First Big Decision

kt012885

I don't normally double post but looking for all advice or stories I can get.  Posted on my monthly board as well. 

Just got back from my 34 week appt. Baby is still breech and the doc gave us a couple of options. We are having an u/s at 36 weeks to see if she is still breech and how much fluid etc I have.

1. Try and manually turn her at 37 weeks. Said if its too painful we can stop-but said if she doesn't respond well then we'll have to do any emergency c-section. I'm concerned about this obviously. He said hopefully by looking at the u/s he'll be able to tell me if he thinks the turn will work.

2. We schedule a c/s for 40 weeks or close to my due date and if she turns by then, then we can do a vaginal birth.

At first before he mentioned the emergency c-section- I considered the manual turn bc I'd like to avoid a c-section if at all possible. But now I'm thinking- I don't want to chance her coming 3 weeks early if I don't need too & end up with a c-section anyways. Anyone been in this situation? Ever had a manual turn?

I'd appreciate any stories or advice as this decision is kinda a big deal. Dr said to start thinking about it and 2 weeks from now we'll need to decide if we want to do the turn.

doremi29

Mamasighs:

Spinningbabies.com and search for a chiropractor in your area who knows the Webster technique. I'd give both of these a try prior to an ECV or a c section.

Definitely this.  And if I had to choose, I'd go for option #2 to give the baby all the time in needs as an inside baby

Wannalitter

Is there a reason why the doc wants to try for a manual turn at just 37 weeks? That seems like still a lot of time left for them to turn on their own. What are the chances of the baby not responding well to a manual turn? I would think it can't be all that risky. I'd also definitely look into finding a doula or midwife that can show you some exercises for encouraging baby to turn on their own.

That is a tough call though. I think I'd wind up going for option 2 though and also try to encourage doc to let you go to 41 weeks to give baby every last chance or turning on their own. He wouldn't be pushing for a section at just 40 weeks if the baby wasn't breech so what's the harm in giving it another week? I guess maybe by then you can just assume baby is probably too big to flip, however my son went breech at 40 weeks and flipped at at 41w1d.

Sam Buttons

Mamasighs:

Spinningbabies.com and search for a chiropractor in your area who knows the Webster technique. I'd give both of these a try prior to an ECV or a c section.

This plus acupuncture. I've heard success stories with it.

pantsarella

Wannalitter:

Is there a reason why the doc wants to try for a manual turn at just 37 weeks? That seems like still a lot of time left for them to turn on their own. 

This. I asked my doctor what position the baby was in at 34 weeks and she said that she wasn't worried about it until after 36 weeks. She said babies still move around after that point, too.  

BelhurstBride

Mamasighs:

Spinningbabies.com and search for a chiropractor in your area who knows the Webster technique. I'd give both of these a try prior to an ECV or a c section.

Ditto the Spinning Babies website. They also have a TON of information about breech babies, exercises to help get babe into a better position and why breech isn't the worst position a babe could be in. 

himymlover

Mamasighs:

Spinningbabies.com and search for a chiropractor in your area who knows the Webster technique. I'd give both of these a try prior to an ECV or a c section.

This, and I'd look into acupuncture. They are able to place the needle somewhere that supposedly helps turn the baby. I had a friend do it and she said it worked. 

kt012885

pantsarella:

Wannalitter:

Is there a reason why the doc wants to try for a manual turn at just 37 weeks? That seems like still a lot of time left for them to turn on their own. 

This. I asked my doctor what position the baby was in at 34 weeks and she said that she wasn't worried about it until after 36 weeks. She said babies still move around after that point, too.  

Right and he doesn't want to do the manual turn til 37 weeks..so we'll check with an u/s at that point if we want to do that.  But he wanted to give us the option to start thinking about it now- bc he doesn't do them after 37 weeks.  We've known she's been breech since 28 weeks- not sure about before that.  He checks me every appt.  He won't do anything until 37 but its something we need to discuss now in case at my u/s at 36 weeks- she's stil breech..he'll want to schedule the turn if that's what we wanna do.

That.Just.Happened

Mamasighs:

Spinningbabies.com and search for a chiropractor in your area who knows the Webster technique. I'd give both of these a try prior to an ECV or a c section.

100% this.  I have several friends who had great success with their chiro turning their baby.  I have *never* heard that the doctor trying to do it would result in an emergency c-section.  That sounds off to me. 

coraggiosa

I second the search for a chiropractor. I have been seeing one since early in my pregnancy, and it was one of the things she mentioned to me in our discussion about how she can help me throughout this pregnancy. 

So far I have had a great experience with her - she's eliminated awful daily headaches and really cut down on some bad back pain I started to have. If this baby ends up being breech, she will be the first one I will call.

 

A37licia

I agree with chiropractic and spinning babies to try to get baby to turn. Have you considered asking him if he is experienced or trained in vaginal breech birth? Chances are he's not, but it might be worth at least asking. Some OBs are trained in it, and the ACOG says that depending on the experience of the care provider, vaginal breech can be a reasonable option over elective cesarean. I would only do one with a care provider who knew what they were doing though, because though it IS a variation of normal, it does require extra care and can carry extra risks (but obviously so does a cesarean).

Cbutler07

Mamasighs:

Spinningbabies.com and search for a chiropractor in your area who knows the Webster technique. I'd give both of these a try prior to an ECV or a c section.

 

This and Yoga poses helped me turn my little one out of breech. My dr and I discussed the ECV as well but not until at least 38/39 weeks, but he turned at 36. I would use all your options first before deciding on any option given. But seriously Spinningbabies.com is amazing

jennOK

I was in the same position you were. Breech baby at 36 weeks. He turned right before my 37 week appointment. You still have time.

My doctor told me if he didn't turn they also would do a csection at 40 weeks if I didn't go into labour before then. I would opt for that because it still gives baby time, and they will check you up until the last second to see if the baby has turned. If they do, you can still go natural that way.

Tiefling

jennOK:

I was in the same position you were. Breech baby at 36 weeks. He turned right before my 37 week appointment. You still have time.

My doctor told me if he didn't turn they also would do a csection at 40 weeks if I didn't go into labour before then. I would opt for that because it still gives baby time, and they will check you up until the last second to see if the baby has turned. If they do, you can still go natural that way.

This. I wouldnt do anything drastic just yet. Youve got time. My doc is rather flippant, he noticed my boy might be breech a couple weeks ago around week 35 and shrugged it off. He said we could do an u/s if we needed to as we ran out of time and make decisions then if need be.
I wasnt worried cuz my babys been flippy floppin around ALL the time since 1314 weeks. He got his act together and hes head down, ready to come out now : They usually kno what to do, try to trust him. He'll let u know if/when he needs help :