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I just got back from the breech specialist. I am 36 weeks this week and the baby is still breech. He said that chances are the baby won't flip on it's own because although the placenta is posterior, a large piece of it is also along the side making it cramped in there. I have 3 options now, all of which freak me out. 1. I can go in to the hospital on Monday where they can try to turn the baby and where they will have emergency c-section people there in case of complications. 2. I can try to deliver the baby breech, 3. I can schedule a c-section.........On a side note the baby weighs 5pounds 11ounces right now and it is a girl (which we have been wanting to know since the first ultrasound but they haven't been able to tell us).

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How many breech babies has your doctor delivered? If your doctor is comfortable with it, that'd be the one I'd choose. Hands down.

 

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

 

We were nearly faced with this decision 4.5 years ago. Dd was stubborn and stayed breech until around 37 weeks. My placenta was also anterior - but I didn't know that had anything to do with it. Anyway, we were going to go ahead with a homebirth and deliver her breech as our midwife had done it a LOT of times. But, she flipped!!!

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How many breech babies has your doctor delivered? If your doctor is comfortable with it, that'd be the one I'd choose. Hands down.

 

:iagree: My middle dd turned at 38 weeks and she was 7 lbs 14 oz at birth. I was 115 lbs when I left the hospital. So, I was small and she was a pretty good size baby, but she had room to turn.

 

eta: I have had a medicated vaginal birth, an unmedicated vaginal birth and a c-section. The unmedicated vaginal birth was *by far* the easiest, during the birth and recovery-wise. I would go to great lengths to avoid a c-section.

Edited by Mrs Mungo
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Well, if its any consolation to you. I have given birth via both C-Section and natural and I can honestly say that C-Section was definitely and easier birth, and thats saying alot given that my C-Section was with twins. The recovery was a lot harder and longer, but the birth itself was much easier.

 

Don't know if that helps or not, but I thought I would put it out there.

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I would discuss with your doc. It depends on how much risk you are willing to take. If baby is in a frank breech position and you are pretty sure she is that small, then breech birth isn't as risky. From my research an additional 6 out of 1000 babies will die if delivered breech. So, it is riskier, but not so risky that it is ridiculous to try (if you want).

 

Personally, my son was breech at 36 wks and I was planning to have a c-section. At 38 weeks he had flipped, so he was born vaginally (he was almost 9lbs). It is a hard decision and all of my options freaked me out as well. Good luck with your decision!!

Edited by lovinmyboys
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I would discuss with your doc. It depends on how much risk you are willing to take. If baby is in a frank breech position and you are pretty sure she is that small, then breech birth isn't as risky. From my research an additional 6 out of 1000 babies will die if delivered breech. So, it is riskier, but not so risky that it is ridiculous to try (if you want).

 

Personally, my son was breech at 36 wks and I was planning to have a c-section. At 38 weeks he had flipped, so he was born vaginally (he was almost 9lbs).

 

Well, I'd say it's more about which risks to take rather than "how much". C-section carries risks for mom and baby as well. :)

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I delivered my twin girls vaginally - one head first and one breech. The breech one was about 5ish pounds and I will say as small as that is - it wasn't easy to push her out, it was pretty hard. I was fairly determined to avoid a c section and my OB has tons of experience.

 

I would ask about your OB's comfort level and experience, IMO it would not be worth it to try a breech delivery only to have it go emergency c section midway. I would rather have a calm c section than stressful emergency one.

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I would discuss with your doc. It depends on how much risk you are willing to take. .

 

I agree with this. Having been through an emergency C-section due to a ruptured placenta, the degree of risk I'd be willing to take now would be different than before that experience. Before that I probably would have gone with 1 or 2. After having been through it, I'd probably wait a few more weeks and schedule the C-section.

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Which option do YOU feel at peace with?

 

I'm not sure I agree 100% with the placenta comment. Placentas implant in all areas of the uterus, including where yours is, and the majority of babies are born vertex. But I'm not a "breech specialist", just going by what I have seen, what the stats are, and what logically makes sense.

 

Typically what I see is babies who are persistently in one position or another will stay in that position (whether it be vertex or breech). Babies who flip around a lot might go breech at 38wks but they will get back to vertex. So if your baby has been breech the majority of the pregnancy, she's probably staying there.

 

Have you seen a chrio who does Webster?

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That's a tough decision and I'm sorry you may have to make it. For now, I'd give yourself a little time, because babies can turn at the last minute. If your doctor or midwife is skilled with delivering breech babies, I think I'd try it, but I can't be sure until I was in that position.

 

Well, I'd say it's more about which risks to take rather than "how much". C-section carries risks for mom and baby as well. :)

 

Yes, and with the number of treatment-resistant infections changing every year, it's pretty darn hard to nail down the exact number of serious infections resulting from c-sections that is accurate TODAY (versus 3 or 5 or 10 years ago, which is not the same as today). However, we do know we have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed world and that c-section increases the risk of maternal mortality, so I'd say that it definitely is more about which risk a woman is more comfortable taking. I honestly can't say for sure which I'd choose.

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If there is one in your area, there is a method, the Webster technique, I think, in which very skilled chiros can perform that can be very successful. It is painless and very safe. I think it would be worth a try. My 5th baby was transverse (nothing worse than a baby presenting sideways), and when she turned at 36.5 weeks, it sent me into labor. She was 6lbs 6oz and id great. I was scheduled for an inversion at the hospital the day she was born. Glad to avoid that procedure. HTH!

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My 5.5 month old was a breech VBAC. Breech births- even C/s breech births- do carry slightly more risk, so turning the baby would absolutely be my first choice. A great book that weighs the pros/cons of breech birth is The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth.

http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Womans-Guide-Better-Birth/dp/0399525173

 

Aside from ECV, I also tried Webster, hypnotherapy, spinningbabies.com techniques, lots of hands and knees/pelvic rocks, inversion, the "hot and cold" technique (put something warm down low, ice up high), playing music/having your DH talk down low, moxibustion, and any other thing I could find. In the end, nothing worked for me.

 

My OB is very skilled with breech deliveries, and very pro-natural birth. In my case, he told me the risks of a C/s and the risks of a breech VBAC were roughly equivalent, in his opinion. I agonized over it quite a bit, but talking to others who had delivered breech babies with my doctor (your local ICAN board is a great place to look for such moms) swayed me towards going for it.

 

The birth was great, and I'm so happy I went for the vaginal breech. I don't know if this baby will complete your family or not, but before opting for a C/s, be sure to consider how it would affect any future pregnancies.

 

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk off-board, and best of luck no matter what you decide! :)

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If the doctor is experienced with breech births and the baby is in a good position for one (of course!), I'd go that route.

 

If the doctor isn't very experienced, I'd go for the version. If the version doesn't "take", you can hold out for a later c-section and see if you get a natural flip before then.

 

When we were looking at our options with this baby (who finally turned, yay!), I heard lots of great stories about babies turning at the last minute, which really helped my frame of mind. It DOES happen!

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I had an external version with ds. I went to a group of doctors who also taught/supervised medical students at the hospital across the street. The doctor with the most experience doing versions did mine.

 

It is best to be in a hospital with everything in place just in case, but from my knowledge (and this was 14 years ago), a version is not terribly risky. When mine was done, I had a fetal monitor AND ultrasound monitoring ds the whole time. His heart rate dropped for a little bit, but not too much, and then he was fine. I stayed there and was monitored for quite awhile. I was next door to the OR where they do c-sections, I had an i.v. in, if anything did go wrong, they could have the baby out in 4 minutes.

 

My external version went fine.

 

Wendi

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If there is one in your area, there is a method, the Webster technique, I think, in which very skilled chiros can perform that can be very successful. It is painless and very safe. I think it would be worth a try.

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

Also try taking Pulsatilla 30C one dose every two hours up to 6 doses/day and then lying on a board (I used my ironing board) propped up at a 45 degree tilt with your feet above your head for 30 minutes. The Pulsatilla/slant board combo worked and I wound up canceling my Webster technique appointment. But that would've been the next step.

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My baby was posterior, not breech, but he turned completely after just two sessions of adjustment by a chiro doing the Webster technique. I also know someone whose baby turned using the tilt board method, and she was right up at the end, wanting a homebirth. Anything you chose will result in a healthy baby. I'd just personally try some of the options, especially the Webster technique chiro thing and the board before you decide on anything.

 

And yes, having birthed 11lb1oz vaginally, head first, I can't imagine breech 5 pounds would be that much worse. You'll think you're dying, but you'll survive.

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Option #4: Go to a chiropractor who can do the Webster Maneuver. I did that with child #2 who was breech in the 36 wk and MUCH larger than 5lbs. He flipped w/in hours of the maneuver. Also visit spinningbabies.com for some exercises and postures you can do to encourage baby to flip. Babies naturally want to be head-down. Something is blocking her from being that way. Could be a variety of things. If those things do not work...give it some more time, try the Webster Man. again. Some babies just don't flip until the last second. Your baby is small and there IS room left in there to move. Don't get conned into a c/s.

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I have been trying the slanted board technique and various other exercises that my OB suggested for the last 6 weeks and she doesn't budge. We don't have the money for a chiropractor either. All other procedures and medical treatments are covered by Ontario Healthcare but not chiro visits.

 

The reason the version scares me is because it will be scheduled for this upcoming Monday. I will only be just 37 weeks and could very well end up having a c-section that day anyway. I had a vaginal birth with dd5 and it was a difficult one. It lasted 27 hours and I ended up hemorrhaging after. Dd had to be kept and monitored for the first night due to stress and breathing issues even though she was an 8 pound 4 ounce baby.

 

I think I may just try to wait it out to see if she flips on her own. If she doesn't I probably will opt for the third option since both my OB and the Breech specialist doctor were talking of the newness of the acceptance of vaginal breech delivery. I am just not that comfortable with doing an newly accepted procedure. If I lived closer to Toronto, where breech vaginal delivery has been more widely practiced than here it might be an easier decision to consider.

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I

 

I think I may just try to wait it out to see if she flips on her own. If she doesn't I probably will opt for the third option since both my OB and the Breech specialist doctor were talking of the newness of the acceptance of vaginal breech delivery. I am just not that comfortable with doing an newly accepted procedure. If I lived closer to Toronto, where breech vaginal delivery has been more widely practiced than here it might be an easier decision to consider.

 

If it helps - it's not that a vaginal breech delivery is a newly accepted procedure. It used to be a delivery that doctors and midwives were well versed in. It's just been recently that they've decided NOT to do them. This is the first I've heard of a doctor willing to even try it! There are a number of midwives who will do it and have the practice that I would trust.

 

Find out how many breech deliveries your doctor has done. He/she may be VERY well versed in it! The fact that you've given birth before helps! My former midwife that I used for my 4th would not deliver a first time mom with a breech, but would with a "proven" pelvis.

 

Anyway, good luck with your decision!!!

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Sara, I understand having a long hard labor. Was that your first baby? Has anybody told you that 2nd babies are often very different? You can also tone the uterus and prepare with Red Raspberry leaf tea. My first labor was 23 hours and very, very hard. My 2nd baby was 7 hours and I was smiling right up the end, total in control, a very different birth. So if part of what is factoring into this is your experience with the first, you should know that this 2nd baby might be a very different experience.

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If it helps - it's not that a vaginal breech delivery is a newly accepted procedure. It used to be a delivery that doctors and midwives were well versed in. It's just been recently that they've decided NOT to do them. This is the first I've heard of a doctor willing to even try it! There are a number of midwives who will do it and have the practice that I would trust.

 

Find out how many breech deliveries your doctor has done. He/she may be VERY well versed in it! The fact that you've given birth before helps! My former midwife that I used for my 4th would not deliver a first time mom with a breech, but would with a "proven" pelvis.

 

Anyway, good luck with your decision!!!

 

 

Thanks,

He said it was like a forgotten trade almost that has been out of practice for a long time. He does do them, has done them and said there would be a lot of information and discussing we would do if I decided to go that way. I hate making big decisions in a short period of time.

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I would continue doing the exercises every day. If the baby is still breech when the time comes I would choose # 2, depending on how comfortable your docor is with breech delivery. In the meantime I would read everything I could on breech so you can make an educated choice.

Edited by Quiver0f10
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I have been in your situation twice. My first breech baby flipped at 38 weeks. My second breech baby wasn't breech until my water broke at 37 weeks. When labor didn't progress at home, I went to the hospital and discovered that she was breech. I had to make decisions pretty quickly. My OB would not do a version. He said they rarely work and are pretty painful. I'm sure the fact that I had no amniotic fluid was also a factor. He suggested a vaginal breech delivery. (I had already delivered 3 babies, the largest being 10 1/2 #, pitocin induced and epidural free so he knew that I could handle the delivery.)

 

I went with a breech delivery. Because my water had broken, the clock was ticking. Know that a breech baby does not put the same pressure on the pelvis and so I had to have pitocin when my labor didn't progress. The pitocin is ugly but a shower and encouraging nurse are like magic. The delivery was pretty easy.

 

I will warn you that if you go for a breech delivery, it will have to be in the OR. They wheel you out of the room when you are close (8cm) and things move pretty quickly. Also, everyone will want to come and see a breech delivery so you may end up with an audience if your spouse isn't shooing them all out.

 

Also, the delivery is super fast and it doesn't always force the mucus out of the airways during birth. My baby stopped breathing a few minutes after she was born. The nurse was watching for this and had her suctioned out and breathing in seconds. It did mean an automatic night in NICU for the baby though.

 

I would encourage you first go to a chiropractor and give the Webster technique a try. I have never personally been to the chiropractor, but I have taken in an infant for constant ear infections and she was immediately ear infection free. I've also taken in my son for constant headaches and he improved within a few weeks. Chiropractors are generally inexpensive - mine cost $25 a visit, and non-invasive.

 

If your baby remains breech, go for a breech delivery. I had an emergency appendectomy last year and I'd never willingly go through abdominal surgery. The recovery is so much worse than a vaginal delivery!

 

Good luck!

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The vast majority of breech babies will flip, often in the last few weeks or even in early labor (or in transition!). Of those that don't flip, the vast majority will be born safely provided that there isn't unnecessary intervention. I would suggest you wait at least another couple of weeks before you do anything. If baby is still breech, you could spend the next couple of weeks after that trying a few gentle / alternative techniques.

 

Breech is a variation of normal. It is not a problem. Millions of babies are happily and safely born by normal vaginal breech delivery.

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The reason the version scares me is because it will be scheduled for this upcoming Monday. I will only be just 37 weeks and could very well end up having a c-section that day anyway..

 

Is that what your doctor actually said, or is that what you're taking from the fact that they will have everything set up for one *IF* needed? Because external versions are considered to be pretty darn safe in the grand scheme of things. If the baby is really stubborn and doesn't want to budge, you SHOULD be able to go home (after some monitoring, probably) and wait it out some more.

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My first baby was a breech. Luckily my obstetrician was happy for me to try a vaginal birth with the proviso that I had an epidural in place and that he would have a low threshold for a c/section. I had a 4 hour labour and delivered an 8lb baby. The worst part was the episiotomy as they use forceps to help deliver the head. They had a paediatrician in the room ready to check her over as soon as she was born, then I had her in my arms within 5 mins. It is okay to have a breech delivery, but you have to do what YOU feel comfortable with.

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I had a largish baby (9 1/2 lb) that was breach up until 38 weeks. the doctor tried turning her in hospital. It was not pleasant, and she kept flipping back . He then gave me this exercise. it isn't fun either but it worked.

it has to be done for 15 minutes every 2 hours during waking hours. it took me three days to turn her.

lie face down on the bed up to the hips, cross my arms and place them on the floor, rest my head on my crossed arms, the tummy is hanging free. You get very light headed, but keep in that position for 15 minutes.

one thing I noticed was the baby wasn't moving very much, she had run out of room. but when I was lying almost upside down she would start to kick like crazy.

it worked for me. I hope it works for you

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I just wanted to add that I have heard of "successes" in all options. None will be quite as terrifying in action as they are while you are thinking about them.

 

My friend had her baby turned manually. The baby kept flipping back to breech, but on the final attempt the Dr was willing to make, baby stayed put. My friend went on to have a homebirth.

 

I've certainly heard of successful breech births.

 

My personal experience was with the C-section option. Ds was transverse breech, and I had complete placenta previa, so I didn't have any options. While I was still hoping that I did have options, I would have gone with Option 1 followed by Option 2, both assuming experience and a positive attitude from the medical professional I chose to work with. That said, a C-section need not be a nightmare. I had a nasty C-section due to the placenta previa (needed 2 units of blood) but was still up and walking within 24hrs, and driving 10 days later. (Just to say here, my first birth was a homebirth, and that would always be my first choice.)

 

Thinking about these things is usually more scary than doing them. And having options is often tougher than just having something decided for you, even if it isn't want you wanted.

 

Good luck with your choices.

 

Nikki

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#2. A vaginal breech birth in a 2nd or later time mom with a skilled care provider is very safe.

 

Don't freak yourself out about breech. The efficacy of the "breech trials" study was horrible -- it included premature breech babies, breech twins, and breech infants with birth defects that made vaginal birth more dangerous in general.

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If you end up having a C-section, whether by choice or due to complications, I just want to encourage you not to be afraid of it. I've had a medicated vag birth, unmedicated vag birth, and an emergency C-section. After the first day, the C-section was no worse than the vag deliveries. If you take out the emergency at 4:30 am aspect, I'd take a scheduled C-section over the unmedicated vag birth. I know many people take longer to recover from C-sections, but that's not always the case. I actually went to church 4 days after my C-section.

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It depends on the breech...full breech, footling breech, or butt down breech (sorry can't think of the technical term offhand)? Butt down breech is not good for vaginal delivery and would cause complications. Full breech should not be an issue for vaginal delivery.

 

How familiar is your provider with vaginal breech deliveries?

 

You still have time for that baby to turn. The exercise mentioned above. Another I was taught was to take a frozen bag of peas and place that on the top part of your stomach (near the babe's head) and leave it there...do that several times a day. The babe may try to rotate away from it.

 

Is your provider concerned about a placental abruption? (his mention of the placenta on the side makes me wonder this). This would be a legitimate concern, but you may wish a second opinion on it.

 

Optimal would be #2, but that would depend on the specifics to the questions above.

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It depends on the breech...full breech, footling breech, or butt down breech (sorry can't think of the technical term offhand)? Butt down breech is not good for vaginal delivery and would cause complications. Full breech should not be an issue for vaginal delivery.

 

How familiar is your provider with vaginal breech deliveries?

 

You still have time for that baby to turn. The exercise mentioned above. Another I was taught was to take a frozen bag of peas and place that on the top part of your stomach (near the babe's head) and leave it there...do that several times a day. The babe may try to rotate away from it.

 

Is your provider concerned about a placental abruption? (his mention of the placenta on the side makes me wonder this). This would be a legitimate concern, but you may wish a second opinion on it.

 

Optimal would be #2, but that would depend on the specifics to the questions above.

 

It is the butt down, Frank Breech I believe it's called. Her feet are up by her ears. He didn't mention placental abruption, but he made a big deal out of showing exactly how the placenta was located and that if I am considering to try for the vaginal delivery then we would have a lot of things to discuss.

It's my daugters 6th birthday today so we will be out all day for it, but I will try the frozen vegetable technique when I get back. I have tried so many others, but not that one yet.

 

Thank you ladies for all the advice, experiences and tricks/techniques. I really appreciate it, and it has helped to alleviate my stress (a least a little bit):tongue_smilie:.

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