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3rd Trimester
aspade
member
WWYD: Breech baby... external version or scheduled c/s?
aspade
member
I've been pretty upset all day today. Yesterday, during my NST tests b/c of GD, I found out that my baby is breech. But I was all hopeful that she could still turn in the next week and a half or so.
But today at the OB office, the doc was pretty skeptical about her turning on her own, saying that with the amount of amniotic fluid, it's "very unlikely" she has room to turn on her own. She basically told me we have 2 options: the painful, only 70% effective external version that they have to do AT THE HOSPITAL, or a scheduled c-section during my 39th week. (The OB already told me, BTW, that she won't let me get past my EDD b/c of the GD.) We only have a week to decide.
I really do prefer a vaginal birth b/c of the recuperation time with a c/s and because it's just how I pictured everything going, but I'm not against a c/s if it's medically necessary.
If I go into labor before an attempted version, the c/s is my only option. If I have the painful procedure of manual turning from the outside (!), I still have a 30% chance of having a c/s. If the external version works and somehow manages not to put me into immediate labor (a risk), and I'm induced later, there's still a chance of a c/s if my cervix isn't really ready for the baby yet. So I just feel like I don't know what to do. DH is saying that of course we should try the external version, as if it's a no-brainer, but I feel in my heart that it's dangerous and scary, but I also will feel like some kind of failure if I just opt for the ease of the c/s.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?! I'm seriously so upset here...
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Re: WWYD: Breech baby... external version or scheduled c/s?
I think it truly depends on how much you really wanted a "natural" birth. If it is worth it to go through the turning (which, from hearing a family member go through, is not pleasant), then do the external turning. If there is a chance it will work and you would like to try it, do it.
IMHO, I would just do a c/s... if only because of the high rates of needing one in the end anyhow. I would rather just go through the c/s alone, rather than going through the turning, the pain of contractions, struggle, emotional stress, etc.
Whatever you choose, I hope everything works out as well as possible!
Don't feel like a failure!! No matter what you decide. This is not your fault.
If I were in your position, I would try the external version knowing that it may be painful but may prevent you some pain in recovery from a c/s. If it doesn't work, so be it. But at least you tried.
Owen is breech right now and Dh and I have decided that if he does not turn on his own we will NOT be doing an external version. I disagree with the 70% rate you were quoted (I'm a former L&D RN and an OB Nurse Practitioner now) - many times the babies will turn right back after a version OR the OB is unable to turn the baby to begin with...and versions can lead to FHR distress.
Of course this is just my opinion - best wishes with your decision!
You still have time for the baby to turn. I would find a chiropractor that practices the Webster technique. It's a pelvic adjustment and they will also work on your round ligament on the side that's misaligned so that the baby has more room to turn on his or her own.
You should be able to find one thru this link, unless you know one already. HTH..GL
https://www.icpa4kids.org/locator/index.php
FYI..it's 75-90 % effective, where as external version is only about 50% and VERY uncomfortable.
This is what I was told. My OB said that even though they may not turn on their own, a lot of the time, they will turn right back around after the version, if they can even get them to turn at all. Mine won't even attempt this because of the low chance it will work.
Of course only you can make this decision w/ your DH & doc, but I've been through this myself.
DS is transverse or oblique, depending on how I'm positioned. It's pretty unusual to have a baby be transverse this late in the game, so my OB said he could literally turn at any time. It's been horribly uncomfortable as he's grown - his head is jammed into the side of my hip & walking is sometimes nearly impossible.
We decided against the version. The risks involved & pain didn't exactly comfort me. I didn't want to end up needing an emergency C if something happened. One thing that helped us make the decision was that the hospital we're delivering at is big on not separating mommy & baby unless absolutely necessary, so DH & DS will walk to recovery with me, & I will be able to breast feed minutes after being stitched up. I will admit I wasn't set on a vaginal birth - we have a high rate of complications to baby & mommy in vag deliveries & a lot of c sections in my family, & I was very scared about a vaginal birth. I kinda felt like if he wasn't in a good position, it's for a reason. My OB said w/ transverse positioning being so rare at full term, there is probably a reason for it.
So we have a C scheduled for Monday. I'm nervous - it's major surgery. But I know what to expect, & DS will be safe, which is the most important thing.
It is definetly a personal choice. If its really important to you to do everything possible for a vaginal birth then try the version. I have seen these be successful & I have seen them not be, in which case they immediatley do a c-section. Either way they are very painful, I always feel terrible for the women when they are having them. Often their abdomens are very bruides after. However when they are successful many women are glad they had it done & are able to attempt a vaginal delivery. If you had previously delivered one or more babies successfully vaginally I would be more in favour of a version.
If it were me I would just book the c-section. the recovery is longer, however a booked c-section has a much easier recovery then one after a failed induciton or any previous labouring. Also I think mentally you are mroe prepared. However, in your circumstance you know it is a possibility either way, so hopefully that helps to mentally prepare you, also you have the opportunity to read up, as many people skip this part of the books! Also a recovery from a c-section CAN be the same or better then a recovery from a large epis or extensive tear. Have they estimated the size of your LO? With GD, as you know they tend to be on the bigger side. If they thought LO was going to be big I would be more swayed towards the section.
Good Luck in your decision, I am sorry this has happened I am sure its very upsetting. ((hugs))
I would try the version, I had one and it worked, and was not all that painful.
My story is below, I wish you luck is coming to a decision, it was scary for me as well, but I just went for it
I had a version done with baby #2, I really wanted to avoid a c-section if at all possible because I had a good vaginal delivery with #1 and I wanted to try and avoid the c-section recovery with a 2 year old at home.
The version was done in L&D, I was given a muscle relaxer via IV which is supposed to make your ab muscles etc not fight the flipping so much. I was monitored via ultrasound and the heartrate monitors for the entire procedure and for 2 hours afterwards. I was not given an epi or any pain meds.
The version DID work for me, he stayed head down, and came naturally 2 weeks later on his due date. The procedure did not hurt at all, the IV was more painful. I assume this is becuase he did flip and it would have been more painful had he not flipped.
I think it worked for me because I had several factors working in my favor (it was my second child so loser ab muscles and he was an average size baby, 7.5 lbs at birth).
I would not even think twice about going for the version again if this baby turned out to be breech. Again, Good luck to you in making the decision!
I;ve heard an EV is really really painful. In all honesty, I'd schedule the C. My recovery was really easy, far more so than a lot of friendds who had vaginal births. I guess there's no harm in trying the version, but they don't work often. I don't think it's dangerous, but I do think it's painful.
Seriously though, a c-section is not the worst thing in the world. I wanted to have a vaginal birth, went into labor, pushed for 4 hours, and DD wasn't moving. I was scared to a section but it was fine and the recovery wasn't bad at all.
Joaquin's hospital and Isela's birth center med & intervention free "hypnobabies" birth stories
I found this on a random website. I was told to start getting her to move now before its too late...like you I would rather get baby in the right position.
1. Knee to Chest Position
In one study of 71 breech babies, 65 turned when their mother adopted the knee-chest position. To do this, kneel with your hips flexed at slightly more than 90 degrees (but do not let your thigh press against your abdomen) and try to keep your head, shoulders, and upper chest flat on your mattress. Maintain the position for 15 minutes every two waking hours for five consecutive days. By positioning your body so your head is lower, gravity encourages the baby's head to "float" toward your fundus, flex her chin onto her chest and start to turn under. As pressure builds on the back of the back of the baby's head, she gradually rotates first into transverse, then all the way to vertex.
2. Breech Tilts
Do when you have an empty stomach and times when the baby is active. Concentrate on the baby, avoid tensing the body (especially the abdomen). Lie on your back with your hips elevated 12" (use pillows) and your hips and knees flexed. Gently roll through 180 degrees from side to side for 15 minutes and repeat this maneuver three times a day.
3. Pelvic Rocking
To do pelvic rocking get down on your hands and knees and gently tilt your pelvis as you arch your back, then return your back to a flat position and relax your pelvis. Do thirty to forty of these 3 times every day.
4. Ironing Board
Elevate the pelvis by laying on a board or ironing board that has been propped up onto the edge of a couch - MAKE SURE IT IS STABLE! This position should be assumed for 8 to 10 minutes daily. This position has been shown to be as successful as an external version in some studies.
I was almost in your position---DS turned at 34w4d. But I had a c/s anyway for other reasons.
Personally, the risk of ther version was not worth it to me. Sometimes the fetus is breech for a reason. One OB agreed with me and my OB was a judgementalbitch about not wanting the version.
My OB said it would be done in L&D and I would have an epidural in case they needed to do a crash c/s. No thank you.
GL!
The statistics are exactly why I opted for a c/s. There are just too many risks. Having a happy and healthy baby was/is priority number one.
In the end you have to do what you want to do but often by 36 weeks, the baby just won't turn. They have been either too comfy for too long in the breech position or there is just not enough room for them to turn around.
FWIW, I had my c/s at 38 w 5 days. She was perfect and is now a perfect 2 year old.