Infant Breech Baby - Norwalk, CT

Spinningbabies.com is devoted to how to help your baby find an optimal birthing position- great info there.

My friend walked stairs during her labor and her baby turned just in time!

Moxibustion. Burning an herb near your feet. Has been shown to be effective in quality medical studies.

You can probably find an acupuncturist in the area who can do it.

Good Luck!

My son was a breech baby and like you, I was so upset because I didn't want a c-section. My midwife explained to me that manipulating the baby to turn is a highly uncomfortable process for the mom and there's only a 50% chance that the baby would stay turned. You might end up going through the whole discomfort for nothing. She said that the baby picks his birthing position and it was up to the mom to just go with the flow. Best to plan ahead with what you have. My daughter was born vaginally and my son was a c-section. I now have distinctly different birth stories for my kids. You will too -- good luck!

I second spinningbabies.com.

2 of mine were breach up until the last couple of weeks and then turned. a friend of mine had hers turned by the doc, it was somewhat difficult, not horrible, and it worked. good luck :)

Hi A.,

There are many things you can do to get your baby turned head down. Here are some of your options:

At home, for 15 minutes a day, three times a day, lie on your back with bent kneees and your hips elevated about 12 inches on cushions. (you could be lying on the floor, butt on a pillow, knees on the couch, for example). Pick a time when the baby is active and your stomach and bladder are empty. Relax your trunk and visualize what you want the baby to do. Placing headphones with classical music just above your pubic bone (where you want to the head to go) or having your partner talk into your belly using a toilet paper roll can help. Placing a bag of frozen peas up by where the baby's head currently is can help too.

Another position to try is the "knee chest position." kneel on a mattress with hips flexed and your upper body flat against the mattress. Your butt should be up in the air and thighs apart so they don't press on your belly. Ideally, do this every 2 waking hours for 15 minutes.

In general, avoid positions where your pelvis is tilted forward... slouched on the couch, etc. Try to sit leaning forward- elbows on the table for example.

Something else you can try is an external cephalic version (ECV) if your care provider is willing and able. This is basically repositioning the baby from outside. This has been practiced by traditional midwives for centuries. Today, if you are using an OBGYN or family practitioner, it is done at around 37 weeks as an outpatient procedure. You will be given a preliminary ultrasound to evaluate the baby and amount of amniotic fluid as well as locate the placenta. You'll be given a drug through an IV to keep the uterus relaxed during the procedure. Your care provider will manually turn the baby around. It can be uncomfortable, but should only take 5 minutes. Sometimes it takes less than one minute. Should you desire, you can request an epidural.

Some alternative therapies which may be helpful are:
The Webster Technique- performed by a chiropractor
Accupuncture
Hypnosis
<oxibustion- a Chinese medical practice with is similar to accupuncture but uses heat from burning herbs instead of needles.

Be sure to discuss the benefits and risks of ECV with your practitioner fully so that you are able to choose for yourself whether this is the right procedure for you. Illustrations of the two positions I described above can be found in "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth." I wish you all the best!

Warm Regards,
C.