Question on breech babies

NatureLovers · September 2014

For those that had breech babies at any point in your pregnancy, I'm interested to see the many variables of that and how it worked out ultimately. Also, please chime in on how many weeks you were when you found out the baby was breech, and how many weeks when the baby turned.

mom2case · September 2014

DD was breech and we had a c-section. I tried all the at-home flipping methods but nothing worked. I had heard a version procedure is more painful than birth... no thanks! Anyway, she decided to come a day early and labor was FAST and furious. I was fully dilated within 45 minutes of the first contraction. My second OB (with my son) told me she would have delivered DD vaginally if she was my doc then. So I didn't do it, but I totally could have.

jc51723 · September 2014

I picked SS. Ours was breech at the anatomy scan around 19 weeks, which of course I wasn't worried because we had 20 more weeks to go. Well apparently that was her spot. She flipped and rolled all day long but she always ended back up frank breech. I knew this because I had weekly ultrasounds due to some other issues. Towards the end my chiropractor tried to encourage her to flip (can't remember the name of the method she uses) but no luck. So we ended up with a planned c-section. I wasnt comfortable with trying the version so we didn't even consider that as an option.

NatureLovers · September 2014

jc51723 said:
I picked SS. Ours was breech at the anatomy scan around 19 weeks, which of course I wasn't worried because we had 20 more weeks to go. Well apparently that was her spot. She flipped and rolled all day long but she always ended back up frank breech. I knew this because I had weekly ultrasounds due to some other issues. Towards the end my chiropractor tried to encourage her to flip (can't remember the name of the method she uses) but no luck. So we ended up with a planned c-section. I wasnt comfortable with trying the version so we didn't even consider that as an option.

I think #2 applies to you.

NatureLovers · September 2014

mom2case said:
DD was breech and we had a c-section. I tried all the at-home flipping methods but nothing worked. I had heard a version procedure is more painful than birth... no thanks! Anyway, she decided to come a day early and labor was FAST and furious. I was fully dilated within 45 minutes of the first contraction. My second OB (with my son) told me she would have delivered DD vaginally if she was my doc then. So I didn't do it, but I totally could have.

When did you first know he was breech?

YaMrWhite · September 2014

Both babies were breech at my a/s. Stephanie turned but I don't know when. I had an ultrasounds to check amniotic fluid levels around 36/37 weeks and she had turned by then. No clue if this baby has turned or will turn. She feels like she's doing somersaults in there on the daily though.

NatureLovers · September 2014

I think I should clarify some questions but it won't let me edit the poll.

NatureLovers · September 2014

YaMrWhite said:
Both babies were breech at my a/s. Stephanie turned but I don't know when. I had an ultrasounds to check amniotic fluid levels around 36/37 weeks and she had turned by then. No clue if this baby has turned or will turn. She feels like she's doing somersaults in there on the daily though.

Is the current baby breech? How far along were you when you found out Stephanie was breech?

YaMrWhite · September 2014

NatureLovers said:

Both babies were breech at my a/s. Stephanie turned but I don't know when. I had an ultrasounds to check amniotic fluid levels around 36/37 weeks and she had turned by then. No clue if this baby has turned or will turn. She feels like she's doing somersaults in there on the daily though.
Is the current baby breech? How far along were you when you found out Stephanie was breech?

Stephanie was breech at 21 weeks. They pushed on my belly a few weeks later and said she was then transverse (probably around 25 or so weeks) and then at 36ish weeks she had gone head down. Current baby is still breech (confirmed at a/s last week) and the only reason I "know" this is because the location of the kicks I am feeling are all SUPER LOW so I just assume she hasn't switched. I have another appt on Sept. 17th and the dr said she will feel then to see if baby is still breech as she did with my last pregnancy.

NatureLovers · September 2014

Ok, thanks!

12chachacha · September 2014

I had my scan yesterday and baby (she!) was breech - I only know that because the sonographer mentioned that she was having a hard time with some measurements. I assumed it just meant that she was breech at that moment and would keep flipping around. Do I need to worry that she might stay that way?

mmur76 · September 2014

Not me, but my sister. Baby was head down all during pregnancy and then at 36 weeks she suddenly flipped! She hadn't flipped back by 39 weeks so my sister opted for a C-section.

NatureLovers · September 2014

12chachacha said:
I had my scan yesterday and baby (she!) was breech - I only know that because the sonographer mentioned that she was having a hard time with some measurements. I assumed it just meant that she was breech at that moment and would keep flipping around. Do I need to worry that she might stay that way?

I think most babies turn. I have no idea of the validity of this, but I read 1 in 25 babies were breech at birth.

NatureLovers · September 2014

It's a long story, but currently she's breech and I'm happy with that. I know babies keep moving and flipping, but with those big fibroids in the way, it seems less likely that she will, but you never know.

I want a c-section due to my fibroids and risk of placental abruption. There are two docs out of the eight in my practice that do not agree in automatic c-section in this scenario, and would want me to try labor. I am absolutely NOT ok with this. So if the baby stays breech, there will be no argument in the unfortunate chance that one of those two docs are the ones on call. So I was hoping to hear most breech babies stay that way, but it appears not to be the case.

honeybeee3 · September 2014

You should have an "I just wanna see the answers" option

NatureLovers · September 2014

honeybeee3 said:
You should have an "I just wanna see the answers" option

Just do special snowflake!

misslizzy82 · September 2014

I picked SS because i'm a FTM but curious

Eyefrog · September 2014

With one of my pregnancies I had a baby that wasn't turning and turned rather late for myself, they were still breech at 36 weeks. My doc and I discussed my options and I learned that unless I arrived at the hospital with imminent birth they would not be able to deliver breech. I would have the option of trying an EVC followed by induction or a C/S. Luckily I didn't have to make the decision as baby went into the right position by 38w. I had decided I would do the EVC/induction route.

Stargirlb · September 2014

I think most doctors are not trained in breech vaginal delivers and won't attempt it. There was a big article in a Canadian newspaper a couple years ago about how the lack of training for breech deliveries wasn't acceptably evidence based and that Canada was going to start training in breech deliveries again. Gonna see if I can find that when I get a sec

Stargirlb · September 2014

Does the desire of 2 out of 8 doctors impact your ability to choose a c section? Do they all have to be in agreement?

NatureLovers · September 2014

Stargirlb said:
Does the desire of 2 out of 8 doctors impact your ability to choose a c section? Do they all have to be in agreement?

I have no idea, that is what I need to find out. The practice as a whole would never do a vaginal breech, especially on a FTM with an untested pelvis, and fibroids potentially blocking the way.

NatureLovers · September 2014

Even if they were willing to try a vag breech delivery, I am not ok with it. I'm also not ok with my risk of placental abruption in labor. I just want a scheduled, quick, clean c-sec done by the doctor that I like. I am going to get an appointment with her and discuss my options.

Stargirlb · September 2014

I would imagine that their "recommendation" or whatever they are saying to try vaginal is because many women might still want to try and they would support it. The others wouldn't. Without more info I think I could interpret that to mean that they would support your *choice* to attempt a vaginal delivery, whereas the others wouldn't. In my natural birth group there are a number of high risk women who are slated for csection who come in asking for help finding or getting a doctor to support their desire to attempt a vag delivery. Because you are so high risk especially, I find it very hard to imagine that those two doctors would actually deny you an elective csection, as opposed to just supporting an attempted vaginal delivery if you wanted it.

NatureLovers · September 2014

Stargirlb said:
I would imagine that their "recommendation" or whatever they are saying to try vaginal is because many women might still want to try and they would support it. The others wouldn't. Without more info I think I could interpret that to mean that they would support your *choice* to attempt a vaginal delivery, whereas the others wouldn't. In my natural birth group there are a number of high risk women who are slated for csection who come in asking for help finding or getting a doctor to support their desire to attempt a vag delivery. Because you are so high risk especially, I find it very hard to imagine that those two doctors would actually deny you an elective csection, as opposed to just supporting an attempted vaginal delivery if you wanted it.

You'd think, but they're both Grade A cunts. The rest of the doctors are great except for those two.

Stargirlb · September 2014

Cunts are amazing, so you must mean they are dicks or ballsacks

Hmm is there a way you can find out directly as soon as possible? For instance, asking if you can schedule your c-section now. Some OB's prefer you go into labor spontaneously before your section to ensure the baby is fully gestated, lungs ready, etc. That's the only other reason I could think of for why they would apparently want you to initiate a vaginal delivery, though in that case you would still ultimately have a section.

NatureLovers · September 2014

Stargirlb said:
Cunts are amazing, so you must mean they are dicks or ballsacks

Hmm is there a way you can find out directly as soon as possible? For instance, asking if you can schedule your c-section now. Some OB's prefer you go into labor spontaneously before your section to ensure the baby is fully gestated, lungs ready, etc. That's the only other reason I could think of for why they would apparently want you to initiate a vaginal delivery, though in that case you would still ultimately have a section.

I don't want to labor, as that could trigger the abruption. I have an appt in two weeks, so I'll discuss a possible plan of action then.

aerotigergirl · September 2014

With DS, he was flipping all over at the A/S. He could easily go from breech to head-down and back at that gestational stage. Once we hit 30-32 weeks (from what I can remember) it seemed like he had sort of situated himself for good, as I remember consistently feeling a huge lump under my ribs on the right side. My midwives thought he was head down at this point, and they continued to believe so until delivery. I didn't have any u/s past the A/S at 20w to confirm presentation. The midwife didn't discover that DS was frank breech until she broke my water when I hit 10cm. In Colorado, there is only one doctor who will attempt a vaginal breech delivery, and we'd never consulted with him. I was already resisting the urge to push, so we had a very short fuse. We ended up going with a c-section.

From my limited understanding (I'm not an MD, obviously), I think it's standard for babies in utero to continue to go from breech to head-down quite easily until they're a little bigger. The flipping seems to stop later, once they're sort of "too big" to move around so easily. With your fibroids, though, she might run out of room to flip over so easily a little sooner.

Sorry that two of your potential docs aren't understanding your situation. If you're wanting a c-section, it seems like you should be able to get on the schedule with your preferred doctor now no matter what happens down the line, breech or not. It seems like once you've scheduled surgery with her (I think you said your preferred doc was a woman), it doesn't really matter who is on call. You'll be there at your appointed time, with her, and you won't even have to see whoever is on call, right?

Good luck! I hope you get the outcome that you want. It definitely seems like it should be do-able.

BackseatDriver · September 2014

He was breech, but flipped and I had a vaginal delivery. I don't remember the specifics because I really wasn't worried about it at the time and figured he had plenty of time to turn. It was mentioned at an appointment and I felt it was premature to be concerned. The doc at my next check up agreed and it turned out to be a non issue.

BackseatDriver · September 2014

I don't mean this in a snarky way, but I think you should just talk to one of the 6 doctors in support of your wishes about your concerns. Instead of banking on a breech baby and worrying throughout that she might flip head down find out what would happen if one of the other doctors is on call. I would probably even discuss the plan with the other two other docs once it was established.

Stargirlb · September 2014

Yes, this is why during a normal birth your placental can take 20+ mins to deliver (unless they gave you a synthetic oxytocin shot after birth to speed things up.) the first time mine took a half hour to detach. (About 5 or 10 mins after I cut the cord.) the second time my midwife (who was a newbie,) seemed freaked out that I was bleeding a lot so begged to give me the shot. I felt sorry for her so said yes. Ugh. Lol. But I just had a really bad tear, I don't think that my uterus was gushing or anything. (I felt great)
Nursing right after birth (and immediate skin to skin) will help your body expel the placenta naturally, due to your natural rise in oxytocin. If you have an epi birth, usually they have to give you the shot to expel the placenta. You don't even notice it though.

The placenta detaching during birth is not normal. It would mean no more oxygen for your baby.

4littlebears · September 2014

My youngest turned breech at the last minute, like 2-3 weeks before she was born. Then turned back within days of being induced. I was very worried at the time and didn't do anything special to turn her.

mom2case · September 2014

NatureLovers said:

DD was breech and we had a c-section. I tried all the at-home flipping methods but nothing worked. I had heard a version procedure is more painful than birth... no thanks! Anyway, she decided to come a day early and labor was FAST and furious. I was fully dilated within 45 minutes of the first contraction. My second OB (with my son) told me she would have delivered DD vaginally if she was my doc then. So I didn't do it, but I totally could have.
When did you first know he was breech?

@naturelovers It was a girl, and we knew she was breech around 34 weeks. She was head-down at the anatomy scan and flipped later. The doc thought I was crazy because I kept saying she was breech. He thought I was just trying to get in a free ultrasound. He felt my tummy, said she was in the right position, and rolled his eyes when I asked (once again) for him to get the ultrasound machine to check. He was shocked when it showed a breech baby. Stupid doc should have apologized to me! Anyway, she never flipped.

Mrs_Bennett · September 2014

ExcitedMama2 said:
Are you at an increased risk for placental abruption?

I'm not a doctor, but as far as I understand it, placental abruption is bad BEFORE labor--like before baby is cooked--because it is the placenta pulling away from the lining of the uterus. That's what is supposed to happen during birth though, right? I'm looking at info from Mayo Clinic and "treatment" for abruption is delivery...so if you're full term that shouldn't be a concern.

Not saying fibroids/etc aren't reasons for opting for a csection...

If the placenta pulls away from the uterus before the baby is born, he/she will have no way to get oxygen. It is supposed to detach after birth, when the baby has already begun breathing.

HamptonsMama · September 2014

My OB won't even refer to the baby as breech before 32 weeks since they are constantly moving. My DD was breech at 32, then 36 week ultrasounds. OB didn't think she would flip as she looked to be "out of room" due to my height (4' 10"). He also wouldn't try to flip her as it would be incredibly painful for me. I had an U/S again at 38 weeks which is when we scheduled a c-section for 39 weeks 6 days.

jneden · September 2014

Following...My baby is currently breech too.

kbl13 · September 2014

B was transverse around 30 weeks, then flipped to the frank breech position around 32/33 and stayed there. I tried every at-home, yoga, or inversion-type position I could find (google spinning babies) and nothing worked for me.

We scheduled a Version at 39 weeks, but during the initial check at the hospital they saw that the fluid was low, that he was going to be a big baby, and that the cord was around his neck.... So we gave up on trying a Version and went straight back to the OR for a C-Section.

NatureLovers · September 2014

ExcitedMama2 said:

Mrs_Bennett said:

ExcitedMama2 said:
Are you at an increased risk for placental abruption?

I'm not a doctor, but as far as I understand it, placental abruption is bad BEFORE labor--like before baby is cooked--because it is the placenta pulling away from the lining of the uterus. That's what is supposed to happen during birth though, right? I'm looking at info from Mayo Clinic and "treatment" for abruption is delivery...so if you're full term that shouldn't be a concern.

Not saying fibroids/etc aren't reasons for opting for a csection...
If the placenta pulls away from the uterus before the baby is born, he/she will have no way to get oxygen. It is supposed to detach after birth, when the baby has already begun breathing.

got it, makes sense. My question still stands for @naturelovers about why the fear of abruption...I know you've had a ton of crappiness this pregnancy, just wondering if one of those things puts you at higher risk for abruption.

Totally didn't come across this way, but I really was trying to calm your fears just in case you are 'stuck' with a doctor that doesn't honor your csection request. Really though, I hope you get the birth you are most comfortable with.

......

I have two large fibroids that are underneath my placenta. By large, I mean about 6cm x 4cm. In those two areas, my placenta cannot firmly attach to my uterine wall. During the "trauma" of contractions, it's possible the placenta could shear right off, leading to a catastrophic situation for me, but more importantly for my baby. She would have no more oxygen.

There's no way to know if this will happen for sure, it's simply a possibility due to my fibroids. Obviously, the thought of this happening scares the crap out of me, which is why I don't want to labor and risk it. But those two docs that I don't like are more of a "wait and see", whereas the other ones appear to be more open to just scheduling me for a c-sec.

I'm probably getting worked up unnecessarily. I had insomnia last night (thanks hormones!) so I had nothing better to do than imagine negative scenarios. I'm going to get an appointment with the doctor I like, and find out whether they all have to agree to the plan, or if her thumbs up is all that's required.

lavet22 · September 2014

All of mine have been breech at a/s. All 3 boys turned between 32-34wks. This LO is breech right now. I'm not at all concerned she will stay that way.

Stargirlb · September 2014

sassquatch said:
SS - DD1 was breech and we tried everything except acupuncture and chiropractic care to turn her (including and ECV and old wives tales). I was told repeatedly until 34 weeks not to worry and that she'd turn on her own, only to be told at 36 weeks that I had to schedule my C-section. She was incredibly stubborn and I did end up with a C-section.

DD2 was also breech. I caved with her after none of the "tricks" to make a baby turn worked and 28 weeks started having acupuncture and chiropractic alignments done. 4 weeks later, she turned head down and I had my VBAC the day before her EDD.

This LO is breech and I'm already to bust out the ice packs, headphones, and plank to try to flip it. If it's still breech by 26-28 weeks, I'll be calling the chiropractor/acupuncturist again.

I hated my C-section and I'm mad that I wasn't told to be more proactive about DD1 being breech so I could do more to change it. I don't want to go through another C-section again if I don't have to. Sadly, breech births (especially breech VBAC's) aren't going to fly in my area.

Please let me deliver your breech baby, sassquatch! I'll watch a ton of YouTube tutorials and read all about it and deliver it perfectly for you

aerotigergirl · September 2014

@sassquatch - You started chiropractic care/acupuncture at 28 weeks with your second to prevent breech presentation? I'm interested! I figured it wouldn't make a difference until much later. I'll PM you back to hear more about this.

FWIW, (as you already know, since we PMed about it) I have recently changed my care to an OB who will give me a trial of labor for a VBAC with a breech presentation (if all his other criteria are met). But, I am interested in doing whatever I can to prevent the breech presentation again ahead of time. I just didn't know the "ahead of time" started so soon! Good to know!

@NatureLovers - Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack this thread.

mmooki · September 2014

Dd was breech at 21 weeks And never turned. I remember feeling pressure on my right side near my ribs. We thought it was a butt at first. Nope. Kid was curled on the right side of my body for weeks, shaped like the letter c.

And we ended up with a c/s

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