Just want some support/breech babe

[blueoveralls9]

I am 34 weeks today and have a definite complete breech babe found on US this week 2 times. I have been a UP/UC mama but went in to see my family Dr for some problems I discovered last week. I know about spinning babies and the techiniques that can be used to help baby turn~ which I will be doing. BUT I am also someone who wants to know her options in advance... So far I can come up with 3 in my head. #1 continue to plan to UC at home and birth breech here. This is baby #7 and I have had a 11.5 pound posterior babe with no tearing etc... so I know my pelvis is one that can birth. I did watch the videos from the UC breech thread last week and I have to admit when I watched the waterbirth one I found myself holding my breath. To me it was just such a LONG time to wait without touching the baby. When the body was all out except for the head I could hardly breathe. I don't know if I could just "wait" and not be screaming bloody murder at that point. Honest Feelings coming out here gals... SO I am nervous about the UC at home part. As far as getting a midwife to show up and assist- nope, not in our state- it truly, really is NOT a viable option.

Option #2 A planned C-section. Eh, not real thrilled about this idea. I don't really know that much about csections other than it takes forever to heal and well, the whole birth idea just flies against everything my heart believes in for birth. I get teary thinking about not holding baby right away and just all of the fears I have... Has anyone done a UP/UC plan and then ended up with a csection? Would you be willing to share with me what you wished you knew beforehand, what you would do differently? How did it turn out for you? Words of advice?

Option #3 There are whispers of a Dr who will deliver breech at a hospital in a neighboring state. This isn't ideal for our family, but it would be a do-able plan if everything fell into place. I am not real thrilled with this idea, BUT it is an idea...

So ladies, am I missing any options? I DO know that baby can still turn and I will be going to my chiro next week and am even going to call the acupuncture place and also do all the spinning babies techniques. I just want to know what my options are and just hear from some other mamas who understand... It is hard going from UP/UC to being placed in a position where "our perfect plan" is turning out to not be so perfect. It makes me sad and scared all in one.

[etsdtm99]

I would not panic just yet - your baby has plenty of time to turn - and you are doing everything you can.. my DS was breech until 35 weeks - during week 34 i went to the chiro 4 times he turned and turned back but by the end of that week he turned down and stayed that way

i have no advice regarding the UC part.. though if you are nervous and think you can't do it that could cause an issue..

[MittensKittens]

I know what you mean about the videos where it seems it takes FOREVER. There is also a lot of strain on the neck when the body is out and the head is about to emerge with breech births, so if you do opt for UC, I think birthing in the water is definitely the gentler and safer option.

Just a random thought - if you are already considering going out of state for an attended vaginal birth, have you considered the Farm?

[Kidzaplenty]

If it were me, first off, I would not worry, yet. My last one turned from breech to head down at 39 wks. So, I would wait.

Then, I would never plan a c/s for a breech, especially at 34 wks.

With few exceptions, I would UC a breech before having one in the hospital.

[ACsMom]

With my first I wasn't planning a UC, but I was planning a "natural" birth - I ended up with a section. If I had to have another section for some reason (which would have to be a DAMN good reason - it is NOT an experience I ever want to have again) I would make sure that no one took my baby away afterwards, that my hands were freed immediately after the surgery to hold the baby, that my husband was with us the whole time, that I was allowed to nurse the baby within an hour and that weighing and other procedures could wait, etc. If you don't specify this stuff in writing and repeat it to everyone during the surgery, they might not do it. They'd much rather go by hospital procedure, obviously.

Hope you don't have to go that route, but in the end you have to do what your instincts are telling you is the right thing for you and the baby. Good luck with all you are doing to turn the baby - I bet it will work and you'll be able to continue with the current plan. Odds are definitely in your favor. Wishing you a wonderful birth!

[~Yola]

Hi Mamma,

I'm don't have any idea of other options you might have, but I wanted to offer some support. My third was a breech UC, I had no idea he was breech until his bottom was halfway out...it was a straitforeward birth from that point though, no complications whatsoever. My fourth was breech at 36 weeks, but she turned sometime between then and her entrance to the world at 41 or so weeks.

At this point all I can suggest is stay stong, stay positive, and wait and see.

Sending strength and good birthing vibes your way

~Yola

[gossamerwindweb]

My son was transverse until very late in pregnancy. He turned head down in the last few weeks, there is still hope. I personally would birth a breech at home over the hospital. Just my personal opinions. Doctors rarely know how to safely deliver a breech vaginally, and they want to do a c-section. I would rather do it myself, knowing that I and my husband have done the research to know what is safe. Good luck having your little one turn! And good luck deciding on the best decision for you.

[Cuddlebaby]

2nding others....AND it's your 7th! that means the baby can change position **in labor**! you know this. You've been listening to your body for a long time. so you can already see my opinion on this...loving the chiropractor idea...

If you do decide on a csection, please why can't you go into labor 1st? I don't understand why they are so quick to schedule. that way you know the baby--and just as importantly--your body is ready.

breech births can happen vaginally just fine. hands and knees. midwives mantra, "hands off the breech"....

[MG01]

I had a breech with DS, did inversions daily 3x, moxibustion daily, Webster technique/chiro daily, hypno fear release/breech turning, craniosacral therpy, pulsatilla, handstands in the pool, and ECV (failed). tried for over a month. ds turned all on his own 39 1/2 weeks and was born 6 days later. Babes can turn up to and even during labor. frank and complete breeches are less risky statistically than footling, and even footling, the risks are relative, as obviously c-section has risks too.

i did not uc, but wanted to comment on the breech situation. "breech birth" by benna waite is the best resource i found on the topic, and henci goer's touches on this in "obstetric myths, research realities" and "thinking woman's guide" has a chapter summarizing that research. i think goer also wrote the excellent critique of the hannah study (term breech trial), which is the one single study upon which all this fear and policy is based (and which has been discredited by a 2 yr follow-up study, as well as many critiques of the methodology). also the reason breeches were initially associated with higher death rates is because for whatever reason babies who ALREADY have unrelated health problems are more likely to be in the breech position (unable to maneuver into vertex due to health issues in utero? physical/genetic anomalies? i don't think there is a definite answer but i know that many of the breech deaths/negative outcomes in the past were later confirmed to be unrelated to mode of birth/position, or were directly related to unnecessary intervention)

in our case i determined that a natural vaginal birth of my son, given certain factors (he was in the frank position, going into labor at term-not premature as the body is then too small and the head is big, whereas term the butt is not that much bigger than the head, etc.) was the ideal/least risky method of birthing. i found several docs comfortable and experienced with breech who said they felt i was a good candidate and were open to working with me, and equally important, that i felt comfortable/committed and positive about the birth and affirmed that my son would find the safest and best way to be born for him, and planned to call around in early labor and find out who was on call or whether to drive out of town in order to birth with a supportive and knowledgeable care provider- i personally did not/would not feel comfortable uc'ing esp. as a single mama, and a primip, although i would ideally like to birth my next child at home w/ a midwife (essentially for ds' birth, i got to the hospital quite far along, was left to my own devices for about an hour and a half with my doula (declined cervical check so i think they thought i was in very early labor as i was calm/relaxed), and the mw came in as i pushed my son out and handed him right under to me, so i really saw very little of her anyway, but my insurance would only cover hospital birth and overall i was happy with my experience with my mws and the nursing staff)- but i believe that is a choice every mama has a right to make based on her own judgment and knowledge and desire to make the best choices she can for her and her baby's birth and well being. having given birth so many times, and knowing you were planning to uc anyways, i would say research research research, and once you have the knowledge base rooted in the research, also listen to your intuition and weigh your feelings as to the risks and benefits of each option and how comfortable you feel. again, don't mean to crash your board here just wanted to share my experience and thoughts about the breech and the decisions you are facing. i know it can be stressful to have to suddenly re-evaluate your ideas about how you want your birth to happen and what is best for your family due to something unexpected like that.

needless to say, in my case, ds turned on his own and i was able to labor mostly at home and birth with my cnm in hospital as planned, but i think that much of the evidence shows that breech turning techniques are effective most of the time- esp. moxa and webster, but i would say do as much as you can- and I think attitude/affirmations/talking to your baby can help too, and just trusting in your body and baby. i think there is a very good chance your babe will turn on his/her own.

i personally would not plan a c-section for a breech unless there were other risk factors or i felt very strongly that was what was needed for safety (not out of fear/control issues)-- i did go through a phase of doubt, almost wanting to just plan my c-section because i was terrified that if i did wind up with one, it would almost be better to just schedule it so i could pick the doc and have more control- not a good reason at all, but i had to process that aspect of things and realize where that was coming from and move past it- but i definitely understand why that might seem appealing. on the other hand, if you feel intuitively that is how your babe needs to be born, and ideally as stated wait for babe to let you know s/he is ready in early labor (my understanding is that the risks of cesarean are no greater in early labor than elective/prior to labor's onset, that the risk only goes up after labor has been going on for awhile and is in a more advanced stage) then that might be the best choice for some mamas/babes.. i can't answer that for you of course

i also think if you are considering traveling, the Farm would be a great option. i considered going there but found out that they no longer take primip breech but i believe you would qualify- if i had had the option of a midwife rather than an MD for if ds had not turned to vertex, i would have likely gone with mw for obvious reasons (general medical vs. midwifery model/philosophy of care, plus all the docs were men and i really believe in being surrounded by supportive women during birthing, but i did feel comfortable enough with them to feel okay about birthing with them, not my perfect ideal but acceptable and i felt safe considering giving birth with them given the options- one was a very midwife-like family practice doc, the other two were more mainstream OBs who were a bit older and obviously had more experience and a different take on breech whereas the younger docs seem to lack the experience and knowledge nowadays), but if there is an attendant, i think the two most important things are 1) their experience/comfort with breech (hands off the breech as stated, having attended breech births before, a sense of confidence and comfort in the safety and seeing breech as a variation of normal) and 2) YOUR comfort with them as a provider. otherwise having an anxious and/or inept provider can CAUSE a lot of the problems that they can then conveniently blame on breech through their anxiety or attempts to pull on or otherwise maneuver the baby during birthing.

anyway that is my long post on the subject lol, i wish you peace with whatever your decisions, and stay positive, sending turning vibes your way ~~ and congrats btw

[blueoveralls9]

TY all for the responses! If I knew how to quote and reply to everyone I would. I did a lot of research yesterday which helped ease some of my fears. I know my fears come from the "unknown" so I am trying to answer my own questions and go from there. I have an appt with my chiro this afternoon and am already doing some of the other things suggested. For me I kind of had to be gently reminded on my own yesterday that God was still in control and not me. I am going to take this day by day and try not to stress or worry about all the what if's. I was admitted to the hospital this weekend for a non baby related physical issue~ and of course was surrounded by all the "medical" information and lifestyle and all the dr/nurse opinions and I know that is what started my freak out. One day at a time is now my motto!

[Yvaine Undomiel]

Originally Posted by blueoveralls9

TY all for the responses! If I knew how to quote and reply to everyone I would.

It's the center button, of the three quote buttons in the lower right side of each message.

(I'm such a dork, I read the FAQ from top to bottom when I joined. )

[gossamerwindweb]

Originally Posted by Yvaine Undomiel

(I'm such a dork, I read the FAQ from top to bottom when I joined. )

[mama in the forest]

*

[blueoveralls9]

I had another u/s today. Baby is facing my left side with butt down and both feet up in the air. The tech said it looked like baby was sitting in a shot glass. I have my 3rd chiro appt tomorrow morning. I go from feeling peaceful to freaked out to making a decision to changing a decision within minutes. Yesterday I asked one of the older L&D nurses to give me the run down on c-sections. I almost cried when she told me some of the things that would happen. (Not bashing a medically necessary section, just struggling in my mind of if breech IS a medical necessary reason.) I did email my old midwife in a border state and asked if she knew of any midwives who would assist at a breech birth. I guess I am just putting my feelers out there in all directions to see what knowledge I can gain. I want to make the right choice for baby and me and be CONFIDENT in that choice. DH has been so supportive of me and my mood swings. I think he will be supportive any way I go in the end. That helps. My mom told me I was breech till the day before delivery. My grandma told me she actually delivered my dad-her first- breech with the "help" of forceps. Mama in the Forest~ it does give me peace to know that my body has birthed big babies with no problems. You get my WOW award of the night with your 13 pounder. That is amazing and awesome! I love hearing stories like that! It is encouraging to me! So... that is where I am at. Teetering back and forth like a teeter tottor but trying to learn as much as I can in the meantime. I am trying to also just leave it in God's hands. This babe is as much His as it is mine and I know He has the perfect plan for the birth. Repeat. and Repeat again.

[gossamerwindweb]

FWIW, a frank breech IS supposedly the safest kind of breech for a vaginal birth. If I knew I had a frank breech I would definitely stay home and make sure not to push until I had the uncontrollable urge... and then in whatever position felt RIGHT.

[basje]

Hmmm, think you've got your options pretty well laid out. I'm sure you'll make a good choice.

You may also want to try http://www.hypnobabies.com/mylink.ph...058#breechbaby

Don't know if you've ever tried hypnobabies stuff before but I would give the MP3 - Turn Your Breech Baby, Yes You CAN! a try. It can't hurt and I've had a really great experiences with their program.

Wishing you good luck!

[blueoveralls9]

Originally Posted by basje

Hmmm, think you've got your options pretty well laid out. I'm sure you'll make a good choice.

You may also want to try http://www.hypnobabies.com/mylink.ph...058#breechbaby

Don't know if you've ever tried hypnobabies stuff before but I would give the MP3 - Turn Your Breech Baby, Yes You CAN! a try. It can't hurt and I've had a really great experiences with their program.

Wishing you good luck!

Thank you! I hadn't heard of this! I am going to check it out!

[Cuddlebaby]

www.spinningbabies.com too.

since you've birth 6 you know you have a tried and true pelvis and perineum, that baby is NOT getting stuck, no matter which part comes out first.

[basje]

Okay so I was poking around on midwifery today's website and found Using Homeopathy to Turn Babies. Thought of you, and figured I would pass it along being that it's another something that can't hurt to try! I'll keep my eye's peeled for anything else I might come across!

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/turnbaby.asp

Oh, just found another something you should look at if you have a chance

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/breech.html

[fyrebloom]

You still have SO much time mama! My last baby was breech until 39 weeks and then he settled into place and then stayed posterior until about 10 min before I pushed him out! Do some rebozo sifting and keep the baby from getting too stuck down there. You've had 7 babies, you're womb is so soft that bubs is going to have plenty of space to flip. It's really common in grand multips to have a baby moving all over for a long time. Just keep up the flipping activities and don't worry about it. If you are not comfortable with birthing a breech UC (I was personally) then just hold off on any decision to c-section until the last possible min or get a mw skilled in breech births to help at home. The thought of a Dr laying hands on a breech scares the crud out of me more then UCing a breech personally since they try to help... the worst possible thing to do! Time, patience and some good adjustments and such are def the right medicine so to speak. Good Luck and hope bubs flips soon!