Breech Baby

Hi there! I had a breech baby. Actually she was "Frank Breech" which means she was folded in half - her head and feet were in my ribs and her butt was down below! I was disappointed at first to have tohave a c-section - but then realized I only wanted what was best for the baby and me. I was concerned that she would have hip problems (being folded in half for so long) but she came out perfectly healthy and wonderful!! I know a several people who had breech babies that are totally fine - perfect in fact!!
He probably just got in a cozy position and didn't want to leave it! Everything will be fine!
Also, I recovered much quicker than I thought from the c-section!
Good luck! Keep me posted!
A.

If it were me, I would have the midwives at Highland Hospital or even a homebirth midwife take over from here. They just get better outcomes.

I don't know if you are open to this, but a friend of mine had a baby that wouldn't turn until she had a few accupuncture sessions which succeeded in getting to the baby to turn. Good luck.

i had twins and had to have a c section bc one of my kids was breech. you may have time for the baby to change positions but worse case, you'll have a c section. being breech doesn't indicate a problem. but if you're at all concerned, then you should talk to your obgyn. i have heard that moving the baby during delivery can be very dangerous and painful. my obgyn wouldn't do it but yours may.
good luck!

Your baby may still move positions. Have you tried massaging the baby into place? Eventhough a baby in in the correct position for birth, it doesn't always mean you will have a natural birth. My youngest, now 9 was in the birth canal and I had to have an emergency C-section because he didn't have enough fluid to breath and was becoming stressed, he couldn't handle the labor. Just be positive, talk to your baby and massage the baby into position, the baby moves allot in the abdomin and you'd be surprised at the summersaults they can do in your body. This happened with my older son 2 weeks before the planned delivery and he came natural. Both my boys were not in place at 35 week and with a great massage and head phones on my abdomin they moved on their own. Good Luck.

I know you have already had quite a few responses, but as this was the most stressful thing about my pregnancy, I felt I had to respond. I found out my little one (now 9 mos) was breech pretty early on, but was told not to worry, that babies turn. Well, at 35 weeks my little one had not moved. (He kicked and elbowed, but no turns or flips.) He seemed pretty comfortable where he was. My doctor offered the external version, but when I considered it, I really think he was in the position he was in for a reason. I was terribly afraid of them turning him into his cord, or him turning back to his "favored" spot after the version. My husband is a doctor, and after many conversations we decided that we would give our son until week 39 to turn on his own without force, with a c-section scheduled, just in case. I also went to an accupuncturist for the heat/pressure on the pinky toe, which did not work, but was relaxing and at least made me feel like I did everything possible. So, though I cried a lot, and stressed out a lot, I had my little boy via c-section at week 39, and it was just fine. This will be the first of many difficult decisions you make for you and your baby, but if you end up having to have a c-section, you are certainly not a failure (that is how I felt). A healthy baby is all that matters!

Hi, my 9 month old girl was breeched. We tried chiropractice, cold compresses and almost laying on your back with your stomach and butt higher then my head... nothing helped. She wouldn't move... so C-section was scheduled. But as to something wrong with the baby, I can't believe you asked this!? Why would there be something wrong with a baby just because they are up-side-down, well actually down-side-up?! She's perfect!

Hi, I had breech at 35 weeks. I tried moxibustion (herbal remedy that you can have someone perform on you) as I heard it worked. It didn't. I ended up doing the version at week 37 and it did work and was slightly uncomfortable but worth it as I had a normal vaginal delivery at 41 weeks that was wonderful. I, too, was worried that the baby was confused and something was wrong, but she turned out just fine with a perfect apgar score. I decided to do the version b/c I felt it was less intrusive than a c-section, which would have been necessary should I have not done it. I'd just make sure you have a doctor who has done them before. Good luck! K. (mom of four month old girl)

Well my 18 month old was breech but i decided to have a c-section cause he would not turn. It aint that bad just longer to heal. The dr did not want to try to turn him cause it would have hurt real bad. But thats all i could tell you.

my daughter was in breech position until just about the last week (and i was induced 2 weeks after my due date). she was fine, but i had to have a c-section because my body refused to dilate. but other then my own personal problem...she did flip towards the end and would have been able to come out perfectly normal IF my body did what it was supposed to lol. the only thing you really have to question as far as the baby and health with being breech is that when it comes time...that the cord isn't around the neck. or so i've been told. rule of thumb, if ur worried, double check with the dr (of course, it's much easier until then to hear other mother's experiences) good luck, and congrats on the lil one coming.

I just had twin boys 4 months ago..and they were both breech until my last week of pregnancy, they just flipped on their own. I was going to have to have a c-section if they didn't turn. Dont worry your baby is fine. Both babies turned (on different nights) when I was laying down clam and relaxed. Good luck!

my twins are 11 they were breech . i had c-section they are perfectly fine

good luck

Just because your baby is in the breech position doesn't mean there is anything wrong. My second daughter was a scheduled C-Section and she was feet first. She is 19 months - talking, running, eating and doing great. Don't worry so much - there will be years of that to come. Good Luck to you!!!!!

2 of 3 of mine were breach. My dr didn't try inversion, as my first was a c-section and I had another abdominal surgery before my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies and he was concerned about tearing my uterus. That all said, my children are "normal" , even bright, happy (most of the time) boys. Breach position ahs absolutely nothing to do with the baby having something wrong with him or her.
Good luck and congratulations!

I am in my first pregnancy, so I can't say I have been through your experience. However, I have learned that accupuncture may, and often, helps this situation. Not sure how open you are....but it could help. Make sure you see a licensed accupuncturist.
good luck!

I had a breech baby and she was perfectly healthy and beautiful. I opted not to do the version procedure...a personal choice, of course. I had a planned c-section at 39 weeks. Let me know if you have any other questions. I did a lot of unecessary stressing. However, I understand that it is easy for me to look back and say that now.

All the best,

M.

There are several different things you can try to get your baby to move into position. Playing music low on your belly is one option. There are others that maybe you could ask your birth coach about? My son was breech and I ended up going into labor at 36 weeks. He had to be delivered by c-section but he is perfectly normal and healthy! Don't worry!

My first two babies were breech - Frank breech. I tried a version with the first one and it was unsuccessful. I had two scheduled c-sections and two totally healthy wonderful girls (now 8 and 5). I went on to have a third - a boy - who wasn't breech, but by that point I had to have a c-section. For me it had more to do with the shape of my uterus than anything with the baby. Try not to worry.

My son was breech until 35 weeks and then he turned! It took him all night to do it and it was quite uncomfortable. But it truly was the most unbeilevable thing to experience!

With my oldest she was in the breech position until almost 37 weeks. It was incredible when I was laying down one day my husband and I literally saw her flip into the correct position. Usually what happens is the doctor might try and turn the baby inside you to get him into the birthing position and if that fails then they'll usually schedule you for a c-section. In my opinion I don't think there's anything wrong with your baby. However, if you think something could be going on you had best bring up your concerns at your next OB appt. Try not to stress yourself out too much and I hope you have a safe delivery

My first child was breech. We found out at term - actually 1 day after my due date. We tried the version but he was too big - (8lb 15oz) and wouldn't turn around. I had a c-section that day. He is absolutely perfect. Often there is a genetic component(the mother's uterus is shaped differently) - which results in the baby being breech. We have a high number of breech babies among my cousins. The version was a little uncomfortable but did not take long and I wish mine had been succesful so I could have delivered naturally. I am glad we tried that route. Good Luck!

My baby was not totally breached, but was transverse for a long time. everyday i bounced for 20 minutes on a pilates exercise ball, sat upright or slightly forward instead of slouched on the couch, and also cleaned the floors on my hands and knees! My midwife friend was able to turn her breached babies around by scrubbing the floors! The back and forth motion in the hands and knees position encourages the baby to right itself head down. Apparantly, they say that is why breached babies were so uncommon long ago! Also, i know a woman who mentally communicated with the unborn breached baby to move by imagining it moving correctly and by doing somersaults underwater to encourage it to move! Good luck!

Hi,
My first baby was breech. I tried version and it didn't work for me. She just wouldn't turn. It was worth a try.
So I had a c-section and I loved it. It was quick and painless and afterwards you are in pain and the recovery is a little longer, but you have pain medication and you have a beautiful new baby and nothing else matters! She is 5 years old now and perfectly normal. When I got pregnant with my son I chose to have another c-section. Its the best way to go. Why go through hours of painful labor. It seems so barbaric to me. I was 37 when I had my daughter and 39 when I had my son. good luck.
A.

I was breech and my husband was breech and we both turned out great. Being breech is VERY common and there's nothing to worry about and there is ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE WHAT SO EVER that links being breech to something being wrong with the baby so DON'T WORRY AT ALL!!!! My daughter was also in a breech position @ 35 weeks. If your doctor is recommending a version I would consider it however, it is not essential. Also, a few days before the version you should have another ultrasound to see if the baby has flipped. It is uncommon but it does happen....it happened to my daughter. She flipped very late a few days before the scheduled version so it was unneeded and was cancelled. Hope this helps.

Check out the info on spinningbabies.com.

My best friend had a home birth and got her baby to move from breach to head down at the onset of labor using their advice.

hi beata,congrats on ur prenancy,breech,my daughter was breech,dr tried to turn her but it never happen,so,c-section was next,this was almost 17 yrs ago,she was perfect in every way,and c- sec is not that bad,i had 2 of them,i was up for both,iam sure ur baby is fine,if u feel ur worried,speak to ur doctor,but dont stress about it,good luck to u,,

Hi!

I too had a breech presentation with my first. He was delivered by schedule c-section a week after we tried the version which was not successful. He is a beautiful, healthy 8 year old boy who scored a 9/10 on his Apgars which is considered perfect for a c-section.

My doctor told me that as I worked out my entire pregnancy, my abdominal muscles were too tight to allow him to turn to the proper position. As it is your first, doctors are less likely to allow you to deliver naturally as they don't want to take any chances with the baby getting stuck in your birth canal.

I did exercises for 4 weeks where I elevated my hips for a period of time and tried the version which hurt like heck and was unsuccesful.

The c-section was a snap, and I delivered my daughter 20 months later via VBAC, and I can tell you the c-section was so much easier to heal from.

Good luck!

hi beata,
i've had four girls, naturally, and all of them were breach up until the last few weeks. with my first, they sent me to a specialist about possibly having to turn her, but at about 36 weeks she turned! and my 3rd girl was breach until 38 weeks-that was quite a feeling the night she turned!
i think some uteruses must feel better to the babies in the breach position, but my experience has been, they know when it's time to get ready to come out.
i would suggest waiting!
hang in there!

I had a breech baby and ended up doing both moxibustion and a version. I did the moxi at 36 weeks and it worked- it was amazing. I had an ultrasound scheduled that next day that showed she was now head down. I think she flipped while I was on the table for the procedure- she was moving around like crazy. Unfortunately, a week or so later I felt her move like crazy again and she flipped herself back up. I ended up doing the version at almost 38 weeks which did work and the baby stayed down so I was able to deliver vaginally. The version wasnt nearly as bad as I thought it would be- I was prepared for something horrible but it really wasnt. Good luck!

I'm also almost 35 weeks with twins. One of the twins is breech. I'm having a C-section because she is breech, but she is perfectly fine. Talk to you doctor about your concerns.

Your baby isn't stupid, he knows which end is up :) . My daughter was breech, we did chiropractic and all the techniques on spinningbabies.com and it didn't work. We did the version and she flipped within 2 minutes. It wasn't painful but it was very uncomfortable, and the baby did have a drop in heartrate right after. She recovered when the doctors gave me oxygen and IV fluids. I went into spontaneous labor 12 days later and had a wonderful, all-natural (no drugs!) labor and delivery. She is 3 weeks old today and in perfect health, and smiled for the first time yesterday.

Definitely try chiropractic, because even though it didn't turn my baby, I think it made it possible for the version to work as quickly as it did, and it also made my delivery go so much more smoothly than my first. Not to mention how much better I felt physically for the rest of my pregnancy! (no more aching hips or back!)

Hope that helps. if you want more specific information on my experience with the version, feel free to contact me.

Beata:

Your baby can turn at any time and being breech does not indicate that there is anything wrong with him/her. Sometimes they just settle in the position most comfy and for your baby breech is currently it! Check out these two websites (they will give you a ton of information)

www.breechbabies.com

www.gentlebirth.org/archives/breechcl.html

FYI, I accompanied on of my clients (at 37 weeks) to the Chiropractor to see what they do when they perform the Webster technique. It was a very gentle, specific adjustment and much to my surprise, you could see how much it affected baby. Momma was very slender and as soon as she got off the table, I could see her daughter shifting around. The baby flipped (after 3 visits over 1 week) and was delivered QUICKLY 2 days later.

Relax and enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy!

R.

Hi -- I had a breach baby for my #3 -- late in my pregnancy, too. I really didn't want to try the version. I had had a very hard pregnancy and just resigned myself to a c-section. BUT...some how I got the idea to try accupuncture....and it worked!!! So -- before you try anything else...give accupuncture a try. I had 3 treatments but am fairly cetain she turned after the 1st time. It doesn't hurt at all and is actually very relaxing. I was hesitant about the Dr. but she is actually an internist at our big medical center. She told me to have my husband to press on the side of my pinky toe with a ball point pen in the evening. That's the pressure point for breach presentation. Hope this helps!

Hi!

My first born was breech and did not turn down. I didn't want to do aversion, because the baby could of turned back breech. Also, I heard it's very unconfortable. I had a c-section at 37 weeks and my daughter is a healthy beautiful girl. Having a c-section is totally fine and the baby's head will be perfect and is a normal baby. I hope this helps you. Don't worry everything will be okay and you never know, the baby can turn before your due date. Good luck.

A little about me:

Mom of two wonderful children ages 4 and 2 years old. Both were c-sections and no complications.

Has there been any problems with your ultrasound to make you think there could be a problem? I am a mom of three and my second child was breech at 34 weeks and turned by the time I went to my doctors appointment for 36 weeks. So there is still hope. The doctors may even try to turn the baby :) Sounds fun, huh! But my midwife did get me one suggestion. Get on all fours and rest your elbows on the ground so your butt is up in the air :) haha She said that is supposed to make the want to switch. I tried but have no idea if that is why she switch but my husband sure got a kick out of it. Good luck, I hope all goes well!!!

Hi Beata,
You are at the right time to try acupuncture. I am an acupuncturist and there is a special point just for this situation. You can email me if you are interested in finding a practioner in your area. It doesn't harm you or the baby, in fact the acupoint is on your toe! There is also a technique called moxa-this too is used in breech babies..
____@____.com
S.

I had 2 healthy, happy breech babies. Two out of my three kids were breech and there is nothing wrong with them. Its just the way they wanted to lay, its the way they feel most comfortable. Mine were also bigger babies and I was told that sometimes when they are bigger they put themselve in a direction that gives them the most room. As long as everything else is looking good and everything with all your other tests are ok then I would not worry. I did not try the version my doctor said the risk to the baby was high and I did not want to take any additional risks, both ended up being c-sections. Hope it helps with the worry.

I know that a chiropractic adjustment or two will help with the breech. My chiropractor helped a women in the same situation and her baby turned around. I went to see the chiropractor for back pain and easy deliverly.

talk to a chiropractor.

S. c.

stay at home mom of beautiful 18mo old daughter.

Good morning Beata,

Try not to worry- most babies settle in place on their own-if not the doctors are able to handle the the delivery. Tell your doctor you are concern-ask him/her what steps he/she will take if the baby is not in place when you deliver. This will at least ease your mind. Best of luck.

I think this is extremely common. My first daughter was breech until the very end, and i ended up delivering her via c-section. I tried everything to get her to turn around, including: chiropractic, acupuncture, external version, etc. All of my efforts were fruitless, and when i went into labor she was still breech. When she was delivered i was told that her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck and she would not have been able to flip even if she wanted to! She is now 2+ years old and is a completely normal, amazing little girl. I would not be worried about there being something wrong with him. Many babies flip at the very end, and some are just not able to for some reason.
I have since had another daughter and was able to have a natural VBAC for my second birth. I decided when i found out i was pregnant with my second daughter, that if she turned out to be breech as well, i would not go through the external version again. It was extremely painful, and for me it was unsuccessful. I have heard that technique is more successful in second or later pregnancies because the muscles are stretched out more. I would however do chiropractic and acupuncture again. I would recommend starting now if you are going to try these techniques, because the more time they have the better.
Good luck. Your outcome will be an amazing little baby regardless of which direction he/she is facing when you go int labor.

Hi Beata,

Breech isn't a sign that something is wrong with the baby. They do not logically think about turning, your body automatically signals this.

There are breech tilt exercises that you can do. Chiropractors and acupuncturists have techniques that can be effective for turning breen babies. You can try musical version, playing soothing music down low by your pubic bone through headphones. Some midwives suggest using a bag of frozen veggies to guide the head down. You can consider external version as well, of course, but be sure that you understand the risks.

Good luck and turning vibes to you!

My first daughter was breech - we didn't know it. I wanted a natural delivery and my OB let me push, then noticed she was coming out butt-first. But NOT ALL DOCTORS will allow this type of delivery. Only those experienced in breech deliveries, otherwise it would be an automatic c-section (fear of lawsuits, etc.). Luckily, my daughter was only 5lbs., 2oz (born 1 week early) so it wasn't a big deal with me. If it's a bigger baby - I don't know what would happen.

Midwives and doulas have more experience with breech and can offer suggestions on turning babies around - not so much with OBs...

Good luck! :)

When I was pregnant with my 3rd daughter I went into the hospital to attempt version. Wouln't you know they got me all ready, I was on the monitor, etc. They finally did a quick sono to check her positioning and guess what...she flipped again...head down. I have four kids and 2 of them flipped around quite a bit. My first child was a c-section and it went great...I had three vaginal births after her...also great. The goal is to have a baby and you want to have the baby be a healthy as possible. Do not worry too much about the "birth day".

My baby was in breech position and I had desperately wanted to have a natural childbirth. My OB is skilled at versions but he said that, given the position of our baby, a version would likely be painful and ultimately unsuccessful. I had a scheduled C-section which was disappointing BUT our almost 5-month old is perfect and happy and healthy and I wouldn't change a thing. When he was born, he had a really funny-shaped head from forming up against my ribcage but his head is lovely and round now.

I could see my son trying to turn while he was in my belly - his head would stick out several inches and then he'd fall back - something was stopping him.

Don't freak yourself out. The likelihood is that your baby is fine and he may even turn yet.Good Luck and Congratulations!!!

My 2nd son kept flipping around until the week before my due date. He was totally fine!

C.