External Version

lmader · May 2015

Hey all - I've been lurking on and off since the beginning and came on to find out if anyone had opinions or experience with external versions. I searched and found some threads on other month boards but not this one. I'm 34 weeks and found out at an u/s last week that baby is breech and at my appt today he hasn't moved. My dr told me I'd have an u/s at 36 weeks to check the position and if breech either 1. later that week (b/w 36 and 37 weeks) do the version or 2. don't do anything and schedule a c/s for 39 weeks but obviously baby has a chance of turning on his own. I've read all sorts of pros and cons but was looking for anybody who had any personal experience or was possibly going through the same thing. I've been on spinningbabies.com also... tried the forward leaning inversion twice but both times my head was REALLY pounding. I know they said it's normal the first few times but it's hard to hold the position for 30 seconds even with how uncomfortable it is. Would love to know any other tricks to get baby to turn. Thanks!

esampson1983 · May 2015

I found this website in addition to spinning babies. https://www.mybreechbaby.org. There's some old wives tales but I am trying anything since I will be 36 weeks tomorrow.

I have had a version done by a midwife. There was some discomfort but it was manageable if I focused on breathing. I did not need any Tylenol afterwards and was able to go back to work. They were able to get LO out of my pelvis but couldn't get him to flip all the way so there is a doctor in the area that does them that I am meeting with next week.

Hypnobabies has a CD specifically for breech babies. I am debating getting it but haven't totally decided yet.

Good luck!

klkonwi · May 2015

Mine is breech as well. And my dr is following the same protocol 36 weeks checking and probably version. I'm not big on versions so I will prob choose the cesarean: everyone is different though!

lmader · May 2015

Thanks ladies! @esampson1983 thanks - I will check out the website. I'm not thrilled about the idea of a version or a c/s... I guess I'll have to go with the flow no matter what..

JennEpp1016 · May 2015

Our baby is breech as well, confirmed via ultrasound yesterday at 35 w 4 days. We're definitely not doing a version but I did see an acupuncturist today and we're going to try moxibustion. He showed me how to do it and then gave me stuff to use at home. Basically it involves sticking this little mugwort charcoal stick on your pinky toes and lighting it like a cigarette and then letting it burn down. Wish i had a better explanation! Weird, for sure, but better success rates than versions, apparently.

smbolton360 · May 2015

I'm 36.3 with a version scheduled for Sunday, I'll be 37.1. Baby has been breech for at least 6 weeks that I can remember and her head is painful on my stomach! I've done some of the home exercises spinning babies the past week but not consistently. I will say the forward leaning inversion was head throbbing at first but I used a pillow for my arms and it got easier, almost feels good now. Best of luck for all the breech ladies out there, I'll update after my version experience on Sun. I'm nervous!

bee19831 · May 2015

I did a version with my daughter , I didn't like it! I thought it was very rough and made me feel very sore and uncomfortable . I actually got them to stop. And did end up with a csection.

klkonwi · May 2015

Versions are painful. There is no sugar coating it. And at our hospital they do not give you anything for the pain.

krystleshel · May 2015

You may want to check with a chiropractor that works with pregnant women too. Mine has started doing an adjustment (@ 33 weeks) to my hips to help keep her head down. It's pain free (actually HELPS with pain) & could be an option to try instead of version & then see how things are at 39 weeks...

esampson1983 · May 2015

lmader said:
Thanks ladies! @esampson1983 thanks - I will check out the website. I'm not thrilled about the idea of a version or a c/s... I guess I'll have to go with the flow no matter what..

There are doctors and midwives who deliver breech babies vaginally. There are risks involved to this, but there are risks involved to c-section as well. The best advice I can give is to carefully analyze the risks and benefits from both sides and see which option you feel most comfortable with.

ksimo6 · May 2015

My friend tried a version at 36 weeks and her little one would not move. She said the doctor tried 4 times and was literally sweating. She was sore and bruised for a week after. She vowed to never do it again. She worked with her doctor and decided to wait until she was starting to show signs of labor before she scheduled her c-section. She made it to 40w1d before she started to dialte and have a few contractions. they scheudled her c-section for that week and checked via US to make sure baby was still breech. She has a good experience with the c-section and, as far as I know, feels good about it.

HayesRN13 · May 2015

They work about 2/3 out of the patients we do. They are not without risk and are painful. The best outcome is if delivery is going to happen that day (some docs will schedule versions without the intent to deliver that day unless it turns into an emergency) and you have your epidural in place (they will use this if c section is needed) put you in the OR table ready to go for section....and they do a version at that point in one last attempt, the bonus is you are numb from epidural. But depends on the doc

lmader · May 2015

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm hoping my this babe realizes head down is the way to be soon

pixieprincss · May 2015

With DS1, an OB successfully moved my transverse LO at 37 weeks. That dr hadn’t done a version in two years and my doula had never seen a successful one, so we were leery it would work. But, it did! It felt like forever while they were doing it but it apparently only was 1.5-3 minutes total. I was shocked when they told me how quick it was! I put my Bradley relaxation practice to use and did visualizations, deep breathing, and releasing all tension to get through the pain. (Yours may be longer, they have twice as far to push your baby around.)

After the version it took some time to get used to feeling LO in different places now. Every time he moved I was afraid he was turning back because he felt so different. I was supposed to walk lots after the version so his head will get down in my pelvis and engage. I was very hyperactive for a few hours after b/c of the meds.

Before the version we tried several low-tech ways to get LO to flip: moxibustion, all of the spinningbabies.com tricks, doing hot and cold, music and light, going swimming and doing the flutterkick, doing handstands in the water, spending time in the inversion position, etc. We were planning on the Webster technique with a chiro if it didn't work. Also, if it didn't work, we planned to wait for labor to start rather than scheduling a c-section to give LO as much time as possible to turn (provided we were staying healthy) and let early contractions perhaps motivate him, etc. Transverse babies are in danger during labor because of cord prolapse, so I would not have been allowed to labor long, but with a breech baby you may be able to labor for a good while before doing the c-section and that labor might just motivate him to flip. But, hopefully your version will be successful!

This You Tube video helped me feel prepared:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AM6wDwTjmc

DC3 is currently transverse. I did 2 hours water aerobics today and baby did move. Unfortunately, when I sat down in the car to drive home, baby moved pretty much back, but is more at an angle than before. My MW said that I have plenty of fluid and plenty of room and time for baby to move, so she is positive. This time around, I will go to the chiropractor weekly or more to help, as well. I really can't believe that I didn't try it sooner last time around! We'll talk about a version at 36 weeks if nothing has changed, but I am hopeful.

smbolton360 · May 2015

Update on my version today: I'm a FTM 37.1 weeks. Baby was frank breach and we had a successful version today! The Dr said that baby wasn't sitting too low in my pelvis and being in a frank breech position, he would try to backflip her. The version was about 30 seconds and very uncomfortable but with a focus on my breathing and a brief break to check her on ultrasound, it was not nearly as bad as I had prepared myself for. The entire process with IV prep, monitoring, etc took about 2 hours. I was doing some exercises from spinning baby the past 2 weeks and am relieved that baby is finally in the ready position. Good luck to all the breech mamas out there!

purtelle · May 2015

Find a chiro that does the Webster technique, much less invasive and much safer. Also read up on spinning babies.com

Frogger5 · May 2015

smbolton360 said:
Update on my version today: I'm a FTM 37.1 weeks. Baby was frank breach and we had a successful version today! The Dr said that baby wasn't sitting too low in my pelvis and being in a frank breech position, he would try to backflip her. The version was about 30 seconds and very uncomfortable but with a focus on my breathing and a brief break to check her on ultrasound, it was not nearly as bad as I had prepared myself for. The entire process with IV prep, monitoring, etc took about 2 hours. I was doing some exercises from spinning baby the past 2 weeks and am relieved that baby is finally in the ready position. Good luck to all the breech mamas out there!

Good for you! Fingers crossed baby stays there and your labor works out.

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