Had a Sonogram--Baby is Breech at 21 Weeks

[davesadoll]

Hello,

I am a mom of 2 and pregnant with #3. My sonogram at 21 weeks showed the baby is in breech position. My doc is not concerned at this point, but I am!

I am planning this delivery to be unmedicated, and the thought of a breech delivery scares me to death. Tell me what the odds are that the baby won't turn for delivery, and how will hte dic know? Another sonogram?

Please advise.

[Modesto Doula]

You shouldn't worry about the baby's position at 21 weeks. Most babies I know of have been breech or tranverse at this point. Most OBs wont be concerned about a baby's position until after 36 weeks, and there are many things you can do at that point to help the baby turn.
My own DD turned at 38 weeks, the night before my dr had scheduled a C-section. We had an external version that turned her from breech to transverse at 37 weeks. She waited til the last minute (only 3% of babies turn after 37 weeks), but she did finish turning, and we had a vaginal delivery 3 weeks later.
The point is, you have plenty of time.

[kama'aina mama]

relax!

It's not even considered breech at this point, I don't think. Your baby is right where s/he should be. Take it easy, don't worry almost all babies turn on their own, and mostly after about 30 weeks, I think. Do your pregnancy exercises, eat well and be happy. Your baby is doing great!

[MamaLeah]

I remember reading something that it has to do with the baby's size that makes them want to turn. When your baby is still so little, he or she is still able to do acrobats in your womb, no problem. But as a baby grows, space becomes tighter, and it is actually more comfortable to nuzzle their heads down in the tight space and leave more room to kick. And that happens close to full term. Someone with more knowldedge may be able to validate this, but it makes sense to me.

My baby didn't turn until 38 weeks, was feet-down (we think) most the time up till then. Best wishes.

[dandelion]

Most likely your baby will be head-down by the time you go into labor. but it's not so terrible if that doesn't happen. I had a breech homebirth and my baby came out very easily jusy as my midwives had assured me. I didn't even tear a bit and honestly felt that pushing was too easy! So if your baby doesn't turn, just find a midwife who's experienced in assisting at breech births and be amazed at how your baby will slide right out.

[kibbles]

My son spun round and round and round all the time. He was breech at week 34, by week 35 or 6 he was fine.

What everyone else said is true. I wouldn't worry.

[BusyMommy]

Don't!!!

My OB freaked me out about that time, too, and mentioned C Section, etc. I ran to a midwife who said, "Just relax!" I had my baby at home at 42 weeks in a hot tub w/no problems.

But, because I was freaked out, I did try a couple of things that worked. : I used the inversion table at a very SLIGHT angle for a few minutes/day. I also, , played music below my belly button to draw his attention.

Don't worry!!!!

[kibbles]

I cant say that this is the reason why, but the playing music reminded me of something:

With my son, my daughter was always talking to my bellybutton.

When I was told he was breech, I told her to talk lower down, and she did.

He turned on his own.

Maybe it wasnt just talk, and it really DID work!

[driad]

Your baby should technically be head up at this point... that is the norm.

[Raven]

My husband was breech until about a week before he was born and he turned on his own accord. My Dd was lying transverse at 36 weeks and I went for accupuncture.

Try spending about 10mins a day meditating and talking to you baby. My midwife suggested I visualise my baby turning and to keep talking to her.

I wouldn't stress too much as you still have a while to go...

[zombiemommie]

My son was transverse at his 20 week appt, and then at 28 weeks he was vertex. I fell in the yard and he wound up transverse again (at about 8 months), but good advice from a friend was to sit on the birth ball and bounce gently to help him find his way back. And he did !

I wound up with a csection, but for reasons not related to this.

[MacMommy23]

Don't worry...

It is perfectly normal for a babe to be head up at 21 weeks. Noah, my bigest babe by far did not turn until between 36 and 37 weeks. There are things you can do, but I would not even worry about it until you are 30 weeks or so.

I have heard butt first breeches are by far the easiest labors and the easiest to push out.

At 34 weeks or so, if the babe has still not turned, you may try going to a chiropractor with experience doing the Webster's Manuever, or seeking out a mw with experience in turning breeches.

I will wait and see to offer any other suggestions. I bet this babe turns! All but 4 percent or so do.

Warmly,
Jill

[Wendyesm]

Ditto, here-- and cheers for chiropractors!

I agree that it's way too early to worry about the baby's position, but for future reference just in case... My daughter was transverse at 38 weeks, and my midwife started talking about doing an external version. I read about what that entailed, and it sounded horrendous! Instead, I found a chiropractor who specialized in pregnant women and breech babies... two sessions later, my little girl turned right around. A lot of times babies go breech or transverse toward the end because your pelvis is out of alignment and it's uncomfortable for them to be head-down. Fix the underlying problem, get your pelvis back on track and your spine aligned properly, and presto! The baby will turn back naturally, because that's what feels best to them. This approach was really suited to my desire to do things with as little manual intervention as possible. I also soaked in a warm tub for a while every day and tried to relax my abdomen, which I think didn't hurt either.

But for now, so early in the pregnancy, don't worry! Just know that if worse comes to worst and you are close to your date, and the baby is not in position, there are less invasive ways to help things along.

Best of luck with your pregnancy, birth, and sweet baby!!
Wendy

[Kat20]

I was talking with my mom about several things, mainly midwives, and I brought up the fact that they will deliver breech badies, and do not consider it a problem. Well, some friends of my parents have two sons, and she mentioned that their younger son was a breech baby. Now, his mom did not have any choice since her labor went so fast, but their son was fine. I hope that this gives you some relief.

Good Luck with the remainder of your pregnancy and your birth.

[catcher2]

breech bb's

hang in there,most babies are alll over the place at 20 wks they can be in any positon at any time of day.. as a midwife i have caught a few breech's they know how to get out ,bb's are very smart
my ds who is 8wks old was breech until my labor started, he had aknot in his cord and didnt want to put his head down till he knew he was moving out,we did the 10 min labor deal so he made a quick move,all was welll...
dont fret the baby is well, take care of yourself... stress robs you of vitamins ....

[gentleheartdoula]

Check out the website www.spinningbabies.com. Tons of info on fetal positioning.

Don't worry! Your baby will turn!

[DoomaYula]

This thread is 6yo...

[tlcdoula]

Wow, how did it get pushed to the top after 6 yrs????? LOL

[Rockies5]

Originally Posted by YumaDoula

This thread is 6yo...

it's normal to be breech at 21 weeks. None of my five moved to vertes until at least 33 weeks. The first turned at 39weeks at the start of labor.

[Jane]

Hopefully her baby is "head up" by now!