Looking for some reassurance - breech baby, c-section

RioG1978

Turns out the baby is breech.  We tried external version, and I have tried several other techniques, to no avail.  OB recommended a c-section because it is my first baby and there are too many "unknowns", making the risk of a vaginal breech delivery too great.

 So I'm a bit terrified of having the c-section, first off.  At first I was okay with it, but today I read about spinal headaches and bad recoveries, and now I'm nervous.

 I'm also feeling like perhaps I made the wrong choice.   We scheduled it for Wednesday, my due date.  But I wonder if I should have insisted on waiting for a couple of more weeks?  To see if she would turn on her own?  I have some very "crunchy" friends who have made some comments (well-meaning) that have made me second guess myself.  Mainly along the lines of have I done my research.

 I DID do some research, and there were two risks I wasn't comfortable with - one being untested, and worried that there could be problems with my pelvis/uterus that we are unaware of, and 2, the risk of going too far overdue being harmful to the baby.  That risk may be slight, but it still scares me.

So I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance.  On one hand Wednesday can't come soon enough, on the other hand it's too close!

thatgirl84

RioG1978:

...spinal headaches and bad recoveries, and now I'm nervous.

 I'm also feeling like perhaps I made the wrong choice.   We scheduled it for Wednesday, my due date.  But I wonder if I should have insisted on waiting for a couple of more weeks?  To see if she would turn on her own?  I have some very "crunchy" friends who have made some comments (well-meaning) that have made me second guess myself.  Mainly along the lines of have I done my research.

Don't worry about the spinal headache. Leaking of fluid is very rare, and when it does happen you will know, and it can be easily fixed.

It is very unlikely for a baby to turn at this point. Focus on getting the baby out safe. Delivering breech is not safe, especially for a FTM.

RioG1978

Thanks.

 The more I think about it rationally, the more I know that is correct, and that I made the right choice.  I suspect there is a reason why she didn't/couldn't turn - fibroids or another uterine abnormality.

Daisy22

I have had one somewhat emergency c/s (never progressed from 1cm with ds1 and had meconium in my water that broke at home) and a planned c/s. I will have another planned one in 2 1/2wks. I doubt your baby will turn in the next little bit and my emergency c/s was easy but my planned rcs was extremely easy. I was up and out of bed once they took the cath out. I was doing all my normal activities within a 1 1/2wks including taking care of the boys by myself who are 15 months apart. There are plenty of us with easy recoveries over on the c/s board.

I have no regrets over my c/s and really do not feel like I missed out on anything. My boys are healthy and happy. Oh and I was with my boys within 30-45 minutes of them being born doing skin-to-skin and nursing them. dh took them to recovery after a few minutes then I met them. I would definitely ask your OB how the hospital handles things after the baby is taken out. If you want the baby with you at all times demand it if they are not going too. I know some ladies on the c/s board had their babies taken to the nursery after they came out but that isn't something that has to be done.

RioG1978

Thanks.

 I just discovered the c-seciton board and put a post there too.  It's helpful!

The nurse and OB assured me I would have her doing skin to skin within the hour, and DH will be the first one to hold her.  So that's reassuring.

The more research I do the more i realize that a vaginal delivery for breech really isn't a good idea for FTM's.  Too many what-ifs.  And I would hate to have something bad happen all because I was so set on my "birth vision". 

Frequent Flier

I am in the same boat!  I've researched about vaginal breech births, scheduled c-sections, and waiting to go into labor naturally and then having a c-section.  I'm meeting my doc tomorrow to finalize our plans, but we're probably going to do a scheduled c-section.

 A lot depends on the position of baby's feet with a breech birth.  Our baby's feet have been moving around a lot (if only his head would do the same!) and now he has one foot very close to my cervix.  The risk is if I went into labor naturally, the foot could come out before I'm fully dilated (gross!) and what would be worse is if the cord came out (cord prolapse) which is very dangerous. 

I struggled emotionally with the planned c-section, I felt like it was "cheating" and worried about the recovery.  A friend of mine had a scheduled c two weeks ago and is doing great.  She is fully mobile and although still taking it somewhat easy says everything is going great.

Hope that helps.  Whatever happens, good luck and feel confident in your choices!

lil_jen051708

Thanks for posting as we are probably heading down similar paths.  We go in Thursday for an u/s to confirm he's breech and then discuss our options.  I would like to try an external version but I've read that it's not particularly successful especially in FTM.  So we're mentally preparing for a c/s too.  I'm disappointed because I wanted to labor and deliver vaginally but I also know the risks and a breech and don't want to deliver everything but the shoulders and head and then have a problem or have a problem with the cord.  I just keep telling myself it's out of my control and whatever it takes to get the baby delivered is what we need to do. I feel like at this point, he's not going to turn on his own so the EV is our only shot.

Good luck and try not to feel bad (I know that's easy to say!) 

MrsC968

RioG1978:

Turns out the baby is breech.  We tried external version, and I have tried several other techniques, to no avail.  OB recommended a c-section because it is my first baby and there are too many "unknowns", making the risk of a vaginal breech delivery too great.

 So I'm a bit terrified of having the c-section, first off.  At first I was okay with it, but today I read about spinal headaches and bad recoveries, and now I'm nervous.

 I'm also feeling like perhaps I made the wrong choice.   We scheduled it for Wednesday, my due date.  But I wonder if I should have insisted on waiting for a couple of more weeks?  To see if she would turn on her own?  I have some very "crunchy" friends who have made some comments (well-meaning) that have made me second guess myself.  Mainly along the lines of have I done my research.

 I DID do some research, and there were two risks I wasn't comfortable with - one being untested, and worried that there could be problems with my pelvis/uterus that we are unaware of, and 2, the risk of going too far overdue being harmful to the baby.  That risk may be slight, but it still scares me.

So I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance.  On one hand Wednesday can't come soon enough, on the other hand it's too close!

I was 23 days late and there's nothing wrong with me. My cousins who are first borns were 1 1/2-2 weeks late and they are all fine as well. If you want to wait to see if baby turns talk to your doc.

In terms of the spinal, I actually have no experience with it but I had a c-section with an epidural and it didn't take entirely (I was induced and got the epi expecting a vaginal delivery but stopped progressing). If I were to have another c-section I would definitely get a spinal.

adussell7

I had a somewhat emergency c-section last wednesday, and honestly it was nothing compared to the thirty hours of back labor preceding it. I was in and out in under 20 minutes and went home from the hospital friday. Sure sitting up is going to be the pits for the first few days but it's safer and really not that bad at all.

angelfire02

Baby a was breech so we had to do a c-section and I was terrified but looking back I would totally have another one if I had the choice. I have never had a vaginal delivery but really all my hype about it was way worse than the actual surgery. Just think about seeing your baby. Totally worth it.  

KristinKWashington

I am in that boat too.  Found out about a week and a half ago she's breech.  I am still doing all the inversions, stretches, and seeing my chiropractor, but she hasn't budged.  I just had another untrasound for an AFI and she is still just sitting in my pelvic bone, like it's a big beanbag chair.

I've scheduled a CSection for the 13th.  It's not ideal, but I feel I have done my research and decided that I don't want the risks associayed to a breech birth. 

Funny enough, my Doula called me yesterday and said there was a group of women meeting tonight at a locate coffee shop to talk about their experiences with a CSection and to support women who have to have one done.  I am sort of excited to hear what they have to say.  You may want to see if there is something like that in your area.

sam19

At this point, I don't think there is much chance of the baby turning. 

I had an emergency c-section with my first and will be having a scheduled c-section with this one. I've heard that the recovery from a planned c-section is so much easier.

Just try to trust your doctor and your gut.  

misthang_1

I had a c-section last Wednesday, this was my second one.  I had a spinal for both, no issues with it and it worked like a charm.  With my first it was an unplanned c-section, although not all that surprising that I needed one nor was it unwelcomed by me.  However, I have to say, the RCS was a BREEZE!!!!!  She was out and DH had her next to my head within 15 minutes of being in the OR, she was skin to skin the moment we returned to the room (so, only about 30 minutes after she was born), and we were breastfeeding within an hour.  My milk came in within 2 days and the recovery has been much, much easier than it was with my first (although the first one wasn't bad at all either). 

It sounds like you have done plenty of research and tried everything you can to get her to turn.  Sometimes we find ourselves making the best decision we can for our families, regardless of what our friends may think.  This certainly won't be the last decision you make that some friends may not agree with.  Part of the joy of being a parent.

Oh, and it cracks me up some of the "suggestions" others give you to 'fix" your situation..."have you tried this, that, or the other?"  They are about as helpful as the age old comment to women struggling with infertility: "If you just relax, it will happen"...Wow, if only it were THAT easy... K.thanks, BYE!