Breech Baby at 38 Weeks

First of all, don't be scared of a c-section. It might not be the first choice, but nothing is wrong with having one. Just relax and let things happen. It will work out the way it was meant to work out, everything always dose. That said, your baby still has a little time to figure out which way to go. Try not to stress out. The most important thing is that you and baby are healthy!
Nurses have told me many times that the most beautiful babies are c-section because they are not squashed out of you. :)

2 moms found this helpful

J.,

I am amazed at week 38 that your medical advisors, doctor or nurse practioner, can't agree on whether your baby is breech or not. This can be viewed by a simple echography!! Your OB/Gyn should be able to perform this for you.

J., if your baby is indeed breech, I strongly advise you do the C-section. Here's why.

My baby never turned, and we scheduled a C-setion at 38 weeks, as my doctor did not want this baby coming along and being born breech. And, he was totally right as after the delivery the two surgeons who were present (both my OB/GYNs are also surgeons) told me my son's ombilical cord was 12 inches too short. Had he been born in an African village where no medical support could be offered both the baby's and mother's lives would have been endangered. An emergency C-section can also put stress on the baby, remember this!

If your daughter hasn't turned there may be a good reason for it. Too short ombilical cord, or it's wrapped around her neck. Whatever you do, don't try to force her to turn either. Mother nature knows best about these matters.

If your baby is breech, prepare yourself to do a scheduled C-section, which is in fact really easy, and you're only numbed from the hips down so you are awake to watch the birth and mine was really neat. We filmed the whole thing.

Your doctor is right, you need to make a decision about this fast, and if you're not comfortable with that, his medical opinion, than perhaps seek another one. As I said, a simple echography will reveal all.

Good luck.

p.s. the scar is very small and not even visible over time, so no need to worry about this.

2 moms found this helpful

Hi J.,
Do you do prenatal yoga? Some studios have a series of moves that is supposed to help turn the baby. You could also try acupuncture. I knew people who did both and were successful with turning their baby, but unfortunately I can't speak from experience. We did try both of those things, but he ended up coming early (NOT because of those things!)so I didn't get a chance to continue trying. I did end up having a c-section, and I know you really don't want one (I really didn't either), but there are some benefits to it, so I hope you can look at it that way. (But believe me - I understand!!) Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hello J.,
I have a friend who's baby was breech towards the end of her pregnancy and it turned a couple days before the doctor was going to try to turn it. Will your doctor try to turn the baby?
Also, I ended up with an emergency c-section, although I know you don't want one, they really are not that bad! If you want to talk just message me.
Best of luck,
C.
PS. If there is one thing I learned during my pregnancy and delivery was you have to be your own advocate. If you really don't want a c-section, tell your doctor no until there is not other choice!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi J.. Congrats on a baby girl! They are so much fun :)
When I was pregnant with my baby she turned heads up at about 32 weeks, the nurse kept saying he will turn then I went at 36 weeks and nothing. They tried to schedule me for a c-section and just exactly like you I was very opposed and scared. I had them tell me my options (indeed I had to ask for another ob/gyn because I couldn't believe that was my only option) There are several "natural ways" I tried leaning on the stairs for 10 minutes at a time, the doctor said the baby would think it's backwards and turn, I tried walking a lot... to make it short that did't work and I was running out of time. Then a doctor at Kaiser told me she could do a ECV - external cephalic version. Yes, it is an 'old school' procedure but if you really want to try everything you can always do that. I suggest you call the doctor's office right away because I was 38 weeks pregnant and they did it only because I pressure them a lot, there is only so far in time they can do it. Yes, it did hurt and yes I was scared but thank goodness my baby stay head down for the next 4 weeks and I delivered vaginally at 42 weeks. Please research online to get an idea of what this is about and see if your doctor would do it. I don't know if you are local but if you have Kaiser I can give you the name of the doctor who did it for me. I am forever thankful to her.

Best of luck,
K. - email me if you want more info.

1 mom found this helpful

Dearest J.,

I understand your many emotions and am sorry some of your ideals have been challenged...I so want to give you a happy ending about baby switching back and there are some that do. My first child flipped at 37 weeks. We tried a version(doctors moving him by hand on my stomach and that did not work) and then we had some distress..c section...and after I was a totally natural pregnant woman..wanted the vbirth..I was just thankful to have him and later my daughter, I nursed and attatched for years with both kids, fretted and dwelled and J...life with your children is more than the birth..just current media, blogs, books, chats focus on that..there is so much ahead, joy, learning, attaching..to bond and the birth day will always be memorable..Lastly, our version of pregnancy, birth and life and comparing it to others is a heart breaking mental task because our version of our children, their personalities, talents, gifts and desires are who they are and not what we envision and birth is a great starting place in accepting that, fostering a much stronger bond for life...

1 mom found this helpful

People think they cannot communicate with a baby before it is born and many still don't think a baby can communicate until he/she can form words. This is SOO far from the truth. Just keep sending the signal that you would love for the baby to turn head down when it is time to come into the world. Many babies turn several times up down up down before the big day. If you feel that it is close to the day, encourage the baby by mentally communicating and by gently massaging or "nudging" the baby in a circle to the left. You may be able to tell where the head is and follow the movement.

If you think about it and put yourself in that position, I personally cannot imagine wanting to have my head down until it is time to go! Let the baby know you can relate to that feeling.

At this point the baby is offering resistance at wanting to come into the world. It feels that this is a hostile place and that there is just too much conflict and not sure what he/she got themself into! You are the environment at this point. Change your feelings and soften the conflict in your own life.

People are feeling other people's worries at this point. "Stand behind the short wall" when it comes to thoughts that cross your mind which may not necessarily be your own, but thoughts that were programmed by earlier generations who were entrenched in lack and limitation consciousness.

Trust that what you need will be provided. Hasn't it always been so? So many people are worried about the economy, but we've always been innovative and this is just an opportunity for creative solutions. Think of these things as a way for communities to work together and learn how to accept differences without judging. We have to work together to find a solution to a problem that was created by an egoic need to outdo the Jones-es. We are in this together, we will work together to solve it.

So many people are taking other people in, it is amazing to see the cooperation building. Let the baby know it will never have to do this journey on it's own. He/she will always have help and that it will come from many sources. Sources that are expected and some that are not!

With Love, L.

1 mom found this helpful

My first baby I thought a C section was my worst nightmare and I resisted for hours before I finally had no choice. My second baby was vaginally delivered and although I was happy about that, ironically my recovery from the c section was easier in many ways than the vaginal delivery. Whatever happens, no need to fear the c section, try not to build it up in your mind like I did! Good luck and hope all goes well.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi! My son was breech at 38 weeks, head down at 39 weeks then breech when I went into labor. He then turned again and was delivered vaginally. A lot of talk of version, in which they turn the baby, C-section, etc, and he just turned out to be a very long thin baby with a lot of amniotic fluid around him, so he was able to flip around any time he wanted, way after the doctors thought he could. Good luck to you, and ask the doctor or midwife if they have any positioning suggestions for you. I did a lot of lying on my back with my legs up the wall or something. I cannot remember the exact positions, so ask around! Good luck to you, and remember, there is some upside to having a c-section too, in the event you have to have one. (Hemmorhoids!)

1 mom found this helpful

a c-section is not the end of the world. i had one and it wasn't what i wanted but for my situation i had no choice and i am glad i did it. me and the baby were healthy and i recovered quickly. don't be scared of that possibility. be an advocate and say only as a last result do you want one. but know that you will be ok and it is not the worst nightmare. the fear will bring it! so don't fear it. good luck and i hope that babe turns for you :)

1 mom found this helpful

I haven't read the responses, so some of this may be a repeat for you - but I have to tell you I COMPLETELY understand your frustration. But the bright side is that you still have TIME on your side.

My 1st pregnancy, I "knew" my boy wasn't in the right position simply by how uncomfortable I was, but I put way too much faith & trust in my dr.'s staff. I didn't think to communicate it directly to the dr. himself as that might have changed things. I, like you, was told by both young & older nurses that nope, he's head down, that's just his spine, that's just this, blah blah. For 2 months at least I kept asking questions, but trusted that my concerns were being relayed to my dr. NOT SO.

about 5 days prior to my due date, my dr. checked me for dilation since i wasn't contracting - he then asked if my son had "moved" to which I laughed & said OF COURSE NOT - he's been stuck like this for months now! Then I got angry at myself, at my dr. - the whole thing because it was just an immediate c-section. I didn't have a lot of amniotic fluid to do an aversion & the dr. didn't think he would move on his own since he was bottom down. So he scheduled me for a c-section on my actual due date.

Unfortunately, I went into LABOR that night, since the dr. had swept my membranes at the office visit. GREAT! So I had no time to prepare emotionally, no time to talk to friends who had been through c-sections, nothing.

EVEN IF you have to have a c-section, it really ISN'T the worst thing in the world. My son was healthy & strong, I survived it just fine, but the emotional hang up continues to this day (2.5 yrs later...). I am convinced my outcome could have been much different had I been given just a little more time to attempt different techniques to get my son in the right position & at the very least, be able to discuss with a few friends my feelings & such so I could go into the process with a different view. It still would have sucked, no doubt, because it obviously is not an ideal that most women prefer. But that is a part of most anyone's pregnancy - the ideals get squashed somewhere along the way!

BUT, I am thankful the procedure exists because other things might have happened that could have resulted in a necessary c-section & then what? It is what it is - at least in my case. But like I said, take advantage of the next week or so, insist to your dr. that you want 5 to 6 days out & no longer since there is no real medical reason for it, it's just positioning. And if you go into labor prior to that, ask if he'll let you give birth breech - it can happen. For me, I wasn't dilating enough - they let me labor 4 hours & I never got past a 1. So, that's always an option too.

Sorry so long, just wanted to sympathize with you & give you HOPE!!

1 mom found this helpful

I had twins and my bottom baby was breech, our child birth director told me to stand like an ostrich several times a day to try and get the baby to flip. There wasn't much room in there since I had two babies but she said it was successful with many of her other students who were only pregnant with one baby.

1 mom found this helpful

My daughter was breech a few days before I delivered and turned. Do not worry you have plenty of time for the baby to change positions. Best of luck!

1 mom found this helpful

If a c section is your worst nightmare, PLEASE don't just do it. Many people have C-sections and get through it just fine, and many other people feel traumatized and disappointed for life. If your baby could turn breach at 37 weeks, then there is plenty of room for it to turn back. I know of many babies that turn at the last minuet. Look online about positions for turning a breech baby, they can also attempt a Version. But I would wait for sure until you go into labor naturally and see what happens. Please don't "just do it". You will have a lot of people tell you, "I had a C-section and it went Great", and you might have a "great" c-section too. I think it all depends on your mindset about it, and it seems like you really would be upset if it came to that. There is A LOT you can do, but the most important I think is waiting till you go into labor naturally. If the baby is still Breach, you can decide then what to do, but what if it's not? Good luck to you.

W. Sanders

1 mom found this helpful

hi,

same thing happened to me last year. i was 32, and had a little girl. she was breech at 38 weeks. they wanted me to have a c section i told them not if i can help it. i went to acupunture, chiropractors, burned moxi by my feet,flashlights :-), you name it. finally we decided to do the version. it worked, the doctors turned her around safely. she stayed head down. i ended up being in labor for 55 hours and they made me get a c section at the end of it (she never decended). but i am glad i tried everything i could. email me or call if you need to.
good luck! take care
rach

1 mom found this helpful

J.,

My 4th baby liked to go breech sometimes, it always made me feel sick to my stomach like things weren't right on the inside... So I talked to my OBGYN about it at one of my last appointments and he told me he has had babies flip while the Mom was in labor!! My Dr. has been delivering babies for over 30 years, he deilvered all my siblings, my children and my siblings children, needless to say we trust him a lot! But he had a story about a baby who they had put on node on his head (he had been head down) and the Mom ended up having to have a C-section because her body wasn't dilating like it should and when they got in there to take the baby out he was breech.. I would just (I know this sounds funny) talk to your baby girl, tell her how you would like things to happen and invision her being head down... you'd be amased how well those little one listen!! Good luck, and I will keep you in my thoughts
X.

1 mom found this helpful

J.,

You have gotten a lot of responces here... just my two cents- My daughter was breech and was most of my pregnancy- At my 35 week appointment I was assured that she would turn- at my 37 week appointment my Dr. examined me and told me that she was high but had turned- I was certain that if she had I would have felt it and asked him to double check- he did a quick ultasound- she had not. At that point he offered to schedule the external rotation- I declined. I had done enough of my own research at that point to know that I was not going to put my body and my baby through what is truly an invasive proceedure and risk her being born in an emergency situation or sufering physical trauma. We scheduled the C-section instead for a few days before her due date. This still gave her time to move if she was going to- and the c-section could always be cancelled. But knowing that date and having that plan set allowed me time to process how she was going to be born- and as so many of the other moms have stated- in the end all I wanted was her here healthy and happy-
I had the c-section and she was perfect (c-section babys really are beautiful!) by having had it scheduled- my husband was prepared to be in the room (it changes things for the dads too) and there was no last minute rush- It was a very relaxed, peaceful proceedure. Also by planning ahead- talk to your doctor about being able to hold your baby right away and other birth plan issues. The c-section itself was not the end of the world- I was breast feeding within an hour of her birth and home within 48 hours.

Do I miss not having the "real birth experience"- I'm sorry I still carried this baby for nine months and I still gave birth to her- I am no less her mother and no less in love with her because I did not push her out. How your child comes into this world is not what is important- that she is here and healthy- that is what it is all about.

1 mom found this helpful

I had a scheduled C-section because my son was breech and they did not want to try and turn him due to the position of the placenta. The baby may have turned between appointments....will they do an ultra sound to be sure there is not a 'problem'- like the chord is short? My C-section was fine..my son inhaled some fluid and spent some time in the hospital, but was fine. I have heard this is not uncommon. I don't think anybody will deliver a breech baby due to liability. My C-section was great- my husband and a friend were in the room and we made a CD of music....I did not go into labor at all and had some issues breast feeding. The recovery was fine and I was not streched out at all. Good Luck.
E.

1 mom found this helpful

I'm sure you've heard lots of advice regarding ways to move the baby into position. My baby was transverse at 38 weeks and I did acupuncture with heat therapy (they apply heat on certain points near your feet). I would suggest looking into it if you are open to a holistic approach. It worked for me, the little guy moved right where he needed to be!! I wish you luck and am sending good thoughts that you will have a normal vaginal delivery!!

1 mom found this helpful

I had this vision of a vaginal birth that was shot down by my doctor as well. At 7 months my daughter turned so that she was butt first, head up, with her ankles by her ears.

My doctor gave me the 'look' and said "no way". He tried several times to turn her, but (stuborn thing that she was/is) she refused to turn. I just had to change my birthing ideas to that of "I just want a healthy baby, and this is the best way for me to get it". In addition, your baby will come out pink and happy, not squished and red! /grin

Good Luck!
K.

1 mom found this helpful

I had my second baby face up with 37-38 weeks and my midwife told me some tricks - in the pool make a handstand, or on the floor head on the ground back up, like you would crawl. My baby turned and we had a regular birth. Problably you ask a real midwife or a acupuncturist. I can recommend Dr. Robin Green in Morgan Hill... Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

J.,
As a clinical hypnostist, I would suggest that you try hypnosis to help turn your breech baby. Many times hypnosis can assist in the turning of the baby. I have also had clients who used accupuncture to assist their body to relax so the baby could turn. “Hypnotherapy may help pregnant women turn their breech baby around to the normal head-first, or vertex, position. A researcher at the University of Vermont, Burlington, used hypnosis with one hundred pregnant women whose fetuses were in the breech (feet-first) position between the thirty-seventh and fortieth week of gestation.

The intervention group received hypnosis with suggestions for general relaxation and release of fear and anxiety. While under hypnosis, the women were also asked why their baby was in the breech position.

The study, which appeared in the Archives of Family Medicine, reported that 81 percent of the fetuses in the hypnosis group moved to the vertex position, compared with 48 percent of the control group. Not surprisingly, hypnosis was most effective for the women motivated to use the technique.” –Natural Health Magazine (November-December 1995)

If you would like a consultation, please call my office.

K. C. R.,MA CHT
www.sacramentohypnobirthing.com

1 mom found this helpful

My 3 year old had not turned days before my due date so I started looking for advice. I tried this, and it worked. Get a pile of pillows on your bed. You will want to be face down with your bottom up. Use pillows to support. Then have a scarf wrapped around your hips. When this position gets tiring have husband hold you up with the scarf. I did this for about a half hour, then took a break. It took two tries. good luck. And if you do end up with a c-section don't beat yourself up. While natural labor is what we strive for, a healthy baby is what we are thankful for.

1 mom found this helpful

I suggest trying acupuncture before moving on to other things like physically turning the baby, etc. Acupuncture can work wonders and is a great place to start. If you want more information or need help finding a practitioner near you, just email me at ____@____.com
Good luck!
jen

1 mom found this helpful

Yes, your baby can change positions but at the first sign of labor go to the hospital just in case the baby hasn't. I've never had a section before but I did work in Labor and Deivery and have been in the OR for many section births so if you need more info on what actually happens to help calm your nerves, I'd be more than happy to talk to you.
L.

1 mom found this helpful

Yes, this happened to me with my second (now 5). The doctor said we'd wait as long as possible before scheduling the C-section, to give his lungs a better chance. Then, a week later, he flipped himself again, and I gave birth normally with no problems. So if at all possible, wait until your due date, or even a few days later if your doctor will allow you, and just see if the baby flips on her own. There may be other risks, like a twisted umbilical cord, that I'm sure your doctor will tell you about. But don't give up hope. You need to stay as calm and happy as possible, visualize a normal birth and healthy baby, and let whatever happens happen.

1 mom found this helpful

There is lots of great information here http://gentlebirth.org/archives/breech.html#Breech

1 mom found this helpful

Hi J.,

Congratulations on your pregnancy. All I can say is Acupuncture. It works every time. Not sure where you live, but there is a really good one on Castro St in Mtn View. His name is Dr Lee tel no; ###-###-####. He has really good success rates with turning babies through acupuncture. He takes insurance.

Even if you do have to have a C section for any reason, I had one and loved it. In fact if I have another baby, I would have another. Recovery was easy and the fact you don't have to experience the trauma and pain and lengthiness of a long labour is just beautiful !! All we need is a healthy baby at the end of the day, don't worry about how you got there. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

Dear J.,
There is a chance that your baby still may turn. I was in my early thirties while pregnant with my son and he was breech. They tried to externally turn him which meant a lot of pushing and shoving and kneading on my belly which was not pleasant at all. My water had already broken so I was having contractions on top of it. They finally got the baby to flip, but then he was face up and got stuck. I was BEGGING for a c-section at that point. They finally got him out and he's fine, but looking back, I wish I hadn't had to go through all of that. I pray that your baby turns because I know you are afraid of a c-section, but it's really not the end of the world. Your baby getting here safely and healthy is the most important thing.
I wish you the best! Please be sure to let us know when your baby arrives!

1 mom found this helpful

I'm sure you trust your doctor but DO NOT let the doctor pressure you into a C-section. Giving birth is a business to some medical professionals and they would like to "schedule" them. Do a google search on "baby mapping" so you know where and in what position your baby is. Keep up the exercises to encourage her into the appropriate position. I delivered at 39 weeks and my little guy turned just in time. Be open minded, but also be informed. I felt very empowered by understanding the fetal monitor very well so that if the doctor or nurses said the baby was experiencing distress I would know if it were true or not. It's a messed up scenario but some hospital staffs usher in drugs and C-sections by making you think your baby needs it. If you empower yourself with the knowledge of how to understand such things you can make better decisions. Good luck to you!

1 mom found this helpful

I went through the exact same thing. My daughter was head down (even I could feel her head down there) at 32 weeks, then at 34 weeks she was transverse breach. I didn’t have enough amniotic fluid to do an external version. We tried just about every home remedy on the planet to get her to move on her own but she wasn’t falling for it (we even promised her a pony.) In the end I ended up scheduling a c-section. I was devastated and cried for nearly 3 days straight. In the end everything was fine though. I had an uneventful delivery, my daughter was born very healthy and very big (she was 9 pounds but her head was designed for a 10 pound baby.) My doctor later told me that my daughter probably did us both a favor because delivering her vaginally would have likely been a long hard process that could have resulted in a c-section anyway.

The best advice I got before my daughter was born is to plan your c-section just as you would your vaginal birth. Create a birth plan and talk to your partner about his role in this very different type of delivery. I opted not to have a mirror set up and I regret it. I wish I would have scene her born. Before the delivery I did a lot of meditating, my mantra was “do it for her”. This really helped me stay calm and maintain my perspective. If you’re nervous about the spinal block (I certainly was) talk to your anesthesiologist about your concerns. Mine was great; he talked me through it and helped keep me calm (he also reminded Kevin that he was supposed to be taking pictures.)

I know how hard it is when your perfect birth plan is suddenly shattered like this. Just remember that it’s not your fault, or your baby’s. There can be all sorts of things going on in your belly that make this a more comfortable position for your little one right now. And who knows, maybe she will turn at the last minute. That happened to the woman who was scheduled for the other operating room the day I had my daughter.

Good luck and congratulations on the new baby,

A.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi J.,

My first son did the same thing. He was head down one week, then breach the next week. All of our appts were with the doctor, so there was no error...my baby just decided to roll over. We lucked out and he rolled again and was head down by the following week. He stayed that way until it was time to deliver. I had a long labor and tried my best to not have to have a c-section. I even pushed forever trying to have him naturally, but it just wasn't meant to be. I ended up having a c-section with no complications. He was big (almost 9 lbs), but it was the size of his head that made it impossible to have him naturally. He's a healthy and happy big boy to this day and that's all that matters. He's always been big (90th percentile on the growth charts) and his little brother is the same way.

Things will work out as they are supposed to and I've learned that having a c-section is not the worst that can happen (I've even had 2)!!

Good luck and God bless.
N.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi J.,
Has your doctor mentioned trying to turn the baby? I have seen this be very effective as long as the baby is not too big and you have enough fluid. I have heard of babies turning at the last minute but it is not very common. If you are really against a C-section you can always until you go into labor to see if the baby has turned on her own, however if you choose that option make sure that you go to the hospital as soon as your water breaks. Have you talked to your doctor about having a breech vaginal delivery? I have seen many successful ones done.
I would like to tell you from personal experience that a C-section recovery is really easy. I has absolutely no complications and was pretty pain free because I took my pain medicine scheduled, around the clock for the first week. I was also up in a wheelchair within 6 hours of the c-section and walking in the halls within 12 hours. I hope that these suggestions help you (I worked in OB as a RN for a few years). Good Luck and welcome to motherhood.
Jenn

1 mom found this helpful

Hello! I had this same situation when I was going to be a first time mom. I went out in my garden one day and pulled weeds on my hands and knees. When I went back to the doctor for my 39 week check-up, my baby had flipped! My labor progressed perfectly, I had an epidural and started to push. However, once in the pushing stage for about 45 minutes, I ended up having a c-section. Don't be nervous, however your new bundle of joy makes his entrance into the world, you will be well taken care of! C-sections aren't really as bad as people make them sound. I recovered beautifully from mine and my scar is so small and hidden, nobody can tell I've had a c-section. Best of luck to you! You'll do great!

1 mom found this helpful