How Do I Get a 37 Week Baby to Turn? Currently the Baby Is Transverse.

go to www.breechbabies.com that is another website!

Good Luck!

J. W. MPH
Maternal and Child Health Educator
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert
http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...

A Chiro that specializes in the Webster techique. Also pelvic tilts and try sitting on an exercise ball(aka birthing balll). Avoid reclining back on a couch or bed.

the chiro and acupuncture should be enough! if that doesnt help then it may be a chord issue and there is nothing you can do about that! YAY for the chiro and acupuncture!!!

Believe it or not, you can do it with acupuncture, of all things. My old doc, Dr. Dave DiIorio in Geneva, could do that. He also was able to successfully induce labor for his wife. It's really cool stuff. (he could cure a migraine for me in 20 minutes with acupuncture and an adjustment!)

Good luck!
D.

I have heard positive outcomes with both chiropractic and acupuncture. With my first child (I am pregnant with our second) She was breech and I opted for the External Version - that is where the doctor and staff will physically manipulate the baby to turn. It was VERY painful and she would move only about 1/8th of a turn and then her heartrate would go own. We ended up doing a C-section the same day - they had to put me out (due to my own health reasons) and when I woke, they told me they knew why she did not turn - she had a short-cord and it was wrapped twice around her neck. If I had to do it all over again, I would STILL do the External Version. I felt good that I did all I could to try to have her naturally and happy that in the end she came out healthy and happy! Good luck with whatever you decide!

Sounds crazy, but it works! Lay your ironing board on an angle against a bed or couch, then you lay on it head down. When in this position put a radio by the low end of your uterus, stay in this position for a little while. The baby will turn towards the music. You may not feel it happen. It worked for me! Make sure someone is there to help you get back up! Good luck! C. M

Walk, go up and down stairs, just keep moving! My baby was head down at 36 weeks, then was breech at 39 weeks. We did the external cephalic version, which WAS painful, but probably less so than a c-section. However, he flipped again so we did another version at 40 weeks. Since he was bigger, it hurt more, but was so worth it to me in the end. If you don't have a high threshold for pain, I'd opt out though.

I too was told to do the 'exercise' of putting my forearms on the floor and butt in the air (like a cat) and staying that way for a bit (not too long, don't want to get light headed) and to do it several times a day to try and trick to the baby in thinking they are the wrong way. Unfortunately, for me, my water broke a few days after finding out my baby was breech and ended up having a c-section (after 2 natural deliveries). Try it, I've heard it has worked and it can't hurt. I have also had freinds who had their babies turned externaly with luck and little discomfort. Hope you baby flips!

I was breech with my first child and was too high risk to try the external version so ended with a c-section. This second pregnancy I was also breech at 34 weeks and that the baby was big. My doc recommended getting on hands and knees for 15 minutes everyday or try squating against a wall or couch for support a couple times a day. I did it everyday and the baby turned by the next week. I would try the recommendations by a lot of the people here before the version as that has its own risks. I would have gone with the version before another c-section though.

If none of the great natural suggestions work we do external versions frequently where I work. The World Health Organization recommends all women with breech babies at term be offered ECV and estimates it would reduce the c-section rate immensely.

Find out what your doctor's (usually midwives do not perform this) succes rate is- some doctors are better than others and some try harder than others.

Best wishes.

My baby was breech, scheduled for a section at exactly 40 weeks, went in at 6am, had ultrasound for position, baby head by my stomach. Prepped belly, painted with idodine, draped, felt alot of pain...doctor stopped and did second ultrasound baby was head down and he started pit right away to hold her there...delivered her that night 950pm. So the baby can turn, there is enough room in there...don't do anything crazy, don't go for the version as the risks are worse than a section. Good luck.

Hi there,

I don't have any expert opinion for you, but I do remember from our birth class that the instructor said that walking up and down stairs really helps to get a baby in position. Good luck, I truly wish the best for you!

Hi R.,
I turned my daughter who was transverse (and sitting on top of her twin brother) by some combination of chiropractic, acupuncture and doing headstands at the swimming pool...I tried all of them and I'm sure they all contributed. I successfully turned her at 36 weeks, then she turned back. Again at 37 weeks, then she turned back. AGAIN at 38 weeks. When I delivered at 38.5 weeks, she was transverse again...her brother was out in 2 pushes, but I ended up needing a c-section for her. (We decided not to try to turn her manually which was a good call because she was bigger than they thought and that can lead to emergency c-section, being knocked out, etc. After her brother came out and she still hadnt turned I decided to have a "planned" c-section so at least i could be awake with an epidural.) BTW - the csction wasnt so bad - I was worried about the recovery and not being able to nurse easily, but I have nursed both without problems from the beginning.

Point is - try acu, chiro, headstands...and then prepare for any eventuality...there is a metaphor for parenting in there:)
Chiropractic for Life on Clark st just south of Foster - amazing people. I'm on my way to an appointment now.
Same building - Maria Mulcahy - amazing acupunturist ###-###-####
have fun! good luck!

I was 40 weeks pregnant, and in active labor, when I discovered my son was face-up and transverse. My midwife sent me home to do a yoga position - the standing cow? and he turned smoothly (I didn't even feel it), and I had a natural, water-birth delivery without complications. I basically stood before a post (something to hold onto with both hands) and leaned forward towards it, my legs leaning out behind me. Don't know why it worked - but good for me!

Besides the things mentioned (I tried all of them except for acupuncture) you can also have your health care provider try a cephalic version where they physically try to turn the baby from the outside. The smaller the baby, the better the chance of it working, but also there is a small risk of complications or for you to go into labor from it. And sometimes it doesn't work or the baby turns right back. It is not comfortable....made we want to jump off the table and start pummeling the dr. Unfortunately my boy only turned about 2/3 of the way and when I went back the day after next he was completely head up again. And I couldn't do it again, and a couple days later my water broke and there went the C section. I know how you feel, C section was the last thing I wanted, and the experience was very surreal, not like the natural birth I had had with my first son.

Good luck to you and I hope that little baby sees your point of view!

You have great suggestions! My daughter was transverse breech as well and I tried moxibustion (burning moxa sticks by your pinky toe on both sides) and I did acupuncture as well. I am not sure which worked but my daughter turned without me even knowing it. Do NOT let your doctor turn the baby externally, I have heard of too many problems/ complications. My doctors won't do it because of the risk of losing the baby, I actually know someone who lost their baby because their doc tried to turn them. Go with the natural ways, if your baby is meant to turn it will, I have heard more success stories with the acupuncture and with moxa, it it definitely worth the try!
GOOD LUCK!!!

I was scheduled for an external cephalic version to turn the baby, but went online and tried some of the suggested yoga poses (cat, cow, modified child's pose, etc.) the evening before the procedure. I don't know if that's what did it, but the baby had turned by the time I went in the next day for the procedure. Can't hurt to try and it makes your back feel good too.

Hi R. Your baby will turn when he/she gets good and ready. I never heard of any method other wise. Call your OB/GYN and see what she/he says.

I had the same thing. I was told to prop my hips on a stack of pillows as high as I could manage, for as long as I could manage. I was also told that babies are sensitive to cold/heat and light...so put a bag of frozen veggies where you want them to move AWAY from...so put it on the babies feet and heat where you want its head. I did this stuff for weeks and something worked, she turned :) Of course I still ended up with a C-section but at least she turned.

Hi,

I was the same way around 35 weeks and my OBGYN told me to kneel with my head down towards the floor and my hips/butt up in the air and stay there. It shouldn't feel strenuous. I did it every opportunity I had: in my office, watching TV (neck can get a little sore from that), in bed when I couldn't sleep. It took a few days for me and I was doing the position in bed and when I had turned over to lie on my back (I was propped up on pillows of course), I could feel my baby turn. It was unlike any feeling I'd had before- something of a release. Hard to explain. I hope this helps.

go to Dr. Gore in Riverwoods -- for moxibustion -- you'll be fine then.

I don't know of any ways you can turn the baby but you may not have to worry. You would be surprised how quickly the baby can turn on his own when it is time. A woman in a class I took when I wa pregnant the first time has a partial breech-not quite breech but not transverse either- and the doctor was able to turn it when it was time. She said it hurt like you would not believe but she also said she would not have done it any differently. You can always ask about that.

check out this link, it has some info: http://www.birthingnaturally.net/birth/challenges/transve...

I tried the candles as well, not sure if that's what did it but it worked for me. Good luck!

Hi R.,
Prenatal yoga is provided (www.universalspirityoga.com). This is a common question and gets resolved if your doctor can turn your baby, if you have acupuncture (ask as if you are making the appointment for doctor with this experience). "Birthing from Within" (available at amazon.com advocates a body position that has been used to turn the baby - use with the agreement of your doctor).
I agree with other posters about the resources at www.birthlink.com and the importance of breathing, relaxing and focusing on having a healthy baby and having a healthy you.
Moms participating in prenatal yoga tell us it leads to a natural childbirth.
At this point in your pregnancy focus on the positive affirmation "My baby and I are connected in love - my labor however it goes is right for me..."
I recommend considering usage of a doula to give you emotional support during birth (in addition to your doctor) - local doula Stephanie can be connected at:
http://www.korubirth.com/

C.
prenatal yoga teacher
mom of 3

Hey R., with my 1st baby she was breach at 38 weeks when they induced me....while in labor I did a recommended lamaze technique and she moved to head down. Lamaze is awsome, I've made it through both my births strictly using lamaze techniques and breathing!

So to do this position you get on your hands and knees on the floor (kind of like how cats and dogs stand) and breathe in deep and arch your back up and when you exhale relax your back and let your belly "hang". I did this throughout my labor of 10 hours.

I don't recommend waiting until you go into labor, you will have enough pain to deal with so give it a try every day, couple times a day and hopefully your baby will turn for ya before! :)

Best wishes for a safe delivery & healthy you and baby!

He/She will probably turn on their own. My first child wouldn't turn and I did have a c-section. she was much to long for my body so she got in a position that was most comfortable for her - not me! have you tried rubbing your belly and trying to make him/her move? Best wishes on a healthy baby.

I did all that the other mommies suggested except acupuncture. I went to a chiropractor and did the webster technique. It was good but my baby girl stayed breeched until the day she was born and ended up with a c-section. My doctor told me that I had a big baby and I am petite (5 ft 95 pounds). My daughter was almost 8 pounds. She didn't much have room in my tummy and wasn't able to turn. I think babies can come to this world whether the natural way or c-section as long as it is for the best for you and your baby. Believe me, I was for all natural and was against c section. In the end I had a great experience, my daughter was delivered safe and I recovered as quickly (even faster) as the other moms who delivered the natural way. Goodluck!

check www.spinningbabies.com. At 37 weeks I would go for a version (ECV). I would also definitely try accupuncture. If you are anywhere nearby I recommend:

Art of Natural Healing
artofnaturalhealing.com

7773 Lake St
River Forest, IL 60305-1736
###-###-####

For chiropractors, the guy to see is Dr. Sean Manning in Oak Park (715 Lake Street SUITE 271 Oak Park, IL 60301). He is a master of the Webster Technique. I also like Dr. Estelle Nella at Bucktown Chiropractic for this.

My first baby was breech (ended up a c-section despite trying everything BUT accupuncture). The second was breech at 31 weeks and I went to this accupuncturist for moxabustion. 2 days later she turned and I was able to have a VBAC.

Good luck!

You've probably had your baby by now, but just in case other mothers are looking for this information, here is a website with helpful information...

http://www.spinningbabies.com/

Best wishes,
J.

hi R. well your still just a couple weeks til your due so in that time the baby can turn but if your baby doesnt the doctors can do it for you the only thing is that its not recomened cause it can cause some damage your doctor can explain that but it should be only done if you really want it...keep looking for other ways make that your last wish i can help oyu out more but you never kno the baby can turn on its own...

The Chiro should help. I teach natural childbirth classes and we go over a lot of visualizations and I can tell you from experience it works! So, see your baby turned head down facing rear. The mind is a powerful tool, so keep thinking positively. The baby WILL turn. There are some yoga moves that are known to help. Getting on your hands and knees and swaying helps too. I have heard acupuncture to work as well. You should not need surgery. Some babies are known to turn even from a full breach the last minutes before birth. My biggest suggestion is to eliminate your fear of it as that can inhibit baby to move and just keep visualizing and talking to the baby!

It may sound silly, but scrub your kitchen floor on your hands and knees. My baby was breach and that's what my Doc told me. She said that she had a couple women do that and the baby turned. Something about being in that position is supposed to change the way gravity is effecting the baby. I tried, but at the time our kitchen was tiny. It didn't work for us, but it's worth a shot. It wont cost anything and you'll bring the baby home to a clean kitchen floor.

If it doesn't work try not to worry about the C-Section. It's not the most natural thing, but my end result was a beautiful, perfect (the only baby in 20 years that the neonatal nurse gave a perfect apgar score), baby boy. And sure I was in a little pain, but I wouldn't change it for anything. Besides some women have horror stories of hours in labor. It was exactly 2 minutes between the initial incision and my son's birth. 2 minutes of labor, pretty quick. Good Luck!

This sounds totally crazy and I would never have believed it if I didn't know someone personally who did this. My friend developed a leak in her placenta at 36 weeks and had to remain on bedrest at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Since she was a full month away from delivery her daughter had not turned yet. The hospital gave her 3 days for the baby to turn and then they would have to do a c-section due to the risk of infection beyond that date. The hospital midwives used music through headphones on my friend's tummy and her daughter followed the sound to a head-down position. She was able to deliver vaginally no problem. You'll probably have to do some research to find out what music - I think they used Mozart. Like I said, sounds crazy and I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself.
Good luck!
MC

Hi R.,

I wanted to reinforce the ideas of Webster technique certified chiropractic care, prenatal yoga. (Spend times tailor sitting and especially on all fours - rock on your knees over an exercise ball), and moxibustion. I had a friend whos babyw as breech at 37 weeka nd she was all of 5 foot 2 and itty bitty, carrying a "large" boy. I begged her to go for chiropractic care. She finnally did and the baby flipped within hours of her appointment.

But above all remember that babies often turn during labor - If you have to have a c-section for a breech transverse baby then you will, but you can give the baby every last opporunity to turn by going into spontaneous labor and not scheduling the surgery. I carried twins to 39 weeks, they were 7lbs 4oz and 7lbs 6oz and my baby A went between vertex and transverse. The other baby fliped until i was 6 cm. They BOTH repositioned in labor and I have two vertex babies. It can happen, it does happen. I have another friend who carried twins and both were transverse - this is harder to flip b/c the babies have to coordinate. She didn't want to try chiro or accupuncture. Her twins never flipped but she waited until she was in labor at 6 cm to concent to the c-section. The doctors will push you to schedule b/c it's easier for them. They can plan when to be there, how long it will take and all that. Waiting for you to go into labor naturally is harder for them and more time consuming (the almighty buck at work).

I would decline all vaginal exams until you are in labor from this point. You do NOT want anything to agitate the crvix or a doc to do a membrane sweep without mentioning it. Allow you body time to birth when it is ready and don't rush it. This baby may need more time. I know it's hard - especially if you begin to go post dates. But babies can turn post 37 weeks.

If you need help finding practioners message me - I can help.

E.

R.:

you have gotten some good suggestions... you can go to www.birhlink.com to find practitioners.

warmly,

P. RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

This will probably be your silliest post but both myself and my friend had breach babies and we both go to a chinese ob. My friend researched different ways to get babies to move and one is a chinese method. They use this candle (looks kinda like a cigar). You hold it by the mothers pinky toe for 15 mins a day, i think for a couple weeks and they believe it will help the baby move. Both of us were willing to do anything because we didn't want to have c-sections. You can't prove that that is what made the babies move, but both of us ended up having our babies vaginally. The candle smells really bad, but it's worth a try. I told you this would be a silly post. Go online and research. Good luck!!!