At my 28 week apt my baby was head down. Yesterday at my apt at 30 weeks she was sideways. I have no idea when she turned but I don't think it was before the last few days as I know I was feeling feet kicking me before high in my abdomen. This is my third child. My first 2 were born vaginally and without complications. I honestly don't remember when either of them settled head down and didn't move though. I have an apt in 2 weeks (which is the schedule I'm on anyway at this point in my pregnancy) and they're going to do a sonogram to check her position at that time to see if she settles back into head down.
Anyone have this happen? What I gather from what the midwife said is that it's not something to panic about quite yet but something to watch as it could lead to problems. If she's still sideways at 32 weeks then she wants to give me exercies and maybe do acupressure/acupuncture or other natural things to get her to move. I'm wondering if there is anything I can do now to help encourage her before my next apt. I do not want to end up at a hospital, my first birth was such a tramatic and terrible experience (we both came out physically fine in the end, I had a couple very good support people who stood up for me something fierce! but mentally it left a scar that will never heal) my second birth was at a birth center and was great. We're getting our prenatal care and planning my daughters birth at the same birth center, but obviously they can't deliver me there is there is any complications.
I have already been having panic attacks about this which I know isn't good for me or my baby.
If you've had this did it correct itself and how far along? I am just so lost.
21/8/2009 In case anyone ever comes to read this I thought I would post my happy ending. She continued to move between head down, sideways and at 35 wks breach. In the end she went head down and stayed that way (at 36 or 37wks). She was born at the birth center with a completely natural birth during wk39. Thanks again to everyone who replied! It helped calm my nerves when I was totally stressing.
24/4/2009 Had my midwife apt and ultrasound yesterday. She is head down and looks good. The tech said she looks a lot like me :) The ultrasound tech did say that she does still have room that she could decide to move around a little bit longer and not get into a stuck type situation but she looks like she's beginning to lock in so she might be done with her exploring. I go back in 2 weeks and they'll check again, not with the ultrasound, just manually. I checked out the couple websites recommended and did a few things suggested to help coax her down in the beginning and encourage her to stay there. I have found the getting on all 4s and stretching works (the cat stretching I think it is) and also lying at a slight incline on the couch caused her to squirm back where she belonged. The cat stretching also helps my back feel a bit better when it starts getting achy which is a nice thing too ;)
I was able to calm down after reading many of your responses and "been theres" and I'm sure that helped as well. It's just so hard to not get worried, especially when any problems can mean I have to deliver at a hospital and not the birth center. I'm glad hospitals are there if there are problems but it is far from being my favorite choice and I will do my best to avoid it as much as humanly possible.
Thank you so much!
My baby was breech at 35 weeks and by 37 weeks she had corrected herself. My OB wasn't concerned even at 35 weeks so I wouldn't panic.
Good luck!
Try getting on all fours and doing pelvic rocks. Arch your back up like a cat then roll your head back as you arch your back the other way> Not only does it feel great and stretch your back out, gravity will pull the baby into the proper position with her back against your stomach wall and her head down. My doctor gave me this to do. She also said to do squats afterwards which help pull the baby down into position. I know a lot of doctors disagree on this, but she was very old world and had a lot of mid-wife tips that she passed on. The squats were great exercise and all three of my babies were in proper position. Good luck!
Hi Katrina
I understand you have reasons behind your decision, but I would keep the option for the hospital open.
Sometimes we do have bad experies, but staff and director change and each visit differs. Hospitals just have the equipment to assist much quicker should it be necessary.
Did you try google to read other posts on other sites?
I hope all goes well.
C.
I have attended multiple births and the best thing you can do right now is to CALM DOWN. I have seen babies flip at the last second, I have also had to have a c-section myself because my twins would not move into a possible birth position. It will be what it will be and your anxiety is only going to make things worse. Relax, try to get some laying on your back time and find someone to help you with the kids etc. Now is the time for you to relax and let your baby do some of the work. Do not listen to horror stories, keep your mind on the birth that you want and sing some songs to your baby.
Since it's not your first baby, it shouldn't be a problem! I've had quite a few 2nd or 3rd time moms with a baby that's transverse (sideways) and they always turn head down in labor. If you're in the greater Los Angeles area and want to relieve your worried mind and help your baby turn head down (before labor), almost all of my clients go to Dr. Berlin's Wellness Center -- the focus of their practice is Prenatal & Postpartum Wellness care and they do massage, acupuncture, reflexology and chiropractic work.
Dr. Elliot Berlin
Berlin Wellness
6221 Wilshire Blvd., #518
Los Angeles, CA 90048
http://www.doctorberlin.com/
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Happy Birthing :)
Katrina,
First off, you need to relax, I know not so easy, but the emotions you feel, the baby feels but heightened. If the baby feels that the "outside" is a stressful and unsafe place, they may indeed turn or stay breech. So what else to do. Examine your life recently, and see if there has been any stressful events, any fights that hhave been unresolved, or any worries you have about anything. Face them head on, and resolve them. That's good for everyone to do. Then, look at the website www.spinningbabies.com to find several technniques to encourage your little one to turn head down.
Good luck, and send some warm loving thoughts your little one's way! :-)
Katrina,
First, don't worry! This is not good for you or baby. Stress is terrible and can affect baby's health later on in life. I had a very, very difficult labor, too. I did au naturel (no epidural) w/ a Doula and my daughter was turned around, putting extreme pressure on my back for almost 40 hours. Finally, a fantastic nurse came on her shift and she and my husband greased up my belly and while I was lying sideways, put pressure in various areas, and darn it if that baby didn't flip to the right position!! That nurse was my lifesaver, I tell you. Also, my friend's baby was breach and her doc greased up her belly and was also able to flip the baby, too. So there are things that can be done. You can do this!! I am sure someone at the birthing center has experience with this. Best of luck to you and no more worrying. After all, what is the very worst that could happen? You may have to have a C-section? I adamantly didn't want one, either, but when it comes down to it, the option is there for people who need it. You and baby will ultimately be fine. All my best!
Oh Katrina...I'm so sorry you are so worried! At 28 weeks there is nothing to worry about. Babies twist and turn all the time and there is still plenty of room and it is likely that when you baby girl is ready to be born she will settle head down. Its way way way too early to be so concerned. I carried twins for 37 weeks and one was always all over the place, but did settle head down after all was said and done with. Even at 34 weeks he was sideways, but by 37 he was head down! Please please dont worry....nothing is wrong!
No need to worry. My son did the same thing a few times and I was panicked as well, but by the next time I went back for an ultrasound, he had moved again. She could move in a day or a week or move several more times between now and your next appt.
Good luck!
First of all you are right stop stressing!! :) You know that childbirth is a totally natural thing, and your last one at a birth center, that is totally awesome. I had help from my mother (I am the oldest of 5 all home births) and I saw a midwife through the later half of my pregnancy, but my insurance wouldn't help with the birth, and 4,000 dollars is a lot to pay out of pocket. So I had to choose, go to the hospital for free almost, or have the baby at home with my mom and my partner. In the end there was no way I was going to the hospital (unless it was an emergency of course.) Anyway, at 34 weeks Evelyn was breech. The crazy thing was that two weeks before she was head down. I was worried about it, but I really try to trust my body. So... that was the last time that I saw the midwives. But like I said my mom had 5 at home, she said get down on your hands and knees (all of us came out head down), so throughout my labor I got on my hands and knees periodically and visualized her head down, and she came out that way. We had an amazing natural birth and she was perfectly healthy. I am sure that your baby will be too. Honestly, I have heard that babies can go head down in the last minutes, especially this is more common in 2nd and 3rd deliveries. It is a natural thing, I mean if she is ready to come she will know what to do. Just use gravity. Good luck and don't worry!
Same story for me and my baby turned naturally. Pray...it works!!
Katrina this type of thing happens all the time. I was in the hospital being indused with my last child and while they were setting me up, one of the nurses checked me and of course my daughter was head down. At that point the night doctor not my reg doctor came to break my water and couldn't. Then he told nurse to go out to mark in my chart and wait for my reg doctor. When my reg doctor came in he checked me, the little stinker had turned to be feet first so the doctor said lets schedule her for a C-section @ 3pm and we will check her again at 2pm. At that point I was very scared I didn't say anything to anyone not even my husband. One of the nurses came in later just a couple of hours and she checked me and what do you know my daughter had turned again so my reg doctor came in and he broke my water and everything was just fine. So don't worry even if the baby is not in position when you are in the hospital there is a good chance that the baby will be moving up until the last moment in time remember everyone is different. Good luck and let us all know how it ends.
M.
Katrina,
I second the motion to relax about this. A baby is not considered breech until 32 weeks. But you have a great idea to see what you can do to prevent it and I have an a great solution. There are many chiropractors who specialize in Pregnancy care and can help you. Chiropractic is a an excellent way to stabilize the pelvis and when the pelvis is in balance the baby will easily move into the right position, if there are no other reasons why they cant. You can go to www.pregnancychiropractic.com and then go to find a doctor and they will guide you to someone in your area.
blessings upon your new addition to the family and remember that all is well.
Dr. A. Grob
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Something that worked for me...I would take small headphones and rest them on my abdomen and play lullaby type music. That got him in the right position.
Congratulations on your little baby.
J.
It's hard to hear "just relax" when it's your body, baby and fear is going through it. Babies turn and like to throw us a curve but there are ways to encourage them to move again. Your lucky that you do have some time and room left for this one to shift the right way. Try to accept that your birthing plan is still the plan but maybe another plan is good to have as well. Good communication with your midwife is so important. Let her know your fears and set up a solid alternative plan as well. Your not giving up doing it natural but if there is any hiccups then you and your support people will know what to expect next as well as how they need to react to assist you in the best possible way. That way your assured that you will not have the same terrifying experience. By having a solid plan it may help to alleviate the fear of the unknown and allow you to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. Just a thought... It worked for me. Things turned out the way I wanted but it was a lot of stress in the process. Best of luck to you and may you have nothing but greatness in the next few weeks to come.
Make sure you do a lot of research on having your baby turned it is very dangerouse. when they did it to me there was an entire surgical team standing by. Look this up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My brother was frank breach and he turned himself when my mother went into labor. I had a c section with my daughter. Although that was scary it wasn't bad at all. I think that it is made out to be worse than it is because it's not natural. I totally believe in natural child birth especially for a speedy recovery, but your baby is all that matters in the end. when I found out that my baby was breech I cried a lot, but when they tried to turn her it hurt a lot I felt bad like maybe it hurt her too. I cried for days. I think that you have this plan in your head of how things are going to happen and when they don't go that way the disappointment can be great. Just because your baby has turned doesn't been that there is something wrong your baby will still be perfect.
homeopathic Pulsatilla is known for turning babies. the potency that you may need is not sold in Whole Foods, but there are many on-line places that will mail it to you. basically your choices are:
• get Pulsatilla 30C from whole foods and take on empty stomach every day before your next check up.
• buy Pulsatulla 10M (preferably liquid) on-line and take it ONCE ONLY if during 32 weeks checkup it is determined that she still needs turning. Once is enough, don’t take more.
Good Luck
V.
P.S. Hahnemann Laboratories is a good place for Pulsatilla 10M
Moxibustion is a Chtinese herb that when burned at certain accupressure points can turn a breech baby and it worked for me! My first was a c-section because
in rural Louisiana we couldn't find an accpuncturist, but when we did, an hour and 15 minutes away, he treated me pro-bono; 6 days straight with accupuncture and moxa. I was already past 36 weeks, so my son had no room to turn.
Son number 2 was "upside down" also but I started moxibustion around 30 weeks and he stayed head down!!! Google moxibustion for breech baby. Best of luck!
My daughter was sideways for most of my pregnancy and she was headdown in time for delivery. I did not look pregnant until the last two months and if they had gone by the inches around my belly, the charts showed i would have a 5 lb baby. She was a healthy normal 7 lbs 5 oz, full term, normal delivery. I think ultrasounds have led to too many mothers getting freaked out by what is probably normal. If your baby isn't headdown by delivery, then I would worry.
Hi Katrina!
My daughter's last baby was breech a week before he was due. They had turned him once already & he just turned back around. She went home and put a slant board from the floor to the couch. She got out her electric toothbrush, and laid down on the board feet up, head down. She held the toothbrush on her upper belly and her son turned in about 15 minutes.
So some babies turn with excercies, your midwife will help you, don't panic. Some turn the day before, some a few hours into labor. The main thing is not to panic, though. Trust your body and your baby to work together. There are many ways to turn babies, and they really do move around alot trying to get comfortable. One of mine lay sideways for the last two months & turned down like a good baby when I went into labor.
Best of luck to you,
R. (DONA trained, intern birth doula)
Babies still move around quite a bit at 30 weeks, so I would not worry. I think my midwife said it was very common for them to move around up until 35 weeks, maybe even longer. When I was pregnant with my first baby, my midwife gave me a book called "Sit Up and Take Notice." It was all about getting your baby in the optimal position just by paying attention to your own posture. Following the advice in that book, I had my first baby at home with no complications - he was in the perfect position.
With my second baby, he was breech at about 35 weeks so I had to lay in an inverted position and use heat and cold to encourage the baby to move (he did move at about 38 weeks and we had a wonderful, "easy" homebirth). I wouldn't do any of that yet at only 30 weeks. For you, I would say to pay attention to your posture. Do not recline backward, lay on your side instead. When you are sitting, sit upright, leaning forward if possible. I imagine you are probably sitting with your kids doing schoolwork for a good part of the day. If you can get a birth ball, you could sit on that and that will give you the mobility you need to sit upright and forward comfortably. Do lots of pelvic rocks on your hands and knees - that position was very uncomfortable for me (carpal tunnel in my hands) so I would do them leaning forward at a counter, or leaning on the birth ball.
Do not worry. Your baby still has plenty of time and plenty of room to move. If there is any way you can get that book, it would be a big help to you and it is a fairly quick read. Please feel free to contact me if you want any more encouragement or further details on getting your baby in the optimal position. Again, do not worry! :) Everything is going to be fine!
I did acupuncture and the baby turned. I know it sounds kind of crazy, but the nurse practitioner recommended that my husband spend a minute or two every night talking to the baby from "down there" telling him to "come this way" or just reading from a book. I figured it didn't matter how silly we felt; if it worked, it was better than having them manually try to turn the baby or to have complications with a breach position. Best wishes to you and your baby.
Katrina,
I had a similar situation with my second child. Somewhere around 30 weeks she decided to do a bit of internal exploring! She went this way and that way, upsided down, sideways.. you get the idea.
Anyway, seemed that at each dr's visit, she was in a different position. It got down to the finish line and my midwife told me that she was bottoms down and would most likly stay that way because there wasn't much room for her to move around now.
I did all sorts of natural things to try and turn her. I wasn't comfortable with the dr's turning her, so was told that I should understand that I may be having a C-section.
I was really set on having a natural vaginal birth, so continued looking for alternatives.
I had heard of something called the 'webster technique' and did some research. Long story short, I tried it and my little one turned with only one session within a few hours and remained head down for the birth! (Although, I've heard that it may take several sessions to do the trick)
My chiropractor, Dr. Susan Moreau, performed it. She is amazing, gentle and very knowledgable!!
Here's a link to her page:
http://www.backtofunction.com/bios.htm
Best of luck,
D.
