnancy with not a lot of amniotic fluid was about 50 %. But it does go up to 65-75 successful for a subsequent pregnancy. Plus, you now have a child to care for and a c-section recovery is hard. Most women do not have issues with version although they can be uncomfortable. My friend just had one yesterday. I am not sure how it went though. Some women also have success with the Webster technique or accupuncture. You can also try keeping your legs lifted on an angle but that didn't work for me. Neither did cold peas on the baby's head or music. I think that is silliness.