UC a breech? - Page 2

[earthmothergypsy]

We planned a UC breech birth with my last baby.
I refused the dangerous version to try and turn her.
I felt she was in this position for a reason and trusted things would be as they should be. I did try some non-evasive things like swimming, tilt board, things like that. I also did a chiropractice technique called *The Webster Technique* which I think helped a lot. It was just relaxing of a band of muscles low down that might have been keeping baby from turning.

I won't say the decision to birth uc breech didn't bring some fears from time to time, but at the same time I was totally at peace.
I even called the Farm in TN and talked to the mws there for opinions and was basically told (after hearing of my other births--baby sizes and such) that the baby should just fall out. lol!!!! Not to worry. Though of course they had to add the disclaimer that it shouldn't be attempted alone. hehehe

My personal opinion is that it is very early still for you. There is plenty of time and you can do some basic things to encourage the baby to turn. I always told my baby that I trusted her and to pick the best position for her birth as I didn't want her to turn if it were to cause dangers for her, but that if it was okay, that head down would be preferred if possible.

She did turn about two weeks before she was born (the day the mw dropped me from her care). This baby didn't want her there apparently (and my heart's desire was to birth uc anyway). Not trusting myself I still believed she was breech even in labor, so we got a huge surprise when she presented head first. lol!

~A

[bryonyvaughn]

Here are some resources that might help you.
Breech Babies is a mom run Canadian website. It's focus is breech is a variation of normal.
The midwifery archives has a nice discussion of vaginal breech births. I found the comparison between the assumptions and SOPs between the UK and US particularly enlightening.

HTH,
BV

ETA: Oops! This is the correct URL for the first website I mentioned.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

Intellectually speaking, I think I'd have a breech UC. I've never been in that situation though, so I guess I can't say for sure. I'd definitely have a homebirth, but I also know a great midwife who's experienced with breech birth. I don't know if I'd have her on call in case the baby didn't turn, or if I'd feel comfortable with UC. I think I'd UC, but it's hard to say not being in the situation myself.

[mama in the forest]

Oh, and we live by Lake Michigan, but not in Michigan unfortunately. We're down in Chicago [it's a big lake! ] By the by, (OT), you have such a beautiful tribe of kids!

Thank you :

You know, I know you were upset about this & I don't mean to make light of it, but I honestly think this is a non issue at this point. Really! You're only 34 weeks and your baby is moving all the time. There is no reason to think that things will be the same at 40 weeks or beyond.

I don't know your midwife, but many birth professionals make a big deal out of breech at this point when it's not necessary. There is plenty of time for your baby to turn, but even if it doesn't, breech is a natural variation of normal.

[JesseMomme]

If I knew baby was breech, I wouldn't do it any other way than UC.

I love the breech babies website btw.

[PreggieUBA2C]

I would do nothing other than UC for a breech baby if given another chance.

My first two were frank breech at what they said was 36 weeks. The first was scheduled c/s at what they said was 38+5 weeks after telling me that my baby could die if I went into labour and cited the conclusion of a study done in our province just a few years earlier that was stopped because of the high rate of vaginally birthed breech babies dying. He was ripped from my womb, obviously no more mature than 34 weeks and I didn't sleep for the following six months as he nursed voraciously every hour and suddenly stopped breathing on a regular basis. Then when ds2 was breech at the same time, it was an automatic schedule, but I knew more closely the date of conception and he was born at 39 weeks and was breathing and nursing more like other newbies. I had a traumatic, unsuccessful, incompetently executed ECV that turned to an INTERNAL cv without my permission and I believe that both ds2 and I suffered from post-traumatic stress (disorder for me, just stress for him, I think).

THEN, I finally found the study that was used to trick me into surgery the first time and discovered that the study purpose was to determine the viability of vaginal birth for premature and genetically compromised breech babies, many of whom were birthed through induction. Many of them died, yes (ummm... I would've expected that outcome...), but clearly, this study wasn't relevant to us at all. The OB flat out lied or didn't read the study except a few lines and thereby showed medical negligence of, imo, a criminal nature.

SOOOOO, I would NEVER NEVER NEVER (again) opt for a hospital birth for breech. NEVER. Our family has suffered immensely because of the lies and assaults we endured. Never again. My only caveat would be if I truly believed that I and/or our baby were going to die otherwise.

[fyrebloom]

I am currently in the situation of having a breech. My twins were breech/vertex at the last ultrasound. I am actively trying to turn them to vertex vertex or at LEAST breech breech since their current configuration can cause chin lock and I'm not willing to attempt that at home unassisted. If they are b/b, b/t,v/b or v/t I will definately UC. If I get a footling for the first baby I will probally transfer as well.

For a singleton I'd feel safe delivering a B at home as long as they're not kneeling or footling. I'd also want to make sure the baby doesn't have hydrocephaly because they can get stuck.

I think in the right circumstances Breech birth is perfectly safe as long as you just let the birth happen. As far as I've read the protocol is do nothing until the body is out, then keep the body warm, pull a loop cord down so there is slack and push the head out as fast as possible. No pulling on the baby and just stay calm and relaxed. Sounds easy peasy to me and alot safer then a hosptial extraction (where they grab the head by forcepts and yank them out... or section you)

[earthmothergypsy]

Originally Posted by JesseMomme

If I knew baby was breech, I wouldn't do it any other way than UC.

Ditto here! For me it is the ONLY safe way to deliver a breech baby. ~A

[skyblufig]

Thanks so much for all the insight and wisdom! Feeling much more peaceful today and after talking with dh and this bouncing baby, we're going to just go with the flow. I think I just got way too freaked out when the mw mentioned a c/s -- in fact what went thru my head was no f-ing way and I barely heard the rest of what she was saying. They do have experience catching breech babes but alarm bells went off in my head at the phrase "we'll let you have a trial...". Um, no, you're either down with me doing this or you're not. And if it's a "trial" I'm not interested in being in labor while seeing people in my peripheral vision with forceps and other lovely things at the ready "just in case". So home it is. Thanks again -- I truly appreciate all the replies.

[hapersmion]

I didn't UC my breech baby, but I think I could have. The midwives (Ina May and Carol, at the Farm) didn't do anything life-saving; everything went just fine without much help. So yes, I think you certainly can do it, if you want to!

Of course, odds are that the baby will flip head-down before labor anyway. Good luck!

hapersmion

[tammyswanson]

Mine was transverse most of the time (till I posted about him being transverse, now I think he heard and has shifted position to who knows what) during this whole pregnancy, if he turns breech I'd rather do it at home, otherwise they'll csection me and that's BS! I got the book "Emergency Childbirth" by Dr. White, and they have a section on what to do if it's breech. Seems like the old time doctors could handle breech births, seems like the newer ones don't want to risk it for whatever reasons. People were telling me that there are many times where they flip right before labor starts, so I'll be hoping he comes out the right way eventually. Try not to worry and trust your 'inner voice'. Mine hasn't been wrong yet! If my little voice says I should transfer, I will, but only if I know something is 'wrong'.

[bryonyvaughn]

Originally Posted by tammyswanson

...Seems like the old time doctors could handle breech births, seems like the newer ones don't want to risk it for whatever reasons...

The younger ones (who are getting older all the time, oh, my!) have never been trained in vaginal breech birth. As they add more to medical school curriculum, they have to weed stuff out to keep it a four year program. Vaginal breeches are out as teaching c/s is the solution to breech babies, pre-eclampsia, failure to progress, past dates, etc.

Yup. Makes me like geezer docs and veterinarians more and more.

~BV

[MamaRabbit]

In Emergency Childbirth, I do like that it says "When in doubt, do nothing". That's the best piece of advice. Most midwives now adopt the "hands off the breech" SOP for breech. Too bad most OBs who do vaginal breech are still very hands on and want to do breech extraction.

Would I UC a breech? Yes. So far Baby A is vertex, and B goes back and forth.

[augustacherri]

I have NOT had a breech birth, so my opinion may be worth nothing, but I thought I'd write---

I had a dream in early pregnancy that my baby was born breech, so I decided to do all sorts of research about it beforehand. I read up on breech delivery, complications, etc.. I did this until I felt confident that I could deliver a breech baby if need be. My husband and I both read up on it, so he felt confident as well. After reading everything, I didn't see any reason why I couldn't birth a breech baby UC. Moot point, really, because my UC baby was born head down.

I agree with previous posts about it being a little too soon to tell. Some babies flip as labor approaches. FYI, my mom said I was breech later in her pregnancy and she sat up in bed and slowly turned me using her hands. One hand on my bum, one hand on my head and little by little, she slowly turned me herself.

Every time you hear someone say, "Breech birth increases the risks for blah blah blah blah blah, I'd NEVER do that," consider that there are people who say, "I'd never have a vaginal delivery, c-sections are just so much safer." My point? YOU decide what's best for you and your baby. From my perspective, reading about it helped to quell my fears and make me feel able to handle a breech birth UC.

Best birthing wishes!

[georgia]

"When in doubt, do nothing". That's the best piece of advice.

I also love the saying, "Don't just do something, stand there!"

[skyblufig]

Originally Posted by georgia

I also love the saying, "Don't just do something, stand there!"

That's one of my favorites too -- just wish my brain would cooperate with it and not stress unnecessarily

[tammyswanson]

Originally Posted by bryonyvaughn

The younger ones (who are getting older all the time, oh, my!) have never been trained in vaginal breech birth. As they add more to medical school curriculum, they have to weed stuff out to keep it a four year program. Vaginal breeches are out as teaching c/s is the solution to breech babies, pre-eclampsia, failure to progress, past dates, etc.

Yup. Makes me like geezer docs and veterinarians more and more.

~BV

I totally believe it, gee, maybe that's why the c-section rate is rising alarmingly? Much easier for them just to snip snip cut rather than actually be skilled in birthing babies that aren't coming out as 'text book' cases. That's a shame that they aren't teaching how to do a breech birth anymore. It doesn't surprise me though.
:

[mom3b1?]

I was so worried about that last time, so I read up on it and decided I'd UC a breech, rather than have a c/s. I'd rather have my baby head down, but I think having them vaginally as a breech is safer than c/s.

You already know about being careful with the babies neck. Water birth is great for this. I had my third right into the water, UC. If he'd been breech it would have been ideal.

Kiley

[Usually Curious]

Coming out of long-time lurker mode...

You do have a 'proven pelvis' and since it's not your first you have a little more operating room down there. I would definitely do a breech birth at homme over the hospital operating room, especially w/a proven pelvis!

Good luck and blessings! You CAN do it, if need be.

[Collinsky]

I would have a UC if I knew my baby was breech. I consider it a variation of normal, and I think that sometimes there is a good reason for baby to be breech.

However, many many babies don't turn until 37 weeks. Some may not even turn until later than that. If your baby hasn't turned by 36/37 weeks, you might seek out a chiropractor who is experienced with the Webster technique. Within 2 to 6 sessions of that, almost all babies turn. There is also moxibustion (burning moxa sticks at the toe), and other alternative, noninvasive methods to turn a breech baby.

If you are considering a UC breech baby, invstigate waterbirth. It is one of the safest ways to birth a breech baby as the warm water keeps the cord from beginning to clamp down on the blood flow, prevents tearing, etc. And like others have said: hands off! And as always: listen to your body for what your baby needs to be born.