Breech at 38.5 weeks

[Jilian]

I'm 38.5 weeks along with baby #3 and I've been having loads of prodromal labor. My MW had me come in today and we discovered that the baby had turned breech. She was definitely head down and engaged at my 37 week home visit so her turn is pretty recent. I'm guessing sometime last week. I was planning a homebirth but breech birth is not allowed in FL so my only options if she does not turn are to schedule a cesarean or go unassisted (and I'm not comfortable with unassisted).

So far I've had the Webster done this afternoon, did knee-chest pelvic tilts, did an inversion for 30 mins with a moxibustion stick, and I've been using a sling as a support belt to hold my belly up in the front (it hangs a bit low). We think she's frank breech, I have a u/s for Monday to confirm. Baby is about 7 lbs and I have lots of fluid so that is promising. She was breech around 34 weeks and I successfully got her to turn with inversion and ice packs/hot packs.

Anything I'm missing? Advice? Commiseration? Ideas?

[Kidzaplenty]

Sorry, no ideas beyond what you are already doing. But, if it were me, I would not worry. If she just turned, she can turn back. It is never too late!

[AlexisT]

Is ECV a possibility? It can be very successful.

[treehugginhippie]

I'm so sorry mama!!! Hopefully she will turn (but honestly...it sounds like she might have a reason she's preferring breech). I had a friend who tried doing handstands in the pool w/ her breech baby. Oh and noise and flashlight.

[Jilian]

Originally Posted by AlexisT

Is ECV a possibility? It can be very successful.

If the u/s on Monday shows that she's still breech the version will be my last resort. I'll be just over 39 weeks at that point. If that doesn't work I'll probably throw in the towel and look for an OB that will hopefully let me go into labor on my own and we'll do one last u/s before delivery to see if she's turned.

[adoremybabe]

Oh Jilian! I hope that she turns for you and you get the birth that you hoped for!

[channelofpeace]

I have no suggestions that you haven't already listed- just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you My first baby was breech, so I know how stressful it can be. Here is hoping that if she turned this late, she will turn back!

[mama in the forest]

My last baby was breech up until a few hours before labor began. What happened was, she turned, my water broke, then a few hours later I went into labor. She was born after less than two hours of labor at 13 pounds. (unassisted )

I did nothing to try to get her to turn. I felt like there was probably a reason she was breech up until that exact moment in time, and to mess with it was too risky.

[wanderinggypsy]

Oh Jilian. What a let-down.

It sounds to me like you are covering all your bases as far as encouraging a better position. I wish I could offer advice, but sadly I have none. However, it seems promising to me that as a past poster pointed out, if she had enough room to turn just recently, she can do it again.

Keep up the effort, and think positive. I am sure she will dive down again soon.

Keep us posted, and take care.

[Jilian]

Originally Posted by mama in the forest

My last baby was breech up until a few hours before labor began. What happened was, she turned, my water broke, then a few hours later I went into labor. She was born after less than two hours of labor at 13 pounds. (unassisted )

I did nothing to try to get her to turn. I felt like there was probably a reason she was breech up until that exact moment in time, and to mess with it was too risky.

Thanks for sharing your experience, it makes me feel really hopeful. I think I've decided to wait until labor starts to see if she turns too.

Thank you for all of the good vibes The baby has changed positions but I'm not sure if she's head down. At least she's showing me that she has plenty of room to move. I see my MW today for a position check.

[mama in the forest]

You're welcome Jillian, and hang in there!!

Try to remember that despite your care providers making a big deal out of this, a breech presentation is just a variation of normal. It's perfectly normal and whatever position your baby girl chooses for birth, it's the perfect one for her.

[mama in the forest]

OP, after thinking today I wanted to add something about the word normal. I remember when my baby was breech for so long, I really worried about her position. I knew that breech presentation carried more risk with it, so those risks were important to consider and take seriously, but I felt like my worries kind of took on a life of their own. When I remembered that phrase, variation of normal, that helped me remember that all else was well with her. I know people use that phrase a lot, but it just helped me to accept things the way they were, and know that she was otherwise healthy, and that whatever I needed to do for her birth, I could get through.

Hoping she turns & all is well! There is still time.

[Jilian]

She turned! : She's back to head down now so maye she was just turning out of OP to anterior? I'm hoping she stays head down now!

[DocsNemesis]

Yay! Good news!

Also, dont forget-you dont HAVE to concent to a cesarean. If you go to the hospital in full blown labor and refuse the cesarean, they cant do much about it :P Of course, finding a HCP with breech experience would be much better, but I dont know if I'd consent to a cesarean anyway.

Hope she stays there!

[Jilian]

Originally Posted by DocsNemesis

Also, dont forget-you dont HAVE to concent to a cesarean. If you go to the hospital in full blown labor and refuse the cesarean, they cant do much about it :P Of course, finding a HCP with breech experience would be much better, but I dont know if I'd consent to a cesarean anyway.

I know that but breech birth with an angry, inexperienced OB scares me more than a cesarean. I've seen some breech births on TV where they yank the baby's legs with all their might resulting in broken bones, etc. I'd be really scared for the safety of the baby if the attendant was not experienced with breech birth. Sadly breech birth seems to be a thing of the past and they rarely even teach it in medical school anymore

[DocsNemesis]

Yeah, that would scare me too. But then again, I'd just UC-so no yanking there! I suppose in the case of a hospital birth, I dont really know what the heck I'd do!

[Earth Momma]

so happy she turned!! -- just incase anyone needs more info.....swimming and doing handstands or inversions in the pool can hap a lot!

[Jilian]

Originally Posted by Earth Momma

so happy she turned!! -- just incase anyone needs more info.....swimming and doing handstands or inversions in the pool can hap a lot!

I did that yesterday afternoon and she turned just a few hours later. I held on to the side of the pool and kicked for a long time so my belly was horizontal and I did a few handstands and flips - OMG not easy when you are hugely preggo!

[adoremybabe]

Jilian, I was JUST thinking of you and came to find out how you were doing. I am so glad that she has turned back!

Now you just have to have a good heart to heart talk and explain to her that she needs to stay head down!

[thorn]

glad she turned!!

if you needed a breech birth you could come stay with us... my OB does vaginal breech, of the 25 years of experience kind, not the angry forced OB kind!