External Version-would you consider this an intervention?

[frolick16]

The midwife is unable to confirm position of baby at this point, and I have a feeling babe is sitting lotus position head up. I have never had a breech baby and have delivered my last two with midwives completely intervention free. My question is this:

The intrinsic wisdom that exists between babe and body makes me wonder if there would be a reason this baby should not be delivered head down. How do you reconcile the position your baby has chosen and what is optimal for the birth you desire?

I would love to have some input on this.

[VillageMom6]

Well, I'm not sure I believe that there is an intrinsic wisdom between the baby and the body. Sometimes I sleep in a funny position and wake up with a pinch in my shoulder. It doesn't happen often... but it does happen.

I think maybe breech babies are the same way. Just a happenstance.

Regardless, the question is... what are your options? How far along are you and what sort of breech is the baby (for sure, not just an instinct)?

Is your midwife comfortable assisting with that sort of breech presentation? The good news is that you've given birth before. That bodes well for you.

Do you believe that the baby's position is his necessary chosen position... even if it means a c-section?

Yes, version may be an "intervention" but not all interventions are bad. Some are life saving. Some are just helpful. Is your goal to avoid all interventions or to birth without surgery? Or something else?

There are other methods for trying to turn a breech baby that seem less forceful... exercises, chiropractic, moxibustion.

Best wishes to you!

[frolick16]

Right now its instinct, At 33 weeks midwife was unable to tell which end was up,not confirmed, I am almost 34 weeks...it will be confirmed by 36 weeks either way because I have to have an US, due to having Lyme Disease, to check for any cardiac involvement with babe, or brain lesions that would require special attention. My midwife would not deliver a known breech but would try to turn the baby. I am doing things to assist babe into good position, I cannot afford a chiro, I do have some moxi sticks...my goal is to avoid surgery...I have BIG babies, with BIG heads and this plays into my thinking, how specifically I cannot say but it does...and the thought of the manipulation involved to turn a babe makes me a little queasy

[CherryBomb]

If it hasn't been confirmed, I would try not to stress out about it too much. Have you tried calling around different chiros? Mine only charges $35 for an adjustment (I know that $35 can be a lot of money, I'm just saying).

Like VM said, yes, version is an intervention, but that doesn't make it bad or wrong. The goal is really to avoid *unnecessary* interventions, right? If you don't want surgery, and your midwife won't deliver breech babies, ECV might be your only option.

I don't think I'd attribute it to "intrinsic wisdom." Sometimes s**t just happens, and there isn't a reason, you know?

Here's hoping you've got a nice vertex baby at your u/s!

[carfreemama]

I had an external version done at 42 weeks for a surprise breech baby. The midwife had just finished telling me that the baby was in the "perfect position to be born." I'm pretty sure she did NOT mean breech! Anyway, the hospital said they normally don't do versions after 37 weeks; but because everything looked good, they were willing to give it a try. My birth plan went from "birth at home with candles and music" to "how can I avoid a C-section?" In about 2 hours. They gave it about a 10-15% chance of success and said "most women went to a C-section because they couldn't stand the pain." Well, guess what? It WAS painful! It was NOT, however, unbearable and it was SUCCESSFUL. I used ocean breathing to get me through the pain. I also supplemented what the hospital did with an adjustment by the chiropractor. I think it was the combination that did it; though I also believe the hospital version might have done the trick on its own. I was DETERMINED to avoid surgery if at all possible. I wish I could have had it all taken care of earlier in the pregnancy, though. As it was, I chose induction following the version; because if the baby had gone back into breech waiting for labour to start, it would have been game-over and there was no more time to wait. PM me if you end up needing more information; but for me, version was the LEAST invasive option I had at that point.