Inversion

I had a version scheduled but when I got there and after the high tech ultrasound we didn't do it b/c the cord was wrapped around the baby's neck. I had talked to a doula to find ways to turn the baby manually and what worked best for me was to stand on my head and rub my belly with lotion in circular motions...she would move, but then as soon as I got up, she flipped again. As it turns out, she was stuck. I almost regret even trying to flip her manually b/c what if something would have happened!

I think it's good you have Julie C's perspective, b/c I have to honest, as soon as I didn't do it, everyone and their grandma called to tell me thank goodness I didn't do it...it was so horrible, worst pain ever, etc. etc. I would have rather known that before hand! I think it probably has a bit to do with pain tolerance and exactly what the issue is with a breech baby. I do feel though that after my experience, most (certainly not all, there are always exceptions) babies that are breech and don't turn on their own are that way for a reason, so don't mess with it and accept it.

Trust me, a c-section, especially a scheduled one, is not the worst thing in the world. There are benefits, trust me! Hang in there, hopefully the baby will flip, but if not, don't you flip either! ;) It will all be okay, surgery or not!

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It can be a fairly dangerous procedure, often leading to an emergency c-section. The better option is to see a chiropractor who can do the Webster's Technique to turn a breech baby. In the Los Angeles area, I recommend Dr. Elliot Berlin for all of my clients, both to prevent breech babies and to turn them.

You can call chiropractors in your area to see who is certified in the Webster's Technique. There are also doctors who will deliver a breech baby vaginally if it's your 2nd baby -- and I've had clients with 2nd babies who were breech and they turned at the last minute, during labor!

Good luck and happy birthing :)

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www.spinningbabies.com

Very often, if the version does not work, they c-section you right there AND know that they usually give the mom something to calm the baby (ie drugs) - make sure you get ALL of the info before consenting.

Also, my chirorpactor adjusted me 20 hours into labor and the baby turned, 9 hours later, he was born vertex (head down). I've had friends get adjusted and their chiro uses the Wester Technique for turning breech babies.

http://icpa4kids.org/Chiropractic-Research/Webster-Techni...

http://icpa4kids.org/Find-a-Chiropractor/

I was a vaginal frank breech home birth, so was my mom and my grandma.

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Here's a different point of view. My son was inverted two weeks prior to my delivery. After my OB/GYN (also the chair of his dept. at the local hospital) measured me again, he says your hips are too small for the baby to come out. I don't think he'll try to correct himself since there is a natural instinct to know if they will fit or not. He suggested to just schedule a C-Section because that is where we'll end up. So I waited a couple of days before I made a decision. During that time my son kept moving around and around in my tummy (a bit painful for me) and I realized my son was trying to position himself but always ended back to the inverted position. At that point, I then agreed to the c-section and was fine with my decision. It actually turned out to be a pleasant experience for me. I walked into the hospital in the morning of the scheduled c-section, met my nurses (laughed with them a lot), spoke to the anthesiologist and my doctor. After the c-section, I had great nurses and care and learned a lot from them. They worked with me on how to properly have my son latch on (I kept having problems with that and they graciously worked with me), they gave me pep talks and what to look out for in the early days. After I accepted and made my decision with the c-section, my fear about it went away and I just rolled with it. The last thing we wanted was to try methods to turn the baby and try to deliver the baby and then rush to an emergency c-section anyway (an emergency c-section requires a different staff and preparation). Going in with knowing the staff, doctor, nurses and anthesiologist were all set up and they were waiting for me calmed me. Hubby and I were then just able to enjoy the experience.
I wish you well and best of luck!

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I did not turn until two weeks before my birth. My mom did ancient Indian exercises that helped.
You can lie down on your back and put your feet onto something like a foot bench. Then lift your butt and straighten your back, like you would do in the simple bridge for Yoga. Stay there for a while, repeat often. It works. There are Yoga poses you can look up too. That may be better than anything forceful that scares you and the little one! Good Luck!

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My first was like that, at 38 weeks, he was breech. I opted to not do the manual thing, just didn't like the sound of it. My hubby and I just prayed and knew that I would be getting a c-section if he didn't turn, he turned a few days later and I had him vaginally. That is what we did and it worked out, but I also think having it done is OK, I think I was just nervous with him being my first and it sounded painful!! I did talk to a lot of people at that time that told me their babies turned at the very end as well, so it isn't as uncommon as it might seem. Good luck whatever you decide and congrats!!

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I was in the same situation with my second child. Other than having the doctors perform an ECV, here are the tips I was given:

1. Do LOTS of pelvic rocks. Following pelvic rocks, lie inverted on your back with your hips elevated (you can put pillows under there.
2. Look for a chiropractor who can perform the Webster technique. Not all of them do... you might need to call around
3. Get into a warm bath up to your lower belly and put a bag of ice on the baby's head. You can also shine a flash light in the baby's face (it sounds crazy, but this is the one tha worked for me!).
4. Have your husband hum with his deep Daddy voice low on your belly.
5. Look into acupuncture moxibustion. It is odd - they burn some kind of incense over a funnel that goes into your pinky toe, but people say it works!

Good luck to you. I hope one of these techniques helps. The goal is to avoid the c-section if at all possible, but in the end, the most important thing is that you get to hold your precious new, healthy, happy baby... so don't stress over it too much.

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I Would talk to a midwife if there is one associated with your ob/gyn's practise, or call the hospital where you are to deliver and ask if there is a midwife who would be willing to visit with you. There are a lot of different techniques that you can use to help the baby turn....without going into the manual turning of the baby that your doctor is talking about doing. When are you due? I would not want him doing this a long time before your due date....unless there is a medical reason that they can tell you that makes it necessary.
Midwifes and doulas' are much more knowledgable about natural techniques than medical doctors are. I am not saying that one is better than the other..just than one is expert in one area and one in another.

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Hi! I had this done with my first baby. I was suffering from kidney stones which was bad enough, but she was also breech and I knew I was heading toward a c-section. They did the external version in the hospital maternity ER. I wrote all about it in my baby jelly beans website. Here is the link if you are interested in reading about it. I wrote a significant amount of detail about the procedure, how it went, how I felt etc... If this link takes you to the main page, the story about the version is under "all about Brynn" and then in the link "medical updates month 9" Good luck!!!! http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/journal?ID=1332...

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My cousin was able to successfully turn both of her babies by getting on an inversion table and while angle slightly up-side-down she applied ice-cold soda to the baby's head until the baby turned itself around.

I've had my last 2 babies turned...they were both sideways. It's called a cephalic version. The first time (our 4th in 2002) wasn't painful because I had extra fluid and he was head down with one push from the docs. The second baby I had turned (our 5th in 2009) had to be done twice. The first set of docs didn't complete it. One of the docs at my practice actually had a long history of performing versions and felt I was a good candidate because of my prior positive experience. The hospital where I deliver usually doesn't approve versions but because of her history and my prior positive outcome they gave her the clearance. This time it was painful but I found that when I was able to relax my abdominal area and do my deep breathing it went well. My ob also took breaks after every 'push' to give me a slight break to relax some more.

I would suggest that you seek a chiropractor. The name escapes me right now but there is a method for this exact purpose. I tried this method and it did work, but we did it too early...the ultrasounds were saying my baby was much larger than he was and he was able to move around some more.

I would opt for a version every time if I had to because I too did not want a c-section.

Good luck!

My third was mostly sideways, at one time breech and would flip back and forth for weeks. She was first found sideways at 30 weeks.
I used the information on www.spinningbabies.com that was recommended to you already.
She would go head down then flip back to sideways a lot and as I mentioned breach as well. I kept at it. Everyday I'd do the exercises when she was wrong.
It was very painful the whole time she was wrong and moving. She caused some pretty bad muscle damage.
In the end she flipped head down and finally stayed there a couple weeks or so before she was born. She was born with no complications, naturally at a birth center.

I've never had it done, but most always figured that's what I would do if it ever became necessary. Then our childbirth educator (whom we adore) mentioned that she would personally not have it done because there's no great way to ensure the baby's not breech for a reason... like a shortened or tangled cord. Kind of a scary thought. However, just last night I saw a video on youtube of a doctor performing a version. Mom looked calm (I had the sound off because of a dozing/nursing baby) and the whole video was about two minutes. Maybe you should look for videos on ECV. Best wishes in making a decision... and many happy years to you and your family.

I had a version done in my midwife's office, without the aid of ultrasound at 36ish weeks. The little guy immediately flipped right back though, so she referred me to the OB that backs her, and I went into the office for an ultrasound thinking that I was going to end up with an epidural, terbutaline, and an emergency c-section. I was so nervous! Well, the doctor put the transducer on my big belly, and his head was right down where it should have been, and he stayed that way! I was so relieved! To me, the risk of the version was worth it, because the "possibility" of a c-section was definitely better than having to have one for sure, due to a breech baby. Good luck. I know your anxiety. Keep us posted, and let us know how everything goes!

K.

P.S. It did not hurt at all. My midwife did mention that the more babies you've had, the less painful a version is, due to the uterus being more lax. This being only your 2nd, it may be a bit uncomfortable, but you should be okay. Just try to relax as much as possible during the procedure. :)

Mine didn't work as my baby was too big (born at 11 lbs.) but I have heard that they CAN work. I didn't find it all that painful to try. It was a little uncomfortable, but that's it. I would give it a try, but be prepared to stay in the hospital and have a c-section, if the baby goes into distress.
One of the (maybe myths) to try to get the baby to turn is to go swimming and repeatedly stand on your head in the water...this is supposed to trick the baby into turning. It DID work for my friend! Good luck, and remember, even if you have to have a c-section as I did, the important thing is to get the baby born healthy.

Go get acupuncture 2x a week starting now. Acupuncture has a very good track record of getting babies to turn in time for delivery.

I would take that route instead of the high-potency Pulsatilla first--potencies as high as what the other mom mentioned are not to be self-prescribed.

Chiropractic helped me at 35 wks- go to someone who specializes in prenatal- mine did the Webster technique.

Best wishes.

I have had to have 2 children turned with this method. I know that it is painful, but no more painful than labor can be. Just relax that is the best advice to offer you. I actually had this done July 8th with my 7th child as he was not wanting to turn on his own. I felt that it was my last chance to be able to have a vaginal delivery and if it didn't work, then I would have the c-section. There are a lot of complications that can occur with this, but you and your doctor have discussed those.....I personally did not experience any of them with either of my children that I had turned. If they can turn the baby then you can avoid a c-section, but if they can't then at least you know that you tried.

R., never had it done before, but try to relax as best possible. I have to go in for electro-stim for my back problems and I know I need my muscles to relax to heel. I have a favorite song on utube that I listen to through my ear phones. My song is sung in Italian by Eros Ramazzotti, I have no clue what he is saying but I always say he is singing to me in Italian and it is so relaxing to me.

When the doc comes in and gives me the ol' crunch, I am ready to go!

Best wishes!

With my first daughter, I had to have her turned around by the doctor. It was uncomfortable and a _little_ painful. Before he did the procedure, though, he showed me where her head and butt were and showed me how to push on her butt in hopes of getting her to turn on her own with my help. It didn't work, but I was told that often, it does.

Good luck and congrats!!

I have never had the procedure either but both of my sisters boys were breech. She did yoga to stretch the pelvic muscles. I had to have physical therapy after my son was born because my pelvic floor was screwed up. My therapist told me that had I been doing stretches and relaxation techniques that I would have had an easier delivery and done less damage. Ask your OB if she can recommend a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor therapy. If you can get these muscles to relax you'll have a MUCH better shot at a traditional birth. My sister said the best advice she got was to put frozen peas on the top of her belly. The baby feels the cold and naturally want's to move away from it. Both her boys turned very late in her pregnancy. I know how much women want to have a natural or vaginal birth so prepare yourself if it's not possible. I was absolutely opposed to a c-sec but when I 'woke up' to find a room full of people freaking out because they couldn't find my son's heart rate I had to reconsider and I didn't have much time. Long story short I had a traditional delivery but it had to be 'hurried along' I had more stitches and a longer recovery time because when he wasn't coming fast enough I had to be cut...a lot. In retrospect I wish I'd had the c-sec. My body had a really tough time recovering and after the fact I realized I'd put my son at risk because I was unable to deviate from my birth plan. There was NOTHING planned about his birth! I'd do all that's possible to avoid surgery but it may not be possible. Try all the tricks the mama's recommend before doing the procedure and remember that you can cancel it up till the very last moment so don't be pushed into something you're not comfortable with.

I was in the same position as you. My second baby was breech. I started acupuncture and chiropractics immediately and although my acupuncturist was very confident she could help, it didn't. 37 weeks is pretty far along and the baby most likely will not turn on it's own. That is what I was told by many doctors. Sometimes they just do right at the last minute but you never know. I had the version done and it did not work either. The doctor turned the baby from the outside and she actually did flip all the way around but right at the last second she flipped right back. Her heart rate went down pretty low but came back up immediately. It definitely made me nervous. He said he'd try it one more time if I wanted him to but because of her heart rate dropping he didn't really recommend it. I did not try it again. I scheduled a c-section for 39 weeks and I actually went in to labor at 38 weeks. I did have a c-section and the surgery itself was not bad at all, 15 minutes maybe. The recovery was rough but it's different for everyone.

I think if I had it to do over again, I would not try the version. My baby is healthy and all so it didn't do any damage or anything but it was uncomfortable and I think the success rate is only 30% or something like that.

Do what feels right. A c-section isn't the worst thing in the world.

Homeopathic Pulsatilla. Find all potencies you can get your hands on - ideally you'd need something high Pulsatilla 1M or Pulsatilla 10M, not usually sold in the health food stores. Start with whatever potency they do have and order 1M and 10M on-line, or phone homeopathic pharmacy.
Good Luck
V.

I've never had a version so I can't help you there but I did want to make a few suggestions. You can visit www.spinningbabies.com for a TON of info on how to ensure proper positioning of the baby. Also, before you go through with the version I would highly suggest finding a chiropractor skilled in working with pregnant women and the use of the webster technique. They have a MUCH higher success rate of turning a baby then doctors do and the bonus is that there is absolutely NO stress on the baby at all. The chiropractor will do a couple of gentle manipulations and gently work a few ligaments to ensure that your hips and spine are in proper alignment to allow for the baby to turn and remain turned comfortably. It is perfectly safe. I had chiropractic care throughout my entire last pregnancy and I felt SO good. I could tell when I was getting adjusted often enough because I would start to become very sore and my hips would hurt to the point that I couldn't sleep well. Once I visited the chiro I would always feel amazing.