Breech Presentation

Have you tried chiropractic someone who specializes in pregnancy? I know someone who also had a breech presentation at 38 weeks, went to the chiropractor and with in a week the baby went head down/face down. Just in time! So some swear it works.

My son was in the breech position till about week 37 and I laid on my back with sofa cushions piled under my legs for 10 minutes every day for a week, it sounds weird but it was suggested to me at my childbirth class and it seemed to have worked. :)

Good Luck and Congratulations!

You may want to check out spinningbabies.com. There are some great suggestions on that site.

I hav eno idea but was VERY LUCKY with my first the day before he was born he was breach... He turned and dropped all at once... A few other factors I was inthe middle of moving from one apt to another and had re-arranged my livingroom then i layed down in what i have learned is the healing position in Yoga and satyed that way sleeping ALL Afternoon. I could feeel him turn it hurt. Baby still has time to turn on his/her own. ther is a website called spinning babies there are some good hints on there.
GOOD LUCK!!

My son was breech. I didn't try anything to turn him, but I had heard that a chiropractor or accupunturist (sp?) can help. My doctor wanted to turn him at 36 weeks which we debated doing, but if something happened then I would have ended up having an emergency c-section which I did not want. That would have been way more traumatic all around than a planned c-section. So we did a planned c-section. Turned out that was the best decision. Our son couldn't move because he had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice. If they have tried to turn him it could have killed him. Your midwife might have some more suggestions for you to try though. If none of them work then there might be a reason the baby is breech (like there was for me) and you might have to go through with the c-section. Good luck.

I had baby 2 yrs ago by c-section she was frank breech from 30 weeks on. We decided not to do the version because of the risks in the end our gut instinct was right. It turns out my uterus is skewed to the right which would have caused major problems during a version and probably would have ended up with an emergency c-section at 37 weeks. I am pregnant again and will probably need another c-section due to positioning. In the end the most important thing is a healthy baby. Go with you gut and make sure to do your research.

Hi T.,
My midwives gave me homeopathic Pulsitilla 30c strength to turn my baby. That and doing pelvic tilts (on all fours rocking your pelvis down and up) worked great to turn my daughter. You can buy the Pulsitilla at any Whole Foods store or health food store. Good luck!

Hi T.
I also had a frank breech baby 2 1/2 years ago, the doctors told me it is the hardest position to turn from. I had a scheduled C-section and a healthy baby girl as well. I wouldn't have changed it any other way. I just recently had my second C-section and everything went perfect.

your midwife can turn baby around by use her hand pushing baby on ur belly. my friends had her baby breech and her dr turned baby around and she delivered it natural :o)

I wouldn't worry too much yet. My cousin's baby was breech up until about a week before she was born. Also, Google natural ways to turn a breech baby. It lists things like using a flashlight, swimming, etc. Anything that sounds safe to you, I would try, because though it may not help, it can't hurt! I would be selective however, because some of the things didn't sound like very good ideas to me.

I am against turning the baby. Everyone I know who has had this done the baby before delivery has had the baby turn back before delivery and ended up having a c-section anyway. It also is painful to have them turn the baby. Not to mention the potental harm they could cause.

hi - i recommend finding a hypnobirthing specialist, the Mongan method. they have special scripts for this, to get breech babies to turn, with 81% success rate. i can recommend one if you want, mine is in Waltham, and she's great. She's also a doula.
Cynthia Maloney
____@____.com

best of luck!

My daughter was breech. None of the home methods worked for me, although I only tried some of the exercises. I never tried acupuncture of some of the other things. I ended up having a version at 37 weeks, and it worked out great for us. My daughter turned and stayed that way until she was born at 39 weeks--no c-section.

Hi T., I just graduated from a nursing program and towards the end we had a midwife come in to share her experiences. She mentioned a client who managed to turn her baby by putting an ice pack at the top of her belly (by the head) and I think a warm pack down below. It worked. It was an old remedy from her culture (I don't remember what it was) Definately talk to your midwife before attempting this but just thought I'd mention it. I hope you have a wonderful experience and it is everything you hoped it would be. Good luck.

Dear T.,

i have two children, both were breech end of pregnancy week 37. Both turned and were born naturally (one homebirth, one birth at the hospital, but without a doctor). What i did with both kids was the following diving exercise, which may have contributed to them turning or even may have caused the turn:

- I found a swimming pool that was nearly 4 meters deep (at the end with the diving boards)
- i swam myself warm and relaxed.
- Then, starting by swimming at the surface, I dived head first to the pool's bottom (had to adjust pressure in ears once or twice during that),
- then squatted there for a few moments, sometimes "wriggled my pelvis like a bee", and
- then forcefully pushed myself head first to the surface, streched out long, with arms above the head.
- I did this 12-15 times (with my second child it took 2 diving sessions: one after which the baby seemed to be "sideways", according to midwife and my own impression. And a second ater which she seemed turned, which a midwife, and two days later an ultrasond confirmed).

My impression was that these diving exercises had the effect of "mobilising" my baby by helping it get its bum out of my pelvis.

Maybe the diving exercise and the turns of both my children in week 37/38 are unrelated. But nevertheless, there may be a causal link. In any event i enjoyed "getting active" about the breech very much, it gave me a sense of self-responsibility.

With the second child i had tried moxa first, but unsuccessfully.

Anyway, don't lose hope. Week 32 is early, and don't believe if anyone tells you that your baby won't turn. I was told with both kids they wouldn't turn. But they did.

Also, i have a number of friends who did natural breech births (some have done "normal" as well, and are able to compare both experiences). According to them, and to my midwife, if you have an experienced doctor supporting you it is fine (try Beth Hardiman, Cambridge). Some say it was easier than their second "normal birth" in some ways. I guess the important message is to have a flexible mindset about babies, births and all...

Good luck!!
D.

At 32 weeks, you still have plenty of time for the baby to turn on his/her own. My son was breech at 36 weeks, I opted not to try to manually turn him (my placenta was not in a favorable position for positioning either)... I cried for days over having to have a c-section. At 38 weeks, I went for another u/s and surprise- he had turned on his own! Honestly I didn't do anything either, I had looked on spinningbabies.com and was going to try all the "tricks", but ultimately felt like if he was going to turn, he would do it on his own, and sure enough he did (and man did I feel it when he did!). I ended up delivering him vaginally and he was almost 9lbs at birth.
Good Luck!

I am a birth doula and Birthing from Within childbirth mentor, and here are the various things I suggest to my clients and students.

There is a chiropractor in Acton (google Friedman Chiropractic and you'll find him) who said the last time I talked to him he has about a 95% success rate using the Webster Technique to get breech babies to turn. The good thing about this technique is, unlike an external version, there is no forced movement of the baby -- it is completely working on you to make sure all your bones are properly alligned and your abdominal muscles are relaxed. Acupuncture, moxa, and homeopathic pulsatilla are also known to work to turn a breech baby.

And, if none of these work, if you are comfortable with it, there are homebirth midwives in the area who will sometimes attempt a vaginal breech delivery at home. If you want I can try to get some names for you. I have also heard that there are a few ob's in the area still willing to try vaginal breech deliveries.

Hi,

I was in this position a few months ago. We tried everything: Acupuncture; physical therapy; and chiropractic help; flashlight games; music on my lower abdomen; loads of visualization. I drew birth art, talked to the baby,and asked others to send us good vibes. I did breech tilts and down dogs and dolphins like my life depended on them. I looked at the spinning babies website and tried to use that to help visualise what would happen. In the end, nothing worked for me because I had a structural issue -- my placenta was bowed in and preventing my darling from turning.

However, I will tell you that what I think worked the best was absolutely chiropractic, physical therapy and acupuncture/moxca. If we hadn't had the problem we did, I'm pretty sure these things would have helped us out.

I would have done a frank breech delivery in hospital if I could have, but we were encouraged to try a version and that straightened the baby out into being a double footling breech so we had to have a caesarean delivery. I personally would not go that route again. If I had a frank breech I would not do a version. In our case, it was painful and took away our last chance of delivering naturally.

Best of luck to you!

My midwife recommended
1. acupuncture (which I don't believe in and didn't try),
2. playing music to the lower side of my stomach, hoping the baby would turn,
3. trying postures that would encourage the baby to turn, like being on your knees and elbows- this theoretically would let the baby dislodge from the pelvis and give it room to turn
4. external cephalic version (ECV). The OB physically pushes on your belly to try to push the baby out of the pelvis and flip it over.

I did all of the latter three, none of it worked. The ECV hurt a LOT and carries some risks, but was worth a try to avoid a section, in my opinion. If you're going to do this, do it soon, because it's more effective the earlier you do it. However, your OB may not be willing yet, since you're only 32 weeks and there is time.

I did end up delivering by C-section.

Hi Michelle,
I too, had breech babies with my 3rd and 4th, at around the same time as you. The first time, I turned the baby myself, doing the tilting exercises and also nightly in the bathtub, put a bag of frozen peas near his head and gently pushed him around. Took a few times but I definately felt it when he flipped. The second breech was much harder to turn and I will never really know if it was me or if he would have turned on his own anyway. But I did the tilts, handstands in the swimming pool, the frosen peas in the bathtub, but mostly every night, I slept with a flashlight and music in between my legs.... that was a bit odd and the light did get warm down there!! He did turn, and turn back 3 times before I delivered him at 39 weeks head down vaginally, but was scheduled for c section because he was still breech the day before! Good luck!!

Hi T.,
My daughter too was frank breech. We had know early on she was breech and at every appt, I asked, is she head down. Each dr said yes. At my 36 week ultrasound, i was told she was frank breech and needed a c-section. i cried right then and there. everything that i had planned in my mind just went out the window. We made an appt to have a version and try to turn her. Later that night, we decided to cancel. Why put that not-needed stress on the baby? If she was meant to turn, she would have on her own. After the fact, I can clearly say my c-section was for the best. She was 9.1 lbs. Why risk her health and yours if it can be avoided. I would do another c-section in a heart beat. Good luck with you decision.
C.

My midwife and doula both recommended acupuncture-it's supposed to be very effective. Also chiropractic is good b/c if your misaligned the ligaments can twist the uterus and not allow baby to turn downwards. My first child was breech and I was about to start acupuncture but I went into preterm labor, For my second I went to chiro from beginning (to help with back pain as well) and she turned around 31 weeks. I got my natural birth! :) My chiro is Dr. Geiger and she has 6-7 years post graduate work in pediatrics and pregnancy. She is wonderful. Good luck!

Lisa Geiger
126 Harvard Street
Brookline MA 02446
###-###-####

frequently babies turn all on their own at the very end. if your munchkin does not, the doctor in the delivery room may be able to turn the baby so you can deliver vaginally. last year when my daughter delivered her twins, the first was head down, but the second was breech. she gave the doctor one chance to turn the baby and he did, allowing her to deliver vaginally.

Go to spinningbabies.com or just ask your midwife what she reccommends! She should have some good ideas for you (and at 32 weeks you still have some time!)

I delivered my last baby breech and absolutely no problems! A week before I delivered I had an ultra sound done and he was head down but sometime in that last week he flipped. My labor was so fast and I do mean fast that there wasn't really much they could do. The the ER nurse that delivered him didn't tell me he was breech until after I delivered. I don't have any suggestions for getting your baby to turn but Good luck! Women have been delivering babies for centuries without medicine so just because its easier if they aren't breech doesn't mean that you can't deliver a baby breech.

Hello- Acupunture can be very effective for turning a breech baby- a simple and painless process with moxa, I believe. I think it helps to have some time to allow it to work. At 32 wks you should be okay there. Perhaps you could look for an Acupuncturist who is experienced with the technique. Good luck!
Caitlin

I have heard of two things being very successful:
1. With your midwife's approval, see a chiropractor trained in the Webster technique, a special technique to get babies to turn - have to do carefully as to not get tangled in cord but works well from what I hear.
2. Try hypnotherapy with a certified hypnobirthing instructor - sounds weird but known to work. Try Mary Goldsmith in Newburyport, www.calmhypnobirth.com - she's great!

I found out my daughter was breech at 37 weeks. I immediately went to my acupuncturist and he burned moxa at some very specific sites. My daughter moved like crazy all day long. Because I was 37 weeks there wasn't enough room for my daughter to turn or to be turned via a version so I did end up with a c-section. Had my amnio fluid level been higher and if my daughter had more room she would have certainly flipped after the acunpucture treatment. It is easy and painless.

I would suggest looking into acupuncture for turning the baby. I have known a few poeple that tried this and it worked very well.

Good luck!
R.

Hi T.
I had my son 20 years ago, and he was frank breech. I did not know it ahead of time, nor did my doctor. My water broke, I had inconsistent contractions, took a shower, went in at about 8:00, and he was delivered c section at 9:25- 8 lbs even- 10 on the apgar score (whatever it is called). He came out perfectly since he hadn't "traveled the tunnel" and I recovered very quickly myself. Can't even see the scar w/o searching. Just wanted you to know- if the baby won't turn it will still be okay. God bless!

Hi T., I can see that you've gotten quite a bit of feedback here. I wanted to lend you an ear of support if you need it- I ended up having a C-section this past April bc I found out quite late that my daughter was breech (footling breech which is the hardest to turn and noone will birth vaginally). There are many things you can do to help turn the baby and it definitely is best to start as early as possible so there's enough room. You've probably already taken advantage of the great advice people have given you, but are no doubt feeling frustrated if you haven't seen success. I had a very difficult time- emotionally- dealing with this situation since I had planned and hoped for a natural birth in a birth center. If you need to talk at all, please let me know.

Sending you very positive thoughts and hoping that kid does his/her flips!
S. (____@____.com)

Hi T.- it is good to be proactive and do what you can, but don't worry too much about it. My baby was also breech until somewhere around 36 weeks. By then, I was worrying- so I did the hands and knees posture, except tilting so that I was resting on my elbows and just relaxing into the posture. I've also heard great things about acupuncture, and a particular technique called moxibustion that some acupuncturists trained in Chinese medicine theory perform. (it is VERY simple- no needles, just putting warm ashes on certain meridian points around the foot and ankle.)My doula had some great recommendations about just meditating and gently "asking" the baby to go ahead and turn when she is ready- it was weirdest thing, it worked- she actually immediately turned, but still turned back breech on a couple of occasions until she was ready to stay put head down!