Need info on MA hospital Breech birth

[maplesmom]

I'm 34 weeks and planning on having a homebirth IF my babe is not breech. But it looks like it may be breech right now. Of course I will be trying everything to get that bottom up, but if it doesn’t happen I want plan B in place. Does any one know of any hospitals/ OB’s that are at least a little OK with Vaginal breech births? My back-up hospital right now is Greenfield, and they don’t seem too hot on the idea from what I’ve heard (to say the least). But I live equal distance from Greenfield and Worcester. So I don’t know if I’d have better luck at Memorial, or St. V’s… or maybe another smaller hospital like Heywood in Gardner or Cooley Dick, or Marylane???? Anyway… I am willing to travel and would love if anyone knows a practitioner who won’t automatically say no to a vaginal breech birth. Thanks!!

[MetrowestMidwife]

The Worcester hospitals aren't very open to breech vaginal birth at all. St.V's is REALLY conservative. I think there is one doc at Memorial that has done breech births in the past but none of the docs at either Memorial or St.V's back homebirth, so if you go in it would be whomever is on call in general. I do think that staying toward the west of the state would be a better option. Also, talk to your HB midwive she might have some suggestions for the area that you are in and the climate in those western mass hospitals.

Sending head down vibes !!!!

[maplesmom]

Do you know the name of that one doctor at memorial??

[chinaKat]

I couldn't find an OB in all of Boston that was open to it.

[MsGrizzle]

There are midwives with breech experience - I had a breech baby at home!

[Paige, CPM]

Contact Joyce Kimball (you can find her info on the massmidwives.org website), she knows who the doc is at Memorial. Is this your first babe? I don't know anyone who will do 1st baby breech.

Can your midwife find the best practitioner for external version if nothing else works? I know the best person in my region is Dr. Tripp at Tobey Hospital in Wareham, but that is nowhere near you.

Also sending head down vibes!

[maplesmom]

Thanks so much for the help. I am still in shock that OB's wont do it!

I am planning on doing EVERYTHING to get this baby in the right direction, I have a feeling it may be right now... but I thought that before too... so well see tomorrow at an ultra sound. I have an anterior placents so its a bit tricky to tell just where the babe is at!

If anyone knows any other OB's keep the info comming!!!!!!!!

[Mindi22]

www.icpa4kids.org - find a Webster certified DC to help make sure that your body is in the best balance so your baby can be in the best possible birthing position.

[naturalmummy]

I am resurfacing this thread in hopes of some updated info. My baby is breech, I am 36 weeks. My OB won't let me attempt a vaginal delivery. Of course I am trying everything possible to turn her (webster, moxa, inversions, ice/heat, crawling...possibly ECV at 38 weeks if we get to that point), but I want to start to get prepared in the event my OB forces me to schedule a CS...

Does anyone know of a Dr or MW in MA or even RI that would let me attempt a vaginal breech birth? This is my second baby, first was delivered naturally. Thanks!!!

[MAMom]

Hi naturalmummy,

The issue often is that the grand majority of OB's (and hospital-based CNM's) simply no longer have the experience or expertise to attend a breech birth.  They never see breech babies birthed vaginally, and just do not have the training.  Some home birth midwives do, so if you're willing to have a home birth, that may be an option.

That being said, if you're going to stick with your OB, some women do choose to not schedule a c-section (they cannot force you to schedule, and your OB cannot drop you as a patient at this point in your pregnancy, but they can certainly make it difficult and unpleasant for you), or schedule a c-section and not show up for it, or iyou can decide to wait until you go into labor naturally, have the baby's position assessed at that time, and make a decision then whether to try for vaginal or have a c/s (labor is beneficial to the baby even if you decide to have a c/s). 

Have you already asked if there are any OB's who attend at the hospital where you are planning to give birth who have breech experience?  Sometimes the older docs do.

ICAN website might be a helpful resource:

http://www.ican-online.org/

Edited by MAMom - 3/23/11 at 12:17pm

[jessjgh1]

I believe there are midwives on the South Shore that do breech  - Louise in Warehmam, Dr Tripp, in Wareham.... possibly South Shore Midwifery (South Shore Hospital and Jordan).  You could also try calling Dr Hardiman's office (not South Shore) - she books up early but the office may know of others that do breech (I'm not 100% positive she does breech, but it is likely).

Check out spinning babies... too.

Turn baby turn!

Jessica

Edited by jessjgh1 - 3/24/11 at 7:44pm

[thistime]

There are a few at Mt. Auburn who will attend a vaginal breech birth.  PM me for info.

[GoestoShow]

Originally Posted by jessjgh1 

I believe there are midwives on the South Shore that do breech  - Louise in Warehmam, Dr Tripp, in Wareham.... possibly South Shore Midwifery (South Shore Hospital and Jordan).  You could also try calling Dr Hardiman's office (not South Shore) - she books up early but the office may know of others that do breech (I'm not 100% positive she does breech, but it is likely).

Check out spinning babies... too.

Turn baby turn!

Jessica

She does not. She does c-sections for breech.
 

[fancyoats]

Originally Posted by naturalmummy 

I am resurfacing this thread in hopes of some updated info. My baby is breech, I am 36 weeks. My OB won't let me attempt a vaginal delivery. Of course I am trying everything possible to turn her (webster, moxa, inversions, ice/heat, crawling...possibly ECV at 38 weeks if we get to that point), but I want to start to get prepared in the event my OB forces me to schedule a CS...

Does anyone know of a Dr or MW in MA or even RI that would let me attempt a vaginal breech birth? This is my second baby, first was delivered naturally. Thanks!!!

i gave birth at home to a breech baby this past november.  sue smith was the midwife who attended -- she was fabulous, i loved her and would recommend her highly.  she is based out of uxbridge mass.  you can find her on the website linked in a pp -- massmidwives
 

[thistime]

Dr. Hardiman indeed does attend vaginal breech births.  PM me for more details.  

[MAMom]

Originally Posted by thistime 

Dr. Hardiman indeed does attend vaginal breech births.  PM me for more details.  

Thanks for sharing this.  Is your experience recent?  I wonder if she'll only attend breech for 2nd (or later) births?  The issue with Dr. Hartiman's practice is that unless a woman gets in with her practice very, very early on in her pregnancy, she is usually booked months in advance, but it can never hurt to call.   

Naturalmummy , any luck with getting baby to turn?

[thistime]

Originally Posted by MAMom 

Thanks for sharing this.  Is your experience recent?  I wonder if she'll only attend breech for 2nd (or later) births?  The issue with Dr. Hartiman's practice is that unless a woman gets in with her practice very, very early on in her pregnancy, she is usually booked months in advance, but it can never hurt to call.   

Naturalmummy , any luck with getting baby to turn?

Yes, my experience is recent, and no, she doesn't restrict it to 2nd or later births.

[GoestoShow]

Originally Posted by thistime 

Yes, my experience is recent, and no, she doesn't restrict it to 2nd or later births.

I cannot believe this is true since she told me she doesn't.

Edited by GoestoShow - 3/26/11 at 4:55pm

[naturalmummy]

Hi ladies - thanks for the responses! it's been a week and so far no luck in turning my baby girl. I was starting to become obsessed and overwhelmed with all the efforts so I am trying to just relax more while doing things that make sense. I have gone through 2 moxa sticks (need to find some more), have gotten 2 Webster adjustments, had a hypnosis session and 3 acupuncture sessions but after the 3rd session she did not want to treat me anymore b/c she felt like there was a "reason" the baby wasn't moving. Her reaction made me nervous and frustrated but not entirely sure where she is coming from - earlier on she had said it can take 2 weeks?! anyways, i am thinking of finding someone else this week who may be more specifically targeted to pregnant woman and even turning breech. I think my doula has a name but if any of you do please PM me!!

i did get some positive news at my last OB appt on Thurs. They did an us and said that I/DD have everything possible "going for us" for a possible turn -- good amount of fluid, baby is very active and not engaged yet, good placental placement and second-baby uterus benefits. So that was encouraging. I even got the name of 2 possible OBs at my hospital (BI) who would (possibly) attend a breech vaginal birth, so I am looking into them.

I tried calling Hardiman's office but they were closed on Friday by the time I called. Will be trying first thing Monday even though i know the chances are slim.

I am also hoping to get an appt with Dr Tripp for an EV this week (he does them at 37 wks which I am today). If that doesn't work I am still scheduled for EV with my OB next Monday.

I'll keep you posted and thanks again!