Baby is breech and I'm freaking out!

[happymamajenni]

This baby hasn't turned yet, and I am 35 weeks. I wasn't really concerned until I had a talk with a friend today. She goes to the same OB as me and her son was breech. The doctor at 36 weeks said that if she couldn't turn the baby because of low amniotic fluid that she was going to do a c-section. Well, she ended up with a c-section at 37 weeks. Since my 36 week appt is next week I am thinking this is going to be discussed, and I don't know what to do.

Has anyone had a similar situation, and what did the doctor do? Does anyone know any way to encourage the baby to turn on it's own? I guess I just don't want to end up with a c-section two weeks from now.

[heveasoul]

Have you considered acupuncture? I've read about great results with turning the baby with acupuncature and moxibustion. Also, external manipulation and homeopathy...

I did a quick google - here is the first result, and it talks about all three:
http://www.pregnancy.com.au/breech_babies.htm

[mainemom]

My baby hasn't turned yet, either. It is transverse. My midwife suggested lying on an inverted weight bench with my feet at the top and my head at the bottom, or lying on pillows to the same effect. So far, I haven't been able to do it since I'm struggling with a major head cold! I am 33 weeks this week. I do know that if the baby doesn't turn on its own, my midwife knows how to manipulate it, but I've heard this can be unpleasant??

Heava, thanks for the link. I'm going to check it out. Also, look around for an OB who will deliver a breech naturally. They do exist, though they are rare. Ask at LLL or birth centers for suggestions, also. susan

[wtchyhlr]

mines been headdown since like week 24. I'm terrified that s/he will do a flip and be breech....

[Periwinkle]

I'm 34 weeks and mine hasn't turned yet either. Was vertex, then transverse, then breech for a while. Now my midwife things he/she is transverse again.

I've been really careful about my position (not reclining, etc.) but I'm starting to get worried. My midwife said they don't start doing any interventions until 36 weeks. Isn't this too late?

[happymamajenni]

Okay, so I just tried soft music and light at the bottom of my stomach and a bag of frozen green beans at the top, and nothing happened...he just kicked at the music and light. Then I tried some heavy metal music at the top, but he didn't react to that.
My two year old was curious as to what I was doing...I told her I was playing music for Parker, and she asked if I was feeding him too, I can only guess she meant the green beans.

[Free Thinker]

:LOL Kids! :LOL I hope he liked the green beans! I know of a woman who's baby just turned about 37 weeks, w/o any exercises. They were talking C-sec, but baby turned on his own. Have you checked out the thread on turning babies in the archives? I don't think I would submit to any c-sec. stuff until after my EDD, and you are still 4 weeks away. Baby could very well turn on his own, or you could to the exercises at home to try to help Hope everything goes okay w/ the OB

[lasofia]

Here's another site with a couple methods for turning breech (as well as other info). It's from a midwife site, their archives:
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/breech.html

[threeforme2005]

My OB hasn't said one way or another on which way the baby is laying. Now you have me all worried She heard the heartbeat down by my belly button today though...is that a good sign? Every appointment I forget to ask which way the baby is laying in there. Here's a for you all. Try not to worry too much.

[melissa_745]

The International Cesarean Awareness Network (http://www.ican-online.org/) has a lot of good resources for breech babies.

One technique that seems to have a lot of success is called the Webster Technique and can be done by a chiropractor.

Good luck!
Melissa
Due w/#2 2/23/05

[sadkitty]

We went to the doctore yesterday fully expecting to have to turn Nigel because he ahs been transverse for 10 weeks (i'm 36.5 weeks now) and what do you know... he had magically turned head down the night before! Still we got a cute ultrasound pic They mostly wanted to make sure no placenta or cord was in the way if he had to be turned.

With the glorious gift of hindsight, I would say don't worry too much. My mom said they turned my bro as soon as she was fully dialated, so it would seem there is always time.

[happymamajenni]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I have the names and numbers of an acupuncturist and or a chiropractor who I can call as a last resort...I'll just wait until my 36 week appt. next Thursday to see what the OB says.

[kater07]

What kind of doctor does a C/S for a breech baby at 37 weeks???? That's a bit much I think! You do NOT NOT NOT have to EVER Consent to a c/s.

Could your friend have had other issues besides just a breech baby? Low amniotic fluid can be remedied with drinking lots of water and being monitored for distress. Maybe there was more to the dangerous 37wk c/s than your friend told you. Was she pre-eclamptic or maybe having dangerously high BP? Was the baby actually in distress? There must be more to this than just a breech baby. Or, maybe I am dreaming that a doctor wouldn't risk prematurity without serious reasons.

Google stuff like "turning breech baby" and see what you get. You can try laying on an ironing board for a few minutes each day, talk to the baby, have your DH/SO talk to your tummy down low and you can try shining a very bright flash light down by your pubic bones. Talk your baby into turning and realize that babies can be breech up until birth. Nothing says that there's a specific time that babies MUST turn or WILL turn. Some babies don't turn until labor starts.

Do NOT bring up the breech position with your doctor unless your doc brings it up and you may refuse any procedure that you don't want. You also shouldn't need ultrasounds to verify position. The doctor should be able to tell baby's position by feeling your belly.

Just relax as much as possible and do some baby turning exersises and talk to baby about going head down.

Good luck... I am certain that you will be perfectly ok. Just don't let your OB be a SCARE-provider rather than a CARE-provider.

Hugs!

[Quirky]

Also, since this is your third baby, your uterus is much more stretched out and roomy :LOL so baby has more room to maneuver. In second and higher births, many babies don't turn until way late in the pregnancy.

If you're looking into chiropractic, look for someone trained in the Webster technique. Also, start paying attention to your optimal fetal positioning -- google that phrase and you'll get lots of great sites like www.spinningbabies.com and http://www.homebirth.org.uk/ofp.htm

ITA, sectioning for a breech baby at 37 weeks is sick and wrong. Even if your baby stays breech all the way up to labor, you can decide to have a section if you want to once you've gone into labor - there's plenty of time at that point, and you know baby is ready to be born.