Breech baby at 37 weeks!!

Hi there,

I am currently 37 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I am starting to stress! I had an appt with a ob yesterday and I was surprised to find out that our baby is in breech position. Two weeks before this I saw a midwife and she was pretty sure that the head was down. Anyway, the doctor wants me to try a ECV and if that doesn't work I will have a c-section.
Is the ECV safe? Does anyone know why some babies stay in the breech position? I keep worrying that there is something wrong with my bub.

Any replies would be appreciated!

Hi first bub!! Firstly congratulations and welcome to Belly Belly!!! You will find lots of support and info here! Check out this thread -lots of info for you... https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ead.php?t=6641 You baby will be fine - I had 2 girls in my belly buddies group who had breech babies and c/s and both of their little boys are just gorgeous and healthy!
Good luck!!!

hehe Tanya! I am one of those girls who had a breech baby and a c/s!

I was never offered the ECV, but if I had, I would not have done it. There is not enough evidence that it works...plus chances are bub will move back anyway.

Our other belly buddy was offereed the ECV and C/S, and she chose the C/S also. And yes our baby boys are very gorgeous and healthy :D

There is nothing wrong with your baby, it just means he/she prefers to be upright! Good luck in your decision xx

Hi Tanya I agree with Danni some bubs like to do thier own thing no matter what we do.

My twins were breech they are now very healthy six month olds I did end up having a breech vaginal birth but if my OB would have prefered to do a C/S that would have been ok to.
A healthy bubba is the main thing.
Jean

I assume ECV means obgyn manually manipulating ur belly to get bub to turn. I was never offered this, as 27.5wks bub breech (u/s) but next 2 aptmts midwife then obgyn both said same thing, think breech, oh hang on no think turned. No u/s to determine though. Went through 14.5hrs of contractions b4 finding out breech, then c/s.

If I had of known I would have had the manipulation done, can't this time as higher chance of uterine scar rupturing. Using diff obgyn this time. I'm pretty sure he said the odds were 1/4 would stay turned if turned manually, u'd have to ask ur obgyn. I'm going to ask for positions/exerecises to use b4 birth to try to get bub to turn on own if this one is breech too. Will also find out at 37wks. :)

Good luck in ur decision. (If u want to read more of my pregnancy story/birth story for my 1st, just click my www/homepage by clicking on my username)

Obgyn did say that if ur uterus is not the usual shape (bicornate I think he called it, or heart shaped) then ur more likely to have a breech baby. My other obgyn had said 10% chance of another breech if u already had a breech b4.

My gorgeous girl was breech the whole pregnancy too. I had scans at 36 and 37 weeks to check what position the legs were in and they were straight so there was no way she would or could turn. With the manual turning, they will only do this if there is enough fluid and there is a chance the baby might go into distress or turn back and you will have to have an emergency c/s anyway. Because of leg positioning and lack of fluid I couldnt have this done but to be honest I didnt like what I had heard and read about it anyway. So I booked in for a ceaser and made sure I was well prepared for everything (I asked everyone here for all their best tips and advice) and it went really well and I healed so quickly. I was pretty scared as I had never even been in hospital before but it was a breeeze, you just focus on holding that beautiful bubba and the rest will fade into oblivion darl xx

Thank you everyone for your replies. I feel a lot better hearing that others have gone through the same thing and the bub has come out of it ok.

I will let you know how I go!

The natural and "alternative" methods of turning babies actually have more evidence to show that they work than ECV.

Do you have more info please RayRay :)
I'd like to know all the options avail, thnx.

Shell: I will have a look for it.

i know I read a proper paper that indicated (and this will sound odd) that moxa sticks burned between the toes were shown to be more effective than trying to physically turn the baby.

I think there is also some infor about acupuncture on the main site, and there is the spinning babies website too.

OK off to research :)

Which side of Sydney are you, is JHH an option for you?

Cool thnx RayRay, although I don't want to do anything that would risk uterine rupture. I'm in Newie actually, but going private, so NPH. Just got out of JHH Mon, long story, back again Fri for checkup (in my www). :)

hi, i was sorted faced with the similar issue, except i think my obs scared me unnecessarily, as he told me at 31 weeks bubs was breach, and would need to look at c/s, but, thankfully, by 33 weeks, had turned.... hopefully, stays that way...
But, try the alternative stuff. I spent loads of time on my knees and elbows, always sat forward, didnt slouch, gave bubs heaps of room. Its not to late. Both my mum, and MIL said that they had a breach baby, which turned at the last minute.
There are various things you can try, heat pack down low, cold pack up high, forces the baby to go to the warmth, play soothing music low, get your DH to talk to the baby from low, shine a tourch down low - all these things to 'apparently' encourage your baby to move.
Personally, i made the decision not to have the ECV, i think it was a maternal protection thing, i couldnt bear the thought of someone doing that to me, and to my baby.
If you do go with a c-sect, make sure you have an u/s done just before hand to see if it is still breach.

Hi Firstbub

My little brother, my mums 4th baby, was breech and she had to have a ECV done. It didnt turn the baby immediatley but later that night, when she experienced the most incredible feeling as he turned into position.

I would definately say try all the alternative methods first. It is never too late for bub to turn. I have even heard stories of bubs turning just as mum was being wheeled into the theatre for the c/s.

One of my clients bubs turned breech at 36 weeks, and she tried all the alternative methods, and was also seeing a chiro very frequently who has experience in this area. Bub turned back around and she is now 37 weeks.

If you try the moxa sticks, they are actually to be used on the outside of the little toe as this is an accupressure point. Try looking on spinning babies web site, they have some great tips for getting bub in the optimal position.

Good luck.