Anyone good at belly mapping? Is my kid breech?

epphd

OK, I knew that at some point I would develop an irrational fear and it has happened.  I am SO nervous that Nubbin is or will be breech. I've tried to do some belly mapping a la spinningbabies.com, but am still totally confused. 

Here's the deal: I have an anterior placenta so it is hard for my Ob to feel parts all that well.  What I feel via kicks and movement is:

Upper right side - big lump that occassionally pushes out or "stretches". Could be head or butt.

Underneath right ribs - some appendage that occasionally seems to get stuck behind the ribs. Could be legs or arms.

Lower left side: kicks or punches - sharpish taping movements or jabs.

Heartbeat: loudest on doppler just to the left and below the belly button.

I kind of think he is head-down-ish, but still kind of transverse. Nevertheless I am trying to spend 15-30 minutes with my butt in the air to encourage him to get/stay head down

I plan to ask my doc about it again on Monday, as I'm told that after 34 weeks it is less likely that the baby will turn.  If she still can't tell she may do an u/s. In the meantime, thanks for indulging my paranoia!

ETA: Whit reminded me - hiccups: I don't feel them often but one reason I'm nervous is I *swear* that a couple of nights ago in the middle of the night I felt them near the presumed butt (upper RIGHT - edited).  Hmmm.

whit022109

sounds head down to me. mine is head down, i have the big lump that pushes out above my belly button, dr. said this is his butt. i feel smaller lumps or i call them "knobs" on my lower right side. i feel hiccups in my lower abdomen, and thats also wear dr. uses the doppler. 

Sticky41284

That sounds similar to how my babe is positioned, and he's head down. The big lump that you are referring to that pushes out, in my case, that's his little butt. In fact, whenever I go to appts, he sticks his butt out as far as he can and wiggles it while the OB is feeling him

Shanbo22

Sounds head down to me! The big bump is probably you LO's lil butt! We had an US a couple weeks ago to make sure that he was head down and thats what that lump was. She showed me everything to make sense of what I am feeling. The lump was his butt, the feet were what was jabbing my rib cage and the lil jabs you feel on your side are probably punches haha!! GL

XOXOJami

I have the same fear. I'm trying to figure it out too. What I can say is typically baby locks in place at 37 weeks and can still turn up until then. Thats what I've have 3 midwives and 2 ob's tell me. Keep doing what you are doing, and also pelvic rocks! Good luck!

MAtoNC

My baby is head-down and engaged.

Upper left -- bump that bulges or stretches=his little butt.

Low left -- where they find his heart beat

Upper right -- kicks -- his legs

Lower right -- jabs -- his arms

 

So your LO sounds like s/he is in a simliar position as mine. I'm sure your doctor can address more accurately.

epphd

Thanks everyone - you're probably right.  I think I'm so freaked out because I would really love to at least try a natural birth, and the single biggest impediment to that would be breech presentation. 

cleigh11

Not to scare or worry you, but my LO is frank breech and the doctors wouldn't have known if we hadn't gotten the growth u/s at week 33.  In this position, their butts and heads are easily confused and the heartbeat tends to be around the same position as a vertex baby.  I feel his head right below my left rib cage and his feet and hands (think pike position) are under my right rib cage with his butt down on my cervix. 

However, statistically speaking, the majority of babies make their way to the vertex position if they aren't there already:-)
GL

epphd

cleigh - no worries! I know breech is unlikely, but like you said - it can be really hard to tell.  I think I will insist on an u/s next week.  Haven't had one since week 20 so it seems reasonable to request one.

Are you considering a version or doing anything to help him move?  best of luck!

 

cleigh11

epphd:

cleigh - no worries! I know breech is unlikely, but like you said - it can be really hard to tell.  I think I will insist on an u/s next week.  Haven't had one since week 20 so it seems reasonable to request one.

Are you considering a version or doing anything to help him move?  best of luck!

 

I tried a chiropractor certified in The Webster Technique.  I did all the tricks on spinningbabies.com.  Then, I came to terms that my LO is going to stubborn and most likely not move:-(  My sister is a L&D nurse and during her rotation saw a version done and said she wouldn't recommend one.  So, I opted against it. 

It was hard coming to terms with a c/s at first, but now I have learned to embrace the positives that will come of it, including having my LO delivered the best way possible.

I would definitely insist upon an u/s if you have any doubt.  I had another one 2 days ago just to confirm position and if I have any doubts before 39 weeks, I will request another:-)  

Fingers are crossed for you, though!  :-)

epphd

thanks cleigh - I can imagine it was hard to accept a C, but I totally hear you that once you wrap  your brain around it, it's easier to accept it and even embrace it.

GL to you!!