Breech, ECV stories?

[waitingmama]

I am 37 weeks pregnant with my second child, planning for a second homebirth. A few weeks ago it became apparent my baby is sitting head up. I've tried every non-invasive turning method, from lying on a tilted ironing board to frozen peas on the top of my belly, to no avail

I am weighing the risks of an ECV by my midwife vs a breech birth. Any of you been in a similar situation? I don't personally know anyone who's had a natural breech birth and would love to hear stories of successful breech or ECV at home. I'm confident I can deliver a breech baby if necessary but don't want to overlook the possibility of her being gently turned around before labor begins. Thanks!

[Paige, CPM]

I have done ev carefully monitored at home for clients, and when that hasn't worked have brought them to my favorite backup doc who is really good at ev.

If someone wants to go forth with a breech delivery if the evs are a no go then I tell my clients I have only done 3 breeches and I do not feel comfortable enough on my own...that we have to bring in another midwife who has more experience. (I wish I had more but it is rare so getting the experience is harder around here.)

So, I would say do your research asap about who is good at ev in your area (homebirth and hospital providers) and get them involved. Consider chiro and accupuncture if you have not. And find out who the most experienced breech delivery folks are in your area.

Then examine your heart and what you think is best for you. Either decision you make, c/s or breech delivery, if your baby does not turn (likely s/he will!) is a fine decision as long as you feel it is right for you, others stories aside.

[UmmAbduRahman]

My daughter (second baby) was breech at 35 weeks. I tried the ironing board for two weeks and didn't work for me either.

I had been seeing a midwife at a birth center and she referred me to her back-up doc for the ECV in the hospital (my midwife also attended the procedure).

At 37 weeks I went into the hospital for the ECV. I was hooked up to monitors and a drug was given to relax my uterus (but sped up my heart). A super-quick u/s was done to verify her position and two docs and a midwife turned her. It was super painful (I said to my midwife "Please tell me this is better than a C-section!) but over in less than a minute. They said it was one of their quickest versions ever, thank God.

Another super-quick u/s to verify position, and I stayed on the monitor for another 30 mins to make sure baby was okay. Then my midwife instructed me to spend the rest of the day walking to get baby down in the pelvis.

We really prayed a lot for the ECV to be successful. Thankfully she never turned back. I would have considered a vaginal breech birth (the back-up doc does attend breeches if the motherbaby are a good candidate), but having her head-down meant I could continue with the birth center plan rather than have a hospital birth.

This time I made sure to check that my midwife attends breeches (she does).

Henci Goer has a helpful chapter on Breech Babies in her excellent must-read "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth".

Off the top of my head, I think the conclusions Goer reaches from her reading of the research are that ECV is safe and it's better to do it early than later (more room for baby to turn) and if the baby turns breech again it's okay to try ECV again. She also says ECV can be attempted in labor (up until the membranes rupture).

Best wishes

[babylightsagain]

I had a hospital version done with my first at 38 weeks. Super fast and easy. No meds. He was ready to turn and did so easily. I had done all of the non-invasive measures - chiro, inversions etc with no luck. Went on to have a vaginal delivery at 41 weeks.

My second was also breech. This time I decided I didn't want to have the version done, wanted her to come on her own as she wanted. Plus there are no docs in the area that will do one. My MW was very comfortable doing a breech delivery. I did have her try several times to turn the baby but she didn't want to move and I didn't want to push it. She was complete breech and came through the canal feet and butt together. We weren't sure if she was complete or footling which added a LOT of anxiety to my delivery. Labor was easy but delivery was really scarey. Her cord was between her knees and would compress with each contraction. I was nervous about my water breaking and the cord prolapsing. And then worried about if I could get her out fast enough. It was nothing like I had imagined and my little baby is alive and safe.

I wouldn't do a breech delivery at home again. I'd try and find a doc that would do a version. If that failed I'd find a doc to do a breech delivery in the hospital. Actually the Reading Hospital in PA just reversed their policy on breech delivery and the MWs can now do them in the hospital.

Like PP stated, research your options then listen to your heart.

good luck. it is such a big decision.

[Comtessa]

I know it sounds weird, but look into moxibustion - there have been some studies showing its effectiveness. Here's one: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...9/ai_73711259/

[MommyMatsumoto]

I've heard that moxibustion works great and also, see if you can find a chiropractor who specializes in the Webster technique.

[waitingmama]

Thank you all for your input, it helps hearing what other mamas have to say!

I had the version done on Tuesday with no luck-- with my exercises the baby came up out of my pelvis and was almost halfway turned when her head seemed to get trapped under my ribs (I have a funny ribcage). I said I'd try again next week but I'm not so sure she's going to hold off that long to be born! I am considering going to my herbalist to try moxa.

After doing a ton more research into the matter of breech birth at home I feel much more confident about delivering a breech baby at home as long as we know she is in a good frank breech position. Otherwise my MW-- who has delivered and assisted with many breech births-- would like me to deliver at the hospital (which I know means a C-section around here). Thanks again to everyone who posted!

[Paige, CPM]

Oh good good luck mama, keep us posted!!!

[waitingmama]

She never turned but all went well. Iris was born at home yesterday, breech, after just 5 hours of active labor and 10 minutes of pushing. She came out unassisted, all at once, pink and crying. No tearing, either. It might not be the best of ideas in every situation but this was one instance where a breech home birth with an experienced CPM went perfectly. Thanks again for all the advice!

[Paige, CPM]

Oh mama! Congrats! Happy mothers day indeed! I am so happy for you!

I was confused because it seemed like your midwife wanted you to birth in hospital, but I guess she changed her mind? Or did you switch to a different midwife?

[UmmAbduRahman]

Congratulations! That's wonderful news!!!!!