Vaginal birth when baby is breach

Runaway22 · December 2012

I was wondering if anyone with a little more knowledge had some insight...

How possible is it to have a baby vaginally if s/he is breach, and external version doesn't work? How likely is it (really) that something goes horribly wrong if it's attempted, as a first time mom?

I asked my OB about it today, and she basically said the only option if external version doesn't work is a c-section, especially for first time moms (like me). She's very down-to-earth and understanding, and supportive of the natural birth/med-free birth option, as well as laboring in the shower... delayed clamping and opting out of circumcision are also all well and good in her book. But at the end of the day, she's a doctor, and she's going to be more apt to believe what the "medical authorities" say over what might be a more natural approach.

She did say I'm worrying about this way too early, but I can't help but feel like I need to be super prepared, since I have little to no support in delivering this baby, naturally or otherwise. I don't want a c-section or any other intervention except in cases of absolute emergency... and I from my non-expert position, I don't see how a breach baby is an absolute emergency.

Just wondering what some of you veteran natural birthers think. Thanks!

sschwege · December 2012

First off, your doctor is right, it is way too early to be worried about it at this point! I think they say only like 3% of babies don't flip. So the odds are most assuredly in your favor.

There is no black and white when it comes to your question. Part of breech delivery depends on what kind of breech we are talking about. Some positions are safer than others. Plus from what I understand second time moms would be better candidates because they have a 'proven pelvis'. But either way, I would agree that sadly under the care of most OBs a c-section would be the safer option in my book. They don't teach breech deliveries as they used to and you could be dealing with a doctor who has never done one, which would not be a risk I would take. Now if you could find a MW who has experience or an OB who is comfortable doing it (typically this would be a doctor trained in another country), then I would consider it.

OSibyl · December 2012

My brother (mom's first baby) was born breech vaginally. This was also 32 years ago. I know her labor was really fast and at that time they didn't know he hadn't flipped until he was on his way out. Other than some tearing (ouch!), neither she nor baby had any complications.

I think in this day and age you will most likely know the position of the baby before you deliver. And if your baby hasn't "flipped" yet... try the frozen pea trick, massage, etc...

AmyRI · December 2012

I agree with PPs and your doc - this is not the time to worry about this decision. There is so much time left for your baby to flip.

That said, there are only 2 of the breech positions that I've ever heard of being delivered vaginally, and you have to search long and hard to find a provider that is trained well enough that I'd choose that over a c-section. I would really hate to have a c-section, but I do consider it the safer option since I know of no trained breech birth providers. Instead I'd focus energy on trying to flip baby to avoid being in the 4%ish of pregnancies that actually end with a breech position.

Start doing exercises from spinningbabies.com (inversions, bridge yoga pose, etc). Find a chiropractor that's certified in the Webster technique and see if that helps get baby into the best position (https://icpa4kids.org/Find-a-Chiropractor/). Ice pack at the top of your belly to try to encourage baby away from that area. Accupuncture, accupressure. And really, I wouldn't start getting really concerned until closer to 36 weeks. I started doing these exercises at 32 weeks (baby was transverse) and s/he had flipped by my 34 week appointment.

tokenhoser · December 2012

My sister delivered her son breech, but it was her second baby and she's in Australia which has a different training standard than the USA.

I wouldn't worry yet, but if it comes close to the time I might sniff around to see if there was an appropriately trained professional that could do a breech birth. I wouldn't just wing it with an untrained OB (and obviously, neither would the OB).

bdutton0005 · December 2012

Most OBs ( I think it is only 5% that do) don't recieve training to deliver breech babies and even then it is usually only frank that they attempt. The majority of midwives do recieve the training but usually still only do it with STMs+. The big fear is that the rest of the body will deliver and then the head won't ( this is why most let them dangle when preforming breech delivery). At this point I wouldn't worry if you are try spinning babies or start looking for a chiropracto that knows the webster method.

opheliainwaders · December 2012

I asked my midwives about it, and they basically said they won't do it with first-time moms (or certain positions of breech babies), because they feel the risks are too high. She did say that they "used to," but don't anymore, and I'm not 100% sure why that is (whether it's hospital protocol, or the need for additional, trained support, or what).

Xles10 · December 2012

Yep, as all the previous posters have said, the big fear is the body delivering at the head getting stuck. That's why most OBs won't even attempt (if they're willing at all) unless mom has a "proven pelvis" (aka- has had a previous vaginal birth and demonstrated that the head can get through her pelvis). Also, as everyone has said OBs simply aren't taught how to deal with a breach presentation. But, when a breach delivery is attempted it is very important to ensure that mom is fully dilated in order to make sure the head can deliver. So they're likely to have you wait even longer before pushing, to make sure the cervix is as big as it can get. I know babies can be delivered safely depending on the type of breach presentation, but because there are certain risks that are a bit higher than head-down, doctor's don't even want to attempt it.

nekorayne · December 2012

I know my OB delivers breech. We also have a few midwives nearby that do home birth or birthing center who will do breech. We are so lucky here because we have several choices where pepole often have none for breech. Of course even with breech you need a certain position. And really you want an OB or midwife who really understands the breech baby and how to do it safely. My OB is very unique I feel, he does things so differently then most and seems to have a knack for things a lot of OBs don't (VBAC, breech, using his hands more then tools during pregnancy). You may consider seeing a chiropractor if you are worried. It is to soon for you to be worried but a good chiro is always worth seeing.

Runaway22 · December 2012

Thanks for the great input, everyone! I'll stop worrying, and just wait and see what happens. My new appt is in 2 weeks, and I'll have my last ultrasound, which will determine how religiously I need to do the exercises (I posted this not knowing the position of my LO at the moment :X). Regardless, I'll start checking them out in a few weeks, JUST in case

DESTINYSARA · December 2012

You can do a vaginal breech birth if your ob/midwive knows how to deliver one. I was a vag/breech myself.

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