The Little Booger Is Breech!!!!

I don't have any advise, just a comment. I had 2 c-sections, and wouldn't have changed it for a vaginal birth any day!!! The healing is not bad at all. And there is no vaginal pain whatsoever. You don't have to fear the bathroom! It's a 4 inch scar that isn't noticeable.

Hopefully he/or she gets in a good position. You still have some time.

I heard using a birthing ball helps. I used it throughout my pregnancy and never had any problems. Anything is worth a try!

I remember that breech babies can be moved, but it's kind of tricky and I think you need to not wait until the last minute. It involves pushing the baby around from the outside to try to get him turned. So, you need some room to work. That's why you can't wait too long. If you do it too soon, though, the baby can sometimes shift back breech again. The procedure is something an OB can do, given the right circumstances. I'm not sure if a midwife is qualified or not. If you don't move him in time, though, you will need a C-section. Kind of a life-or-death thing at that point. A C-section's way better than a dead baby.

I know that midwives have an excellent record with normal, uncomplicated births. However, if you're facing a breech birth, you really need to at least consult a doctor. You need to know what all the options and all the risks are. Or that's my opinion. I know lots of women think that midwives are a much better option than doctors, but if there's complications, I'd rather be in a hospital.

My first daughter was breech - we attempted a version (it was a no go for the turning) but also tried moxibustion in combination with acupuncture, the Webster technique with a chiropractor, lying upside down, putting a flashlight and music 'down there' and all sorts of stretches. Someone suggested to me breechbabies.com and, although I don't remember what else is listed there, it's probably worth checking out....

Well, it's kind of early to tell if he's going to stay breech, but I think I'd get a couple of opinions before you take ANY one person's advice about something this important.
If he's already this big, you're right, he could end up being a 10 pounder-- this could put both of you in danger if he's breech or if intervention causes complications. And it sometimes does. His size is also a factor, IMO, not just the success rate of a version.
Are there any other midwives in your area, or even a good OB who's open-minded? Also, any professional midwife should be understanding of your need to reassure yourself with a second or even third opinion at this stage.

Hi K.,

I'm a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. I highly recommend giving acupuncture and moxibustion a try. Moxibustion is the burning of mugwort over the appropriate acupuncture point(s). Make sure you find an acupuncturist in your area who is licensed and board certified (by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). You can find board certified acupuncturists at www.NCCAOM.org

Once you find a list of acupuncturists in your area, I recommend calling around and making sure they use moxa in their practice and that they have experience with turning breech babies. Some acupuncturists just have a better "knack" for turning babies than others.

Best of luck to you!

B. Seitz, MAcOM, LAc

Change sides of the bed with your husband immediately. This is an old Pomo Indian cure for breech birth. IT takes three weeks.

My son was also breech at about 35 weeks. I did acupuncture and moxibustion, neither of which I ever thought would work. But they did! My son turned by about 38 weeks. I ended up having a c-section anyway for other reasons. My bit of advice about that: don't set yourself up for disappointment if it comes to a c-section. There was nothing I could do about it, but I was bitterly disappointed and felt like a failure. Now, 3 years later with a perfectly healthy toddler, I wish I hadn't been so hard on myself. And I echo what others have said: the recovery was not nearly as bad as everyone made it out to be. Good Luck!

My only advise.... HIT THE FLOOR!!! on all fours that is.

I spent a huge amount of time doing the yoga pose combination "cat/dag". It allows the belly to hang, with gravity and gives baby a fair bit more room for turning and moving around. It also encourages a head down positioning by baby. This is very comfortable for me and I have even labored in this position for both my labors and deliveries. I haven't really needed to try anything else.

Good luck.
~C.

If you want a second opinion I suggest Cathy Weston RN CPM, she's in Newman Lake, WA (just over the state line from you). I tried chiropractic (look up Webster technique chiros online or call Dr. Ray Sicilia in Spokane, WA if you don't know someone else to recommend one), and acupuncture, and none of it worked because at 36-37 weeks when we found out, my 9 lb'er was too big to turn. I was too scared to try the version personally and ended up having a wonderful c-section experience. It really only matters that baby gets here, not how they get here. Try not to let your ideal delivery thoughts get in the way of what ends up being necessary or safest for the both of you, or you'll end up disappointed. Be open to whatever you need to do!

It is possible to also have a relatively unmedicated birth in the hospital if you feel safer being there just in case, I'm sure your midwife knows an OB they will refer you to, or some midwives can deliver in hospitals (only CNMs as far as I know). And I also don't think the midwife can do the version, because if something goes wrong you have to have en emergency c-section, so they should be done in the hospital. That's one reason I chose not to do it, I would have rather (and still would rather) have a planned section over an emergency situation. I wasn't willing to take the risk.

I delivered a breech baby vaginally. She had been head down but when her twin sister came out she fell out of position onto her side. The only options were pull her out breech or section. She was a peanut (33.5 weeks, 4 lbs. 4 oz). The OB explained to me afterwards how touch and go it was -- if baby goes breech, you have to find her hands and pull them down to the hips before delivering the feet, because the head is so big there is not room for arms on either side on the way out. In my daughter's case she still came out with one hand up. She didn't break anything but we were lucky, she was small enough to get away with it. The reason I am telling you this is because if we had needed to go to a C-section, so be it, had she shown any signs of distress we would not have even tried to deliver vaginally. When you're at that point, the choice is just not yours anymore, but the fact that techniques have been refined to where they are should be a great comfort to you.

So go for the version, but if it doesn't work, don't worry. Thank goodness C-section is an option, because in the old days you might have been stuck, literally.

Everything will be OK, wait, no, it will be GREAT.

Cheers

K.

K. - A couple friends of mine had their OB's turn the baby which they said hurt like Hades and both ended up flipping back breech again anyway! Poor things!

My daughter was breech at 38 weeks and my midwife gave me these suggestions:
Always sit backwards on your chair. Baby's head is the heaviest part of it's body, and it will naturally go down with gravity. Tilting your belly forward by sitting this way will help.
Shine light at the bottom of your belly. Baby will turn toward the light.
Play music at the bottom of your belly. Baby will turn to hear the music.
Do some Yoga poses - Cat/Cow, where your belly is down and relaxed. Baby's head will want to drop, too.

I tried all of these things, and at some point she turned because on my due date visit (I delivered a week late) she was head down and was ready to go!

Also, my girlfriend's baby turned during delivery. She definitely felt it, and everyone in the room saw it happen!

Lastly, my sister in law delivered breech and she and baby were fine, although it was her 5th child, and I don't know that her OB would have done it if it were only her 1st or 2nd delivery.

It's still early - try the most non-invasive things first and don't worry. Something will work. Blessings!

My daughter was in a different position every hour even through the last week so I had to have a c-section. It was not that bad or scary, for me after doing it seemed like it could actually be much easier than labor. Not sure about the other stuff, but if you end up with the c-section it shouldn't be that bad.

I understand why you don't want a C-Section, but please don't set yourself against it, because it may be necessary. I have never had a breech baby, but during my pregnancy classes, 3 of the babies were breech. I think 2 of them were turned successfully, although one was turned too early and the bugger turned himself back to breech before the birth. Some babies are just stubborn, and if that happens, you want what's best for your baby, even if it's not the way you imagined. If your midwife is not concerned, follow her lead. I hope you won't have to do a C-Section - they are certainly overused in our country - but they do serve certain purposes, and if that is what is needed, hopefully your midwife will tell you. Many hospitals are now trying to get away from C-Sections (at least in my area) if not necessary, so don't fret about it. Good luck.

Your midwife will probably continue to monitor, and determine from there. Both of my boys were breech - randomly. I was able to have the first flipped with a version, and had him vaginally. The second I first tried seeing the chiropractor (Webster technique); the chiropractor had a good flipping track record, but my guy wouldn't do it! Then, he would not flip with the version (his heart rate dropped), and my dr did not feel comfortable continuing to try. It turned out to be good that he didn't flip - there was an issue with the placenta that was not discovered until during the c-section. We could have lost him if I had gone into labor naturally. (I moved when I was 34wks pregnant, so the dr who delivered him wasn't the dr who missed the issue.) So, it turned out he was breech for a good reason!

That being said, the version is not comfortable, but definitely worth trying if it comes to that. If the baby doesn't flip, maybe there's a good reason.

Good luck!

I was due to have twins in January and lost Ross at 29 weeks into my pregnancy. He went breech and put me into labor at 33 and 1 I delivered both of the boys via emergency C~section.
From what my OB told me before I lost Ross most babies will turn around 35 weeks if they don't do it after that point they have intervene. But once I lost Ross they knew I would have a C~section.
If you end up having to have a C~section don't stress about it, makes recovery take 10x longer. And honestly as long as you don't have to have an emergency C~section and you take your after care and medication properly it's really not that bad to deal with. I had Austin early december and I can't even see my scar anymore. Good luck
Ohh and don't stress this late in your pregnancy it will really both the baby...I was stressed and depressed after I lost Ross and it really effected Austin's heart rate and everything else while I was still pregnant with him

My 2nd baby (daughter) was breech around 36 weeks. Doc gave us one more week for her to turn. She didn't (although she might have still prior to labor, but we didn't wait until then to see) so we did version. She was turned successfully in about 3 minutes or less (the actual procedure. The prep and monitoring etc took about 3 hours or so). She did not revert and was delivered naturally and normally, about 2 weeks later (a week before her due date).
It wasn't very painful.. though I heard plenty of horror stories about it beforehand from other people. I squeezed my husband's hand and clenched my jaw a minute, but really, I've had stomach cramps from food poisoning that were WAY WAY WAY worse. And they didn't last a few short seconds... haha.
Don't fret just yet. You still have time for the baby to turn on it's own. And if it doesn't, it isn't the end of the world to try version either.

Hello K.,
The little one may well turn on his own. You may try the acupuncture procedure called "moxibustion". It doesn't require any needles and can be done at home. It requires daily warming the acupoint "UB 65" on the 5th toe each day while baby is most active.
I have taught my clients to do this. They usually report the baby turning within two or three days. You can ask your local acupuncturist on how to do this. She can provide the instructions and materials to get you started.
N. (Acupuncturist in Seattle)

dont worry too much! my daughter was breech until i was 34 weeks and then just flipped on her own. even my doc said he wouldnt worry about it until i was passed 36 weeks, and even then, they wouldnt consider c-section until later.

Hi, I had the same problem - my midwives told me the same thing - I did NOT want to have a C section and was determined to do whatever it took to turn that baby around. She told me something - which I DID and IT WORKED !! I know it sounds crazy, but do it. Go to a pool and do handstands OVER and OVER again. Have someone assist you grabbing your legs while upside down. Do this for as long as you can do it - I can't remember how many minutes I did this, maybe for 20-30 minutes. The baby gets confused which side is up/down and will turn. On my next visit after this, the baby was head down, and I gave birth at home (as planned) to a healthy baby girl.

My little guy was breech around that time also and moved I was told they can move pretty much up to the time of arrival ...I wouldnt get too concerned yet he still has time to turn

My daughter was also head up at 33 weeks. She turned on her own so have faith! I've also heard that chiropractic can help turn babies.

K. -

My 3rd child was NOT breech and flipped to breech during labor. So, even when they are full size, it can happen. (I had excess amniotic fluid, which gave him the "room" he needed.)

Lots of babies turn around. I'll be hoping for you.

H

My 3rd baby was breech at 33 weeks as well. I was nervous because my mom had to have a c-section with her third baby for this reason. I used some of the techniques listed on http://www.spinningbabies.com/ and he finally turned around 35 weeks. Good luck!

My 10 lb son was breech until 2 weeks before birth. He turned on his own in the middle of the night. He literally lifted me 2 inches off the bed, and woke me up. However, he, being my first, I had no idea that is what he did until my doc told me. It was an incredible powerful and uniquely mother-baby event I shall never forget.

Don't be afraid of it. Your midwife will know what she is doing. Relax and literally go with what is happening to your body.

My first born was also breech. We had a version and he did not want to turn - they pushed and pushed and it got a little painful but eventually he flipped. He turned out to be 8 lbs 15 oz so pretty big too. I am thinking we did it a little under two weeks before he was born. I did have a friend with a similar situation advise me that sometimes it sends you into labor and you might deliver then but not so with me. Good luck - I think it is worth a try!

Hi K.,
It looks like you got some good advice already. It is still early and your little babe could turn at any time. I found out my baby was breech at 37.5 weeks. I tried everything to get her to turn, to no avail, but did end up with a sucessful version at 38.5 weeks. I went on to have a beautiful VBAC birth of a 8 lb 15 oz baby two weeks later. Things you can do now to encourage her to turn are chiropractic - (Webster's technique), acupuncture (moxa), lots of cat/cow (yoga pose), handstands/deep dives in pool, laying on ironing board upside down [rest one side of ironing board on couch and lie down on it, head down], talk to your baby, hypnosis [check out Hypnobabies.com], and visualizing your baby turning. Best of luck to you!!

My version didn't work. Neither did light, heat, cold, lying upside down on an incline or music. My little girl was determined to come out breech. She didn't actually want to come out at all. No one suggested acupuncture to me, so I can't tell you about that.

Hope you find a solution that works because you're right. C-sections are unpleasant.

Have you checked out www.spinningbabies.com? Lots of good advice on turning babies. But really, 33 weeks is early and in all likelihood your little one will turn head down long before your due date.

For the other posters, midwives deliver babies in the hospital (90% of babies delivered by midwives are in the hospital) and they perform procedures like external version.

I wouldn't worry too much yet. My second was breech until 2 weeks before he was born. I'm glad you are working with a midwife. Most Drs wont even attempt to turn the baby. Good luck and I hope your LO turns for you!

My daughter was breech and I was determined to have a natural drug free birth. I was devastated when I found out!
I have an external cephalic version at 36 weeks (plus a couple of days) that was a breeze. I am SO happy I did it and a week after the version I had my beautiful daughter and an awesome birth experience to boot.
My midwife couldn't do the version because of insurance issues, but she referred me to an OB she trusted and who had lots of experience doing it. Talk to her about it! It is usually done later, around 36 weeks.
Good luck!

Carli Miller does mayan abdominal massage & she's great, it will help the baby turn if anything will. Email her at ____@____.com good luck!

dont worry i was told that 2 of mine were breech and they both turned on their own without help and they were 9 5 and 9 1 modern technology ????? i also know some one who had the baby "turned " and the little booger flipped back (he wasnt ready to be upside down ) then he got into the correct position by himself and delivered naturally some times i think that the midwives cause us problems and worry when there isnt actually anything to worry about about

Almost all of my clients go to Dr. Berlin -- and you're at just the right point in your pregnancy to start seeing him! His office does acupuncture and uses chiropractic techniques to get your baby into the correct position for birth.

His office is at:
6221 Wilshire Blvd, #518
Los Angeles, California 90048
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Happy Birthing :)

T.
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T. H., CD(DONA)
B*E*S*T Doula Service
http://www.bestdoulas.com
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I have heard great things about acupuncture and what they do for a breech. I know several people whose babies turned after the acupuncture.

I have delivered twin breech babies. I don't know the midwives in Idaho but what I would do is wait until you are closer to your due date many babies flip around the 35 weeks. The thing that I have learned with the breech babies is there is a reason for it. My son was head down wedged so far down into my pelvis we could barely feel his shoulders. He flipped the morning I went into labor. He was a frank breech. His sister came out as a footling breech. She did require some assistance but when all was said and done there was a definite reason for it. She was born with a ping pong dent in her head. When she had surgery her neurosurgeon stated that if she had come out any other way including c-section she would either be brain damaged or dead. From day one I thought about going to the hospital to have my babies (we didn't find out there were 2 until 22 weeks), after I found out there were two and I thought of a hospital birth I had the biggest sense of doom. I knew that if I went to the hospital the worst thing in the world would happen.

Sorry for such a long post. Here is what I would do try the noninvasive things to turn the baby, look up your states listing of licensed midwives call them and see what their protocol is for a breech baby, maybe even go meet some of them and see what you feel/think. Analyze your reasons for not wanting a c-section and see if it is a gut feeling like mine or something else and then discuss that with your midwife or a new midwife. Here is your states midwifer council website: http://www.idahomidwives.org/ there is a link for all the licensed midwives in Idaho. And my last two pieces of advise: 1) "Your body is not a lemon!' as stated by Ina May Gaskin, and 2) I have seen a 10 pound plus baby be born breech vaginally!

If you want to talk send me a message.

S.

My almost 9-month old was breach around that same time period. My doctor gave me options to try to turn him, however, she did state that they didn't always work (the baby could turn back) and inversions aren't very pleasant for the mother (especially if this is your first child). I opted to wait it out to see if he would turn on his own and scheduled a c-section just in case. He never turned and I delivered him via c-section one week early. I have mixed feelings on the c-section. Although I made it through recovery a lot better than I hear some women do, I still wish I would have been able to deliver vaginally. Although with the stories that I heard about inversions at the time it just wasn't something for me. Not to mention the fact that my little one ended up being 9 lbs, 4 oz so I may have ended up needing a c-section anyway .. I would have hated to go through the hassle and/or pain of an inversion only for my little guy to turn back around and/or STILL end up needing a c-section!! Good luck!! Maybe you will get lucky and your little one will decide to turn his own!

My friend had an external version, it went just fine. Try not to stress, everything will work out.

we tried the following and the baby did turn. some sound crazy, but apparently lots of people do it
-moxabustion (you get this form your acupuncturist)
-lay on an ironing board upside down (an attempt to fool the baby) prop one end on a chair and the other on the floor and lay there.
-visualizing the baby turning
-listening to bach's brandenburg concertos
- doing headstands in the pool

um, i think that is it. not sure what worked exactly, but the baby did turn. good luck.