My Midwife is Concerned

[tpintsch]

I just had a quick question to all you birth experts out there. I am 4 days past my due date and I had a prenatal yesterday. It turns out that the baby who was head down in the pelvis has moved her head of to the side a little and is a little transverse now. My midwife was able to gently prod her head over so I know she can be head down but as soon as she let go the baby moved back over a little bit. I know that two nights ago she was moving around a lot and from looking at my belly it seemed like she was trying to turn but couldn't. Also I had my first internal and I am 3 centimeters dilated, about 30% effaced, and my cervix is soft. After the internal my midwife commented on how the front of my pelvis was a little flat but because I've had a previous vaginal birth she wasn't to worried about it. She said that labor was probably a few days off and that I needed to do some hands and knees positions and walk around. She had a worried face and I asked her to tell me what was worrying her, and she said it was the position of the baby. I feel like she isn't telling me everything, but I need to know, if there is anything you guys think she is holding back?

[blissful_maia]

If I were your midwife, the only thing I would be thinking about with an oblique baby at this point is cord prolapse... and not that I would intervene, but I would definitely talk to you about getting in a knee-chest position and paging me immediately if your water broke. Only time will tell if your babe will figure things out before/during labor and as long as the heart tones were all right for a while after ruptured membranes and a little labor (no occult cord or cord presentation/prolapse) I would encourage carrying on as normal!

[MsBlack]

One of my own babies REALLY liked lying with her head off to one side, all through the last several weeks of pregnancy. It hurt, actually--pinching my tissues between her head and my pelvis on that side (she was big). I would massage there, and push on her head until she moved it. It didn't even occur to me that this would cause a positional issue at birth (I was UP/UC, no mw to talk to and being a mw didn't seem to do me any good at the time!). In any event, she tucked her chin and dived in properly, once labor started (or before, I'm not sure), and came out in perfect vertex position.

Soon after the birth, tho, first time she was laid down on the bed on her back--she turned her face to one side and tipped her occiput way back so it was nearly touching her shoulder, face looking upward--and reached up a hand and stuck her fingers in her mouth. I took one look and knew that was the position she'd been in, all those painful times! It was always her favorite sleeping position.

Not to worry! I've also seen this sort of thing several times w/my clients, especially those who've had at least one baby already. So far, the babies have all tucked into center before or during labor, and birthed just fine. They can find the way, and they usually want to come out!

[blissful_maia]

Originally Posted by MsBlack

Soon after the birth, tho, first time she was laid down on the bed on her back--she turned her face to one side and tipped her occiput way back so it was nearly touching her shoulder, face looking upward--and reached up a hand and stuck her fingers in her mouth. I took one look and knew that was the position she'd been in, all those painful times! It was always her favorite sleeping position.

I love when babies who have been in funny positions do this.

[iemaja]

Just a thought that chiropractic might help - baby might be in this position because you are out of alignment. Even if you're not, a good adjustment before active labor can be great!

Try to focus on the positive and talk to baby to encourage her to get into a good position.

Congrats on your little one and best wishes for a beautiful labor and birth!

[Jane]

How many babies have you had? A lot? Or do you have a really, sorry here, flabby abdomen? Sometimes mamas really benefit from a belly belt - commercial or homemade to hold the baby in when the abdominal muscles cannot do it.

I find nothing encourages babies to the correct position like contractions. Early labor should turn this baby to the correct position. Hopefully your waters won't break until he/she is right.

[bobandjess99]

Originally Posted by blissful_maia

I love when babies who have been in funny positions do this.

oh yes!!! Ds did this, after he came out he did this little stertch and arched his back and turned his head to the side and it was like "bingo!" that was the pose he was constantly in on the inside....