Baby is breech :(

[mraven721]

and I'm discouraged. My midwife is concerned because I'm a VBAC she wants to do a version right away (before babe is too big and we can't move her). I'm seeing a chiropractor tomorrow, please keep your fingers crossed for me and send lots of heads down thoughts!!

[Sleepymama]

How many weeks are you? My only concern is that the baby might turn back...are they planning to induce you after they do the version?

Good luck with the chiro! I hear it takes a couple of visits to work so don't be discouraged if baby doesn't turn right away.

[CajunMama]

Aren't there stretches and massage techniques that help babe turn too? Acupunture may help too.

:

[mraven721]

No,no inductions here!

[Dreaming]

I hope your little one turns and stays head down!

I'm pretty sure my kid is breech right now (based on where I'm feeling kicks and hiccups). I'm 34 weeks and have been told they can turn up to the very last minute.

[My Three Boys]

Michelle - Where in MI are you? I have a wonderful chiro that I found in Shelby Township. She does the Webster technique. I've been going to her since my baby was breech at 34 weeks. (He/she has since flipped to head down) Let me know if you are near there and would like her number.

[beanbean]

Go to spinningbabies.com for some other tips on turning a breech baby. You have plenty of time! Don't worry!

[musemor]

Turn, baby, turn!

~~~~~~~ sending wiggly vibes your way ~~~~~~~

[Pariah]

Sending your baby lots of "head down" vibes!

[danav]

Get yer head down there, baby!!

Good luck at the chiro today and let us know how it goes (I've been wondering exactly what the Webster technique entails...this baby seems to be comfy head down, but my last was breech so I'm anxious about that, and I'd love to hear a blow by blow of what the chiro does!).

[MAMom]

I don't know too much about doing a version, but if I remember what I've read correctly, aren't there concerns about the cord if this is done? It seems like there are a whole bunch of other, less invasive things to try first....

This is some info I collected for a friend a while back:

Spinning Babies
http://www.spinningbabies.com/

Webster Technique
http://www.icpa4kids.com/webster_technique.htm

(go here to do a zipcode search for chriopractors in your area certified to do the Webster Technique http://www.icpa4kids.com/find_pediat...iropractor.htm)


Addt'l Info About Webster Technique:
"The late Larry Webster, D.C., of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, developed a technique which enabled chiropractors to release stress on the pregnant woman's pelvis and cause relaxation to the uterus and surrounding ligaments. The relaxed uterus would make it easier for a breech baby to turn naturally. The technique is known as the Webster Breech Technique.

The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue that 82% of doctors using the Webster Technique reported success. Further, the results from the study suggest that it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique in the 8th month of pregnancy."


Other Natural Techniques for Encouraging Breech Babies to Turn:
The following two techniques often suggested by Physical Therapist, Penny Simkin, are things you can try at home for free, with no risks involved.

The Breech Tilt: Raise hips 12' or 30cm off the floor using large, solid pillows three times daily for 10-15 minutes each time. This is best done on an empty stomach,and at a time when your baby is active. Concentrate on your baby and not tensing your body, especially in the abdomen area.

Using Music: We know that babies can hear sounds outside the womb, so many women have used music or taped recordings of their voice to try to get their baby to move towards the "noise!" Headphones placed on the lower part of your abdomen, playing either music or your voice, has encouraged babies to move towards the sounds and out of the breech position.

There are also homeopathic remedies that women have found to very successful in breech situations. Contact your local holistic practitioner about the use of Moxibustion (acupuncture treatment using moxa/charcoal, no needles) or Pulsatilla in turning breech babies naturally.

One Midwife's Collection of Breech Turning Techniques
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/breechcl.html
###

[sewingbarbj]

My first baby didn't turn until 37 weeks! So don't give up by any means!
I understand you can use an inversion table, as well as hands and knees position to help baby turn.

[My Three Boys]

Dana - Have you ever been to the chiropractor before? Basically, they told me what MAMom quoted in her post. My chiro alternates between doing an entire adjustement to my back and the next time is just the lower back/ligaments/pelvis. At first, when my baby was still breech, I was going in every other day. Now that the baby has turned, I go every week.

The adjustment to my lower back/ligaments/pelvis is different than a normal chiro visit. First, she has me sit and she feels the pelvis from the back. I guess she can tell what has to be adjusted that way. Then she does the lower back. Then I lie down on my back and she'll feel for the ligaments. If there's any tightness (and there was!), she applies pressure - not a ton, but enough to stretch it out a bit. That doesn't really hurt, but I sure can feel it! Then, she adjusts the pelvis from the front. That's a bit weird because she's touching me there, but it never hurts or anything. I always feel so good afterward! I'm continuing to go because I've read that the Webster technique helps not only breech babies, but also helps with positioning of the head and all.

[mimismith]

I'm in the same situation at almost 37 weeks. I'll be sending head down prayers for you along with my own.
Here's my dilemma: I've been seeing a chiro for Webster's for two weeks, as well as trying the incline board. This week I've gotten really serious and begun swimming and pulsatilla. Do I keep spending $20.00 per day on the chiropractor when my gut feeling is that this baby will turn when she's ready and not before?
My back up physician is saying we will need to do a C-section in two weeks if she doesn't turn, so I am freaking out a little bit too.

[Plady]

Hi Mamas,
I've got a breech baby in there too at 34 weeks. I know I have plenty of time so I'm not worried yet but i am doing the hot and cold thing and the inversion stuff. It is a drag to think about the consequences of the baby not turning though. I am still planning a homebirth but I'll have to go to the clinic if the baby doesn't turn and that will mean driving down an insanely bumpy road for three miles in labor, no fun!
Well, I'll send on my head down vibes to the rest of you who need them too!

Mimismith, why is your backup doc so hot to do a c-sec before 40 weeks? Couldn't s/he wait until 41 just in case?

[mraven721]

Ok, went yesterday and two HUGE for chiropractors and the Webster technique. First of all I knew this doctor was good because he's on our local birthnetwork list. As it turns out all of his kids were born at home and his oldest just had a baby with the same midwife I'm using! They gave me a huge packet with breastfeeding information, homebirth info, pregnancy teas, no vax stuff in it. It rocked!!
He explained what was going on with my body, uterus was twisted and baby was fighting for room. Makes sense, babies movement have become more jagged and pressed. Then he adjusted me. Had me lay on my stomach and adjusted the ligaments in my back, and rubbed out my sciatica a bit too. Then on my back and did the same ligament pressure My Three Boys described.
I have to say I felt 500% better after I left the office babies movements have softened and my hips hurt again (the same way they did when babe was head down last time!!). I'm afraid to check and see what position the baby is in, but I have a good feeling about it!
Midwife still wants a u/s and if babe isn't in place, a version. So, hopefully it'll show a head down baby!!

[mraven721]

Originally Posted by My Three Boys

Michelle - Where in MI are you? I have a wonderful chiro that I found in Shelby Township. She does the Webster technique. I've been going to her since my baby was breech at 34 weeks. (He/she has since flipped to head down) Let me know if you are near there and would like her number.

I forgot your from Michigan too!! I think I might know the chrio your talking about, but it's just too darn far for me. I'm in Livonia and Dr. Dan is who I used.

[ozzyemm]

Popping in to give you (and others in your situation) encouragement. My baby was breech the entire pregnancy, and I was scheduled for a c-section on Dec. 21. The night of the 20th, I went into spontaneous labor. At 4:am on Wed., I went to the hospital and found out my baby had FINALLY turned head down!!! We had checked by US two weeks before (1 week after external version) and he was still breech. I was feeling kicks down low up to two days before his birth. Trust your body, and I hope the Webster technique works for you!!!

--Just for the record-- I did end up having an emergency c-section after 16 hours of unmedicated labor; but it was because of baby's sudden decelerated heartrate, which had nothing to do with the position of the baby. His cord had gotten compressed as he started down the birth canal, and they decided it was better for the baby to take him right away.

[april77]

Sending head down vibes!!!

My babe had been breech or transverse for several weeks, but actually turned head down last night!! Now if he will only stay there. They think he is big (and I agree as he feels much bigger than dd ever did) so hopefully he is running out of room and will stay put.

[My Three Boys]

Michelle - Which midwife are you using? I'm going with Charlotte. My chiro is Touch of Life. They are AWESOME up there! Yup - it's a hike! I'm in Grosse Pointe Park. Keep us updated about the position of your baby!