Breech Presentation

Hi everyone,

I'm 32 weeks pregnant and my baby is showing frank breech presentation on the ultrasound.

I have read that there is only a 5% chance of being in breech position at 33 weeks and only a 3-4% chance of being in breech at term.

Now, my Ob says not to worry, but I am deperate not to have either a vagina breech birth or a caesarean. So, I'm looking for some experiences of other women who have had babies presenting breech, how many weeks you were along when the bubs turned (if ever), how you got them to turn and any other bits of advice you might have.

I'm starting a course of Acupunture treatment to hopefully assist in turning bubs. I hope it helps.

Thanks.
nic

I haven't had a breech bub, but I just wanted to ask if you'd checked out the website Spinning Babies? It has techniques on how you can help your baby move into the correct position. Click on the "Techniques" link on the left-hand side of the home page and scroll down to "Breech Tilt". Hopefully it helps and hopefully your bub decides to turn really soon :)

Thanks Trish - I'll check it out.

Spinning babies is good, plenty of good practical information there.

Also I would go and see a chiropractor or an osteopath before acupuncture. Sometimes there are issues with tight pelvic ligaments and other pelvic alignment problems that make babies predispose to breech. The reason I suggest doing this before acupuncture is because acupuncture/moxibustion won't work if this is the cause of the problem. I've seen some pretty amazing things after a few minor adjustments - it's certainly worth the effort ;) Make sure you find one who has an interest in pregnancy and fertility.

I actually suggest to everyone to see an osteopath while pregnant - they're so good at getting everything sorted out so that the pelvis and lower back are in the best possible state for a straightforward labour.

DD was bum down from the 12 week scan and everytime we looked there after :) I tried chiro, the exercises given to me, acupunture and a few other alternative methods. I didnt want to try the manual turning as there wasnt enough fluid around her and I didnt want to risk putting the baby in distress and having an emegency ceaser.
Whilst I would have liked to have a natural birth, there was NO WAY I was going to try and give birth naturally to a breech baby so I booked in for a ceaser. Because I knew thats how I was having my baby, I did lots of research, got lots of good advice from everyone here and I have to say it was a great experience, I cant fault it. In my mind I was happy with my decision and I think that is most important, just be prepared or accept the decision you make to get your baby safely into your arms :)
HTH
x

Mason was a breech baby with feet first and there was no way he was turning around. This baby is breech bum first at the moment, although I know he has a long time to turn, so I'm not too worried yet.

Definitely try the website and lots of rocking on all fours. At the end of the day though, if your bub is comfy there, he/she may not turn so you do need to explore the other options JIC.

Be comfortable with other alternatives in advance rather than being petrified at the last minute.

As long as your baby is born happy and healthy, that's all that matters. Good luck :)

DD was breech bum first and was born 34 weeks in an emergency ceasar as my waters broke, as the others have said don't be terrified of the alternatives. I understand I know was petrfied of having a ceasar and was having hypnobirthing classes so I could have a natural birth.

All that matters in the end is that your baby is born healthy and not in distress. I hope your baby turns and it works out for you but learn about the alternatives so you are prepared.

Thanks Girls. I know I need to make my peace with the possibility of surgery. I will start investigating caesarean birth and try an get my head in the right place for it if it does happen.

I totally agree that in the long run I don't care how my baby gets here as long as he/she is healthy and not in distress. That is the last thing I want.

Nixon - my DS was breech too. We tried having him turned at the hospital (very strange experience) but he was very comfy the way he was :rolleyes:. My caesarean turned about to be a great experience - quite calm and positive. I think it was that I knew it was going to happen and accepted that. Good luck x

HI Nixon,

I just found out today that I am in the same boat as you. I'm 34 weeks along and Bubbs is bum first. I'm a bit bummed at the possibility of a caeser, but I agree with everyone. The most important thing is a healthy bub, and from what these other ladies have said, it sounds like it can be a positive experience. Best wishes for a great outcome, preferably "turn baby turn". :baby:

Hi Nic, how are you going? do you know if bub is still breech?
My scan today showed buddy is in complete breech position and I feel like I'm running out of time seeing as I am 37wks this thursday.
Trying to take a leaf out of your book and come to terms with the possibility of surgery, seeing as it is looking more and more likely. Thank you for your posts in the PALTAC thread, you definitely gave me a lot to think about in terms of what we learnt in calmbirth.

Megan have you tried moxibustion at all, my midwife swears by it was telling me all about it, in case bubs is breech when they check at next visit.

There are OBs who will deliver breech bubs vaginally, you just need to know who to ask, and which hospital. I'd want to see someone who does a reasonaable number of them so that I felt comfortable.

I'll be mentioning it at my appt tomorrow and we have to decide if we're doing the evc on wednesday as well. I have contacted a few people about acupuncture and moxibustion and they have said best done before 35wks so I don't know how much luck I will have with it.
Honestly, I don't think I can go down the path of a breech VB. Maybe if I had experienced a previous birth I would be more inclined to try. Also the prospect of having a week to find an OB, change hospitals and finance it is just too much for me at this point.

My midwife said there was more than one study that showed the moxa sticks to be more effective than evc, without the risk. she had one bub turn at 39, so while it might be best done by 35 weeks its not an absolute deadline

My DD was transverse until 28-30wks when she was firmly breech and her big bottom was firmly wedged in my pelvis. We did weekly chiro and the exercises on the spinning babies website and around 36wks she turned - not the most gracious of feelings thought my body was turning inside out. She was sitting crooked with her head wedged in one hip bone and posterior until I was induced 4 days over. I had bi weekly chiro from 34wks and a special appointment the night before my induction and as soon as my waters were broken she started turning from posterior to right way round. Was very uncomfortabel and took her about an hour and then she was born an hour and a half later! Afterwards the ligaments and muscles the chiro had been working on were intensely sore but I doubt she would have been able to turn with out the chiros help. Find a chiro with experience in pregnancy and baby positioning. I rang about 5 before I found one. There was a special seminar held in Brisbane in 2007 that my chro went to specialising in pregnancy and optimium positioning.

All the best and think positive thoughts. Do those spinning baby possies when ever you can, I swear I spent most of the end of my pregnancy upside down

Hi Megan,

Not confirmed, but I know baby is still in the same place. I feel as though there have been some attempts at moving, but he/she doesn't seem to be getting very far. I'm going to keep going with the acup/moxa and see how I go. You might as well give it a try - it can't hurt?

Let me know how you are getting on. It's really difficult to process when you have a certain birth pictured in your head and then to have to modify that image.

X