Breech Baby

My son was breech and I had a c-section. I went into labor before my appointment for the external cephalic version. I decided to have them try to stop labor so they could do the E.C.V. but the meds they gave me increased my heart rate for more than 15 minutes, so they said they couldn't do the E.C.V. My c-section went incredibly well. I felt back to myself after only a week or so. I also exercised throughout that pregnancy and had a doctor who had done thousands of c-sections. I had a vaginal delivery this time and the recovery was worse. I tore a lot, though. If you have a c-section, get as much help at home as possible and take it as easy as you can for the first week or two.

My advise is don't do the cephalic version, if the baby hasn't turned on its own there is probably a reason. I had a breech baby also and my doctor gave me the choice to try and turn it or do a c-section. She said that I may have an emergency c-section in the version because the baby can start to stress and the umbilical cord can get tangled. That sounded awful and I decided I would rather do a safe c-section than an emergency one. When my baby was born (via c-section) he had his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck 3 times, which is why he was breech. Had I tried to turn him I would have for sure had an emergency c-section and who knows what the outcome would have been.

I have had a few friends try and turn the baby. They say the muscle relaxers are horrible and it is extremely painful. It didn't work for 2 of my friends and the other went into labor that day.

A c-section is not that bad after the first 3 or 4 days, and you'll be so overwhelmed with the baby you won't have time to worry about yourself. Just don't cough or sneeze!

Let me know if you want anymore details.

Good Luck!!

M.

This is going to sound weird, but I swear my OB/GYN really told me to! I got the same warning with my 2nd child. The OB/GYN told me to go home & lay with my head lower than the rest of me (upside down) for 20 minutes 3 times a day. So I put our recliner all the way out & put pillows on seat to support my backside. My head was on the feet part & my feet were sticking up in the air on the head part. Maybe she would have turned without me doing that, but I did it, & she turned! Good luck!

I've had five kids. 1st one was a vaginal birth, second was a c-section, 3 & 4 were VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and #5 was a c-section. The sections were because of the baby being breech, with the first they sent me to the hospital to first see if the baby was a candidate for being turned which they did with an ultrasound and then with me, they discovered that she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, so they decided to do a c-section and then sent me to the hospital and got me all prepped and ready to go that same day. I was terrified, but in the end I was doing okay by the second day and up and walking around, I was sore and taking the pain meds, but that tapered off after about a week after. With my 2nd section he was also breech, and when they did an ultrasound to verify that he was breech they checked the cord and said that it wasn't anywhere near the neck, so I was relieved - somewhat - I found this out on APril 4th -- and then on the 6th I was having contractions, went to the hospital they sent me home and put me on bed rest. The 10th I had my next appointment and the baby was still breech -- they decided to send me to the hospital and do the c-section because I had a previous section and they didn't even want to try and mess with turning the baby. Good thing they didn't because when he was delivered the cord was wrapped around his neck as well. I had a harder time healing from that section, but he's now 9 months and a cute little thing. Good Luck with whatever happens.

I can only comment on the c-section part, but every c-section is different. Mine was awesome. I healed easily, never really had any pain. My doctor used staples instead of stitches and my incision healed wonderfully. I was a little nervous when I actually went into the operating room, but my doctor and his staff was great. You have to remember to listen to everything that doctor tells you about healing quickly. When you think you are feeling good is when you really need to rest a little more.
If you want to know anything specifically or in detail, feel free to email me.

I had the same situation with my daughter. Ultimately, I chose an elective c-section rather than trying the version. My doctor told me it was very painful and if it worked, then I'd have to stay to be induced. It also could result in an emergency c-section if the baby's heart rate drops and then I would be put to sleep and my husband couldn't be there.

The c-section was scary, but you're completely numb so you can't feel a thing. I did get sick during the c-section and threw up in the operating room and for a couple hours afterwards. One thing you have to think about with c-sections for breech babies is there is a liklihood your baby will take his or her first breath in utero. If that happens and/or there is meconium the baby might have some trouble breathing right away. That happened to my daughter.

I have had two sections and they were a snap. Our first was breech and we elected to decline the turning and just scheduled a section. The second was automatic schedule since I had had one already. It seems like it would be awful but the experience was so good. The worst part for me was having an IV in my hand because I have awful veins. You are going to get one of those section or not!!!
If you end up with the section my best advice is to walk as much as possible. This will heal you quicker. At night when my husband went home I would do laps in the hall pushing my precious baby.
You should have 6-8 weeks of leave and you will be back to normal in no time. Just don't rush it. The dishes will be there tomorrow.
Feel free to email me with any questions.

I have never had a c-section, so I cant comment on what is like, but I can tell you about a V-birth.
It was absolutlly wonderful and I would do it again in a heartbeat. My husband and many friends and family members think I am crazy to say it, but I actually LOVED every minute of labor.
I personally can not imagine having a c-section...or even having an epideral. I had both my children naturally with no drugs what-so-ever and infact got to pull my children out myself once their heads and shoulders were out. It was simply amazing! I also did not have any rips/tears therefor no stiches. (my boy was 9.14 and 22 inches. my girl was 8.12 and 22 inches - so its not like they were little tiny babies)
Now, I know not every labor goes as smooth, and there is always the chance of complications...but I would encourage you to do whatever you can to have a natural birth. It is the most amazing thing that you will EVER experience...as you already know considering this is your second child.

Let me also say, that I am not trying, in any way, to take away anything from a c-section birth = because I am sure that it is amazing as well...after all a new life has entered the world and that is beautiful.

But...for me I just cant imagine not actually going through labor and feeling ever single contration and the need to push etc.
BUT...I do know that in many cases you HAVE to have a c-section for many different reasons...breach being one of those.
I have 2 different friends who had breach babies. Both of them talked not only with the OB about different ways to "flip the baby", but also contacted a midwife and a naturalist drs. to see if they had any tips.
Both woman did what they were instructed to do...and one woman was success in "flipping" her baby and delievering naturally and one still needed the c-section. Unfortunetlly I do not know what those "tips" were to share with you.
I dont know that I have actually given you any tips that you were looking for...but....

Whichever way you deliever your baby, in the end doesnt matter...it is just important that your baby comes into the world peacefully and healthy - same goes for mommy.
Good Luck and Congratulations! :)

i would go with the c section over the risk of flipping but that just me if you do go with flipping her you wil have pain i thought the pain of labor was easyer then the pain of flipping

GK -
When I was pregnaunt with my first child she was beech. They tried to flip her. This was my experience:
It is done at a hospital, they first try to gently manipulate thru your belly (they used ky jelly so they hands would slide easily) If that doesn't work the may invert the bed. I was on my head as they continued to move the baby. My daughter was actually stuck and "suctioned" under my ribs so she did not move an inch! It was painful but, nothing you can't handle.
I ended up going into labor 3 days before they scheduled the c-section so I had an emergency c-section. I was terrified! I seriously thought I would die! But in fact, I chose to do it again with #2...
first the monitor your contractions and vital signs, then your epidural will arrive (that can be uncomfortable) after a few minutes they will take you to surgery (my husband was allowed to come with), they will hook you up to monitors and oxygen and place a sheet between you and your belly (so you don't see anything) they will begin- they slice a cut right above your pubic hair line (can not feel a thing) then they pull the baby out gently (you may feel presure and tugging but, it does not hurt at all- you will be fully awake during this.... the entire thing takes about 7 1/2 minutes! They will clean up the baby and hand him right over to you (while they staple you shut) I know it is scary but, it's really ok-I promise!
You will be back in your room resting in no time. The recovery is a little harder (2-3 days before your comfortable) They will get you up to walk in a few hours. That is kindof awful because you can't function, change your own pad, or sit on the toilet by yourself but, just be really nice to your nurses! Most of the discomfort can be mnaged with Tylenol within two days...the worse part is when the nerves start growing back together- it feels like someone is pulling your pubic hair out one at a time...auugh! or is it the liquid diet they keep you on for 3 days!
If you would like to ask any other questions -just holler I've been thru this twice and would do it again in a heartbeat! Piece of cake -you can do it! Good luck-H.

I have had both a c-section and the baby turned all with the same baby. The turning the baby isn't as bad as it sounds. It is a bit uncomfortable, but heck so is labor. There are risks involved, but there are also risks with anything that you do when you are pregnant. I ended up having an emergency c-section with the baby only because she wasn't tolerating labor at all. In my next pregnancies I also dealt with breech babies (in at least 3 of the next 5----I have 6 children) and in each of those cases I was able to have a vbac and the babies turned on their own. My doctor gave me the advice with each of those other babies to try and get them to turn on their own. She showed me where their heads were and directed me to put gentle pressure on it in a downward motion to encourage them to go where they are supposed to be. In any case, each pregnancy is different with different circumstances and such---do what your gut tells you is right. I personally would never chose to have another c-section unless it was necessary to save either my life or the baby's---I have done both and prefer the recovery of a natural delivery over that of a section. Good luck and just depend on your own instincts and the advice of your doctor and you'll do just fine.

I had two c-sections, and they were fine. although, my pregnancies were so bad anything would be preferable to the experience of pregnancy for me!!

After you hold that little one, and go home--you forget all the pain, as I'm sure you did with the first!

I had staples too. I did have pain, but was up walking around after 2 days, and doing most of my usual things after about two weeks. I have always been a SAHM, so it was very easy for me to take is slow if I started to feel run down--you'll know. One sure sign is bleeding. So, both of my c-sections were positive experiences.

Congratulations and GL:)

I had my son by c-section, and will probably have to have all my babies by a c-section, cause my doctor thinks that I am just prone to have big babies (my son was 10 pounds). It scared me at first, but honestly...really truly honestly...I didn't have too hard of a time recuperating from it. I got home 2 days before Christmas, and was able to still go to Christmas eve and Christmas day without too much discomfort. If you just take it easy, then the recovery is smooth.

I can't offer you any advice on the breech baby, but I can on the C-Section. First off, there is nothing you can do to change this situation so just take it as it comes and try to relax. If you end up needing a c-sec., it's not as bad as you expect. I have had 3 babies 3 different ways and honestly, the C-sec was the fastest recovery BY FAR! I was up walking by day 2 and didn't need any meds by the time I was home. It was different, being operated on while awake, I'll say that much! The only think I would warn you of (which I was not warned of) is the risk of PPD increases with C-sections. Something to do with skipping the labor and the hormone release that comes with laboring. Of course, the best scenerio is that baby will turn and you'll have a quick labor/delivery!
~L.

I like doing things naturally so I thought I'd pass these websites on to you. They give natural techniques for trying to turn breech babies. I hope one of them works for you. I'm sure it would put your mind at ease if the baby would just turn on its own! My prayers are with you.

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/birth/challenges/turnbab...

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/May05/pf_childbeari...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ilana.m/turnbaby.htm