[jmmsunshine]

I'm 29 weeks pg w/ DD and I'm so anxious that she won't be head down to birth!!!

We thought DS (now nearly 20 mos old) was head down from about 28 weeks on, but he was breech the whole time. We didn't realize it till I was 39 weeks. I opted to try the version, but with a big baby so late in term, it didn't work and I had a sched C/S 5 days later. 2 1/2 mos later my SIL gave birth (50+ hours of pit induced labor...) and I grieved and grieved that I didn't birth my son - it was like watching something on Discovery Health - the narcotics numbed my mind so my emotions were completely disconnected. My DH just didn't (and still doesn't) understand... ("ok hon, would you want 50+ hours of labor and tears literally up the wazoo??")

3 weeks ago I was seeing my midwife for a UTI and they double checked position with US - DD WAS head down and I was so relieved. But last week I was crunched over giving DS a bath and I felt her turn transverse. Since then I know she's moved to a vertical position, but I can't tell which is head and which is butt. I feel like all my "kicks" are at or below my navel - most are very low in my pelvis. I hear all my friends talking about the foot up under the ribs and honestly, I'd give anything to feel that right now!!!

I go for another appt on Monday, and I don't want to be a freak about checking, but I feel like I want them to check position with another US. I feel like I just need reassurance that she's ok - or to know that she's not so I have more time to intervene. I'm already doing the pelvic rocks, watching my posture, walking (only 1 - 2 x per week but that's 1 - 2 times more than with DS), doing inversions, and stretching. I see a chiropractor, but he doesn't do the webster technique.

Someone, please say they understand...

 

[Collinsky]

(((hugs))) After what you went through, no wonder you're worrying about this!

Almost all babies turn before labor. Most have turned by 34 weeks, which would be the earliest to start worrying IMO. Some babies do not turn until 37 weeks, or even later. I've heard of babies turning the night before they were born!

Honestly, even if your baby was vertex now, she might go back to breech, and back to vertex, and spend some time transverse, back to vertex... all before settling into her final birthing position.

Also, have you talked to your mws about their policies around breech deliveries? Although if they're not able to confidently palpate her position, I suppose they may not be confident with a breech delivery. However, reading some vaginal breech birth stories might give you more reassurance that it's not always a guaranteed Cesarean. I can tell that it's very important to you to not have a repeat c-section, and that's understandable! Being able to release that fear might be very helpful to you, and give you peace of mind for the final weeks of your sweet pregnancy.

 

[jmmsunshine]

Thanks so much Colleen! I just needed an ear to hear me!

DH just doesn't get it - we end up with a healthy baby either way, so what's the big deal?? Well, it IS a big deal! When I came home from the hospital, I still had to do laundry and make dinners - I'd stocked the fridge and freezer, so at least I didn't have to go shopping. Of course it was no big deal to him, he came home from work and I still managed to get something on the table for him. He wasn't on pain killers or in discomfort for months. He had no problem sitting up in bed. And I EBF with a nipple shield (flat nipples) for the first 6 weeks, so when I was up in the middle of the night, I was UP - I couldn't just latch on and doze off. That part was really hard but I was totally committed and I'm proud I made it through - but it's just something I do not want to repeat!

I spent a lot of time on "all 4's" last night cuz my back was really aching, and this morning I've felt more movement above my navel which makes me feel better - but... I know she can still flip flop...

I have talked to my midwives and they don't do breech births. In fact, I've been told that there is no hospital in SE MI or SW MI that does them either. I've contacted a birthing center about 1.5 hours from my house (really much farther than I'd like to be) and they will only take me on if it's a second birth (since I had C/S w/ #1 w/o labor, this is considered a 1st birth), and if I come to them before 30 or so weeks. If I go to them after all attempts to move baby have failed, they won't take me on for liability reasons. Since this is VBAC and I live in a rural area, home birth is just not an option.

So, I've been doing tons of reading on breech births - and my only recourse I can find is from a C/S website that notes a C/S for breech is considered elective surgery and can't be forced upon me - legally. And, if I show up in labor (I plan to labor mostly at home, showing up in transition) they can't refuse to treat me. Of course, getting the care I would desire in that position would take a lot of focused advocacy, and somehow, I suspect that I won't really be in the best position to do that in transition... ya know? DH would think I was nuts, and although my Doula would probably support me, I'm not sure that she can really do much in that situation.

**sigh** thanks so much for letting me get this off my chest. Everything I'm reading about birth says how important it is to let go of any fears you have so you can truly relax and allow the process to happen. This is one fear I'm really having trouble letting go of and I thought this might be a way for me to put it out there.

 

[XanaduMama]

Just wanted to direct you to this site, my Bible! http://www.spinningbabies.com/. You may already know about "optimal fetal positioning," but it can't hurt to follow these prescriptions! Lots of yoga, too.

Hang in there and try not to worry!! You have plenty of time still.

 

[jmmsunshine]

I've been there and am doing most everything they say. So mentally I know I'm doing what I need to do, but emotionally I'm having a hard time letting go.

 

[jmmsunshine]

Just thought I'd leave an update... I'm 30 2/7 and we confirmed today that she's breech. I was devastated. I immediately saw a chiropractor who performed the Webster Technique and said my round ligaments weren't too tight, but my sacrum was way, way off. I see him again on Wednesday. Wish me luck and send me prayers, please!!!

 

[CrunchyParent]

I totally relate. My second was transverse breech. I bought an inversion table, used homeopathic stuff, 4 rounds of accupuncture, 17 adjustments using the Webster method, music/light between legs, hot pack on belly bottom with ice pack on top, electric toothbrush near abdomen-you name it, I tried it. My water broke at 38 weeks (3 days before my version was scheduled) and I had an emergency C/S.

My first birth was a MW-assisted waterbirth.....but was totally traumatic and I almost bled to death (was in the hospital for a week, 3 transfusions, surgery, etc). Every baby has his/her own birth story and I've come to terms with the idea that sometimes it looks very different than we imagined.

For me, birth #2 was far less traumatic than birth #1 because I knew that a C/S was inevitable if my water broke and she hadn't turned. I had time to prepare myself for that and make peace with it as best as I could. DH and I had talked about what might happen, what role he would play to make DD's birth as natural and bonding as possible (e.g. he took of his shirt and held her skin to skin in recovery while I was being sewn up, then I came in and nursed her.

With my first birth, even though the birth itself was "natural" all of the trauma before & after the birth were totally unexpected and we were not prepared. I mourned the loss of that "dream" birth for a long time (as you have described).

I wish you well...go toward the light, Baby!

 

[lilylove]

You could also try acupuncture. There is a place in not far from us. I can call and check if they have any experience with flipping a breach.

Hold on Hun, I'm sending you all the flipping vibes I can

 

[Collinsky]

There's also the Chinese Medicine treatment to turn a breech, moxibustion. You burn moxa sticks (a bundle of herbs) at your toes. Sounds kooky at first, but so many say that it works that it's worth looking into. The Webster Technique usually works within 5 sessions, so hopefully that will work for you in the next session or two.

There is also an homeopathic... pulsatilla?... that is used.

Don't rule out the power of affirmation. Every morning and every night, set aside some time to sit quietly, and visualize your baby turning, settling head down in a perfect optimal position for birth. See it in your mind. Allow yourself to feel the satisfaction and comfort of knowing she is in the right position. During that time, if you have a fear thought, mentally pick it up, say, "This is fear" and throw it in the trash. Acknowledge it, but don't allow it to take root.

And keep in mind that while first babies usually go vertex by 34 weeks, everything I've heard says that second and third babies wait longer. And you're not even to 34 weeks.

Check out Gentlebirth's breech info and even though some of it you have already done, some of it might be new.

(((hugs))) Praying for a wonderful VBAC for you!