Anyone had a breech baby?

[Libby Pritchett]

So, I went back today for a 35 week ultrasound because previously my placenta had been in a bad spot. Fortunately, it's moved since then, but now we found out that the baby is breech. I *thought* I felt her flip just after my appointment last week because it was a MAJOR movement and sorta caught my breath.

Anyway, the doctor and ultrasound tech didn't seem overly reassuring that she'd flip back on her own. They said it COULD happen, but not to be surprised if she doesn't at this point. All this means that we'll have to schedule a c-section. With me being on blood thinner, there is NO WAY they'd try to deliver a breech baby vaginally.

I really really didn't want a c-section, so I'm trying to look on the bright side (at least they can tie my tubes while they're in there). I'm still holding out hope that she'll flip in the next few weeks.

Anyone have any experience with this?

[heathergw]

Moriah was breech and because of my high blood pressure and low amniotic fluid level, there was no possible way she could flip, so I ended up with a c-section...

but babies can flip any time and some don't flip until you go into labor... in fact before taking me to the OR, they did an ultrasound just to make sure she was still breech, because if she had flipped they would have induced me instead of going straight to the OR.

I was not on the blood thinners tho with Moriah so that wasn't a concern, but I was with Isaac and Asher and I ended up with c-sections with them too and not being able to try for a VBAC even though they weren't breech... I was heartbroken, but I'm just so happy to have my kiddos even though I didn't get the births that I wanted with them.

[nikkiARNGwife]

Oh she can for sure still flip..and she's got plenty of time.

Ella was breech up til 38 weeks and flipped..I ended up still having a section with her b/c she was so big (9lbs 6 oz) and wouldn't drop but she flipped all on her own. It was the weirdest feeling too.

[Libby Pritchett]

That's encouraging to hear! Thanks guys!!

And Heather, that's what I keep telling myself. We can have these ideals of what kind of birth we want, but ultimately, I just want a healthy baby delivered in the safest manner. So, if that means a c-section, I'll deal with it. :)

[ColleenSwerb]

And this may scare you, but on my birth board there was a post the other day where a woman's baby flipped at *41* weeks. The dr's were SHOCKED, but it just goes to show you that seriously, anything can happen.
My dr's don't even start wondering about the babies position until 38 weeks.

[Kjersti]

Yes - my oldest daugher Elyse was breech. They did what was called an "external version" to turn her around.
First they gave me a shot of tocylic medicine to relax the uterus and to make sure I didn't go into labor. The shot burns like heck (but it's the worst part). I think the shot was in my arm. Then they hook you up to the monitors to check the baby's heart beat and they keep doing ultrasounds to check the positioning of the baby (that's the cool part - just watching the baby).

Then the doctor gave the baby a push from the outside of my stomach.....and she flipped over!!! It was soooo easy. I was totally freaked out because I had heard so many horror stories, but it was so simple. I remember the doctor saying, "it's going to be a great day" as he left my side!!!

Unfortunately, her head was the size of TEXAS so I ended up having a c-section because she got stuck!! LOL! Honestly....I looooved my c-section.

[Libby Pritchett]

You guys are so awesome! I'm feeling much more calm now! Kjersti, I'm glad to know it was such a positive experience for you!

And Col, that is CRAZY about the lady who flipped at 41 weeks. WOW! Yeah, I don't think my dr would've been checking for position if we hadn't been doing the ultrasound at the highisk dr's office anyway. I go back to my regular OB on Monday for my 36 week check, so I'll ask him more about it then. :)

[Giseli Freitas]

My doctor in Brazil told me that is very usual to have a breech presentation until 37 weeks and it doesn't matter if the baby is breech as there is always a good chance that the baby will spontaneously turn after 37weeks. And the majority of them will do. So, I'm not worried (yet). I'm glad to hear they can turn anytime.

[Lyd]

My first three babies all flipped really late. And, let me tell you, I knew when it happened! I hope your little lady will flip on her own, Libby, so you can have the kind of birth you were planning on. But, yeah, sometimes it just doesn't work out. My last one definitely didn't go the way I would have chosen. But, I got a healthy sweet little girl out of it, so it's okay.

[mariewilcox]

Neither of my kids was breech but I was and that was back when they birthed babies feet first! My mother likes to tease me about what a pain I was to have - literally - LOL.

Like the other stories though I've had friends whose babies flipped really late - up to 40 weeks, so evidently it's more common then we thought!

[maryinaz]

My only breech was one of my twins - one up, one down. I went through labor with both of my first 2 babies and ended up with c-sections (both were 9lbs 5oz each, oddly enough). Those births were rough and I was exhausted by the time each was born.

With the twins, since one was breech and they were humongous, we did the c-section before I went into labor. Not exactly scheduled...I had a dr. appt at 38 weeks and begged her to take them that day as I was so uncomfortable I really did not think I could go another day. So I drove myself to the hospital and told DH to meet me there. :) I even had makeup on. HA! And even though I had twins, it was by far my easiest birth.

So, I would much rather have a planned c-section, than a labor that ends in a c-section.

Hoping the birth is whatever you want it to be Libby!

[mummytothree]

My last baby was breech up until about 2 weeks before I gave birth and then he flipped!! :thumbup: I was so worried...not because of the chance of a c-section but because they wanted to try a version!!

When we found out he was still breech (late in the game) my OB was not worried and told me not to worry at all, that babies can turn at anytime...not matter how far along you are....yes it gets harder towards the end but he told me he had seen many many babies turn (both ways) even while the mothers were in labor!!

Try not to worry yourself Libby...anything can happen!!! :hugs: There are tons of "tips and tricks" you can try.....just google. I've heard a trip to the chiropractor has helped many woman!!!

[cardinalskate]

Yep, mine was another late turner. You have plenty of time!

[SweetMelissa]

Both of my daughters were breech. My middle child (Rachel) turned at 10pm at night and at 3am the next morning I woke up with contractions. She was born 24 hours after she turned. My youngest (Lilly) had the cord around her neck and couldn't turn. I ended up having an emergency c-section.

I did NOT want a c-section with Lilly. Not at all. I really wanted her to turn on her own but it just didn't happen. The c-section wasn't so bad. I didn't really feel anything until the pushed on my upper stomach but that was it.

Recovery was SO different. After my first I was up and out of bed 10 minutes after he was born. With my second I was up and out of bed 15 minutes after her birth. With Lilly I didn't want to move days after her birth. Walking to the bathroom was so awful! I would of been so happy to just piss on the floor & climb back into bed. Seriously. But the more I moved around the better I felt UNTIL I laid down and then had to move again. Then it hurt all over again. It was about 4 days after her birth when it didn't hurt to stand up or sit down. By a week after her birth it just hurt to bend over. Now at 13 months out my incision can still be tender at times but otherwise I forget its there.

[joelsgirl]

So Libby, I had a C-section with both of my boys, and I would never want to push a baby out of a small hole now, lol. I had a great recovery with both of my surgeries; I was up and walking my babies around the room the second day. So if you do have to have one, it won't be the end of the world. You'll still have your sweet baby in your arms, your tubes all tied up and you big V will still be intact. ; )

[*Celeste*]

both of my babies were breech around 35 weeks and they both turned before delivery. :) i wouldn't get too worried about it until it's time.

[Libby Pritchett]

I seriously can't tell you how much better you've all made me feel. Thank you so much for sharing your stories!!!

[kim21673]

I haven't had any experience but do know that babies can flip up until the end!!!

My babies were always head down and ready to go by 20 weeks and NEVER flipped breech....they stayed head down until the end....they were all too eager to come out! LOL

Good luck! I can't believe you are getting so close!!!!

[ZaCola3]

It makes me happy to read that I'm not the only person who loved my CSections...I had three and like Kel can't imagine pushing a baby out...the thought freaks me out...LOL
I hope Chloe flips for you LibbyLou!

[pewtertm]

Well, Rachel wasn't breech, but she was face-up until the last minute. By last minute, I mean 2 hours before she was born. Thankfully she finally decided to turn over, because back labor is the pits!!!

[mrshobbes]

My sister was breech, and it was more a last-minute thing. We like to joke it's because she's the nuttiest of us three and gave my parents the most headaches, lol. It's just like her to come into the world "backwards" from the rest of us, lol. I hope she flips for you, Libby--there's still time :)

[isaacsmom]

I have a friend whose baby was breech towards the end and she ended up doing her own *version* at home. She laid on one of those sit-up type boards - the one where you have your feet in the air and head towards the ground. So she was basically hanging/laying upside down. Then they put ice up at the top of her belly (by the baby's head) and put music at the bottom of her stomach (by the butt/feet) and the baby flipped on her own and went towards the sound of the music - so then she was head down. It was kind of crazy! Anyway - just another thought about the whole breech thing.

I have had 2 c-sections also - one emergency (Isaac's bp starting dropping) and one planned. I agree - the planned one was much easier because I hadn't spent all my energy on laboring all day before the c-section. The recovery to me was not bad, but I don't have a regular delivery to compare it to. The thing that helped me the most was my wonderful hubby and all the help/support he gave me during and after both sections. I hope everything goes smoothly for you Libby!

[kendallt]

My DD was breech, and I ended up having to have a C-section. My story is quite different though because I went into premature labor at 23 weeks and was on bed rest for another five when I started having contractions.

Because her heart rate was increasing drastically every time I had a contraction, they didn't want to risk waiting to see if she'd flip back on her own. I really hope everything works out for you, Libby! I know no one wants to have a C-section, but honestly, it's not anything you can handle! Hugs and prayers coming your way! :wub:

[CA Dreamer]

My friend's baby turned late(like 38 weeks) and her second one, the dr turned for her.

[Stacey42]

My oldest went breech at 40 weeks & 1 day. It was a Sunday, my checkup was Monday & a week later I had a scheduled cs. They gave me some things to try & get him to flip, various positions to lay or kneel in but his head stayed up in my ribs. He was a footling breech so they didn't want to attempt a vaginal delivery. Had he been in a better, butt first position they might have tried it.

I've recovered from both a cs and a VBAC, unfortunately I had an appendectomy 11 days after my cs & was walking around in pain from that for at least 3 days before the surgery so my basis for comparison is skewed. Personally, just going over the first couple weeks, minus the appendix thing, the cs was easier. This is because every one, even men, can relate to you having abdominal surgery & seemed more eager to help out with things so I could lay around & recover. There was less of that care after the VBAC, probably because walking was easier.

[HeatherKS]

Corbin, my first, was breech until late in the pregnancy. I had mentally prepared myself for what I thought was going to be a c-section and then she surprised us by turning by herself and coming 10 days before my due date. :) I was a happy mama! :)

[Tracie Stroud]

All 3 of mine didn't flip until 37 or 38 weeks. :)

[Libby Pritchett]

Thanks for sharing your stories, everyone!

Had my appt today. Just by feeling, we think she MIGHT have flipped. I sorta thought that I felt it a couple of nights ago, but I wasn't 100% sure. She is floating really high though, so he said she could continue flipping and flopping for a while yet. Kendra never fully engaged (she'd hit my pelvic bone and bounce back up - that's what Chloe is doing now). So, he said don't be surprised if I feel her flip a few more times. He said we won't really be concerned with it for a couple more weeks, and IF I go into labor before then, they'll do an ultrasound at the hospital to determine what we need to do.

He also said because of my medical history and some highisk issues I've had, I'm not a candidate for a version. So, if she doesn't flip on her own, it will definitely be a c-section.

[MommaTrish]

Bella was transverse and liked it that way. From 35 weeks till I was scheduled to be induced I had TWO versions. Lol. And by the next day she would have turned all wrong again. ((Stubborn butt child...)) Anyway I got two options, either one more version with an induction the next day or a planned c-section. My doctor didn't want to chance me going into laborious on my own.

[Giseli Freitas]

I had an ultrasound yesterday and my baby is transverse and high. I though she was low because every movement hits my bladder, for weeks now, but it's just her feet or something else. Her head is on my right side, near my ribs. I'm 31 weeks today and the doctor said she seems (haha) to be big; she's 4.6 lbs already. :blink: