Would you give birth to a breech baby at home?

[Oliver'sMom]

I'm looking for some solid opinions here based on facts...not fears.

I just found out that my baby is breech. We aren't sure if he's footling or frank, but it's looking more likely to be footling.

I'm doing everything in my power to get this kid to turn, but by 37 weeks I'd like to have a solid game plan if he's still breech. I'm 35 weeks now.

My homebirth midwife attends breech births and she isn't worried a bit. She also has a lot of experience delivering breech babies naturally. I have no idea what sort of experience my ob has, or if she would even be willing to do a natural breech birth. I'd have to talk to her about it...but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

What would you do? TIA!!

[tcooper]

Well, you are only 35 weeks. I wouldn't really be concerned until you are 37, which is when babies usually assume the position they will by.

I am currently 37 and still breech. My MW does not do home breech and I'm not sure that I would if she did. I am a student midwife and my instructor does not do home breech, either. You wanted information based on fact, not fear, but the truth is, I fear the facts. Yes, we do know midwives that do home breech and do not have any issues. There is one semi-local to us who actually prefers breech vaginal birth. She waits an hour beyond when mom is complete to allow pushing - just to be sure she is fully opened. I think knowing what I know just freaks me out - I have heard some horror stories, although rare, it really worries me and I don't know if I could put my child at risk. If you are VERY close to the hospital, maybe that would be ok. It is really a decision you have to make on your own. I would personally not do it.

[Dmitrizmom]

ddcc - i'd hb. sop at the local hospital here is c/s for breech.

both my mother and grandmother birthed breech babies. Mom actually has said that the breech was actually her easiest of the 7 of us (was her 4th birth).

Best wishes for a wonderful, safe birth.

[queenofchaos]

If you trust your midwife, then I would be confident in her experience and I wouldn't even consult the OB, unless there is some reason that the midwife may not be available for the birth.

[Amynf1]

I would consider it if the midwife were very experienced and confident. My hb OB will only attend breech in the hospital along side a hb mw and together they have 14 breech births, so not many. If my baby had been breech I most likely would have gone for it in the hospital, but not at home because they aren't that experienced and he is more confident in the hospital. I'm currently reading Breech Birth by Benna Waites, a mw in London. It's a fairly easy read and it has tons of stats. I don't know if these stats can be applied in the US since breech vaginal deliveries aren't as common and there aren't as many experienced breech birth attendants but I'd definitely read it. The main thing I have gotten from it is that the birth attendant must be experienced and confident and hands off. Interference in breech delivery is the main cause of complications. Good luck, I hope you figure it all out peacefully

[jennica]

I think that I personally would do a frank or a complete. A footling I would be a lot more worried about and would have to do some extensive research on that before making a decision. The reasons I would do it are that this would be my second time giving birth (so I have a proven pelvis), my last birth was fast and uncomplicated, my midwives are experienced with breech birth, and it's unlikely I would escape a c-section in the hospital or be relaxed enough to safely birth a breech vaginally.

[Oliver'sMom]

Thanks so much mamas!

I'm really not too worried about it yet...I'm just trying to have my bases covered, ykwim.

I've been looking at a lot of statistics and it seems that if you have a team that's very experienced in vaginal breech births, then you and your baby are safer having a vaginal birth. If your team isn't very experienced, then you're safer getting a c section....of course, there's nothing I can find on home births.

I know that I personally would not be comfortable at all birthing in a hospital even under the best of circumstances...let alone with a complication like this and a c section looming over my head. Plus, my local hospital's c section rate is quite high, although I'm not exactly sure how high. I live about 5 minutes from the hospital.

Originally Posted by tcooper

Well, you are only 35 weeks. I wouldn't really be concerned until you are 37, which is when babies usually assume the position they will by.

I am currently 37 and still breech. My MW does not do home breech and I'm not sure that I would if she did. I am a student midwife and my instructor does not do home breech, either. You wanted information based on fact, not fear, but the truth is, I fear the facts. Yes, we do know midwives that do home breech and do not have any issues. There is one semi-local to us who actually prefers breech vaginal birth. She waits an hour beyond when mom is complete to allow pushing - just to be sure she is fully opened. I think knowing what I know just freaks me out - I have heard some horror stories, although rare, it really worries me and I don't know if I could put my child at risk. If you are VERY close to the hospital, maybe that would be ok. It is really a decision you have to make on your own. I would personally not do it.

Which facts are you afraid of? What is it that you know that freaks you out? Are you doing a vaginal birth? Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just really trying to sink my teeth into all of this.

[wavybrains]

This was an awesome thread on the same topic at The Babywearer http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/s...d.php?t=386301

I personally would not attempt a footling breech at home as a dear friend lost her daughter during such a birth a year ago with an incredibly breech experienced midwife, and I just don't think I could get far enough beyond her experience to do it. I think the key with breech is your own confidence in the process, and I'm just not sure I could summon that kind of confidence. The big risk with footling breech is cord compression and head entrapment and both can happen instantly with no real warning. There is less of a risk with frank and complete breech. I would do everything in my power to get baby to turn--chiro, accupuncture, version, etc before deciding my final course of action. You have to follow your gut to decide what is the right thing for YOU.

[majazama]

I've seen some breech births on youtube, and from what I gather, being in water is much safer birthing breech, because the longer the cord is in contact with the air, the quicker it will stop transporting blood to the baby, and if you are in water, that doesn't happen so fast.

I would birth a baby breech at home, because it can be done, and I had no problems birthing my first two kids quickly. I would make sure to stay in the birth pool until baby came out, and move in the positions that felt right.

[UCmamaToMany]

I'd be more apt to visit spinningbabies.com and pay $$ for a very good kinesiological chiropractor to turn the baby first. (BTDT and it works - twice)

But my first was a frank breech but I was naive and did the scheduled c/s. I'd be more apt to birth a breech at home as well if it were frank or complete as well. Footling I too would have to do research on it first, but I'd really have to find a competent MW to attempt it at home first.

I guess it would depend.

[evjolin]

your mw is comfortable delivering breech and that is great. but how experienced is she? how many has she attended and what positions were they in? any chance you can get to the farm in tn? (im not kidding....)

i would personally feel safest (assuming babe doesnt turn, which i think you can get him to!!!) delivering breech in a hospital with a qualified and willing doc or mw, but depending on where you live, that could be difficult or impossible.

find out what ALL of your options are, and honestly i wouldn't look at stats--it is well known that breech outcomes drastically vary depending on the experience of the provider.

if you are truly comfortable with your mw's level of experience and skill at delivering breech, then go for the hb :-)

[tcooper]

Originally Posted by Oliver'sMom

Thanks so much mamas!

I'm really not too worried about it yet...I'm just trying to have my bases covered, ykwim.

I've been looking at a lot of statistics and it seems that if you have a team that's very experienced in vaginal breech births, then you and your baby are safer having a vaginal birth. If your team isn't very experienced, then you're safer getting a c section....of course, there's nothing I can find on home births.

I know that I personally would not be comfortable at all birthing in a hospital even under the best of circumstances...let alone with a complication like this and a c section looming over my head. Plus, my local hospital's c section rate is quite high, although I'm not exactly sure how high. I live about 5 minutes from the hospital.



Which facts are you afraid of? What is it that you know that freaks you out? Are you doing a vaginal birth? Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just really trying to sink my teeth into all of this.

The main thing I'm worried about the head getting stuck. I have heard absolute horror stories in class, which I will not share here. PM me is you really want to know. I have no faith in my midwife as is (a whole other story) and would absolutely not be confident in her attending me for a breech delivery - if she did it. There is one midwife within driving distance who actually does breech, who I am also very leery of - has had charges brought against her for negligence, etc. My teacher refuses to work with her. So, my options are very limited. IF I had a very experienced midwife who I trusted, it may be a different story. I woke up last night to contractions, cramping, diarrhea and nausea... Still breech. I go to the chiro in 30 minutes for another Webster, but I'm getting worried now. My MW has not discussed anything at all about talking to an OB for transfer of care, if needed. So, I may have to take it upon myself to start calling OBs Monday to see if anyone will take on a breech in any of the hospitals around here (we have several large hospitals).

Anyway, I am a worrier - that is what it comes down to. I feel so empowered with the knowledge, but also feel it can cripple me. Logically, I know the risks are minimal and what I would recommend to another woman. However, when it comes to me and my child, I am not comfortable with those risks. I did lose a pregnancy directly before this one, so I feel even more protective of this baby. At any rate, thinking spinning baby thoughts for us both!!

[Oliver'sMom]

Originally Posted by evjolin

your mw is comfortable delivering breech and that is great. but how experienced is she? how many has she attended and what positions were they in? any chance you can get to the farm in tn? (im not kidding....)

i would personally feel safest (assuming babe doesnt turn, which i think you can get him to!!!) delivering breech in a hospital with a qualified and willing doc or mw, but depending on where you live, that could be difficult or impossible.

find out what ALL of your options are, and honestly i wouldn't look at stats--it is well known that breech outcomes drastically vary depending on the experience of the provider.

if you are truly comfortable with your mw's level of experience and skill at delivering breech, then go for the hb :-)

This is too funny, because while researching online last night I thought to myself, "man, I wish I could have Ina Mae Gaskin help me deliver." I just looked up where the farm is and it's only an hour and a half drive from my mom's house!

I honestly don't know exactly how experienced my midwife is in breech births. My plan is to talk to her at my 37 week appt if baby is still breech. There's another homebirth midwife in town who also attends breech births...she helped me with my son. She's nearing retirement after 30 years, but maybe she could work alongside my current midwife.

I've been seeing a chiro throughout this pregnancy and she does the webster technique. My next appointment is in three days. She delivered her daughter at home who was frank breech.

I need to find out if my hospital would even attempt a vaginal breech birth. If I birthed in the hospital, my midwife wouldn't be able to attend at all because of state laws. She could come as a support person at best.

If this baby is footling and I can't get him to turn after I've exhausted all methods, then I'm thinking I'll try to get to the farm. If that isn't possible, I'll try the hospital. I just want to avoid a c-section at all costs, and I don't know if that's possible at the hospital.

If the baby is frank, then I'll stick with my current midwife.

In the meantime...turn baby turn!!!

[aromamama]

DDC

If you are in tn, i know of an excellent midwife that I would feel 100% safe with for any kind of breech birth. I also know several to stay away from

pm me if you want her number.

I would homebirth a breech way way way before I would even consider a CS for one....But that is just me and I have have 5 previous babies. I would also look at spinningbabies.com for some help in flipping, but I would not do a version, again, that is just me....

[Oliver'sMom]

Originally Posted by aromamama

DDC

If you are in tn, i know of an excellent midwife that I would feel 100% safe with for any kind of breech birth. I also know several to stay away from

pm me if you want her number.

I would homebirth a breech way way way before I would even consider a CS for one....But that is just me and I have have 5 previous babies. I would also look at spinningbabies.com for some help in flipping, but I would not do a version, again, that is just me....

I'm not in TN, but my mom is. I could stay with her if neccessary. I'll pm you for that number.

Versions seem pretty extreme to me too...I need to research that some more as well

[mamakaikai]

I would deliver a breech baby in hospital no problem. I would hesitate for a homebirth breech. I would need to feel very confident in my midwife and have to ask her some questions first. My current midwifery clinic has only attended 12 home births, all vertex, last year. SO I would not with them even if they wanted to, which they would not.

There is one midwife I know who I would feel very safe delivering a breech at home with. She has spent a lot of time overseas delivering many many many breech babies and is actively teaching the ob's in our community how to do it. Our community actually has changed their position on vaginal breech and has started to do them. With this midwife I would happily do a homebirth breech. But not a footling. I would never attempt a breech UC though. I do think there are a few more risks than with a vaginal birth. I would and have considered a vertex UC.

[Oliver'sMom]

Well, I've called around A LOT and not a single hospital or birthing center in my area has a doctor or midwife who will perform a vaginal breech delivery. It's all straight to the cutting board.

So, it looks like a hospital birth is out for me.

I'm thinking my course of action is to stay put for a frank breech, and go to TN for a footling. I just need to call up Ina Mae to see if she can fit me in

[tcooper]

Originally Posted by Oliver'sMom

This is too funny, because while researching online last night I thought to myself, "man, I wish I could have Ina Mae Gaskin help me deliver." I just looked up where the farm is and it's only an hour and a half drive from my mom's house!

Um... This is freaking awesome! The farm is my place of choice, but I'm about 15 hours away. I say, head there! I am totally jealous!

[MJB]

I would birth a breech at home. I pushed for less than 10 minutes with both of my sons (8.3 and 9.0 lbs). I would either do a land birth on hands and knees or a semi-sitting water birth.
I apprenticed for 2+ years with a homebirth midwife who does attend breech, although I never got to attend one personally. I would attempt a version first but I would not consent to a c-section with breech as the only indicator. I *have* attended a version and it is something I think is worth attempting.
I had a UC with my last and am having another UC. I'm 90% sure baby is head down but it's strangely difficult to palpate myself. If a butt comes first, I'll go with it.

[*KaiMom*]

I'd do it if I had confidence in my mw and her abilities. How many has she done? What were the outcomes of those? How confident is she?