breech birth at home

[LLMom]

I am wondering if any of you have ever had a breech birth at home. I am 30 weeks along and my baby is breech. I know it is still early but I want to educate myself because my last birth was a vaginal breech in the hospital (no complications; it was a surprise breech to all of us) I want to be informed in the event this one decides to stay bottom first. My midwife feels like I am a good canidate for breech at home, since I have had one successful vaginal breech and 3 others at home. My only concern is being 20 minutes from a hospital and 45 minutes from a good nicu. This will be my 6th birth and it may go fast so there might not be that kind of time. DOes anyone have any experience/opinions of breech births at home?

[Faith]

I have not had a breech baby myself, but my midwives do not see it as a problem.

My good friend had her first baby breech at home. The baby was head up, with one foot by the head and one foot by the bottom. She loves to tell the story of how it didn't hurt, and she didn't even tear. No big deal! (She makes birth sound so easy!)

I think if you are comfortable with it, and your midwives are too, then that is all that matters. I think doctors get very nervous around breeches because they were taught they were problems, so they get jumpy, and that *causes* problems! But with a calm, relaxed midwife who has no concerns with breech babys and lots of experience with them, you are in good hands!

[MaWhit]

You sound like you wouldn't have any problems...

I've never had a breech birth and I will still birth at home if this one is breech.

[applejuice]

A breech presentation is not usually a problem.

It is the reason that the baby is a breech that is usually a problem. Doctors don't bother to find out why a baby is breech, they just schedule surgery.

Many midwives prefer a breech delivery for various reasons.

You should rule out any reason that the baby is breech as low laying placenta, prematurity, hydrocephalus, CPD, heart- or pear-shaped uterus, or any other complication.

Since you already have a baby born vaginally, you can assume that your pelvis is large enough and your uterus is in a good shape.

For some jurisdictions, CNM's may be prevented by law from attending a breech at home.

[Kirsten]

I have never heard of anyone - midwives included - preferring a breech delivery. I can appreciate that breech babies can be delivered vaginally but what would the pros be? I can only think of cons.
Myself, I think I would choose for a very forward thinking hospital where my midwife had privleges (I cannot spell that right to save my life....) But with other home births and one other breech delivery under your belt, you sound more comfortable with the idea than I am. Maybe I am just a worrier but 20 minutes to the hospital if babe gets stuck sounds scary to me.
Good luck making your decision.
Kirsten

[Spark]

Just chiming in -- My midwife (catching babies for 23 years) likes Breech birth's too. I think it has to do with their comfort level and your trust in the midwife.

I know one reason people like breech births is because they say it doesn't hurt as much. The butt is much softer pressing against the cervix than the head is.

Truly, I believe home is the safest place for babes to be born -- breech or not!

Here's a nice breech homebirth story:
http://www.childbirth.org/articles/s...mesbreech.html

[LLMom]

breech at home

How can you tell the reason for the breech? Would you automatically need an ultrasound?

[dandelion]

My second baby was born breech at home. A VBAC, no less. It was an incredible experience and I didn't tear a bit. In fact, right after she came out I insisted it was way too easy!

It turned out she was breech because her cord was barely attached to the placenta and she wouldn't have been able to survive head-down. I never had an ultrasound, but this would not have shown up on one anyway. I know of several midwives who assist at breech births, but not one of them requires, or even recommends, ultrasounds beforehand.

[laurashanley]

I had a footling breech baby at home. It was a very easy birth. Basically I just let my body give birth. I didn't panic and he slid right out.

http://ucbirth.com/willie.htm
Laura

[RainCityMama]

Wow! Neither of my children were breech but you sure do hear 'horror' stories about breech delivery - It seems EVERYONE I know had an automatic C-section

This thread is so awesome! I am so excited to see so many women birthing vaginally and at home with breech babies - I always thought it could be done, but the prevailing attitude seems to say otherwise. You ladies are awesome!

I love hearing such perfectly beautiful stories of how amazing life is and the female bodies ability to give birth - it's so encouraging and gives me hope for a future in which more women trust in their inate power to birth

[miriam]

My mom birthed 8 of her 9 at home.

#5 was a breech. She went to the community hospital to birth my sister, and came home 4 hours later.

[ksjhwkr]

I would have given anything (well, not my baby's health), to deliver my breech daughter vaginally. She was footling breech and I had high blood pressure. I tried to get her to naturally turn, but her feet were engaged so she couldn't do it. If you have successfully delivered a breech baby vaginally before and your midwife doesn't forsee a problem, go for it!!! C-sections suck! and can leave you emotionally devestated. Good luck!