Need some encouragement please! « Back to Group Discussions

[BeanBean06]

So we had another growth scan this morning and my last cervical scan and my cervix is linger than its ever been! The word PERFECT was used! So that's awesome! Baby is measuring small... Just in the 28% for weight at 4lbs 2oz at 33weeks. He said at minimum they'd like to see a 33weeker at like 4.8. So I've gotta go back in 3 weeks for another to check her weight...

I'm a little worried abt her size but not too much... While I was a BIG baby lol (over 10lbs at 10 days early LOL) my DH was 2.5 weeks overdue and just 7lbs. So she's just taking after her daddy

Here's where I need the encouragement... With all the issues we've had with the pregnancy she has been "head down" and ready to come out, pretty much the whole time! And NOW that we are just weeks away from when she'll be allowed to come as she pleases... SHE'S BREECH! I know babies can turn later on... But my drs are saying that if she isn't turned by 36 weeks (when they take the stitch out) that they prefer to just leave the stitch in a schedule a section I DO NOT want a section... But feel pretty discouraged with how grim they were abt her likelihood of turning now was not high... Like I needed more to stress abt. *sigh*

Any positive stories of "late" turning babes would be awesome!!

[TIFF4NY]

Please try not to stress too much! There is still a lot of time for her to turn back. Maybe try spending a lot of time on your hands and knees? I know there are other techniques I'm sure will be suggested here. 

[Cali2SC]

Hugs BeanBean!  I hope that some suggestions are given for encouraging a breech baby to turn.  I can look some up for you, but I do not have any personal experience.  

What I am dealing with is trying to avoid as many interventions as possible (including c-section) within the confines of the MFMs' set up.  Maybe you can buy yourself some extra time incase she is still breech at 36 weeks... Talk to your drs. about leaving the stich in at 36 weeks but not scheduling the c-section for much later (41 wks though they may say no, then ask about 40 wks., then 39...)  Push it back as far as you can and maybe argue that due to her small size you would like to give her a bit more time before surgery.....  Not sure if that will work, but it may be worth a try.  Have them monitor her positioning right up to the time of surgery and if she does turn then maybe they can remove the stich and proceed with a vaginal birth.  Hopefully she will turn before 36 weeks so you don't have the stress of a surgery looming over you.  

Also ask what kind of breech position she is in.  Some breech positions are able to be delivered vaginally.  Though I suspect that being "high risk", your drs are less likely to even entertain the idea of a breech baby being delivered vaginally.  You could bring it up if you wanted to feel it out as an option or let them know that you are willing to explore all options before agreeing to a c-section.

Did your drs. offer any advice for encouraging baby to turn?  How about your mfm nurse?  (My nurse is sooooo supportive and open to helping me any way she can, as opposed to the drs, that just want to stick to their normal one size fits all routine, regardless of my particular situation.)  

 Remember to breathe!  

Oh! check out the "transverse anyone?" thread.  Just saw that spinningbabies website was mentioned and there was another mama there with a breech baby working on getting baby into optimal position.

[BeanBean06]

Thank you both!!

Cali- oh I'm gonna fight for them to let me be for a while if she isn't turned yet! I've heard from a few friends that had their babies turn way later! One not even til 40 weeks and he was born a few days later! But they can't leave the stitch in past 36... 37 at the very latest! Because any strong contractions with a stitch in is very dangerous as the cervix could open around the stitch and the stitch could rip into the cervix and cause major damage, hemorrhaging...etc. so if she isn't flipped by 36 then I'm just gonna have to fight for it! But I have a big mouth and so does my hubby and there is no way I'm scheduling a section that early!!! But I'm really praying she'll just turn so I don't have to fight with them lol also she is feet down and her head is up by my ribs in the right side... And none of the drs or midwives at my practice will even entertain a vaginal breech birth... So yeah. *sigh* but My MFM told me today, that because my cervical length is SO good! As long as I keep an eye on contractions I can start sitting on a birth ball a bit for short periods throughout the day! He said it would help my posture, strengthen my legs a bit and maybe help baby turn. So fingers crossed it doesn't make me contract and hopefully it'll help her turn!!! She also HATES cold on my belly (she tries to move away EVERYTIME DH touches my belly with cold hands lol) SOOOO mean momma that I am if she doesn't move ill have to try some ice packs on the top of my tummy LOL

[MommyRuth]

My daughter was breech until 36 weeks, when I had an external version, which turned her head down. In hindsight, I would have done other things first. Spinningbabies.com is an excellent resource. I've been doing versions every day for almost this entire pregnancy. You'd probably want to make sure it's ok for you, but it sounds like it can help! There's also chiropractic, acupuncture, and moxibustion. Positive thinking can't hurt, either.

I have to ask if your OB mentioned version? 36 weeks is thought of as the optimal time to do it. There's still plenty of room then (so there's DEFINITELY still enough room now!) Stay strong! You get to make the choices that are best for you and your baby! Hugs, mama!

[BeanBean06]

Originally Posted by MommyRuth 

My daughter was breech until 36 weeks, when I had an external version, which turned her head down. In hindsight, I would have done other things first. Spinningbabies.com is an excellent resource. I've been doing versions every day for almost this entire pregnancy. You'd probably want to make sure it's ok for you, but it sounds like it can help! There's also chiropractic, acupuncture, and moxibustion. Positive thinking can't hurt, either.

I have to ask if your OB mentioned version? 36 weeks is thought of as the optimal time to do it. There's still plenty of room then (so there's DEFINITELY still enough room now!) Stay strong! You get to make the choices that are best for you and your baby! Hugs, mama!

I will for sure check out spinningbabies. And while my MFM didn't mention a version... The midwife at my practice mentioned it at our birthing class and said their success rates are pretty high! So I'm hoping they will let me try that if she hasn't turned by 36. I do know they won't do it in the office tho, I'd have to go to the hospital.

[MommyRuth]

Originally Posted by BeanBean06 

Originally Posted by MommyRuth 

My daughter was breech until 36 weeks, when I had an external version, which turned her head down. In hindsight, I would have done other things first. Spinningbabies.com is an excellent resource. I've been doing versions every day for almost this entire pregnancy. You'd probably want to make sure it's ok for you, but it sounds like it can help! There's also chiropractic, acupuncture, and moxibustion. Positive thinking can't hurt, either.

I have to ask if your OB mentioned version? 36 weeks is thought of as the optimal time to do it. There's still plenty of room then (so there's DEFINITELY still enough room now!) Stay strong! You get to make the choices that are best for you and your baby! Hugs, mama!

I will for sure check out spinningbabies. And while my MFM didn't mention a version... The midwife at my practice mentioned it at our birthing class and said their success rates are pretty high! So I'm hoping they will let me try that if she hasn't turned by 36. I do know they won't do it in the office tho, I'd have to go to the hospital.

I've been doing INversions, not versions. Just wanted to clarify. Darn pregnancy brain! :-)

[brooklyn_warbler]

Yes, look at spinning babies.  Lots of good info there.  Not sure how inversions would work with your bedrest but I can't imagine they would be a problem at all.  Do them once a day.  Lots of talking to baby, thinking good head down thoughts.  Acupuncture and chiropractic (webster technique)!  I have no doubt she can turn and WILL!  Definitely do not let them pressure you into a scheduled c-section at 36w.  Good gosh.  There's been so much discussion lately about how scheduling an induction or c-section that early is not at all healthy for babe, you would think practitioners would stay abreast of such info.  She's little, and spinning cause she has lots of room!   Mine appears to be on the smaller side too and it still doing acrobatics as well.
 

[omphaloskepsis]

Oh goodness!! I don't have experience with turning a breech baby, but I just wanted to send ((((HUGS)))) to you, sweet mama! I know there is definitely still plenty of opportunity for her to turn (and especially like brooklyn_warbler said, because she's on the small side it gives her even more room to flip around!). One tip that I have heard, but never tried (my boys seemed pretty comfy in the head down position, lol), is that you can put headphones down low on your belly and play music for baby so that they'll turn and listen to it. NO idea if it works, but it always sounded like a neat idea to me, and I can't see how it would hurt!

[bmcneal]

I don't have any personal experience, but I have heard lots of stories about babies waiting until the last minute to turn, sometimes even during labor, I think.  I've never tried spinning babies, but have heard lots of good reviews about it, so I would definitely check it out! I'm sending good head down vibes to you and baby.

[firespiritmelody]

Nothing else to add but She's still got time to turn, ESPECIALLY if she's measuring small!

[Kara9080]

Originally Posted by firespiritmelody 

Nothing else to add but She's still got time to turn, ESPECIALLY if she's measuring small!

Yes, this. No advice, haven't been in your shoes but I feel for ya.

[BeanBean06]

Thanks everyone so much!!! Well I tried the one inversion position this morning for about 20 minutes. And then was busy getting ready for my dr appt (we had to see a child cardiologist today to get a fetal echocardiogram of the baby) and she was super active and busy moving around... WELL!!! He starts the ultrasound and this little bogger flipped AGAIN! And is now head down LOL my DH & I couldn't help but laugh... She obviously is still small enough to flip and go all over OR that inversion position works FAST! Lol so anyway, here's to hoping she stays put! Lol

[brooklyn_warbler]

Originally Posted by BeanBean06 

Thanks everyone so much!!! Well I tried the one inversion position this morning for about 20 minutes. And then was busy getting ready for my dr appt (we had to see a child cardiologist today to get a fetal echocardiogram of the baby) and she was super active and busy moving around... WELL!!! He starts the ultrasound and this little bogger flipped AGAIN! And is now head down LOL my DH & I couldn't help but laugh... She obviously is still small enough to flip and go all over OR that inversion position works FAST! Lol so anyway, here's to hoping she stays put! Lol

YAY!  Mine is head-down at the moment also but has done that 180 4 times in the last week alone!  However, s/he always goes back to cephalic (head down) if I ask him/her to or do some inversions.  Cooperative beebs.  :)

[Greenlea]

I'm sorry that sounds like a load of BS. Wanting to do a section because baby isn't head down at 36 weeks? Many babies turn right before labor. Many babies drop right before labor.  At any rate, even if baby is still breech on your due date, going into labor then having a c-section sounds better for baby than inducing early. If they think your baby is small, they should be leaving it in for as long as possible IMO. Don't let them scare you into a c-section if its not what you want. 

I am 30 weeks and baby is still spinning around and changing positions everyday. Thats what they do! Especially with subsequent babies, they have more room due to our uterus stretching more. (This isn't your 1st right?)  It just pushes my buttons when doctors use scare tactics for no reason. A women can vaginally deliver a breech baby if needed / wanted anyway. I know not all docs do them though.

If you are that concerned just keep doing the inversion positions or the cat / table / cow on your knees and baby should be just fine. Good luck!

[BeanBean06]

Originally Posted by Greenlea 

I'm sorry that sounds like a load of BS. Wanting to do a section because baby isn't head down at 36 weeks? Many babies turn right before labor. Many babies drop right before labor.  At any rate, even if baby is still breech on your due date, going into labor then having a c-section sounds better for baby than inducing early. If they think your baby is small, they should be leaving it in for as long as possible IMO. Don't let them scare you into a c-section if its not what you want. 

I am 30 weeks and baby is still spinning around and changing positions everyday. Thats what they do! Especially with subsequent babies, they have more room due to our uterus stretching more. (This isn't your 1st right?)  It just pushes my buttons when doctors use scare tactics for no reason. A women can vaginally deliver a breech baby if needed / wanted anyway. I know not all docs do them though.

If you are that concerned just keep doing the inversion positions or the cat / table / cow on your knees and baby should be just fine. Good luck!

Don't worry I won't agree to a section that early! No way! And no this IS our first baby
And as of yesterday she is head down again ill be 34 weeks on Monday