Transverse baby

[sandiegokristi]

I just had an appt. today and found out that my used to be head down ready to go baby is now transverse. Any hints, suggesstions, encouragment would be great. I am terrified of a c-sec. and will try just about anything to avoid it. Good news is that I get free unlimited acupuncture with my health care plan and I think I have heard that it can sometimes help. Is anybody familiar with this? I have an appt. set up for next tuesday for a version and hope to have him turned by then. What do you all think?

[Curlita]

How many weeks are you? What did your doc/midwife say? My baby was transverse at 34 weeks, but the MW said she wasn't worried about it at this point because he still has space to move around (he was head-down and OP two weeks prior). She did say that if he was not head-down at the upcoming appointment, they would recommend inversions, accupuncture or moxibustion. I have to admit that I have no idea what moxibustion is, but I have heard of it in conjunction with accupuncture.

Another thing to try is... telling the baby to get where s/he is supposed to be! It sounds silly, but I lectured this baby on hitching up his placenta to avoid a c-section due to previam and something went right. When my MW with Dylan started fretting about my BP and protein in my urine, I had a little chat with him and told him that he needed to think about coming out to join the party. The next day my water broke, in spite of the fact that my cervix had been closed and tight the day before.

So, let baby know what you expect of him. Maybe he'll be a team player and help you out. Good luck!

[sandiegokristi]

Thanks for the reply. I plan on having some long heart to heart talks with this little man. I am almost 36 weeks and very short waisted, so I feel like he is running out of room quickly, but that just may be me being paranoid. I hope that between acupuncture and talking to him that he is turned by tuesday. Thanks again.

[pixiesmommy]

How many weeks are you now? Sometimes they don't "settle in" until the very end.
A version is a good idea, but sometimes they can turn back again afterwards, especially if you do it too far in advance of your due-date.

Everyone recommends www.spinningbabies.com and you can search there. I think they have a chat board too.

My babe is still moving around pretty freely at this point and I'm 34 wk, 1 day today. Last night at the MW s/he was posterior, head down, but from hiccups today, s/he is breech or transverse again. I'm not worried... yet....

[dcgrl]

Curlita,
moxibustion is the burning of pungent herbs at various pressure points on your body. For turning babies, I think it's burned at the big toe. Sounds wacky, but there was a study published in JAMA that suggests it works pretty well (~75% success??)

[Valerieg]

I'm short-waisted too...so I understand why you would feel like s/he is running out of space!!! But babies can even turn during labor. So I'd give all of these suggestions a try. Hopefully you can avoid inversion and/or c-section.

But ITA that talking with the baby is a good way! You could always have DH talk to the baby from where the head *should* be and see if s/he moves towards his voice (or music).

[*Lindsey*]

You've gotten great advice so far, Kristi! I hope baby turns for you soon!

[GinaRae]

I was told to lay on my left side as much as possible. And you could hold a cold pack of veggies against the baby's head every day to encourage turning. Do it while laying on your left.

Also, isn't on the knees, head down, butt in the air helpful? Or was that for breech only? Well, we won't tell anyone, give it a try.

I still think you have plenty of time to turn though!

[crunchywannabe]

I have had 2 transverse babies not turn head down until 38 weeks or so.....my OB was never concerned about it.

You can go to the chiropractor and have them do an adjustment called the websters technique to help for positioning.

good luck!

[sandiegokristi]

Thank you everyone! I love all of the advice and will be trying it all. I am setting up appts. with an acupuncturist and I am going to stay positive in thinking that he will turn head down for me. I have been so emotional all day about this and I feel better after your responses. What would I do without my MDC November board.

[Isaac'sMa]

Pelvic rocking can help baby get in the right position (like the cat/camel yoga poses), swimming or just floating in the water can be good too. Chiropractic and acupuncture definitely!

[DeChRi]

I'm with you! My baby has been either transverse or breech from the last month and was transverse yesterday. Great suggestions here. spinningbabies.com....I have been going to the chiro for the webster technique 3x week, moxibustion, inversion, pelvic rocks, etc. So far no luck.

Sending you baby turning vibes!!

[Justmee]

Not in your ddc but just wanted to offer a

Dd#3 was lying every wrong way possible until I was 39 weeks. She was born at 39 weeks, 3 days, vaginally (head down). Sometimes the little buggers just like to drive us crazy before *and* after birth :

[veganjoy]

Kristi, I know this can be incredibly tough. It's one thing to tell yourself the baby will probably turn, and that there's plenty you can do...and another completely when you're actually in the midst of the situation!

Chiropractic, moxa, peas, are all good options. Something that really encouraged me was to process (journaling and praying through) the fears I had about a breech baby. I realized I was jealous of all my girlfriends who had remained largely uneducated about childbirth, yet had wonderful natural births...and yet I--who had done everything right--felt sentenced to something unfair. Stuff like that comes up, and it's okay.

I also told the baby that I would do my best to create optimal space for her to move into, but if she still remained in a wonky position (due to a short cord, or some other anomaly), I would trust her. While those aren't strictly "technical" things you can do, they really helped with the emotional stuff. And I'll still echo what PPs have said: it's very, very likely your baby will turn!