I need to be prepared for a (possibly breech) *oops*

[corrabelle]

My babies are born quickly. I don't know that it's happening until it's way too late. I have what seems like inactive labour for a month before the baby is born, braxton hick type contractions. But then they *work*. I was almost completely dialated with both kids, for 2 weeks before I had them. And unfortunately, my water doesn't break until their heads are just about out, either. So I really do have very little warning.

Here's the situation.

I have a midwife, and wasn't really thinking of going for an UC. However, my midwife doesn't deliver breech babies at home, only in the hospital. I do *not* want to go to a hospital. (and honestly, I really don't think that there will be time.)

The midwifery centre that i'm with, suggests that what they'll do (for fast labourers who they can't assist with a home birth) is induce the mother slightly before the due date, so that the mother isn't at risk of going into labour on her own.

I really don't think that this is a great idea, i've never needed to be induced, and I really hate the idea of it with passion.

With my first son the midwife didn't make it in time (I arrived at the hospital crowning) I was alone with my mom and a really nervous student nurse. It was actually the sweetest, least invasive birth ever, since the student nurse didn't even really know what to do, and missed the birth itself because she ran to get an OB.

With my second son, I had a midwife, again, in the hospital, but she didn't really do much, other than catch the baby. After that birth though, she told me that I really needed to be prepared for a home birth "next time", as I barely made it there.

Now i'm due with number 3 in october, and currently she's breech. (I know that she still has a lot of time to turn, so i'm not letting that be a huge factor right now. I plan on going to the chiro soon for a webster and i'll see what happens.)

I know, hands down, unless I go to 44 weeks or something, I will NOT be induced. (and i've never gone overdue.)

I also know that I won't have a lot of time to get to a hospital, if any.

So, that leaves me with UC-which, honestly, doesn't sound that bad, given my history of quick deliveries, and my overall hatred for hospitals. I'd still keep my midwife, and love it if she could *make it* in time, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if she just showed up afterward. (Like my first.)

I don't know where to start on this. If it wasn't for the "induction" scare, i'd probably just go with the midwife at the hospital to keep peace. I really don't think that an induction before my due date is a good idea though. And, I don't want to mess with hormones that will cause me to labour in a way that my body isn't designed to. My body seems to do a really good job of labouring on it's own, in it's own way.
 

Any advice on where to start on this? What I need to be prepared (both in knowledge and supplies...)

Am I completely off my rocker for even entertaining the thought of possibly having a breech baby, unassisted?

[csbwhite]

Nope, you are perfectly sane. I think you can have the birth you put your mind and heart to. I definitely think a breech birth is safe. I definitely think you have time to prepare for a UC. What have you learned so far? I like Special Delivery as a reference. The Thinking Woman's Guide is a must read. Emergency Childbirth, too. The internet has plenty of great info on breech deliveries. This group has references and examples of women giving birth to a breech baby UC. You just need to ask and keep asking and do some searching. I will look for you, too, OK? How has this pregnancy gone? How do you feel? Please be vocal and reach out any time! Supplies for any birth can be as simple as some towels and something sterile to cut the cord, to a long list of misc items. It all depends on what you feel you may need and what you plan on doing/using. Congratulations on #3! So happy to meet you and I am thrilled for you!

Susie

[IwannaBanRN]

If baby hasn't turned in the next 5-8 weeks, couldn't you have your midwife turn your baby?

[Devaskyla]

I personally think everyone should be prepared for a UC, no matter what their actual plans are, because you just never know. Just of people I actually know IRL, which is a very small group, there are 2 women whose babies arrived before the midwife did.

There are some wonderful pictures and information online about birthing a breech baby & what the attendant needs to do (or not do) in order for it to be safe. I have heard of women having a completely solo breech UC, but it's probably easier if you have someone who is willing to really read up on it with you who can watch how things are going and give you guidance.

Have you looked into the various breech turning techniques? It might be good to start working on some of them now, as well as going to the chiropractor. Hopefully the breech part is a moot point and baby will either have turned by then or turn during labour.

[JamieCatheryn]

Waters not breaking until the end is a huge plus in case of breech birth, since some breech positions are at high risk of cord prolapse. I'd try as much as possible to turn that baby first, posture and positioning stuff from http://spinningbabies.com , ECV, chiropractic, heck maybe even moxibustion. It's way harder and a bit more risky to birth a breech baby, that's part of why the midwives are so wary. Keep an eye on that baby's position and check out the guidelines about breech on the off chance you end up on your own without this one turning (holding back on pushing until full dilation so the head can fit, no touching the baby's body til the head's out, watching out for a foot or cord coming early)

[SoCaliMommy]

 Here are two links that talk about breech birth  and show somewhat graphic pictures

http://www.homebirth.net.au/2008/03/breech-variation-of-normal.html

http://www.homebirth.net.au/2011/03/mechanism-of-breech.html

[lovestolearn]

Rixa's blog has some good articles recently on breech birth.  Also, you may want to read Laura Shanley's UC breech birth story for inspiration.

[Lizbiz]

So... I've had one midwife assisted homebirth and one UC - both very normal births.  I did a lot of homework prior to both of them.  They were wonderful, empowering experiences.  But, if my baby were breech, I personally would not attempt a UC.  That's totally me though - it's just out of my comfort zone.  If your midwife can still assist you at the hospital - why not just try to make it there at the first sign of anything that looks like real labor?  I'd also prepare for the possibility that you might not make it and get educated about breech birth if you do need to handle it at home.  I'd try to avoid induction, if at all possible - although I don't think it'd likely be the end of the world.  I do know a good number of women whose inductions did not lead to cascades of interventions or other horror stories, but rather to simple, uncomplicated births.

At least, that's my initial gut reaction.  You've got time and hopefully that baby will turn one way or another!

[corrabelle]

Thanks everyone, you've given me a lot of good links/resources, and a lot to think about!

Originally Posted by IwannaBanRN 

If baby hasn't turned in the next 5-8 weeks, couldn't you have your midwife turn your baby?

First we'll attempt the webster technique with chiro-but if that doesn't work I'll definitely ask the midwife to try. (She has a specialist that she works with that does this.)
 

Originally Posted by Lizbiz 

So... I've had one midwife assisted homebirth and one UC - both very normal births.  I did a lot of homework prior to both of them.  They were wonderful, empowering experiences.  But, if my baby were breech, I personally would not attempt a UC.  That's totally me though - it's just out of my comfort zone.  If your midwife can still assist you at the hospital - why not just try to make it there at the first sign of anything that looks like real labor?  I'd also prepare for the possibility that you might not make it and get educated about breech birth if you do need to handle it at home.  I'd try to avoid induction, if at all possible - although I don't think it'd likely be the end of the world.  I do know a good number of women whose inductions did not lead to cascades of interventions or other horror stories, but rather to simple, uncomplicated births.

At least, that's my initial gut reaction.  You've got time and hopefully that baby will turn one way or another!

If at all possible, I would like to NOT have a breech UC. (or any form of breech birth, come to think of it! haha.)
 However, given my history, I might very well have an UC. I'm really crossing my fingers that she's not still breech at this point. I'd feel really irresponsible though to not prepare for it.
 

It's not just the way that induction will impact labour that has me worried, but that they'd want to do it at 38 weeks. This could open up a lot of risks for the baby-especially if they're off at all with the dating.

I had a friend who was induced early because the ultrasound said the baby was overdue (based on size)...but when she was born she was only about 5 lbs, and had a real struggle with breathing. They thought that they had induced her at 41.5 weeks, but realized after that she was maybe only 35 weeks. (Based on the sizes of her previous children, who were all 7-8lbs each.) This kind of thing scares me or than anything.

I still plan on calling our midwife when the time comes, and I really would like it if she could make it on time. I'm really not against having someone help me, especially with a breech baby. (again, can we all just cross our fingers/pray that this baby does flip?) 
Unless there is some drastic medical reason though, I won't consent to being induced.

Originally Posted by csbwhite 

Nope, you are perfectly sane. I think you can have the birth you put your mind and heart to. I definitely think a breech birth is safe. I definitely think you have time to prepare for a UC. What have you learned so far? I like Special Delivery as a reference. The Thinking Woman's Guide is a must read. Emergency Childbirth, too. The internet has plenty of great info on breech deliveries. This group has references and examples of women giving birth to a breech baby UC. You just need to ask and keep asking and do some searching. I will look for you, too, OK? How has this pregnancy gone? How do you feel? Please be vocal and reach out any time! Supplies for any birth can be as simple as some towels and something sterile to cut the cord, to a long list of misc items. It all depends on what you feel you may need and what you plan on doing/using. Congratulations on #3! So happy to meet you and I am thrilled for you!

Susie

So far this pregnancy has gone really well. I haven't had any problems other than some swollen ankles after a long plane ride.
I do have SPD (I have with every preganncy so far, not comfortable, but not really threatening either.)

I'll most likely already have supplies here, because the midwives send a huge kit home with you around 36 weeks so that it's already here when they arrive. (consists of sterile clamps, chux pads, scissors etc. The kit is the size of a hockey bag, massive!)

I'd LOVE to have a waterbirth, but I don't think i'd attempt it if the baby is breech. Sounds a little too complicated. That, and even if the baby isn't breech, i've come to deal with the fact that if there isn't time to get to a hospital, there probably isn't going to be time to fill a pool either...
 

My sister did have a cool idea though...she suggested setting up a pool  and filling it with water several days before I think that i might go into labour..(or just before my due date.) Cover it, and then when the time comes, hop in and have my husband start adding hot water to it.

The only thing I don't know of though is whether or not it's a good idea to birth in water that's been siting there a few days open to bacteria. We'd use a cover, but still, i'm just not sure if it's a good idea.

Has anyone done that before?
 

[mtn.mama]

I'm sending your baby encouragement to flip when the time is right!  For what it's worth, we used an outdoor hottub filled with water from our spring.  Labor started with my water breaking and I went 46 hours in and out of the tub before transporting.  No infection but my immune system is pretty bomber.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  Good luck!

[Earthy Birthy]

Originally Posted by SoCaliMommy 

 Here are two links that talk about breech birth  and show somewhat graphic pictures

http://www.homebirth.net.au/2008/03/breech-variation-of-normal.html

http://www.homebirth.net.au/2011/03/mechanism-of-breech.html

I was going to point you to Lisa's website too. She has a lot of information on breech birth on there, and some wonderful pics/videos. I also love how she refers to breech births as a "variation of normal". Attending her session at the Trust Birth Conference last year was amazing, and helped me realize that breech birth really is just another way that babies are born. Your baby still has a lot of time to turn, but meanwhile, I think that learning more about the mechanics of breech birth should take some of the "scary" out of it. Oh, and this is a good website too: http://www.breechbirth.ca/Welcome.html

ETA: And for what it's worth, the one breech birth that I have had the privilege to assist with was a tiny Asian woman who barely weighed 100 lbs full term.Her husband was a small man also. It was her first baby, and we knew that the baby was breech, but she made the decision to stay home. The baby was "helped" WAY too much during the birth by fearful midwives (one of whom had attended a handful of breech births over the years), which resulted in a bit of a stuck head. (I was holding one of the mom's legs during pushing.) However, the head was delivered with some good effort on the part of the mom, and the sweet little baby was totally fine. Witnessing that birth caused me to do more of my own research into breech birth, and that is how I came across Lisa's website. I love how hands off she is, and I think that it is absolutely critical to be hands off with a breech baby to let them do their own "dance" out.
 

Edited by Earthy Birthy - 8/9/11 at 4:51pm

[MissMia]

If the baby continues to be breech, water birth is a great option.  When the baby comes out butt/feet first, there is a risk of the baby taking its first breath while its butt and umbilical cord are exposed to colder air and head is still inside the mother.  This is less of a concern in water, and IMO I would be more comfortable birthing a breech baby into water than air.  But I am very comfortable with UC and breech UC, so know that about me.  

[corrabelle]

The little miss has flipped, and is now head down. I don't know if it's a coincidence, but she flipped right after I tried the peppermint oil trick.

So now, I just need to be prepared for a possibly UC. (unless she flips back. Crossing my fingers that she doesnt...)

[saoirse2007]

hi corrabelle....

I have been lurking on this board since I found out that I was pg ;)

I had a superfast birth with dd and this time the hospital and midwife is 30-40 min away....

...the midwives told me to call them if I felt so much as a twinge...lol...so that they could get here in time

I do not have access to all of the books that are suggested on here but I did download the emergency childbirth guide. I am 30 weeks now and when I start to gather my things for the homebirth I will make sure I have a few extras...such as something to tie off the cord

you mentioned that your midwives give you a kit...WOW...what is in it....I was just given a list to buy

[corrabelle]

Originally Posted by saoirse2007 

hi corrabelle....

I have been lurking on this board since I found out that I was pg ;)

I had a superfast birth with dd and this time the hospital and midwife is 30-40 min away....

...the midwives told me to call them if I felt so much as a twinge...lol...so that they could get here in time

I do not have access to all of the books that are suggested on here but I did download the emergency childbirth guide. I am 30 weeks now and when I start to gather my things for the homebirth I will make sure I have a few extras...such as something to tie off the cord

you mentioned that your midwives give you a kit...WOW...what is in it....I was just given a list to buy

In all honesty, I have no clue! They don't give it to you until 36 weeks, as they won't deliver at home before that. All I know is that you have to put a whack of supplies in your fridge, and the rest is a pretty good sized duffle bag. (our midwives provide a pool too! which is pretty awesome.) I'll try to ask though next week what might be in that kit:)

[saoirse2007]

I might have to come over and have this baby at your house....lol