UW and breech birth?

[akemt]

Does anyone know what UW's policy is on breech birth? Do you know of someone who was allowed/disallowed one and why? A doctor that does them?

Thanks!

[CorasMama]

Well, I'm going to rain on your parade here. No OBs in WA will do one. And no midwives can, so you're left with 3 choices: a homebirth midwife acting outside what they're supposed to (which makes me very nervous, and you really don't want a birth attendant without a ton of practice doing safe breech births), have a c/s, or go down to Portland. If you choose the latter, there are some docs at OHSU who do them, but you'll want to find a way to establish a relationship with them first (maybe a couple of day trips for prenatal appointments, then head down there at 37-38 weeks), because you can't count on whoever is on call at OHSU the night you go into labor being on of them. (And OHSU, btw, is the best hospital to do a breech birth).

If you can find someone in PDX to not only stay with, but birth at their home, you can have a breech homebirth with the Andaluz Birth Center midwives, but they can't do a breech at the birth center.

[akemt]

Sorry, guess I should have stated that I live in Alaska so day trips (even to Seattle) aren't an option. My peri is the head of OB at UW so I might be able to swing going to UW for delivery insurance-wise because of that. I'm also 36 weeks today and to be induced between 37 and 39 weeks, so if I can't get him to turn by other means (time is running short) I'm really not wanting a c/s.

[nadine]

sent you a pm

[CorasMama]

Originally Posted by akemt

Sorry, guess I should have stated that I live in Alaska so day trips (even to Seattle) aren't an option. My peri is the head of OB at UW so I might be able to swing going to UW for delivery insurance-wise because of that. I'm also 36 weeks today and to be induced between 37 and 39 weeks, so if I can't get him to turn by other means (time is running short) I'm really not wanting a c/s.

Yeah, UW doesn't do breech births. No OBs in WA do them.

[tangledblue]

breech birth in WA

I had a breech baby and c/s in WA (tried various things to turn it--a version, acupuncture, etc.) and I have to say, the c/s was actually so much better than I expected. Even if that's what you end up with, it will still be ok. I did go into labor naturally, a few days ahead of the scheduled c/s, so that may have helped as well.

[SalmonBayDoula]

Easterling at UWMC will do a breech birth. I had a client who met him for a consult recently and he definitely would do it....the catch was, he had to be on call when you are in labor, as his partners would not. (so, how likely???)

I suggest you also join ICAN Seattle for more info on breech resources. Good luck to you! www.icanseattle.wordpress.com

Sharon

[akemt]

Thanks all!

I found a blog online of someone who said they met with him about a breech birth but that they didn't like how graphically he described the risks or that he'd require a cesarean team standing by. Neither bothers me...and I know he's like that. Thanks for all the input. It appears to atleast be an option to try for should everything local not pan out (I'm doing moxibustion and am a good candidate for an external version if necessary). Dr. E has ordered an induction between 37 and 39 weeks...though I don't know if he'd be willing to do both together (inducing a breech) as that might add to his legal liabilities. Regardless, it is worth trying if he'll agree to it so that I can try to avoid a c/s.

Thanks again, and anyone with personal experience feel free to respond or PM me!

[tangledblue]

Glad you found at least one doc that might work--I'd be cautious about an early induction though, for baby's lung development. If the doc thinks it's ok, I guess it's ok...but I'm not sure I'd choose that over a C/S, fwiw.

[akemt]

Thought I'd update...about 2 years later!  Dr. E was willing to try breech if I pushed for that, but luckily the moxibustion worked fabulously (at 37+ weeks) and my water broke on its own a week or so later so there was no need for any induction or c/s (thank heavens!).  I would DEFINITELY suggest moxibustion to anyone with a breech baby!