transverse remedies??

[mamasophy]

My SIL is 37 weeks and the babe is transverse - anyone have any suggestions?? I've given her advice to submerge in a pool and do a handstand (breech turning advice from Wise Woman Herbal) and she's doing hands and knees positions, playing music, talking to the baby, etc. She's using an OB and has been advised that she will need a version soon if things don't change. Thanks!

[NightWalker]

No advice, but my baby stayed transverse until 2 days before labor (at 42 weeks) could it be baby is just comfortable right now? I don't see why they need to be head down before they are ready-kwim??

[Maggi315]

You know what I started doing? turning them. yep, just turning them, it's easy, they often with turn, sometimes will turn back, but why try tons of different things without doing the obvious first. I take my time to find all the parts, check heartbeat, grease up the abdomen, and then GENTLY talk to the baby and begin moving the baby in the direction I want him to go. If there's resistance, I stop, check heartbeat, talk to baby, and wait. then we work some more, usually at some point, the baby 'kicks off' as one mom put it and finishes turning. we lay on the side that is best for the position, check heartbeat, keep talking to baby, rubbing belly for a few minutes, then have mom stand up and do some easy squats (not deep, just shallow) and get on hands and knees.

I try all the other stuff too, but really, this is what works. And in the 3 cases I have turned babies this summer, all have cooperated and delivered, even the baby who kept being transverse and breech until the day before delivery.

good luck!

[mamasophy]

Cool - her OB is talking about a version (she has a good rep for a low c-sect. rate). So I have lots of info to pass on now - thanks so much! I'll send her here to check out all the responses herself ( I posted a few places).

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I'd find a midwife to do the version. Having indirect experience with both OB versions and midwife versions, they are worlds apart (as are most things OBs and midwives do).

[CMcC]

: Doctors tend to force babies whereas a good midwife will gently turn the baby.

I don't agree that version is the first thing to try though. I think it should be a last resort kinda thing.... and only then if certain conditions are met. I would try the breech turning techniques first.

Personally, I've had 2 breech babies during pregnancy. One I chose not to turn for certain reasons, the other one I chose to turn.

[Alison Cole]

The homeopathic remedy pulsatilla is used often for changing baby position. I'd use 30C dilution fairly often (every five or so hours while awake maybe?) until either a) she's taken several doses with no effect or b) she's felt the baby turn. Homeopathics are gentle enough for pg, and available in many health-food or supplement stores. Accupuncture, chiropractic, or craniosacral work also might help. Best of luck to her.

[mamasophy]

OK, an update: talked to SIL last night and she said that the baby is still changing positions a lot - sometimes head down, sometimes transverse, which actually doesn't sound like the baby's really transverse at all! She said the baby seems to go sideways when she slumps, like when she's riding in a car.

[CMcC]

Well, that's good that the baby is still small enough to turn around. But at this point, she should really practice good body mechanics. The baby should be running out of room to flip that much soon... Here are some suggestions for good body mechanics: http://www.homebirth.org.uk/ofp.htm