37 weeks pregnant and my baby is breech...

[prada-nic]

hi...what an interesting thread.

But i'm a bit confused so must clarify something.

linzkg....sorry to ask this....you told us about your stillborn child yet at the end of your post you mention that you're waiting to see if there are any signs of long term damage to your son.

That seems a little odd.....what do you mean?

And Heidi...chill. Kings is great!! I won't hear a word against it...my care was amazing.

[The Nappy Lady]

linkg's baby was stillborn, but resuscitated prada-nic.

But until they got him breathing his brain would have been starved of oxygen, so there is a chance of damage. But he is adorable, and so far so good....

Molly

[sb]

.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

I have my consultant appointment today at 10am...*exhale* I shall update later today. Fingers crossed all the techniques from spinning babies paid off!

[Mellors]

Hope its ok Heidi. That's boys for you - no end of trouble from start to finish ;)

I know there are additional problems for you, but a c-section is what's needed to keep baby safe if he stays breech then that may be what needs to happen. I've done it both ways and have to agree with sb above that in the end the birth is just a small stepping stone to the start of a lifelong relationship with your child. Whatever it takes to keep you both safe and begin that journey in the best way possible is all that really matters in the end.

That's the annoying thing about children - you have all theser great ideas about how its going to be and what you are going to do, and they go and scupper it by deciding they want it different lol.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

Thanks Mellors! x

Had my meeting with the consultant. I have to attend the labour ward next week to try a ECV.

My OH has booked moxibustion for me tomorrow, I am hoping that will work.

All the risks have been explained to me at the hospital regarding ECV, C section and Breech Delivery. If the ECV does not work, I agreed to a C section. As it is my first baby, I really don't want to risk a delivery because I have no idea what to expect or how I am going to deal with it, and the last thing I want is to stress myself out and end up having an emergency C section but fingers crossed the moxibustion or ECV will be successful, I suppose it was only natural my son was going to be stubborn judging by myself and his father!

[Fuschia]

How are you feeling about it Heidihi?

These guidelines might help you plan for a good elective CS, if it comes to it

http://www.radmid.demon.co.uk/csgood.htm

One thing i was worried about, if my twin birth ended with a CS, was whether I'd get to have skin to skin and breastfeed right away, it seems the baby is often removed whiel the mother is sewn up, and then you can't hold the baby while in recovery. Worth asking about those things if it's important to you.. you can have the baby undressed and have skin to skin whne you're ready.

xx

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

I don't know really Fuschia. I don't like the idea of stressing my son out via a ECV, in fact I am starting to get second thoughts and thinking maybe I should just have the C section if the moxibustion is not successful. Everything has a risk, I just don't want to cause my unborn son distress, because nothing is guaranteed, it is hard to know what choice is the right one.

I am told that I am allowed to ask for the screen to be lowered during the C section and for baby to be placed onto me for skin to skin contact, assuming he is well.

[Mellors]

I had skin to skin straight away with my son. They pulled him out, gave him a quick wipe & check and plopped him on my chest whilst they did their sewing up. He was feeding happily whilst they went about their business :)

[linzkg]

heidi - all the unanswered questions you have going on in your mind are exactly what i had! you will know when the time is right what you will do - even if its a last minute drastic change and you worry that you're going to go mad as its just not a straight forward yes or no - especially when its such important decisions - you would think it would be black and white hey!

i just had a feeling that i had to try the ECV - even though i didn't want to stress my little one out - it was very painful for me and my little one lashed out at the doc as they tried to turn him - but immediately afterwards his heart rate returned to normal and i just took it easy the next few days whispering sweet nothings at my belly!!!

i'm so glad i did it as it was a success .. i also often think how strong my little boy has been with everything he's been through .. and i look back and, to make myself feel better i guess that even that "procedure" prepared him for some tough going ..

with regards to skin on skin etc .. i strongly wanted that .. and to have them wait to cut the cord etc .. but of coz everything i wanted i couldn't have .. i only met my son 4 and a bit hours later .. through an incubator .. i couldn't hold him or feed for a few days until he was in better condition .. so when he bobbed his little head in the direction of my b00b and latched all by himself i can't begin to tell you ..!! so you see .. even days later they just know!! i was also worried i'd ruin that "first moment" .. but it happened!!

you must just relax and be confident in yourself - even though you're not yet an official mom you definitely will know what's right for yourself and your bub .. and he will love you regardless!! your little one will "feel the vibe" so go with the flow and let it happen one step at a time .. all the best .. you'll do just fine .. you've been totally devoted from the word go - i remember your initial posts still!

[Belle]

really good advice linzkg. X

[prada-nic]

Hi all....

Heidi....glad your appointment went well. Did you see A. Davies? I still feel you should try and relax....I know everyone loves sharing their horror stories, but please remember how many people have successful births with positive results!!

Re. the Nappy Lady's reply to my confusion about linzkg's (miraculous)little boy.....I'm still confused and think that although he may have needed resuscitation, he wasn't stillborn.

Maybe this link will clarify?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/stillbirth

This is obviously my opinion, but I do think there is rather a lot of misinformation amongst some of the posts......a shame really, as surely the idea is that this is a supportive environment?

[curlykaren]

oooh, wikipedia as a reference source...really??

[Fuschia]

I did think stilborn meant never took a breath... I have a friend whose daughter was stillborn :-(

Thank goodness linzkg's son wasn't subject to the same sad fate!

[prada-nic]

ooooooh!

Well, if I was going to be nasty....

I would suggest you look it up in whichever way you prefer.

Oxford English dictionary says pretty much the same.

enjoy your search.....please let me know if you find something completely different.

[Ann]

I agree, stillbirth usually applies to a baby that is born with no signs of life. However some babies are born with little signs of life that are not actually stillborn. You can register a child that is stillborn, and you can register a livebirth, even if the child died shortly after, but you can't register both for the same birth.

I don't think Linzkg meant to cause confusion but has illustrated how it felt to her at that time. Please keep us posted on his progress!

Also good luck HeidiHi. I posted on Linzig's thread about my breech experience and I think a lot of local mothers have given very sound and honest advice.

[prada-nic]

Hi Ann.....ok, I'll shut up about this after this post, but......

Stillborn is born dead. Sounds awful I know (and yes, I'm very pleased for Linzkg that her little boy is doing so well).....both live births and stillbirths are registered and so is a neonatal death.

The reason I'm being so picky is that I would hate someone to look on this site, read this thread and wonder why their stillborn baby wasn't resuscitated.

It just does not happen.

Yes, babies can be born in extremely poor condition and then can be resuscitated.

But a stillborn baby can't.

As for Wikipedia.....I'm open minded enough to use lots of different sites for references.....Wikipedia's pretty good and is based on information from the public.

Just like this forum.................

[curlykaren]

its seems heidis thread has been hijacked for the sake of your own pedantry, prada-nic. Perhaps you would like to read this,

Basic Newborn Resuscitation: A Practical Guide - Revision (WHO; 1999; 33 pages)

If after delivery the fetus does not breathe and shows no other evidence of life (such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, definite movement of voluntary muscles) or shows signs of maceration, it is considered stillborn. However, in a fresh stillborn newborn it is difficult to determine how long before birth the death occurred unless the fetal heartbeat has been checked frequently during the second phase of birth. The policy on when to initiate resuscitation will depend on the practice of monitoring fetal well-being. If the fetal heartbeat was heard shortly before birth, resuscitation should begin.

Back on topic...all the best heidi xx

[prada-nic]

Thank you curlykaren...perhaps you should reread your reference again.....I think the bit about a stillborn baby reflects what I said.

However, I did say in my last post that I was finished with the subject!

So...a couple of points:

curlykaren....I have been polite throughout my posts and non-judgmental.

I couldn't say the same about your replies to my post.....I'll blame your blatant bigotry on raging hormones or

something.

linzkg.....as I have said, more than once, I am so happy that what sounds like a terrifying delivery ended up with a beautiful, much loved little boy. I hope you both continue to be well and happy.

heidi....I had no intention of 'hijacking' your thread.....in fact I have expressed my pleasure that you had a positive appointment and asked if you ended up seeing the consultant you expected.

I won't stay on the forum (well, probably as a 'guest')and will cancel my registration. I had lots of questions about pregnancy that I hoped may be answered or clarified on here.....pregnancy can be scary and I anticipated support from women in my local area.....

what was I thinking?

I wish you all well...even curlykaren (although I must admit that's through gritted teeth!)

Maybe next time a newbie posts, you could be a little more welcoming?

[Smiler]

Hello again Heidi Hi.

With my C-section, we were given the option of the baby being given to me immediately, but decided that my husband should be with her initially, while they sewed me up etc.

This worked well for us - I was high as a kite, and felt reassurred and happy to know that the baby was with my husband. I could hear them together. He absolutely loved spending time with her right away and getting her cleaned up etc. It was a special thing for him that he will always remember. Time passed really fast and he brought our daughter over to me . I wore my gown with the opening at the front for easy skin-to-skin access. To be honest though I was still out-of-it and couldn't really take it in! We didn't work out feeding rightaway, but it was lovely to cuddle.

As others have said, the "first moment" can happen at any time - for me it was the morning after the birth when (after hours of screaming down the postnatal ward and falling into an exhausted sleep) my daughter opened her eyes and just stared at me. Amazing!

Whatever kind of birth you have, don't be afraid to press the buzzer and ask for / demand help during the night - I didn't do this and really struggled. It's OK in the day as your partner can be there, but at night they are kicked out.

Good wishes.

[Fuschia]

Prada-nic, I think people are pretty welcoming here.

But getting into a pedantic argument about what constitutes a stillbirth... when on the thread you have a woman whose baby was nearly lost at birth.. and another woman facing a breech delivery.. it's just not very tactful!

I know pregnancy is a time of high emotion... don't leave, just forget about this for now and come back on another, less emotive, thread, I'd suggest!

xx

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Oh my goodness, Fuschia. Were you and SeanMac separated at birth?

[Fuschia]

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Oh my goodness, Fuschia. Were you and SeanMac

> separated at birth?

Who's Sean Mac?

[linzkg]

ok guys .. i now totally regret even posting here .. for clarification i will start a new post, and not ruin poor heidihi thread, and put it straight just to avoid any further discussion about me and my child right in front of me .. goodness molly .. it gets worse hey!!!!!!!!!!!!

i'm sure no harm was intended but a little more sensitivity would be appreciated ;-)

[linzkg]

actually i don't want a further public posting to a wider audience.

my baby's heart rate seemed to be ok throughout the labour right the way down the birthing canal as the midwives were monitoring him regularly (who knows what was happening in between, and just how much oxygen deprivation was occurring and for how long it had gone on for - baring in mind i was having a home birth)

- the cord was around his neck and also around his chest together with his arms across his chest so suffocating him

- he was 10lb 7oz so a big boy and i'm a size 10 so possibly my hips didn't stretch open enough?? i don't know ..

- so yes, he was D-E-A-D .. thanks for making that clear for me, and look i can even spell the word!!

bla bla bla ..

the midwives cut the cord immediately and started bagging him ..

- he was born 17.45

- midwives called paramedics 17.47

- first ambulance arrived 17.49 (an absolute miracle!!!)

so he got 100% oxygen within minutes ..

life support and ICU for a week - and when he left hospital he was only 100g short of his birth weight! a complete miracle and hard to believe but through sheer determination and positive thinking we did it (it helped that i was put in hospital as i had complications with excessive bleeding so i was able to go to ICU to see him when ever .. yes he's supposed to be deaf dumb and blind but we've had an inital MRI at 5 days old and again a miracle that initial findings look positive and he's absolutely fine .. but we have a follow up MRI in a few months and in the mean time we wait to see if anything else has been compromised, ie. slow learner etc.

i feel like now offering an open day for people to gawk at the kid! ;-)

ps, anyone else know anyone or had a similar issue, ie with kings and them NOT detecting a big baby and offering or advising on "safer options" like a hospital delivery or even a c-section i'd be keen to hear about as obviously we have our own battle with the hospital now as to how and why this happened - if anything - to stop it from EVER happening to anyone else EVER.

maybe a private message is better so we can get back to Heidi ..