I'm 34 weeks and baby hasn't turned...

Katie Jenks · April 2009

the doctor said he would try turning the baby at 36 weeks if it hasn't happened - any advice/heads up on what this will feel like during the procedure and after? Anything I can do to make it easier/better? Thanks!

Jessis62781 · April 2009

Is he doing a version?

Mando91 · April 2009

I had a Version done. Please know it is optional. Do your research and decide if its a risk you want to take. It is a potentially dangerous procedure.

That being said, I opted to try to version or ECV. It was the worst pain I've ever felt and it failed anyway. Some women have great experiences with it and the baby turns very easily. Mine did not.

There isn't anything you can do to make the procedure easier. Feel free to ask me any other specific questions you want.

Jessis62781 · April 2009

Mando91:

I had a Version done. Please know it is optional. Do your research and decide if its a risk you want to take. It is a potentially dangerous procedure.

That being said, I opted to try to version or ECV. It was the worst pain I've ever felt and it failed anyway. Some women have great experiences with it and the baby turns very easily. Mine did not.

There isn't anything you can do to make the procedure easier. Feel free to ask me any other specific questions you want.

same experience here.

amberandcristian · April 2009

At my 34 week appointment DD had not turned. By the time I was induced at 36 weeks, DD was head down. Your baby still has time to turn.

I'mAcrossThePond · April 2009

My Dr. gave me the choice between attempting an EVC or just scheduling a C-Section. We did our research and ended up just scheduling a section (I went into labor earlier anyway, so we had a section earlier than planned). We chose not to try the EVC because of pain for the mother, low success rates, and fetal distress. We figured there had to be a reason DS had not flipped on his own.

Turns out we were right. DS had the cord around his neck 3, yes 3, times. His first apgar score was a 4. He was not breathing and was in distress as it was. If they had tried the EVC, it would have ended in an emergency c-section because he surely would have had a drop in heart rate. It could have ended very badly.

Katie Jenks · April 2009

Yes - he was talking about doing a version. He told me risks involved - including it not working, rupturing my waters, emergency C-section. I really wanted to deliver naturally and I know there is still time for the baby to turn, but I've had numerous ultrasounds all throughout and the baby has always been breech with hands and feet up by the face. I turned super late when my mom had me, like the day before she went into labor. It sounds like having the Dr try and turn the baby is maybe not something I want done and I should start thinking about a C-section or at least the likely possibility of one. Thanks for the advice anymore is appreciated as well- I'll be doing more research on my own too.

Mando91 · April 2009

KMJenks112:
Yes - he was talking about doing a version. He told me risks involved - including it not working, rupturing my waters, emergency C-section. I really wanted to deliver naturally and I know there is still time for the baby to turn, but I've had numerous ultrasounds all throughout and the baby has always been breech with hands and feet up by the face. I turned super late when my mom had me, like the day before she went into labor. It sounds like having the Dr try and turn the baby is maybe not something I want done and I should start thinking about a C-section or at least the likely possibility of one. Thanks for the advice anymore is appreciated as well- I'll be doing more research on my own too.

Just a side note: when my doc told me about the version she totally down played it. She actually used the word "massage" the baby into the right place. She made all the risks known appropriately; but, I felt mislead by her. It's so dangerous that before the dr. performing the version started he had to call down to the waiting OR staff to let them know we were starting. They have to be on standby for the "just in case" situation that they need to get the baby out ASAP.

I had the c-section and it really wasn't that bad. Recovery sucks; but, the section itself is easy as pie. It took me a good two weeks to get over the fact that I wasn't "birthing" a child, I wanted to go natural too. But, now when I see my DD smile at me, I could care less how she came out, I'm just glad she's healthy, happy and out!

good luck!

Katie Jenks · April 2009

The more I read the more I am leaning toward not having this done. I see the Dr. again on Tuesday and plan on asking him a lot more questions. Studies suggest that success is in part determined by the Dr being able to easily find the baby's head to guide it in the turn and I've already had 3 different people - a nurse, a midwife, and a Dr - tell me that they couldn't even determine if the baby was turned or not to begin with. I'll keep hoping for the baby to turn but at this point if that doesn't happen I need to really be expecting a C-section which isn't what I had planned on but that goes right along with the rest of the pregnancy. It's all still worth it in the end!

Thanks again for all the replies!

goeckie · April 2009

I started going to a chiropractor at about 34 weeks for that reason. Find one that practices Webster's technique. Mine managed to turn at 39 weeks on his own. I credit the chiropractor.