Another Nuchal Cord Question

[khaoskat]

Has anyone ever delivered or been to the delivery of a baby who is breech and had a nuchal cord (whether known prior to or after delivery)?

I am just wondering if it is safe to do a regular breech delivery or if it is too dangerous.

We did have another US today. And all I know is that we did see the cord warp, but I am not sure if it is 1 loop or two, but there definately were not three loops today. I also couldn't tell if the cord inserted into the baby was the upper cord or the lower cord (ie which crossed over which). What we basically saw, was two views of baby's neck. One view you could see mostly the crossing of the cord and small bit on each side of the cross.. The other view, you could see was of two sections of cord sitting next to each other, and I believe the start of the cross. I am trying to remember if it was the lower cord that crossed over the upper cord or vice versa, but I am thinking where we saw the two cords next to each other, the lower of the two sections was starting to cross up and over the other one. Again, I don't know then if this one lead down to the baby or towards the placenta, but it did become the upper cord after the cross. (Basically I think they crossed towards baby's head and not towards baby's chest.)

I stayed strong, despite the "only have you and baby" interest, about wanting to wait and see if baby will flip on its own. He tried very hard with a laid back approach to push the c/s, even including the you can call 24/7 if you change your mind routine. It is getting harder and harder to stay tough, because it is breaking me down mentally with trying to process feelings about a potential c/s, and trying to stay positive and getting baby to turn.

[Paige, CPM]

I would not focus on the cord so much as finding someone who does a lot of versions and delivers breech anyway. Now they may not want to do a version because of the cord placement? I really don't know your whole story. Is this doctor known for doing a lot of versions or breech deliveries?

No matter what the presenting part of the baby cords can be wraped around a babe in all different ways and not really effect the birth (up to half of babies have cord wrapped around them). When it rarely does effect a delivery you can try position change, and there is always a c/s if you are unable to resolve heart rate issues. I would never start off worrying about the cord...there are many things you can worry about in life, like gettting in your car ever day, or in pregnancy, but I would not worry about it until it is an issue.

Like the car, I would not purchase one that didn't have good safty ratings, so same like the doc and his/her partners...unless they have good safety ratings (10% c/s rate overall) or expereince with breech (some don't because the just do c/s' for everyone) I would still shop around, you are the consumer...it is NEVER too late until the baby is born.

Best way to find out info re your doc besides asking them (I would do both) is to call around to a couple of doulas and a couple of homebirth midwives and they will happily answer your questions regarding practitioners and thier skills in this area. Heck, if the doc is really good and cares about your feelings they would be happy to ask around and find that person who might have the expereince to do a breech delivery, if that is what you want.

Best of luck!