35 Weeks Pregnant with Breech Baby & External Rotation

I had an external rotation at 38 wks, of an 8 lb baby. I was not given any pain medication, but was given a shot of a muscle relaxer, to help relax my uterus.

I will admit that it HURT LIKE HECK! Two drs performed the rotation, and a nurse monitored with a sono machine. It took about 4 minutes total, though it felt like forever. My dr just told me to keep breathing, and tried to make jokes. They were successful, and I went into labor on my own a few weeks later.

After the rotation, my nurse told me that some dr's are definitely more successful than others, and that it's always best to have 2 dr's perform it, and she thinks it greatly increases the success rate.

In the end, I think the pain was worth it. Hope this helps!

I have no experience w/ the external version, but I did want to let you know what happened w/ my last child. She was breech until my 37 wk. visit. I did not want to try a version or have a c-section. I went to a chiropractor who was trained in a special technique they use that can possibly help baby's turn on their own without doing anything to your stomach so it was completely safe. Prior to going I did not believe in chiropractors and I am not into alternative medicine at all. My daughter did end up turning on her own after 3 appointments. I don't remember the name of the special technique, but I can get it for you if you are interested. The only chiro in my area is in McKinney off of Virginia. If you want her name and info, let me know. FYI: I never told my ob because she seemed so set on the version (with on pain med). She was so surprised when I came in and the baby was head down ... it was my little secret :)

They were going to do the same thing with my first but they scheduled me for one more sono before the confirmed the day to turn her and she turned on her own the night before the sono. I had to be on bedrest after that though cause my job was stressful and I had extra fluid and they didnt want her to turn back. It is still possible for your baby to turn into the right position since you are only 35 weeks. If he doesnt my OB said that she would schedule it to be done after 38 weeks when the baby was healthy enough to be born. She would give me an epidural and then manually move her so that I would not feel any pain. Then if they were successful in turning her they would induce me at that time since I already had an epidural and so she wouldnt turn back. Goodd luck and best wishes!

My 3rd baby was breech...I went to chioropracter & she turned that afternoon...my midwife sends patients there all the time with great success...see contact info below:

Sara Dehart
Web Site: http://www.icpa4kids.com/webster_technique.htm
Personal
Comments: Sara L. Dehart, D.C.
413 West University Drive
Denton, TX 76201
45 minutes northwest of Dallas
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Hi S.,
I found out my daughter was breech at 37 weeks...and opted to try the external version (rotation). My only other option (based on her position) was a C-section, which I really didn't want. I felt like I had to at least try... My Dr. was supportive of me trying. I was scheduled and prepped for a C-section...I had an epidural (which my Dr. said would allow for no pain..and my body being relaxed). Yes, a ultrasound is done at the same time for monitoring.
It took 2 doctors who each really manipulated (not like a tickle at all) my belly at the same time. I really trusted my Dr. and she knew that if the heart rate dropped...she was taking me straight to have a C-section...but I was lucky...it worked instantly. Then they induced.
Everything went well...we both ended up healthy and happy.
I say, if your Dr. thinks you are a candidate to try...you should. If it doesn't work...it wasn't for a lack of trying:)I'm so happy I did.
Good luck...you can private message me if you want to talk about it more...
Wishing you a healthy delivery...whatever kind that may be!

A friend had a rotation attempted and ended up with a C-section (that same day) anyway. My first was "frank" breech (feet by her head) and my OB GYN mentioned rotation as an option, but based on the baby's position, and the fact that she'd been breech the whole pregnancy, he didn't think it would be successful.

I've also heard that it's painful to attempt rotation. That, coupled with the fact that there was a good chance of C-section regardless, really swayed me to not even go there.

I would ask your doctor his success rate for the prodecure. Also, I've heard plenty of stories of babies turning head down at the last minute.

I had a version as well. Maybe 37 weeks. I too went with the epidural to keep my body relaxed and more likely to cooperate. I don't remember it being particularly painful -though I had blood pressure issues after. I was induced a couple of weeks later and ended up with a c-section due to cord issues. Not exactly the delivery I envisioned - but I have a healthy, happy son - and that is all that matters.

Good luck!

I had an external version (rotation) in June and the one thing I have to say it was definitely not like a “tickle”; it hurt like nothing I had ever had done before! I do not mean to scare you but I was not ready for the pain involved. My daughter was breech my whole pregnancy and my doctor gave me the option to try the version and if it did not work do a C-section that same day. I really did not want a C-section so I decided to try (I had my son vaginally 3 years prior.) At 37 weeks I went in and they gave me an epidural and tried the version for about 15 minutes of what felt like pure agony, but she was not turning for anything. They then wheeled me in and less than an hour later I had a C-section and a beautiful baby girl. If I would have known how much it hurt I do not thing I would have chosen to try it; I would have just had the C-section. If you have more questions or concerns please PM me. I have more to say on the subject but I will not take up any more space here.

Both of my children were head down until around 38 -39 weeks. Although I did not have them rotated, I did try other methods. Up until the weeks that they were born I would lay with my head down and pelvis up in the air and did try cold packs on top of my belly. They both turned on their own and I was able to deliver naturally.

My second child was transverse, face down and I had a version the morning of delivery (this is not an office procedure)Except for the nurse digging her nails in me, it was not a big deal - it felt weird but was not painful to me.......I had my first child naturally, so what is pain and what is not is very subjective.........my doc just placed his hands on her knees and her shoulders and turned her........he did explain to me that she could go back on her own....good luck and happy babying!

Hi, S.!

I had 2 baby boys, and my oldest was "head down" my entire pregnancy, and my other baby seemed content to lie "sideways" for the longest time before he finally turned "head down".
I know a lot of doctors now are doing external rotations to keep babies from being born breech, and thereby requiring a c-section. Since it's done externally, it's non-invasive, and you might only feel like the dr is "tickling" you. There are really no complications to expect from having it done that I'm aware of. The only thing I suggest is to ask your dr if she will also be doing a sonogram while she is rotating your baby to make sure that the umbilical cord is not getting wrapped around the neck or otherwise being "compromised".

Congratulations, and Best Wishes!