37 weeks pregnant and my baby is breech...

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

@ Fuschia: SeanMacGabhann - the voice of conciliation and reason on the wider forum!

[Fuschia]

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote:

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

> @ Fuschia: SeanMacGabhann - the voice of

> conciliation and reason on the wider forum!

Ah, well a little bit of reason never goes amiss!

[alethea]

Does seem like it's got a little bit off topic,

With regards to breech babies, I found out my son was breech the day that my waters broke, it was a bit of a shock as up to that point I had no idea. I think had I known before I would have tried to have had him turned although I have heard that this is not always effective and very painful especially in the later stages of pregnancy.

I think with many pregnancies even with all the planning in the world sometimes things just don't go according to plan. I was very upset at the initial thought of having the c-section, again as this was not what I had expected. I was offered the possibility of having a natural birth with special doctors, but felt that I did not want to attempt a long labour to then end up having a c-section anyway. It also turned out that he was a big baby again not detected so a c-section might have been a strong possibility anyway.

Having the actual c-section was totally fine, it doesn't feel the best and I was scared, there was a moment once he had been delivered and taken away to be weighed etc I remember lying there feeling emotionally and physically numb whilst I was sewn up. But my husband and I still laugh about the moment the doctors held up this little baby above the screen and how funny he looked.

He was shown straight to me and put on my chest, my husband then went with the nurses to get him cleaned up.

But the human body is amazing and for the severity of the operation you actually start to function pretty quickly. It's hard in the hospital having to ring the bell to get someone to pick your baby up for you, but even that is shortlived.

You do find yourself doing the c-section stoop in fear of standing up straight which in hindsight I laugh about with other friends who've had c-sections.

I hope everything goes okay for you, whatever ends up happening, if there is one things that is certain is that your baby will be coming out.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

No worries about hijacking the thread, a bit of healthy debate is good for the mind! Would be a shame if anybody decided to leave because of differences in views, we all see things differently and we all hold different ideas and views. We just go along with what we feel and know is best and that is all that matters.

Everything has been very informative and has given me a lot of food for thoughts. So many different viewpoints. I have to say I do find it kind of disheartening when people who have not had C sections ( friends etc) telling me that it is not that bad and it will be fine, I do sit there teeth gritted and think " What do you know? you had a natural birth!" but everyone is just trying to reassure me.

Still in two minds about the ECV purely because my man IS moving lots but for some reason he just is not heading to the exit sign and I am worried that maybe he can't because of the cord etc because he was ALWAYS head down before and I am just worried that doing the ECV could just make more problems. If he is moving then obviously he has some room, he does breech or transverse now but he won't go down....

[Fuschia]

HH, I tend to agree with you, if a baby persists in remianing breech you wonder why. Though your placenta was low, wasn't it?I think they tend to like facing the cord.. my first baby was posterior for that reason for a lot of the time (anterior placenta)

Hope you are getting good support from those around while you decide whether to go for the ECV.

xx

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

My placenta was low yes and they said it has moved, the only reason I went back for another scan after the good news about my placenta was because my little man lost weight around his stomach and now it is his breech position and drop in FL measurement.

Lots of people are encouraging me to try the ECV but the fact that it is posing a big problem for me might be my instincts telling me not to do because of the fact that he is going in any position BUT down now.

[Smiler]

I had a similar situation to alethea and got a bit of a shock when in labour!

People who haven't had them do sometimes assume that C-sections are v.easy to get over, it is all the celebs having them done with tummy tucks at the same time (wish I could've had this, still have a jelly belly. Maybe some liposuction too! Problems more due to cake than pregnancy though! I am now doing many abdominal exercises, urgh). A friend said to me after her (natural, straightforward birth) "of course, it was much easier for you, you had a C-section", grrrr!

Personally I found the recovery quite hard, but got there gradually. It freaked me out to feel weak, achy etc. It helped to get a changing stand and move stuff higher up, as bending down was difficult for a while. My husband had to change all the nappies for the first two weeks as we were using the floor at that point - the experience was good for him!

[Fuschia]

HeidiHi Wrote:

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

>

> Lots of people are encouraging me to try the ECV

> but the fact that it is posing a big problem for

> me might be my instincts telling me not to do

> because of the fact that he is going in any

> position BUT down now.

That's a hard one, HH. Though if they do a successful ECV, you will be giving birth in hospital later and they are on hand to deal with any problems that may arise.

I don't know what I'd do in your position. I was aware of the possibility that twin I would turn breech, and we'd need a planned CS (they don't try ECV with twins) and I read up about "good" caesarians and felt Ok in my head that if was necessary, it was necessary, and a case where medical intervention is well justified. It would have been very awkward not being able to drive after, mind you, as MrF doesn't drive.. also breastfeeding twins after a CS (and enduring the hospital stay) would have been grim. But i accepted that it might be necessary for a safe birth.

Even though you may hear of cases where there were serious complications, they are few and far between. The late stages of labour aren't the time to be told of these bad cases... it just stresses you.

[sb]

I.

[Fuschia]

Some more info here, HH: http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/breech.html (Don't read right to the very end, it has a scary story about ECV at the bottom)

Might be wortn trying a session of hypnotherapy and getting an MP3 from her to play at night? I can recommend Chrirstine Neillands http://www.advanced-hypnosis-works.co.uk/ also my acupuncturist claire Battersby at health matters.

[sanity girl]

just to reiterate what sb just said - I think many women also need time to recover from a natural birth. The first night after my daughter's birth (i gave birth at 9pm) I couldn't even manage to change my nightdress (was alone in italian hospital, partner not allowed in outside of visiting hours) and another woman's mother had to do it for me. The next morning I almost fainted when I got up to go to the bathroom for a freshen up and found it very difficult walking the few steps to get there. I was very thankful to have the three days in hospital with my baby that are imposed in italy!

[helena handbasket]

HH, you sound like your instincts are telling what to do, I think I would follow them. I think it's been a great forum and some really fair and honest information, and I'm impressed by how sincere the postings have been. You really do have have so much more insight now, much more than I had! If you decide that you are most comfortable leaving well enough alone and go ahead with just a scheduled c-section, don't feel bad or that you didn't try more...... any decision is brave! These are not easy questions and there are no easy answers. Like I said, go with your gut.

And good luck! People who deliver babies do it because they love babies..... you're in good hands!

[curlykaren]

ooo, designer knickers in a twist, how fantastic...miss a morning on the forum and come back to personal insults...classy!

Perhaps from such a high horse it was difficult to read the pc screen properly as the WHO exert clearly demonstrates that in some situations stillborn babies are bought back to life, indeed that is the whole point of resucitation;

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=67462&dict=CALD

resuscitate:

verb [T]

to bring someone or something back to life or consciousness:

Her heart had stopped, but the doctors successfully resuscitated her.

resuscitation:

noun

1 when someone or something is brought back to life or consciousness:

The patient suffered a cardiac arrest and died, despite an attempt at resuscitation.

While it may not have been the intention, a fanatical need to (wrongly) define the term of stillborn, where nothing less than a funeral would seem to appease the commentator, merely serves to;

1)devalue linzkgs experience and the advice she was sharing with heidi,

2)trivialise mollys comments on the subject

3)unnecessarily worry heidi

As for storming off the forum in a huff, all I can say is....Giddy Up Horsey!

[curlykaren]

Oooo, designer knickers in a twist? After a day away from the forum I return to personal insults...classy? Obviously not someone who responds well to being challenged, or, as in this case, proved entirely wrong!

Perhaps from such a high horse it is difficult to read the PC screen, but, the quote from the WHO, clearly demonstrates that in some cases it is possible to resuscitate a stillborn baby. Indeed that is the whole point of resuscitation;

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=67462&dict=CALD

resuscitate:

verb [T]

to bring someone or something back to life or consciousness:

Her heart had stopped, but the doctors successfully resuscitated her.

resuscitation:

noun

1 when someone or something is brought back to life or consciousness:

The patient suffered a cardiac arrest and died, despite an attempt at resuscitation.

Such a fanatical insistence in (wrongly) trying to prove a point over use of language serves only to;

1) Devalue linzkgs personal experience and the advice she is trying to give heidi.

2) Render wasted the time and effort, made by molly, to concisely and correctly explain the situation.

3) Unnecessarily worry heidi at an obviously already stressful time.

While more magnanimous forumites may urge you not to storm away in a huff from the forum, I am however happy to say...

Giddy-Up Horsey!

[snss75]

HH, recovering from c-section doesn't necessarily have to be hard, just like with any other delivery I think it's very individual. I had a planned c-section myself and had no problems at all, in fact I felt much better after the c-section than I did after a smaller operation for ectopic pregnancy! My son was born on Friday morning and I got to go home on Sunday morning (I had my bags packed at 7am!) and felt fine with some painkillers. I was able to look after my baby from the very beginning and was out and about less than a week after the delivery. Having said that my midwife was telling me to take it easy but I was never good at sitting down and doing nothing :)) I think lot of women who have to have emergency c-sections end up with much less positive experiences. Anyway, my point being that if you do decide/have to go down the c-section route I would not worry about it too much or feel bad as at the end of the day you're doing what's best for you and your baby, like the others have said. I just thought I'd add a very positive c-section experience here, in case that's what you end up with! Good luck in any case!

[alethea]

I am not sure if others have done this but although I have had friends that have had c-sections, and we have discussed scars, but it's not like you say 'can I have a look at yours!!'

My skin also takes a long time to heal, it's been over two years and it's still a bit lumpy and I've still got to brave a bikini wax, but now I just see it as a war wound and that it will heal eventually, plus I have my beautiful son so it was worth it.

Whatever happens just think of the end result. (the baby not the scar!)

[Claribel]

ECV didn't work, so I'm booked for a c-section, and secretly keeping my fingers crossed for a miraculous somersault before then. I know the c-section will be fine, but I can't help feeling sad about missing out on the more natural alternative. But I've found this thread incredibly useful and reassuring, so thanks everyone (and sorry Heidi for joining your thread, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you).

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

Claribel, no need to be sorry, it is lovely to share my experience with someone else, and lovely to hear so many views. Thank you EVERYONE for taking the time out to read my posts and reply.

I am so sorry to hear the ECV did not work, how was it? I am very nervous about it. Still not made my mind up, my OH has told me to we will go along and just do what we feel is right on the day.

When is your C section booked for? when you hit 40 weeks or beyond?

I really hope that your baby will move for you, I am hoping the same too. The moxibustion I must say does work in that my baby does move lots and lots, but he is just not moving in the right direction but I will keep it going until Tuesday and will update with the outcome.

Good luck Claribel, not long until our little troublemakers are here!!

[curlykaren]

I know you ladies are really having an anxious time at the moment but just try and think of the day when you get to see your babies little face...its SOOOO exciting, oh my gosh I'm excitied for you, having said that if any of you ever catch me planning to have another baby, hit me with a brick!:))

PS: I did post a reply to prada-nics incredibly rude comments but admin took it off (no swear words honestly), apparently a bit too edgy for the family room!

[Claribel]

They like to do the c-section before you go into natural labour, so some time between 38 and 40 weeks. I was hoping they might have space on 07.08.09 as the silver lining to having to have a c-section, but unfortunately they are booked up, so I am booked for the 11th instead, which is 39+2.

I'm glad I tried the ECV, but do prepare yourself for it to be quite painful. It is a strange feeling having spent the last 9 months being so protective of my tummy to suddenly have to surrender it to the very strong hands of the consultant, but they were really nice and kept talking to me and making sure it wasn't unbearable, and stopped when I didn't like it. They moved it about half the way, but just couldn't get it all the way round, and now it seems to have bounced back to where they started from. It isn't much fun, but the baby seemed pretty immune to it all and the heart rate was carefully monitored, and I seem to have been forgiven as it is moving around lots, as usual, again now.

Fingers crossed for you. Keep us posted on how you get on.

[alfie]

Gosh, just glanced at page 2 of this thread... very glad it's back on topic...

Just wanted to say that my first born was a CS for breech. I was incredibly sad at the time (spent most of my pre-op meeting sobbing at the theatre midwife) but I ended up with a very calm, celebratory CS with a remarkably smooth recovery period - it does happen! Fast forward a couple of years and my second was born at the midwife-led unit at Tommy's with only gas and air. This time round I felt much more battered and the recovery took as least as long as after my section but I was very pleased to have had a VBAC.

Heidi - hope everything goes well whatever you choose!

[lorraineliyanage]

C sections aren't so bad to recover from, although this will vary from person to person. Mine wasn't planned, but the recovery time was fairly quick. I had my baby at King's Wednesday AM, was home by Friday afternoon, and back at work 2 weeks later. I was only in pain for the first day after the anaesthetic wore off. My scar is quite big, and was puffy for ages, but has gone down now and doesn't look too bad!

[Special Chocolates]

I had planned section for breech baby and it was nowhere near as bad as I expected. The theatre staff at kings were lovely, the theatre was bright, sunlit and everyone (bar me and husband!) was very relaxed and recovery was quick and fairly painless. Walking even short distances was very tiring for at least 2 weeks but I was able to look after baby chocolates without issue from day 1. Everyone is different and you may find physical recovery harder, I guess it is partly due to luck and partly due to being in reasonable shape before you go in, but for me the worst part was being on ward for 2 days, that was pretty grim! however I found Ecv very unpleasant and if number 2 is breech I will just let nature take it's course.

however your babies arrive will be totally amazing so try not to worry too much - Good luck!!

[sandy78]

Hiya Heidi,

I read bits from this link...I really feel for you and hear your anxiety.

I am 33 weeks pregnant and so far, so good.

Anyway, back to your situation, I read that a good way to get the baby to turn to the best position is to get on your hands and knees, and gently rock your hips/bum from side to side - I think the suggest is to do it for 20 minutes a day, (which I have been doing). Even though I don't have an ultrasound monitor at home, so don't really know for sure, I feel it is have a positive effect.

Also remember like others have said, the baby can turn at any time including during birth...ultimately, try not to worry too much, (ok easy for others to say), but upset is not good for you or the baby.

I wish you all the best,

Sandy.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

Well, The moxibustion, and all the exercises did not work at all!! I went in today to book my C section but the consultant said to me that my baby is transverse and that he moves easily and he really wants me to have the ECV because he thinks it will work on me and he does not want me having a C section so I have to go back in an hour and half and see if the ECV works, fingers crossed it does, I shall update later! x