breech/transverse baby... WWYD? UC maybe?

[cdmommie]

My little runt has been kinda in between transverse and full breech for a couple of weeks and the midwife told me yesterday that I can not deliver breech at the birth center. She said at my appointment next Monday we will see if she has moved, and if she hasn't she will send me to an ob that can try and external version. IF it doesn't work though they have to (by policy) send me to transfer to the refering physician. I have seen him for other issues and he's nice and all but he just does C-Sections for babies who are not head down. He will NOT even let me attempt to deliver vaginally.

Now, I plan on talking to this other OB who will try the version and seeing if I can transfer to her but I don't know if she'll take me this late in the game. However...I'm not so sure I have until Monday! Last night I started having some very painful contractions but they weren't regular. Then all the sudden I had a big bout of diarreah for like 15 minutes and then all was well, EXCEPT I have been having regular contractions since then. But if I am making any progress it is slow going (this gives me hope that its just BH). The contractions woke me up all night. The baby has been flailing about in there trying so desperately to turn but it just hasn't happend. When I checked my cervix last night I could feel her soft little butt pushing down I am calling the chiropractor first thing this morning to try and get in quick.

IF I am really starting early labor (not 100 percent sure since I didn't go into labor the first time around since I was induced), what do I do? I really really don't want a C-section. Should I wait till the last minute and see if she turns and THEN call the midwife and OB? Is it safe to try and UC at home with a breech baby? The birth center is an hour away and the consulting OB's hospital is 45 min. There is a differant hospital where I had my first dd that is only 25 minutes away in case of a real emergency...and they have midwives on call but I don't know them and I don't know if they will let me try either.

Sorry this is so long, I'm just really concerned... really tired since I didn't get much sleep, and really scared. Oh and don't forget the PAIN, lol!!!

[zoebird]

well, i would first check out spinning babies and do whatever you can to get the baby turned, including meditating on/with the baby turning.

from there, it's all a matter of what makes you comfortable. if you feel confident that you can safely birth her alone (or just with DP), then i would move forward with that. otherwise, it seems like it's basicaly a c-section no matter where you go.

but, if you have any doubts, it might be a good time to re-evaluate how you feel about having a c-section. i know that you don't want one--i don't think anyone actually wants one deep down, but sometimes they are necessary, and in a situation where you need support for a vaginal birth and cannot get it, it might be better to get the medical support that you can get (with grace) than to forgo it and not be able to handle what may happen at home.

does that make sense?

either way, you'll make the right decision. my thoughts/prayers are with you!

[MamaCaveBear]

I hear your agony, my baby was breech until a version 2 weeks ago. I have been tying up my belly in a tight sling to try to prevent him from turning back over. I was in so much distress thinking I was going to end up in the OR instead of at home.

I know your options and time are limited. If you are comfortable having the baby at home by yourselves, and you have enough time to research, then sure. My partner was too uncomfortable with a UC, so that was not an option for us.

If you are not going to try at home, I would wait for labor, at least until things got really underway - and even if you have to leave the house in early labor and wait in the parking lot, I would do that - before walking through the doors. That way your baby has had every last chance to turn, and is as primed for birth and converting to air as possible. Which would minimize your chances of them taking her away from you for breathing trouble. I would also (have done it myself already) planned out exactly what I will and will not consent to in case of C-section and written down my wishes on 3x5 cards - one for the OR doc, one for the anaesthesiologist, and two for the nursing staff. It is clear, and we are prepared to stand our ground.

I would try to meet with the doc beforehand and let them know your plans and what you would like if it comes down to it.

I wish you the very very best, hoping she flips asap, or at least you and she can have a beautiful, safe birth however it happens.

[JackieM]

Transverse simply cannot be born vaginally, unless baby turns during labor. It is one of the justifiable reasons for Cesarean. Breech (butt-first) can be safely born vaginally, with an experienced care provider and a backup plan, in my opinion. But when it comes to breech birth, so much of the outcome depends on the experience and knowledge of the care provider. It is a variation of normal, but needs to handled/coach in such a way that mom is completely aware of all risks before trying a vaginal breech. As someone who had a C/S for breech with baby #1, I'm supportive of breech birth, but only when mom is truly well-informed, an experienced care provider is available, and a backup plan is in place ... Just my 2 cents.

[meganmarie]

Transverse simply cannot be born vaginally, unless baby turns during labor. It is one of the justifiable reasons for Cesarean. Breech (butt-first) can be safely born vaginally, with an experienced care provider and a backup plan, in my opinion. But when it comes to breech birth, so much of the outcome depends on the experience and knowledge of the care provider. It is a variation of normal, but needs to handled/coach in such a way that mom is completely aware of all risks before trying a vaginal breech. As someone who had a C/S for breech with baby #1, I'm supportive of breech birth, but only when mom is truly well-informed, an experienced care provider is available, and a backup plan is in place ... Just my 2 cents.

I think Jackie said this well.

You are doing all the right things - chiropractor, version, etc. Visualization and good turning positions can only help too. It still might happen - and could happen up to the very last minute. So you have to hope for the best.

But if it were me, and time was running out as it is for you, I might be making my plan B. Which, for me, (this is a totally personal decision - but UC breech is outside my own comfort zone) would be drafting a c/s birth plan, going over it with my DH, and identifying the hospital and OB that would give me the most baby-friendly surgery possible. I personally wouldn't *schedule* a c/s but would (as mamacavebear suggests) wait until labor to go in the hospital, have baby's position checked one last time, and opt for the c/s if absolutely necessary at that point.

[cdmommie]

Thanks for all the ideas and support. I know now that the baby is fully transverse. I am making a little cervical progress with the contractions but since nothing is really (head/butt) pushing on it I think I have some time. I went to the chiro today. He also did some accupuncture but so far no luck. I am starting my C-section planning. I was just thinking my plan was screwed and ready to give up but everyone has helped me realize that I just have re-vamp a little :-) thanks!

[MamaCaveBear]

if it helps at all, my midwife said that only a couple of times has she seen a baby stay transverse after labor starts. They will usually turn head down as the contractions slowly ramp up. I would prefer to start from there, than from breech. i wish you the very best possible birth, my heart goes out to you.

[majormajor]

The baby has been flailing about in there trying so desperately to turn but it just hasn't happend.

this is my hangup. mt first was transverse until 36 weeks and then flipped. but she settled happily head down (and posterior, oh well) for the rest of the pg. the unhappy flailing makes me wonder if baby wants to go head down but can't? i would go for the ECV under monitoring to see how the baby tolerates flipping or flipping attempts. also, if you think she's overreacting to the contractions, i'd also go in for monitoring. but, i'm very much a better safe than sorry kind of person. i just wouldn't wait at home until the end of labor, just in case baby is unhappy in there.

GL! hope you're holding the baby soon!!

[Clairesoula]

Have you tried a moxabustion treatment? You can do it yourself and have the baby's position checked afterward. This is one of the more natural things I've heard of doing for breeches. Not sure if it would work for transverse, but maybe worth the research. Good luck!

[Asher]

Originally Posted by Clairesoula

Have you tried a moxabustion treatment? You can do it yourself and have the baby's position checked afterward. This is one of the more natural things I've heard of doing for breeches. Not sure if it would work for transverse, but maybe worth the research. Good luck!

Yes! As well as all of the spinning babies techniques that you can muster.

I agree with the other poster, the flailing while trying to turn concerns me. Sometimes babies will NOT turn and there's a reason for it. If you go for the version, definitely have them do the monitoring before, during and after, if possible.

Wishing you peace, no matter what birth you end up with.

[Delicateflower]

I wouldn't feel comfortable switching to UC at this point, even if your baby was perfectly positioned. You have less than a month, tops, to do an enormous amount of learning and preparation. Odds are it will be more like a week or maybe two. I don't think you can prepare enough in that time. I'm sorry.

[hapersmion]

Oh, I hope the baby turns for you! I'd rather UC a breech than go to the hospital, but with transverse, there's nothing much you can do but try to get them to turn. Good luck, hopefully the baby is just having some fun and will settle down to business soon.