Pennsylvania Babies

Version/C-Section Scheduled

Quick recap: We've known that baby has been breech for sometime and we've been hoping that she'd have turned by now, plus all the doctors kept saying not to worry since only 2-3% remain breech by week 37. Friday we went back to the doctor for my weekly appointment and she was still breech. The midwife sent us home for the weekend and asked me to lay upside down on an ironing board on a 45 degree incline with music and a flashlight on my belly. While baby seemed to like this and moved quite a bit, it didn't work (not surprised!). Today's ultrasound shows that she is certainly still breech.

So today we discussed our options with the doctor and the pros and cons of having the version done. Ultimately, we did decide to try the version during week 39 although it has only a 50% success rate. Our hope is that it will be successful, but we also have a C-section scheduled for the same day in case it isn't. The doctor said that we could wait and come back the following week for the C-section if it isn't succesful, but I guess if we are going to already be at the hospital for the version and its only 4 days before my due date, we might as well do it then. If it is successful, she'll send me home and wait until I go into labor. She said that the baby could possibly still move on her own, but isn't likely at this point. I did call an acupuncturist and I'm waiting on a call back since she said that we could go ahead and try that.

Honestly, I guess I'm just really disappointed although I know that in the scheme of all things, I shouldn't be. What matters is that we are having the opportunity to become parents, that as far as we know we have a healthy baby, and that we've even made it this far so well given the complications that I was having back in the summer and early fall. However, both DH and I feel like we are going to miss out on the event of going into labor, heading to the hospital who knows when, and getting through all of those contractions together.

I know this is all beyond my control and I shouldn't be so disappointed/feel like a C-section isn't "as good" as a vaginal birth. I guess I just needed to vent and was hoping for  some good thoughts especially from those who have had C-sections. 

And please, please  know that I'm not putting down those who have had C-sections. My head knows that a C-section is normal and perfectly fine, my emotions just want things to go the other way! 

Oh, and has anyone had a version? My doctor prefers to use no meds at all since she says it is important to know if I'm in pain so we can use that as a gauge.

And we're scheduled for December 2nd. 

 

Re: Version/C-Section Scheduled

  • C-section mamas - do you know if some doctors still allow DH to cut the cord with a c-section? DH had asked since he is really looking forward to this, and I wasn't sure.
  • I didn't have a version, but I did have a c-section and thought it was great. I can't answer your cord cutting question, since it wasn't something we were interested in, but it might be possible.

    A few c-section tips, if that's what you get, if I may... Stay on top of your meds, don't wait for the nurses to offer them. I finally learned to keep a list of when I took them, and would ring for them early. When I waited until I needed the meds, they took a long time to get there and took a long time to work.

    Also, if you have the choice of coming home in a car or SUV, take the car. Stepping up is hard, so getting into a high car, getting into bed, etc., can be painful. Put a stool by the bed if yours is high and practice sitting and then swinging your legs into the car together (like you wish Britney and Paris would) rather than stepping up and in. That was the most pain I had - getting into a friend's SUV a week post-partum.

    And for the positive c-section notes (vaginal birth moms, don't read this): with a c-section, you can wipe after going to the bathroom right away! Your child's head is perfectly round. Sex post partum isn't nearly as scary. None of that pushing/sweating/etc., so you could possibly look good in photos right after the birth (I didn't, but don't use me as an example).

    Hope that helps!

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  • I know you didn't ask for this, but have you seen the website Spinning Babies?  My doula swears by it and I know someone it worked for.  Good luck no matter how you deliver!
  • LOL! Not at the situation, but at the ironing board! I don't even own an ironing board. If the wrinkles don't come out in the dryer or with a little bit of wrinkle releaser, I don't need to wear it! Good for you for trying though!

     

     (Warning to expecting mommies: Complaining about my vaginal birth...if you're scared...don't read this!) I'm sorry you're in this situation. I didn't have a c-section, but I will tell you that my vaginal delivery sucked...big time. I think I had this romantic idea in my head of what labor and delivery would be like. I knew it would be painful and exhausting, but I didn't imagine all the other emotions, complications and total exhaustion that came with it. After Brynne was born I was so exhausted that I couldn't even hold her. (TMI............... I also lost a lot of blood). While some of my friends still rave about their c-sections, I was a little tramatized by my "normal" vaginal delivery!

    But, eventually, those feelings faded. In the end, it doesn't matter how she was born, it just matters that she was born at all! I have a healthy baby and that's all that matters!

    I really hope your baby girl flips soon! I know you must be sad that you might not have the opportunity to deliver the way you imagined.

    Good luck either way!

  • While I didn't have a c-section I had a vaginal birth that took me forever to recover from and my baby is 6 months and I am still not completely "normal" and may never be. I have just come to terms with being on meds (laxatives/stool softeners) for the rest of my life. Not to be graphic but I tore into my anal muscles and the opening of my rectum refuses to heal and if I try to have a normal bowel movement I re-tear, bleed and end up in pain. I've been to specialists and GI doctors and they all swear that daily doses of Miralax is better for me than having a colonoscopy and reclotterizing the tear at this point in my life. I guess I have the opposite situation of Emmy in that the delivery wasn't bad for me but the recovery was insane.

    I know you will still want a vaginal birth but I was hoping my rough recovery will make you see that C-sections definitely have their positives!

    I hope the  

     

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  • hey! the nest cut me off...anyway I wanted to say that I hope the version works for you and you have a great delivery and healthy baby. 
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  • I hope things work out the way you've always envisioned.  But as you already know, the most important thing of all is just having a healthy baby.  Laken didn't turn until about week 36 or so.  I was nervous because Nina was head down from week 20 on.  The doctor did explain to me what they do during a version, and honestly, I couldn't have imagined going through it!  I commend you for at least being willing to try :)

    And as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing wonderful about actual labor itself when a woman's body is gearing up for delivery. It's painful and exhausting and you look like hell!  I've had a bad experience and a good experience, and both times ended up tearing with several stitches.  It's been 11 weeks since Laken was born, and for whatever reason, I bruised my tailbone giving birth to her.  I still have to sit down very gingerly and can't get up very fast at all.  It's quite painful and I'm told this will heal on its own after months, possibly up to a year.  There's nothing to speed it along and nothing really helps make it feel any better.

    Just know that there are pros and cons to everything.  A vaginal deliver can be special, but is also very unpredictable.  I know some women who have had c-sections and healed very quickly.  It just depends, but try not to stress yourself out too much worrying about it.  

    When are you having the version?  I will continue to think of you.  Best of luck.

  • I was induced at 30 1/2 weeks for low fluid and after 2 1/2 days of dialating etc, the medicine finally worked and I was in full blown labor..after pushing for some time, I ended in a c-section that I did not plan on.  At first I was REALLY disappointed for many reasons you have listed above..however looking back, I would have a c-section again if we have another child.  I healed so quickly, didn't have the bleeding like some do with a vaginal delivery, wasn't as exhausted etc.  My DH did not get to cut the cord when they pulled her out, however he did get to cut a portion of it when she was on the table being wiped clean etc.  Everyone around me thought I was crazy for enjoying a c-section but when I look back the whole process was much smoother and my 6 weeks after labor were not painful.  The most painful was the first 2 weeks if that. 

    Enjoy these last few weeks, they will go by quickly and good luck with your delivery!  Just remember, the most important thing is your welcoming a healthy baby into your family and it only gets better and better being parents each day!

  • I mean 39 1/2 weeks...sorry!
  • I had a c-section at 34 weeks due to my blood pressure and Gunnar not tolerating the induction. I did not lose a lot of blood, however my blood pressure dropped dangerously low and I slept from about 2:00pm until 8:00am, the best sleep I have had since before I was pregnant.  That being said, Gunnar was a preemie and was in the NICU and the drop in my blood pressure I didn't get to see him for the first 24 hours. 

    My recovery was easy, the nurse brought me liquids and I was starving, I held down pudding and then was allowed to eat real food. They removed the cath and about 20 minutes later I had to pee.  The nurse came in took me to the bathroom in the event I got dizzy.  I walked out the bathroom on my own and it was a little tender getting back into bed but you learned the "right" moves to get in/out of bed with as little pain as possible. 

    We then took a walk to the NICU, definately longer walk then the dr/nurses wanted me to take, but I think it was the best thing for me, I kept walking and moving.  I took advil during the day and the script pain killer during the night.

    I was discharged after 4 days and walked out of the hospital and got into my husband's SUV with no pain.  Going up/down stairs was challenging, but when you are inspired you can do pretty much anything.  I was not allowed to drive for 2 weeks, I think that was the hardest thing to get used to, but within 3 weeks I was doing all my normal things, Gunnar was home after 11 days and then all the hard work started.

     I never got to experience a vaginal birth and part of me was disappointed, however there will be no more children for me, so I got over it.  If we were having more, I would do a repeat c/s in a heartbeat!

    Good luck to you and keep us updated.

    Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie Fourth Birthday tickers
  • I went through the exact same thing as you.  Olivia was always breech and they kept telling me she would turn, but she didn't.  We didn't do the version because my doctor felt that I had been through too much already (with 12 weeks of bedrest).  I was terrified of the c-section.  I actually ended up going into labor 5 days before mine was scheduled and then everything was so rushed that I didn't have much time to think about it.  Dh did not get to cut the cord.  But in the end I was just happy that she was ok and it didn't really matter how she came out.  And like someone else said, her head was perfectly round!  Recovery was hard, make sure your dh stays overnight with you because it is hard to get in and out of the bed while holding the baby at the same time.

    Good luck!! 

     

  • Just wanted to say best of luck with everything! 
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  • In schoolsoutbride's bio she has a story of a positive version. Also, if you page CaseBride on the CO board, she had a great experience, too, and loves to be able to share about it. She's not always around, so if you want to talk to her, let me know and I can give you her email address - she's awesome and so helpful!

    Best of luck with everything however it winds up happending:) Also, if it might make you feel better, I know that there are birth plans out there for people who know that they are having a c-section. Maybe searching a bit for some of those to see what might make you feel more relaxed could help a bit? It would at least give you an idea of some things you could ask at the next appointment so that you can feel clear about how everything will happen - things like how soon they'd let you hold your baby, if she can come to the recovery room with you, if he can cut the cord, etc. So sorry to hear that she's breech:( I've definitely been there and understand why you're having a hard time with it. Nick turned kind of late(somewhere between 36 and 37 weeks, I think, so there's absolutely still hope that she'll turn on her own! {{BIG HUGS}}

  • Just wanted to say good luck!  And there is hope - a friend went in for a version, but found out the baby had turned.  This was on a Monday, and she delivered the baby Friday.

    I had a C-section after 3 hours of pushing.  I feel I healed quickly and had no complications, but I do plan on trying for a VBAC next time.  If I wind up having to have a 2nd C-section, at least I'll know what to expect. 

  • I had that sad feeling at the hospital bc I didn't dilate and ended up with a csection. I am sort of glad I did because he ended up being 8.10 and I healed from the csection very well. I had him at 12:02am and was up out of bed around 1 or 2 pm.  DH didn't cut the cord but he didn't say anything about wanting to. They did it before he even had a chance. It's pretty gorey down there (behind the sheet) so he'd have to have a good stomach to even want to attempt it. Good luck!
  • Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all of your comments. I think I've really had time to process things over the past 24 hours and I do feel better about it all (except about doing the version with no meds!). I quickly realized as I thought about it that DH and I didn't become pregnant to have the "envisioned" delivery, but to have a family. So really, however we get there, it really doesn't matter. And my head knows that once she's here, I will probably care less how she made her debut.

    It sounds like many of you have had positive c-section stories... and I guess there are a lot more long-term side effects from vaginal births that I didn't even think about (I'm so sorry RosePks and Holly, ouch!!). So both really have their pros and cons.

     So, if she turns great, but if not, then at least we know we'll be welcoming her on December 2nd :)

     Lillian - I'd love the email address if you don't mind passing it along, thanks! 

  • I had the same feelings when I thought about the possibility of a c-section: mainly disappointment that I might never experience a vaginal, spontaneous delivery.  I can't complain much about my delivery and recovery, but I will say that if I have to have a c-section in the future here are the things I will look forward to the most

    1. Not coming off the total exhaustion of labor and delivery into the total exhaustion of caring for a newborn

    2. Going to the bathroom after birth without fear and trembling.

    3. Sex after baby not being so scary. I had only an internal tear, but I could feel the "damage" from that for almost a year!

  • I dont have any advice but I just wanted to wish you luck :)
  • Hi Megan

    Just wanted to say good luck and prayers are with you.  

    Our hospital policy is that DH can cut the cord, just has to make his wishes known.  As well as letting them know that you want the baby right away.

     Good luck.

    Erica 

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