Breech timing

**LionsandBears** · July 16th, 2013, 07:15 PM

I realise that at 26 weeks, bub still has time to turn, but I'm pretty sure from kicks they are still breech. The next scan is 34 weeks. Should I be trying to turn bub before then or just wait to see what the position is then before worrying about it.

I'm ok with having a vaginal breech birth, although it is a psychological trigger for me based on DS1 being breech because he had no fluid. However, my OB is not comfortable with it. I'd rather not change care providers at the last minute, but will to avoid a c/s, all other indicators being OK (type of breech, head position etc).

Anyway, when could breech position become an issue?

**Charlotte91** · July 16th, 2013, 07:25 PM

Ds was breech from 25-28 and 31 to 34.5 weeks. very scary, considering I was vbacing and DD was delivered breech.
Good luck!

**TeniBear** · July 16th, 2013, 07:30 PM

I'd say it would only be a potenial problem at the very end, judging by only my own experience with DD. She flipped to frank breech at 37w, and they did an ECV a few days after that. I half-remember them saying they were willing to let me go to around 38w before doing it but the same OB wouldn't have been on that day or something like that... Whatever it was they said convinced me to do it earlier rather than later.

If I were you I'd get onto the Spinning Babies stuff now, rather than wait. There's no harm in it, so I'd say go for it

Crossing fingers for a nice, no-stress turning and then bub staying there

**Sagres** · July 16th, 2013, 08:55 PM

From memory my ob doesn't record the position until about 32 weeks (I think she observes it but doesn't record it IYKWIM) because before then it can change a lot and just cause worry when it is a bit too early for worry

Both my babies were flipping around up to 36 weeks (that was a surprise at a 36 week growth scan!) and my SILs baby recently flipped out of a breech position at 38 weeks so I would say there is plenty of time before you need to be concerned, but at the same time the spinning babies stuff won't hurt now and even if your baby has flipped already the strategies may help maintain good position so a win either way really

**Arimeh** · July 16th, 2013, 10:10 PM

Mine is breech now and I'm freaking out - I've got a lot of things against me though - my midwives don't do breech vaginal births and the local hospital doesn't either.

They also recommend an ecv at 37 weeks, however some docs at the hospital wont do it if you have an anterior placenta. Which I have. Its also apparently a contraindication to have had previous sections and have an ecv so I'm pretty much screwed if this baby doesn't flip.

I've been trying spinning babies stuff for 2 weeks now, and will try acupuncture at 34 weeks.

I'm on a time limit - the local hospital sections all breech babies at 39 weeks. So I have 7 weeks.

**~ Zarava Flutterby ~** · July 16th, 2013, 10:13 PM

I'm not much help but to say it can be done

but in saying that you need to obviously go with what your comfortable with & what your chosen care hover can provide.

Id strongly suggest trying the spinning babies techniques to see how you go.
A nice deep bath seemed to help DD1 turn (albeit in the wrong direction).

**LionsandBears** · July 16th, 2013, 11:21 PM

I've also had a google and 33 weeks seems normal for turning head down, give or take. I've already decided I'm not comfortable with the idea of an ECV. I have a low-lying placenta and an ECV wouldnt be good with that. I'm not actually fussed about birthing a frank breech. I've done it before. There were restrictions, but I know I can do it. It would just be a major stress finding another care provider and reliving DS1's birth & death when I'm already likely to be a basket case.

I'll start the spinning babies stuff. My shower floor needs scrubbing anyway

The placenta position may make all of this a moot point, if it doesn't move in time.

Thanks for the replies.

**little_O** · July 16th, 2013, 11:25 PM

Also just a thought, dd was breech till about 28 weeks I think. DH use to read to the belly every night. Her head was on the side he'd read to. As an idea I told him to lay on my legs and read from there. Next visit, she had turned

Might be worth a shot if you can get your DH to read to bubs

**Freya** · July 17th, 2013, 09:43 AM

I wouldnt stress too much, being baby #3 s/he has plenty of room to turn right up until birth day. Two of my four were breech (well last little lad was transverse then breech!) up until the end and both turned head down in time.

FWIW, my chiro was telling me the other week that he wishes OBs would send their breech patients to chiropractors as in his experience its usually a pelvic issue that causes funky positioned babies and a few chiro adjustments can more often than not turn them right way round. He said if chiro doesnt turn a baby there is probably a good reason for it not turning. Is chiro something you could consider doing?

Either way Id go for a breech vaginal birth if bub doesnt turn.

**HotI** · July 17th, 2013, 09:47 AM

My son was breech at 40 weeks but head down at 41. Do you have any abdominal muscle separation/stretching? This can make it difficult to hold baby in, but it also allows baby to rotate further along in the pregnancy.

**LionsandBears** · July 17th, 2013, 01:27 PM

Freya - I see a chiro twice a week for SPD and other aches and pains. Apparently she can help if bub is still breech close to birthday. I also regularly see an acupuncturist, so I'll ask him if he can help, if needs be.

HotI - My muscle separation is bad. My stomach is like a Toblerone every time I sit up. I'm sure this kid is doing cartwheels some days, so there must be heaps of room. Which is a good thing really, because lack of amniotic fluid is the first indicator everything is going to hell again.

Last night I nearly freaked out because I thought bub was trying to either kick or head butt my cervix open. I've never had that before and initially wondered if I could go into pre-term labour (yes, I am a complete basket case). This while also whacking me about the belly button. On the last scan, bub was doing the splits. I can't imagine that will work for birth

I think I'll chill about position for now, but start doing some basic exercises to encourage head down and ramp them up after 33 weeks, if needed.

**Cassius2** · July 21st, 2013, 09:02 PM

omg. now all i can see is L&Bs baby doing the splits and grooving about in there

images of the 'dancing baby' come to mind lol.

spinning babies were my go to place with DD2. she sat transverse until close to 30 weeks so i was (pardon the pun) flipping out.

I also would recommend getting the fitball out and having it around to sit on whenever you can/want. it can help to spend some time sitting on it and doing some gentle rolls while sitting on it...does that last bit make sense?? although not sure if that would be comfy given SPD issues??

My midwives also mentioned that the muscle separation does make it super roomy so bubs do tend to spin about more easily...and of course it means both ways...breech and then back around again.

**LoveKnowsNoBounds** · July 21st, 2013, 09:32 PM

My bubs turned on her own at 37 weeks. Good luck!

**Saffy** · July 22nd, 2013, 07:13 AM

My baby was alternating breech and transverse up until bout 35 weeks I think, I tried all the spinning babies stuff but then gave up. She turned not long after an acupuncture session and moxa from memory.
I have a spare moxa stick if you want me to post it to you.
I remember being constantly stressed about her position and shouldn't have wasted my energy as it all became ok in the end

oh well I needed something to do when i went on mat leave.
I wouldn't have done an ECV.
They won't worry about it until you are term I would imagine.

**LionsandBears** · August 12th, 2013, 03:27 PM

Bub is currently head down and has been for a couple of weeks at least. I'm still doing some spinning babies stuff, because now bub is posterior and flips between LOP, OP and ROP. So long as the head stays down, all good. I think the regular chiro has helped a lot with that.