Infant Breech Baby

Hi A.,

My baby was breech also, and I had planned with my midwife to have a vaginal birth, however, the baby just wouldn't turn. We talked about having the baby turned manually, but there were a lot of risks involved with that. Also, since my son was running out of ammnio fluid, he had to come out and C-section was the only option. Yes, I was a little disappointed that my pregnancy didn't go the way I planned, but let's be realistic, the object is to get the baby out, and once that happens, it shouldn't really matter how.

I had a similar situation with not being able to use stairs, and our bathroom was on the first floor with the bedroom on the second floor. I put a futon in the livingroom and that's where I slept with the baby so I didn't have to climb stairs. My partner slept upstairs in our bed and that's the way we lived for several months. It worked out just fine.

You mentioned being on a budget, but if you can put aside some money, I would recommend getting a doula for the first couple of weeks to help out with your other child while you recouperate. Or, ask friends and family for help if you can. This is a time when you need support, and if you have people who care for you at your disposal, make sure you ask them to help you.

Hope this helps,
M.

The baby CAN turn to a normal position. However, your first child was c-section for a reason. Your doctor is prepared to do another one. That doesn't mean that he will have to. But, I do understand him wanting to schedule it. It's better to have you on an OR schedule and cancel it, rather than try to fit you in last minute. OR schedules fill up really quick. But all of that could mean nothing because we all know when your baby is ready, you are going into labor. Schedule or not! So, go ahead and schedule it. Keep going to your doctor, they will continually monitor position. Tell your doctor your concerns. Ask if vaginal delivery is possible for you. Above all you want to make sure that you and your baby are kept safe. Your doctor doesn't want to do anything to harm either of you.

Hey A., I wouldn't let any Dr. talk me into a C-section "just in case". They perform emergency c-sections all the time. What's one more if needed? I agree with the other ladies who say go with YOU want. Don't be pushed around by anyone. It's your body and your baby. As long as the baby is fine, do things your way. I'd look for a new OB who is supportive of VBACs. Good luck! Let me know how it turns out for you. You're in my prayers.

D.

Hello A.. I just wanted to let you know I went through this with my first daughter. She was breech till three days before I was induced, and I was 2 weeks late. She had managed to turn herself around the right way. I would try and give it some time before you decide. I had to have a few sonograms closer to delivery because she was beech, but who minds looking at their child?? Also ask the doct thr about the turning method they can use. I dont remember the technical name for it but they lay you on a table with your head down and feet up and try to use outside pressure to turn they baby. Ask you doctor about other methods to try to turn her befoe you concent to a csection if it is not what you want. Dont let them pressure you into anything!

The doctor obviously knows what is best. He is the professional. I would confide in him and do what he says. As far as the bed rest your husband should be able to get FMLA from his job. Its a law and your circumstances do qualify for him to take FMLA for up to 12 weeks. Or, having a close friend or family around may help but I know that this isn't always possible. Your husband definitely needs to be home in the evenings to help with the toddler and tend to you!

Hi A.! I am a 33 year old married woman with a 19 month old son who was also breech. I understand your dilemma. C-Sections are hard to recover from, and I also think that when I have a second child, I would like to try a vaginal birth. I would suggest going ahead and schedule the c-section anyway. The odds of your baby turning between now and then are not high, but it could happen. I know that you want to experience a vaginal birth, but it just might not be in the cards. Plus, look on the bright side, no labor! Hope this helps.

32 weeks and your Dr. is already stressing you out? Sounds like this isn't a Dr. who is interested in encouraging a VBAC...and your odds of VBAC are VERY influenced by your care provider's position on the matter. If you have any other "red flags" in the situation, I would encourage you to consider switching care providers. I know people who have switched on or after their due dates...so I know it can be done, even this far along in things.

There is still PLENTY of time for your baby to turn. My third baby was transverse up until 32 weeks, but then sometime between my 32 week visit and my 34 week visit he flipped vertex. Transverse is even worse than breech when it comes to flipping I'm told--although it would seem not since the baby only needs to go 90 degrees rather than 180. Some babies even turn after 40 weeks.

There really is no reason why you *have* to schedule a cesarean at any point. Some moms, even with confirmed breech babies, choose to go into labor prior to having the cesarean. They do this for a variety of reasons. One is to give the baby all the time possible to flip. The other is to ensure that the baby has picked the due date (because some babies need to "cook" longer than others to be fully ready to be born!). A third reason is because experiencing some labor does improve the baby's health--it stimulates the baby to prepare for birth (or maybe the baby preparing for birth stimulates labor to start...which came first, the chicken or the egg...) and helps to squeeze some fluid out of the lungs. The thing with laboring prior to a cesarean is that the risks do go up for the mother...but that is generally associated with long drawn out labors where the mom is worn out and has had umpteen million vaginal exams, and a pitocin drip; not having contractions for just a few hours then having a cesarean.

There are many things you can do to encourage your baby to flipped to vertex. I'm assuming your care provider does not support doing an external version because of your VBAC status? Less risky ways to encourage your baby to turn include putting frozen stuff on baby's head, and putting headphones with pleasant music playing where you want baby's head to move to (or have DH talk there), laying with your hips significantly higher than your head, homeopathic treatments (look on-line for info, I believe you can buy the homeopathy stuff at healthfood stores), or chiropractic treatments. In particular with chiropractic, there is a technique that is newer than the "Webster" technique and it is said to be more effective. I can't remember the name of the technique though. I know a chiropractor just north of Quakertown was going to learn how to do it.

I would encourage you to hire a doula--I encourage this for all VBAC moms, but especially with your situation I would. I'm not familiar with the town you live in though--where in the state is it? I'm in the eastern part of the state, and could give you some referrals here.

Since the cesarean is "supposed" to be done at 39 weeks per your care provider...you could wait until you are 35 weeks to schedule it--just to be cooperative. But as you approach 39 weeks you can decide if you actually want to stick with that date, or move it around. Trust me, its not like they will not get you in for the cesarean unless you scheduled it 4 weeks in advance.

HUGS!

Hello, I don't know if this will help but my son was breech too and there is something the doctors can do to try to turn the baby. I don't remember what "they" call it but i had it done unfortunetly the cord was around my son's neck so it did not work for me but its something to check into.They hook all the normal things up to you and your baby and keep an eye on everything every step of the way so it is very safe.Good luck and let me know if this helps!

I did this! My oldest was breeched..she flipped while I was in labor so mI had a c-section. My baby was late so i had another one. I too very badly wanted a vaginal birth now even if we had anymore kids I have to have a c-section. Like you I was worried about recovery, my oldest was 23 months old and weighed almost 40lbs. My husband also worked and I didn't have a choice....you have to take care of your kids. Before my husband would leave for work he got my oldest out of her crib and brought her ot our bed, for a nap she would sleep on the couch, our in my bed, other than that I didn't have to pick her up, she could crawl on my lap or sit next to me. I also found that my body behaved alot better for the second c-section. I wasn't in hardly any pain and after two weeks I felt fine. You would be amazed what you can do if you don't have a choice. Good luck with everything!

A.,

Don't let any doctor tell you that you have to schedule a c-section - and don't let them fool you into believing that you have to schedule it 4-weeks in advance - they do emergency c-sections all the time - and I know people who had "sceduled" c-sections only a few days in advance.

Doctors are way too quick to jump to the conclusion that you need a c-section - primarily because of liability concerns. Breech babies can turn at any time - and the most likely time for them to turn is during labor. Plus there are maneuvers that you and the Dr can do that can help the baby to turn once you are in labor.

Was your Dr supportive of your VBAC prior to this? My suggestion would be to get a different Dr if this one isn't supportive. There is no reason why you can't go to term and no reason why you can't go 2 weeks beyond your due date with a VBAC. Don't let this Dr. scare you into something you don't want to do.

Please contact your local LLL for further support and suggestions on who to go to. They are very helpful!

Good luck!
J.

Search the internet, I know there are some exercises you can do that are supposed to help the baby turn. I also know alot of babies turn on their own closer to delivery. You can schedule if you want, make it as close to your due date as possible, and maybe she will turn and you will go into labor on your own.

Good luck and God Bless.

Hi A.,
I too wanted a natural birth with my only child, but had a c-section due to complications. I went to mid-wives and they had various tricks they could do to turn a breech baby. I also used the Hypno-birthing method and went to Body & Birth in Sewickley ###-###-####. Kim Young is the owner of Body & Birth. She also gave me prenatal massages. She had a few tricks as well for breech babies. Your baby might be able to turn naturally with a little help from those in the know.

I'm hoping to have a second, but I've been told that 75% of women who had a c-section due to "failure to progress" will have to have a c-section again.

Good luck to both of you!

I completely agree with Jennifer. I would not start worrying about the baby's postition yet. I am a labor doula, and everything I have read/ heard/ been taught is that the baby can flip at anytime before birth, but especially before 34 weeks. We don't even recommend any measures to coax baby into the right position until 34 weeks because of the likelyhood of the baby moving around more. There are also many ways to encourage a baby to get into a better postition. (let me know if you want more info.) So to schedule a c-section because of positioning at this point is kinda jumping the gun.
It sounds to me like the doctor is just anxious to do a c-section, which is as risky or more so than a VBAC in most cases. If you do schedule the c-section now or at all, I would try to go as close to the due date as possible and check the baby's position before the actual surgery is preformed. I have heard many accounts of c-sections being performed because of position, only to find out that the baby was in prime position when they did the section. Personally, I would be very reluctant to allow a doctor to surgically remove my child a week or more before it's estimated due date.
If I were in this situation, I would not schedule the c-section until the last possible moment, and definately not before my baby's due date. (If you go into labor with a breech baby it is usually not an urgent situation that they would need to give general anesthesia for.) I would also do everything in my power to get the baby to flip into the right postition. I would also find a doctor less anxious to do a c-section, and very supportive of a VBAC
.
Ultimately though, this is your birth, your baby.

as long as dr beieve you can wait until 39 wks i would go ahead and wait just as long as it don't risk yours or the babies life.

I am sorry this is a bit of a stressful time for you. However, as someone whose last two deliveries were C-Section at the end of the day what was most important was that both my child and I were healthy and ok. I think if you are not careful you will bring on undue added stress. I say this because if your baby is going to turn, it is nothing you can do one way or the other. So schedule the c/sect.; knowing that the doctor will continue to monitor you regularly to see if the baby chances position. Also, if you have to have a c/sect., try now to recruit friends/family members as a backup and take it one day at a time. Most importantly is to enjoy as much as your pregnancy now, afterall, you state this will be the last one. So relax and take it one day and one step at a time.

B. (Good Luck)

I had a c- section with my first child,almost 14 years ago,because she was breech. I had a version test done and it was horrible. I cried so bad that they made my husband and brother leave the room. I recommend scheduling the c-section and hopefully you won't need it,but I know that sometimes everything could be right in a pregnancy until the last minute something happens. My cousin was having a perfect little girl. She had been at the drs.in the morning and everything was good,later that night she went into labor and found out her baby was breech,she had turned on her own that very day. Here's hoping for the best of everything for you and your girls.

Hi A.,

Congratulations on your second little girl. How exciting! I've never been a fan of c sections. Just the thought of surgery scares me. My twins were breech...one of them was but she turned...and it was later in the pregnancy too. I'm no dr., but I think if I felt that strongly about it, I'd wait to see if she will turn on her own. I know that they can try to turn the baby externally. Sometimes that works sometimes not. Don't know if you believe in chiropractics, but there is an adjustment that also helps the baby turn. Can't think of the name of it now...sorry. I almost had to do that with my fourth pregnancy, but the little one turned before it became necessary to try it. I dunno...I think I would want to exhaust all other options before having a c section. Sorry, I'm not the biggest fan of OBs...sometimes I think they do things to fit their schedule not what the mother really wants. Would your OB be open to not doing the c section,if she turns and you already went ahead and scheduled it? Just some food for thought. Best of luck in making the right decision for you...and your little one.

Hi A.. I had the same experience with my first baby. He was breech the entire pregnancy and I had a C-section. During delivery, we realized why he was breech; the umbilical cord was wrapped around his legs! There is no way he was going to turn.
I had similar feelings that you are having. Remember that you musst but your babies health and safety first regardless of how badly you want a vaginal birth. It is possible that she may turn. Just because you schedule a C-section, doesn't mean that is how she will be delivered. When I went in on my scheduled date, they told me that if he had turned than I would be sent home and wait to go into labor. They wait as long as possible for nature to take its course. So she may still turn and you may have a vaginal delivery after all.
As far as managing it when you get home, I also had a similar set up and I wouldn't sit still either. You can do it. You may need to call on a friend or a family member to help out in the beginning, but in just a few days, you will be able to manage much more. It is hard, but women do it every day, some even on their own completely. Be strong and everything will fall into place. Best of luck.

Hi A.,
Did your doctor go over the possibilty of having a version done? My daughter (now 8 months old) was also breech at 32 weeks...we waited until I was 36 weeks, hoping she would turn on her own, but she didn't so we scheduled a version at 37.5 weeks. In case you don't know, a version is when they lube up your belly and 3 doctors manually push the baby around. I guess it works 50% of the time. It worked for me although I did get a epidural for the procedure and it was still pretty painful. My belly was sore for several days afterwards but I felt like it was well worth it. My daughter was born vaginally 2.5 weeks later (on her due date) and was 9lbs. 1oz.

Talk to your doctor I am sure the baby can turn but schedule the procedure anyway. I am currently 30 weeks with my little boy and at my last sonogram the baby was breech. What my midwife said was at 34 weeks I will get another sonogram and than they will see where it goes from there. From what I was told it can take up to right before delivery for the baby to turn. Like I said, just talk to your doctor and see what he says. Good luck.

A.,
I would encourage you to trust your insincts with this one. If you feel that there is a chance that your baby will turn on her own I think you should wait to schedule the section. Also, another thought is, if you do schedule it, and she turns on her own, you always have the right to opt out of it. It's not as though they can force you to have a scheduled c-section. If it were me, I would wait. I think I'm spoiled, I had three beautiful vaginal deliveries, and I'd do whatever I could to have that experience with the baby I'm expecting now. Good luck in whatever decision you make. The most important thing is a healthy mommy and healthy baby.

I had a vaginal birth with my son who is now 4. I also had very bad back labor. I herniated disks and messed up my back quite badly during labor. Recovery was very difficult and painful. I still wear a hip brace. I co-slept with my son the first year because I could barely walk and could not bend over to put him in or take him out of the crib. Giving birth is hard on the body either way. Having already had a c-section it is likely more dangerous for you to have a vaginal birth. People still die in labor. Please do what ever is safest for you and your children.

I can totally understand wanting to have a natural birth. I had to have my son c-section because his heart rate kept dropping while I was in labor and I almost feel a bit cheated that I didn't get to push and everything...

As far as scheduling a c-section, you could always schedule it now in case you don't have a choice and cancel it later if the baby turns. My chiropractor said that she knows a technique that can turn a baby from the breech position. I don't know the exact percentage of success she's had, but she was hoping that my baby would be breech so she could do it. =) And going to the chiropracter is safe while you are pregnant- I went the entire time. They just can't use electrodes. But you might even want to look into something like that. It's worth the try. I would be happy to give you her name if you would like. She's in Uniontown, PA. I am sure that if she can do it, there are plenty of other chiropractors can do it too if that location doesn't help....

I have 2 children that were born 14 months apart. They were both delivered via C-section. I went through a long, unsuccessful labor with my first child and needed an emergency c-section. Because of all the drugs I had in my system, the anesthesia wouldn't work so I had to be put to sleep and missed the delivery altogether. Under those cicumstances, my husband was also not allowed to be present. After several discussions with my doctor, I opted for a C-section with my second child. I didn't want to have a repeat experience and I wanted to be reasonably assured that I would be able to experience this birth one way or another. It turns out I was awake for my second child's birth and my husband was able to be with us. It bothers me that I missed out on the first one and I don't have any regrets about deciding upon the second c-section. I truly haven't lost any sleep over not having a vaginal birth. It was the right decision for us. We are not planning on having any more children.

If I were in your situation, I would probably wait 2 or 3 more weeks to see if the baby turns. If she doesn't I would opt for the C-section and schedule it. My reasons would be that 1) I don't feel strongly about needing to experience a vaginal delivery; 2) I would view the breech position as problematic (as opposed to something that could change) and I would want to avoid any complications, and 3) I felt my ob was very capable and I trusted her judgement. I'm not saying this is the way you should go, I am just offering my opinion and my reasoning as you requested.

I, too, was concerned about how to function with a 14 month old and a newborn with the post-surgery restrictions. My mother in law stayed with us for the first week then I was pretty much on my own. I was allowed to go up and down the stairs 2 or 3 times a day - slowly. So my husband would bring the kids downstairs in the morning and take them upstairs at night. Otherwise we stayed on the first floor. I had a bassinet for the baby to sleep in and a kid-sized couch that unfolded into a bed that my toddler would nap on. We put a changing table in the living room with all the supplies I would need. We had a bathroom downstairs so I didn't have to worry about that. When you need to go to the bathroom perhaps you could put your baby in a bassinet or some other safe place downstairs and, if you need to, have your toddler walk up and down the stairs with you so you can keep an eye on her. After three weeks things got easier. By the way, I didn't experience too much pain with either c-section, but rather moderate discomfort, as long as I didn't lift much, stretch, twist or move suddenly. A little bit of planning and preparing really made the situation workable.

Congratulations and good luck with your decision.

My first baby was breech and I had a scheduled c section at 38.5 weeks. I also had high blood pressure and my daughter was a very large baby.

Prior to being prepped for surgery, my ob came in with a mobile ultrasound and checked the babies position. He was only going to do a c section if the baby was still breech. If she was not breech he was going to induce. She was still breech and he did the surgery.

A lot of doctors (mine included) will not get involved with turning babies because of the risks. My daughter was far too large too turn.

My recovery challenge was that my only shower in in the basement and the only toilets are on the 2nd floor and in the basement. I also have no family nearby to help me. I used to spend my mornings upstairs. My husband had brought up a small dorm refrigerator that I used to keep milk in so that I could have cereal in the morning. When I was ready I would go downstairs and rest on the 1st floor and then I would work my way to the downstairs shower. I spent most of my day on the 1st floor and would only go downstairs to go to the bathroom a few times. My husband would help be go upstairs in the evening.

I recovered pretty quickly which my doctor attributed to the fact that I had only one trauma (the c section). He says that recovery is sometimes worse when a mom has gone through labor and then has a c section.

My other challenge was that my daughter has hip dysplasia from being born breech ( this was corrected through bracing).

I am going to have my second child in December which will likely be via c section also. I have made the decision to continue sending my 2 yr old to daycare while I recover because it will help maintain some order to her days and it will be easier on me.

If you are a SAHM look for people who can take your oldest for a few hours here and there. Ask friends and family for help. Cook and freeze meals ahead of time.

There is plenty of time for the baby to turn yet. My baby wasn't in the right position until the last week or so. (She was facing my front not back.) Then she turned around the right way and stayed there. Also there are exercises and other methods to get your baby to turn around.

In the end, what really does matter is that you got your baby. It doesn't matter how she was born, just that she was.

Four years ago I have a c-section with my daughter. It wasnt planned and I also wasnt awake for it. Recovery from it was horrible. I never wanted to go through that again. My youngest (who is 2 months) was also born via c-section. He was head down and ready to go and I was going for VBAC. But at 38 weeks he turned breech. So a week later he was born by c-section. This time I knew and I was awake. I didnt feel "robbed" this time of childbirth like some mothers do during c-section. And the recovery was great. The day after I came home from the hospital my husband started to work at least 12 hours a day 7 days a week. He just finally stopped working the mandatory overtime. After being home for about 3 days I was cleaning cooking and taking care of both my kids. I was up and down stairs and all that. I know that everyone is different. And my point to this story is if you have to have a c-section the recovery might be better this time.

Hi A.,
Having gone through two vaginal births, one without pain killers, I gotta tell you it's not fun. But I understand wanting to have the experience. Most experts will say that at this point the baby could still turn but each week that goes by the chances lessen. I would schedule the c-section, but still hope for the best. You never know, you could schedule it and then she could turn tomorrow. But if you wait and she hasn't turned then you will end up at the mercy of the hospital for what time you will deliver your baby. Not fun.
I also understand your fears of the restrictions. I had a friend who had twins and wasn't allowed to pick up her toddler and had to stay on one floor. She ended up sleeping on the main floor and having to tease the weight limit. Start right now trying to find ways to make your toddler more independent. Get a stepstool to go in your car so they can get in and out without your help, and start practicing and making your daughter get used to this so it's not a shock. Step stools and lots of practise makes a lot of difference. Also if you do have to say lift her into your lap, sit down and try to slide her onto instead of standing and lifting with those muscles.
Also you could call on the help of friends and family for help. Schedule people to come in and be with you while your husband is at work. That will help take some of the load off of your shoulders. Try having more than one person come over so they don't getworn out too. A friend for a few hours, someone else the next day. Don't be afraid to ask. It's better to ask and get what you need than to not ask and be overwhelmed. Adjusting to two after one can be hard. It takes awhile for everyone to adjust. I wish you all the luck in the world, I hope she turns tonight!

I had a breech baby and the one thing that I was told by my Lamaze teacher that has always resonated with me is this:
No one will ever give you a prize for delivering a baby one way versus another, pain killers versus natural! The only goal in this whole process is healthy mom and healthy baby!!!
I had two c-sections one emergent and one scheduled. I have two healthy boys and don't regret a single decision that I have made! My baby was breech because I had, for some reason, not been producing enough amniotic fluid for him to turn. He was in danger of cord compression and they took him emergently via c-section. I had a great experience, I recovered very quickly and my stair restriction was limited to a couple of trips up and down the stairs per day. My boys are 20 months apart and so I understand your fears.
I guess I get a little perplexed when I talk to women who are so against c-sections and want the vaginal experience! There are pros and cons to both ways of delivery. And MOST of the time nature truly decides which way you are going to go. We should just be supportive of each other's decisions and respect the fact that this is not a contest or "me against that horrible doctor" thing that people try to make it to be. The bottom line is that YES you have the right to decide vaginal versus c-section but ONLY if it ismedically advisable! You are always welcome to get second opinions from several doctors but the doctor is ULTIMATELY going to go with the safest approach for both you and your baby.
I wish you the best of everything with this delivery and whichever way you end up going is, I'm sure, going to be the most memorable experience for you because you will be getting a beutiful child to take home and enjoy forever!!!

I am also pregnant with a due date of October 16th. At my last US the baby was breech. My OB said it wasn't anything to worry about until the last month or so because up until then there is still plenty of room for them to flip around. She said that if he hadn't repositioned by 36 weeks we would discuss my options then. I just went to my 34 week appt and he is finally in the correct position. I think it is perfectly reasonable to wait as long as possible to schedule. Also-clarify that if you schedule and the baby does cooperate, it can be cancelled. Make sure to let your OB know that you really want to experience vaginal birth if possible. Maybe they could try to manually reposition her. Let me know how it goes; I'll be very curious!!