[Bladestar5]

My friend is 34weeks along, measuring about a week smaller. She is due to have her second baby, and he is breech and posterior. Is there a *very* safe way for her to have the baby turned? She doesn't want a c-section, but it is looking like a reality. She is also afraid of a rupture or abruption if he is turned. What should she do?

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[pamamidwife]

Here's some ideas: http://gentlebirth.org/archives/breech.html

Hopefully, she will be offered some choices from her care provider. If she's only offered a c-section, I'd run and find another provider.

 

[kerikadi]

In addition to the link Pam provided I would suggest that she find a chiropractor certified in the Webster technique. I have been seeing a chiro for the last 5-6 weeks. The Webster helps bring the baby to the most favorable birthing position - generally head down and anterior. It's nothing painful, drastic or weird and she will feel better afterwards. Chiropractics can also help get everything into alignment allowing for an easier labor & birth.

Keri

 

[bebe luna]

Acupuncture!! I have known 2 people use acupuncture to turn a breech baby~ sucessfully!!
It would be best for her to see a professional acupuncturist/doctor of Chinese medicine and not a chiro or md who practices acupuncture on the side.
Basically they needle a point on the outside of the tip of the little toe on each foot... this point when needled stimulates the baby to turn. It's is very non-invasive, safe, and effective.
Check out this website as well for some exercise she can do to help the baby turn from the posterior position:
http://www.spinningbabies.com/Pages/Page%204.html

 

[Defenestrator]

Many, many babies are still breech at 33-34 weeks, but it is also a great time to start trying to turn them. Here are some things that she can try:

Pulsatilla in 200c or 1M strength. If 200c, every 2-3 days, 1M once per week or so. The 1M is probably a lot harder to get locally if there isn't a homeopathic-specific store.

Webster technique a la chiropractor.

Moxibustion, either at home or at the acupuncturist.

breech tilt exercises -- pelvic tilts on a slant board, like an ironing board leaned up against a couch or a huge amount of firm pillows to mimic the same effect.

Swimming, especially doing upside-down maneuvers like diving from the surface to the bottom repeatedly.

Visualization, application of heat, cold, light, music in an effort to either annoy the baby away from its current position or lure it to a new position (like putting a strong, bright flashlight up next to the lower belly so that baby checks it out, or dold packs up top so that baby moves away)

A version can be a good last resort and if done by a skilled provider can be effective and carry a small enough risk to be worth it as a last resort. Many of the practices in my area do versions at 38 weeks, so if the same is true for her, she has a month to try other methods.

Good luck to her!

 

[Caring Touch]

I am a prenatal and pediatric Chiropractor and there is a specialized technique called "The Webster Technique". It's where the Chiro. adjusts the pelvis and ligaments to create mechanical freedom for the baby to turn on it's own. It has over a 90% success rate.

She can find a trained and specialized Chiro in her area by visiting...
www.icpa4kids.com

Feel free to message me if you have any further questions about it.

Good luck,
Caring Touch

 

[Bladestar5]

Thanks for all the great help!! I will let her know right away! Hopefully everything turns out ok!

 

[bebe luna]

Quote:

Originally posted by Defenestrator Moxibustion, either at home or at the acupuncturist.

As a professionlly trained a certified practioner of Chinese Medicine and bodywork, I strongly suggest that if one chooses to use moxa that they see a trained professional for a complete lesson on how moxa works and how to apply to self. Although it is not extremly difficult, it is a precise art and should be formally learned. One would also have to visit a professional to purchase the moxa sticks, holders, burners, and extinguishers anyways. One of the most precise and difficult aspects of using moxa is actually the extinguishing of moxa.

 

[Czen:)]

Just have to say this thread is a god send. Had my 37 week visit with my homebirth midwife last night and discovered that after months of being head down that baby has turned breech. My midwife says that breech is outside of her realm of practice and that I would have to transfer care to an OB for delivery if baby doesn't turn back very soon. She is sending me for an ultrasound to confirm position and then we go from there. The scary thing is that the OB's here will push for cesarian. (by scary, I mean I'm really scared!)

After a very emotionally upsetting night it was wonderful to log on and find my questions answered and waiting for me! I've read all the links supplied and am starting a plan of action today.

Thank you to the OP and to all those who have thoughtfully responded!

 

[Defenestrator]

Quote:

Originally posted by bebe luna As a professionlly trained a certified practioner of Chinese Medicine and bodywork, I strongly suggest that if one chooses to use moxa that they see a trained professional for a complete lesson on how moxa works and how to apply to self. Although it is not extremly difficult, it is a precise art and should be formally learned. One would also have to visit a professional to purchase the moxa sticks, holders, burners, and extinguishers anyways. One of the most precise and difficult aspects of using moxa is actually the extinguishing of moxa.

I totally agree, but access to a trained professional is not a reality for many people because of geography. If I wanted moxibustion, I would have to travel three steps outside of the office where I work as an apprentice midwife, but it may be hours away for someone else. The worst thing performing the procedure wrong could do is produce no benefit at all -- there is a chance that it would work if done at home vs. no chance that it could work if it were not done at all. Also, if I had to choose financially between having Webster done by a professional and moxibustion, I would choose Webster. I think the two therapies would complement each other very well, but one really isn't a possibility in a home setting and one is.

 

[Round Belly]

I was expecting a breech at 34 weeks, adn had this insasabile urge to scrub the kitchen floor. Nothing but scrubbing it on my hands and knees where good enough.

The baby turned about 37/38 weeks. Then later I discovered that some midwives believe the best way to turn a breach baby is to scrub on your hands and knees.

I think our bodies mostly know what they're doing.