breech baby

[Sonnenblume]

Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone has birthed a breech baby (knowingly) at home and what needs to be considered when doing so? I heard upright positions are important, but otherwise I couldn´t find much info about it.
Midwives are not allowed to accompany breech homebirths in my country - yet I believe that a breech baby is a natural variation and need not necessarily be a C-section. I do not want to be slashed open!
I know I still have plenty of time and little baby may still turn around but I would like to consider my options.
Thanks to you all!

[Kimrose]

Sonnenblume - for what it's worth - my son was "missed breech" and born in a hospital in 2005 - meaning that I had the all-natural labor right to pushing that I wanted - it was VERY hard labor - we think he may have been posterior as well/back labor. As I was pushing him out they realized it was his little butt/frank breech - and I had an emergency cesarean that left me with a "T" incision. In the end, NOT a happy story.
BUT - my reason for writing is that I ABSOLUTELY AGREE and am SO SURE that if I had a knowledgeable attendant my son would have been born with a few pushes. I never expected in a million years to have a "surprise" breech position until that point and wished I'd prepared for breech/knew what to do in my research I do know that "frank breech" is the most "ideal" breech position for vag. delivery. (I'm sure you've done your own research A couple things I read - that if you do have back labor, the longer you labor w/it the more likely baby is to get "set" in that position - so any "trying to turn" should be as early as you can in labor...that said - even if your LO doesn't turn - yes, what I went through/labor was tough - but I would STILL pick it agin in a second over the cesarean!!!! If I were you...I would TRY to find ANYONE knowledgeable in breech delivery/with some experience - so you have someone reminding/helping you change position/whatever - and knows how to handle baby coming out since "hands off" is thought to be better...and I'd totally educate myself and partner if you have one - on best things/necessary to do during labor/delivery. Sorry to be so long - it's just a topic that's close to my heart I'm hoping my baby now doesn't end up breech simply b/c I have enough to think about w/the "T" incision and anterior placenta I've got going on ;( - we were shooting for a HBAC but have been risked out of our MW's care so trying to be positive Feel like I've rambled - sorry if I have Also - for what it's worth - I wasn't even looking and have seen a couple posted breech homebirth videos - worth looking into. I TOTALLY think you're smart to look into it "just in case" even as you hope your baby will turn - I would make sure I knew everything I could - and then get ready to greet your beautifull baby!!!! If you ever needed a cesarean (fingers crossed/knock on wood), it shouldn't be "just for breech". Best wishes that it all goes GREAT, EASY and WONDERFUL!!!!

[la mamita]

my mom had two breech babies at home...both were frank breech due to a heart-shaped uterus. i know she ended up birthing on a birthing stool. i think having a midwife with experience in breech birth is key. hers had attended quite a few.

[TyrantOfTheWeek]

I know you have to be pretty "hands off" when delivering a breech baby and most OBs would never dream of being hands off.

[smeep]

I don't really have any tips on birthing breech, but I do have a suggestion. Since they're not legally allowed to attend breech homebirths, perhaps you could talk to your midwife and say something along the lines of, "Well, if we don't officially know baby is breech and it's a surprise breech we'd just have to continue on if nothing happens, right? *wink wink*" Or see if you could find another hbmw who would be willing to just "oops/wink wink" a breech birth.

[MsBlack]

Originally Posted by smeep

I don't really have any tips on birthing breech, but I do have a suggestion. Since they're not legally allowed to attend breech homebirths, perhaps you could talk to your midwife and say something along the lines of, "Well, if we don't officially know baby is breech and it's a surprise breech we'd just have to continue on if nothing happens, right? *wink wink*" Or see if you could find another hbmw who would be willing to just "oops/wink wink" a breech birth.

Smeep--I (of course) love your idea...but my daughter lives in Austria and well--I'm very curious to know what Sonnenblume thinks. Of course my dd is only one example in one area...used same midwife both times...but my impression is that this scenario is much more likely here, than there

What do you think, Sonnenblume? This is info my daughter might really want to know!

[miss_nikki]

I gave birth in August to a frank breech. Labor was about 13 hours long and the contractions were intense for a good portion of it. I think remembering general natural birthing things such as staying within your body, trusting that it can birth your baby, is a good start. Drink a nice strong cup of RRL tea during labor. My water broke within minutes of drinking it. And not long after that my boy was in my arms. Take your time. Baby may go in and out a bit as your pushing, that is normal. It is best if baby isn't touched but it can be instinctual for you to reach for them. If you do, make sure you don't pull on the baby. It would be great if you could find a mw with experience, but making sure you are as educated as possible about what to expect and how to make the birth as smooth as possible is important too. I recommend watching breech birth videos and reading positive breech birth stories. I'd share my video with you but I don't have it online or anything at this time.

Here is the story of my son's birth - http://www.mothering.com/discussions...345&highlight=

[emily11megan]

Waterbirth can be great for breech births! There are some amazing videos online you can search for. The water allows the baby to move freely and does not stimulate them to attempt to breathe before the head is born. It helps the mother relax and breathe through contractions, to allow the head to come through gently. I have seen a few homeborn breech babies, both expected and surprise, and all came out just fine! Read positive stories and make sure your midwife is secure in catching a breech! Sometimes, the attendant can panic and cause a problem that wouldn't naturally occur. You can do it!! Good luck.

[nia82]

Are you close to the German border? Just in case, there are many obgyns who do hands-off breech births and EU health insurance should apply.

[Ks Mama]

I agree that breech is a variation on the norm! I wish that attitude was more prevalent - it sure USED to be!
I just wrote a post about options I tried to turn my breech babies (my 1st turned in my 39th week, my 2nd didn't turn, was delivered for reasons unrelated to breech, via emergency C in my 36th week)... you may have tried some or all of these, but maybe it will be some help!
http://www.kellynaturally.com/post/T...eech-Baby.aspx

Good luck to you & I hope you find the help you need to birth your baby in the most comfortable way possible for you both!