Advice on Turning a Breech Baby

I do not have advice on turning a breech baby - but I did have to have an emergency C-Section as my baby had the cord wrapped around her neck during labor. I can tell you, I am glad that happened - as I had an epidural - I was able to be awake for the C-Section (as I am guessing most moms are...?). My daughter "came out" completely gorgeous - she did not have that smooshed face/head look - I know that is so shallow of me to say but, the best part is - I have a teeny tiny scar - it is so small - below any bikini line - and, well, for me - I love it! It always reminds me of how much love I have for my daughter. I do not know if that makes sense. Also, I loved being able to spend 4 nights in the hospital being waited on hand and foot by the wonderful nurses and hospital staff- it was the best rest I had for a long time! Do not fret!

A., a few months ago, a friend of mine discovered that her baby was breach. She did all the things you mentioned including lots of walking. She went to the hospital as an emergency one day when she felt dizzy and lightheaded. The baby who is now very healthy and 5 months old was born by emergency C section. Her husband told a group of us (he is the music director of our parish choir) that if they had tried to deliver their son by regular vaginal delivery, he would have died. Remember that the baby is the first concern, and C section may be just exactly what is needed no matter what you may want. Good luck.

This question comes up every once in a while here, I had a similar experience. I tried Webster and my baby never turned. My water broke and I started leaking before the C was scheduled and I went in through the ER, but I still had to do it cause he was still breech. I cried so much in the OR, but in the end, I am ok with it for the most part. I wish I would have known somewhere to go that would have given me the option to try it vaginally, but most docs just aren't trained how to do it now and even though I was under the care of a midwife, the dr. just had to step in to do it.

Anyway, here's all the suggestions I remember from last time
http://www.mamasource.com/request/8338565447305723905

My first baby was breech. They tried to turn her & it was not successful. The turning process was painful like crazy, I would never try that again. I had the c-section & all went well. The recovery for the c-section was not that bad. I was in more pain recovering from the turning attempt. I then had a v-back with my son. I'm going to tell you that the pain & recovery from the vaginal birth was much worse than the c-section. Now I wish I hadn't been so adament on having the v-back. I have spoken to several other women who have had v-backs after c-sections & they have said the same thing.

I Kind of don't understand why people have a hard time accepting a c section.Oh once upon a time myself included! Granted it is longer recovery. But like guys who won't eat quiche or wear pink it really isn't an example of how womanly we are if we can't have a baby naturally. And I decided after I had my c section that this was actually not only the best thing, but the most wonderful way to save my baby. I do not know how to turn baby around or at the time I would have done it myself. I do know that my body returned to normal albeit the slight 'bikini' scar at the time and I exercised and looked probably better afterward than before when I had a natural childbirth. With some assistance the first weeks of babys life were fine and I enjoyed him just as much. Is there anyway you can adjust your thinking about the c section? Truthfully I would have opted for a c section after twenty seven hours or so of labor and then an operation anyway.On the other hand baby may just surprise you and turn on his/her own.AT thirty seven weeks I think I would just be sitting there hoping someone- anyone would take her out! But good luck, and love,love,love your baby however it comes out. This lasts such a short time.

My daughter was breech and we went in at 39 weeks for a "version" which is where they manually try to turn the baby. They do this at 39 weeks because with all the pushing and pulling, they say you will go into labor within the week, so they won't do it earlier than that. It is a very painful procedure (but I too wanted a natural childbirth and would do it all over again - the pain was worth trying to turn her for me). My daughter did not turn - she turned 1/4 and then her heart rate dropped and had a hard time coming back up. We went for a C-section that day since it was obvious she was not going to turn and we were there anyway. Turns out she had the cord wrapped around her neck and it was a short cord, so that is why she could not turn. She is a happy healthy 4 year old today. I am not trying to scare you, but just to tell you from someone whose dream was to have her child naturally that sometimes they don't turn for a reason and you need to just go with the flow. Good luck!

My OB also had me try accupuncture. She said they have a very good success rate turning babies. If it doesn't work, try not to get yourself too upset over having a c-section. The more you stress out the more you put stress on the baby. If you try what you can & what you feel is safe and it still doesn't work, then it just wasn't meant to be. Good luck and let what happens, happen. Just remember when you are stressed, so is the baby. Good luck!

Hi A.,

If the baby is not already engaged and you're not already dilating, a "version" at your doctor's office/the hospital may be successful. I have 2 friends who each had breech babies (2 and 3 mos. ago). The first one's son's bottom was already engaged in the birth canal, so she wound up having a c-section (to her disappointment). The second one had a successful "version" procedure (after trying acupuncture, hand stands in the pool, etc.), and delivered her daughter naturally in a birthing tub with no complications.

I know it can be frustrating to feel like you're not in control of the situation, but the most important things are the baby's health and your own health!

Best wishes for a healthy and safe delivery!
R.

Whether your baby ends up turning on it's own or by a version or some other trick, in the end, it's OK if you have to have a c-section. I was VERY upset myself in your same situation. My version didn't work and my c-section was scheduled. my water bag broke before the weekend -- c-section scheduled on tuesday. I was glad because I would have stressed out the entire weekend and this way, it was done and over with. In the end, the only thing that matters is you and your baby are together and healthy. My second baby ended up exactly the same way (except I didn't bother with the version - and I didn't stress out about the c-section even though I was all set for a VBAC)!!!

Go online and look under chinese Moxa sticks, it's an herb that you light (it works along accupuncture meridians). The woman that tought my prenatal massage class in massage school said it works really well. Although you may have to go to China town to get it!

Hi A..
I have heard that swimming or just being in the water can help turn a baby. Good luck to you:)

Not sure where you are, but Dr. Sean Manning in Oak Park is certified in the Webster Technique which I don't know much about, but involves turning the baby somehow. Here is an article. Second link is to his website; you'll love him!

http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2001/aug/aug...

http://www.welladjustedworld.com/

I've read the other responses, and I don't have any other advice on how to turn the baby. However, I would like to say that I think your doc may be a bit hasty to absolutely decide on a C section at 37 weeks. There is still time for the baby to turn on its own, and whatever happened to vaginal delivery of breech babies? (If its frank beech and there are no other complications.) I know midwives will try this, if conditions are favorable. I urge you to look into using a midwife, it might be too late for this pregnancy, but certainly for your well-care and future (if any) pregnancies. There are a lot of misconceptions about midwives, but I would be glad to tell you about my experiences and give you a referral!
Best of luck to you!

www.spinningbabies.com interesting place to go!

A c-section should be the last resort! I was affraid that I was going to be in the same boat. At 35 weeks my baby hadn't turned (he has since turned). The plan was at 36 weeks they would confirm via ultrasound whether the baby had turned and if not at 37 weeks they would bring me in and try to manually turn the baby. That could put you in labor where they would then have to do a c-section but at least they were going to try that first. It probably could've been my choice of whether to just elect the c-section route but that wouldn't be my 1st choice. There's still always the chance that the baby will turn. Go on Youtube and search for manual turning breech baby. That's what I did and it's pretty cool.

Hi A., last year my second child was breech. A week before my due date my doctor scheduled a version (where my ob/gyn turned the baby around from the outside, painful, but worth it), then induced labor. I was able to have another natural child birth! Goo luck to you and your baby!

Our now 6 week old son was breech and he had dropped a week before we had him. Then we went in when I was in active labor and he was breech again which was a good thing. He was so tangled in the cord that we would have lost him if I had not had a c-section. Things might not work out the way you always want but sometimes it is for a reason.

My son was breech at 39 weeks, and we did the ECV. It was successful, but he ended up turning around again, so we did another ECV at 40 weeks. The point is, your baby can still turn around. It really is up to your little one to decide how he/she wants to come into the world. A c-section is not a failure. You still get your little one!

Hi A.,
I also had a breech baby. Some doctors will try to physically turn your baby by pushing on your stomach. I understand this can be quite painful and sometimes isn't safe to even attempt. In my case the placenta was the front of my stomach and it was dangerous to try. I ended up having a 91/2 lb. baby who was very long and she just didn't have space to turn. In the end I did have a c-section and was disappointed that I couldn't just have a normal birth but I think in the end it's more important that the baby is born safely and your health isn't at risk.

Best of luck to you

First of all, there is still a chance for your baby to get into position before you deliver. Don't let them panic you!! You are ONLY 37 weeks!! You could have anywhere from 3-5 weeks yet to go!!

Here are some things to try:

www.spinningbabies.com

Place something cold where you want the babies head to move away FROM and something warm where you want the head to be (cold up high, warm down low.)

Also, there is great advice to be had on turning breech babies here:

www.mothering.com (check out their discussion board- you can search and post)

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/May05/childbearing.htm

And *make sure* they do another ultrasound in a couple of weeks to see what is going on before they just jump in and cut!

My best, best, best advice is to CONSTANTLY visualize your baby turning. Someone told me that they gathered all of their family and friends around them and everyone ALL together visualized and prayed, etc for the baby to turn and he did. Never underestimate the power of your body to do what it is supposed to do, and your mind to help it along.

Most of all, take a big deep breath and say, "I am going to do whatever I can do, to the best of my ability, to have the birth I want to have, but even if the birth is not according to my plans, I am going to come out of this strong and with a healthy baby in my arms."

Also, you could try calling midwives to see what they have to say. I used a great group called West Suburban Midwives in Oak Park and they are fantastic. There is also Hillary Brown Kieser who is out on her own now (you can find her on Facebook) who I am sure would have some suggestions for positions you can sit/lay in, etc.

Hugs,
M.

I don't have any real advice for you but I'll tell you about my experience. My baby was in a breech position at this stage of my pregnancy as well. My OB/GYN scheduled me an appointment at the hospital to have the baby turned around. When I went to that appointment at the hospital they had me get into a hospital gown, hooked me up to machines, and told me that there was a chance that I could go into labor during the attempt to turn the baby. This had me pretty upset. They also stated that even if they were successful in turning the baby the baby could always turn herself back around to the breech position before I went into labor. They were actually quite surprised that my doctor's office had referred me to them in the first place since they felt it wwas too soon to try the procedure. Anyway, when they took a look at the ultraound they found that my baby had already turned herself around so they didn't have to do anything. She stayed in the correct position until I delivered. So it may be too soon to worry. I wish I hadn't stressed out about it. I hope you have a safe delivery. Take care.

I (fortunately) don't have any personal experience with this, but have heard some very positive things about accupuncture. I am not sure what all else you have tried, but I have also heard about women crawling on all fours, or even on knees and elbows. It helps free the baby a bit from the pelvis. Swimming is another method I have heard, again, the water helps relieve gravity and can also help you relax. Then there is always the more invasive method of a cephalic version. You didn't say that your doctor offered this, so maybe you should ask. They usually do it around 37-38 weeks, it is done in the hospital so they can monitor you and the baby. They usually give you a uterine relaxant, and maybe some pain meds, then the doctor tries to turn the baby from the outside by pushing on your belly/baby. From what I understand it can be quite uncomfortable to down right painful, and is only reported to be about 50% effective. It is definitely best to have someone very skilled at the procedure to do it, and since your doctor did not offer that I wonder if it is something he/she does not domuch or at all. If he/she does not do it, maybe ask for a referral for a doctor that does. Good luck, and don't forget about the power of relaxation and visualization.

There's a Bradley move where you get on your hands and knees and gently and slowly arch your back in and out, bringing the pelvis in and forward when your back is up and thrusting it up a little when your stomach comes toward the floor. Make sense? Do this several times a day. Maybe you can find video on youtube. Also just getting on your hands and knees and letting your belly hang for a couple minutes here and there allows the baby more room to move. Sometimes a midwife can move it, too.

Try acupuncture, worked for me at 37 weeks!

Tried every way we could but failed. Then I did c section w my 25 yo! Double footling breech. At least this way we both lived to tell the tale. Then I did a V-bac for his sister. I had a 5 page birthplan ... But I got over it. Give it your best shot and then let go.

A friend of mine just went through the same decision-making
process! I think u have already received lots of great feedback, but
let me just share about my friend. She tried several accupuncture sessions, and
then she went in for ECV (which was ultimately unsuccessful) but the word she
uses to describe it was "barbaric." pretty telling....focus on the end result (baby
safely in arms) and don't judge yourself if u have to choose a c-section to achieve).

I thought my friends were nuts, but this worked for three of us. When you go to bed, put a radio turned on very low between your bent knees. The volume should be enough for him/her to hear, but not enough to interrupt your sleep. The baby will turn toward the sound. Be prepared though, my son was breech at 40 weeks, and his somersault felt like I had a horse turning inside me. It is safe, and beats the doctor trying to manually turn the baby which causes pain, bruising and a lot of soreness for mom. Good luck! P. S. don't fear the c-section. My daughter was an emergency c-section, and it was really nice to be able to sit comfortably and rock her.

Hi A.-well scheduling a date is completely up to you. A doctor can not force you to make any decision like this. You can go into labor naturally and then decide. You have the right and that power. I used acupuncture and it worked for me and I know of a wonderful lady that will even make house calls. Do not let any diagnostic person make your decisions for you. You still might have a good 4 weeks left because your due date can be 2 weeks after the proposed date (assuming that you conceived naturally). So trust your instinct. I know that my midwives have delivered breech before, it can be done and the responsibility is yours to make an educated decision.

Good luck

T.

Go to www.breechbabies.com Has your chiro tried acupuncture? It's another avenue.

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...

Hi A.-

Both my babies were breech and transverse. Luckily both turned and I delivered vaginally.

First baby I had an external version meaning the doctor uses their hands on the outside of you to turn the baby with the use of ultrasound to check position, etc. Many doctors will not do this since it can be somewhat risky. Usually, it is either easy or very difficult. Mine was easy (not too uncomfortable and quick) and my daughter stayed heads down. They gave me a tight wrap to wear on around my belly to help hold her in place. I believe you would have to have the procedure done 2-3 weeks prior to your due date. Not sure.

Also there is a pressure point on the outside margin of your little toe. You have to dig your fingernail into this point. You could check into accupressure or accupuncture to help with this. At 37 weeks you might not be able to reach it yourself! This was not successful for me since I had so much fluid with baby #2. A homeopathic doctor was able to energetically turn my son (over the phone) while I held this pressure point. It worked for about 20 min., but I had so much fluid he quickly flipped around again.

With baby #2 I was induced. His head was in the 90-100 percentile. He was breech when I was induced. Luckily, when I stood up for some reason he would turn heads down (maybe due to gravity?)I would usually start contracting when his big head turned down, so I called the dr. into the hospital room and she immediately broke my water. Baby #2 was then born the right way. I lucked out.

A c-section wouldn't be the end of the world. There can be so many things related to delivery that I wouldn't feel bad about a c-section if it has to go that way.

Hope this info helps! Good luck!

-C.

a chiropractor can help! usually this occurs because you are a little out of line so the baby CANT turn so the adjustments will help so baby can turn! My chiro also does acupuncture but not all do . Are you near the N or NW suburbs? I can give you a few recommendations! DO NOT let the doc turn the baby that is so dangerous and a chiro is painless and NOT dangerous for the baby at all! At least try that first!

Hi A.,
My personal story is this - my son and I had a version at 37 weeks. It was weird (to have 2 people pushing forcibly on your baby and belly) and it got the job done and I'd do it again given those circumstances. We did it at 37 weeks so we'd have some space for my son to move and it was late enough that he was fully developed in case the sac would tear and we'd need to go into the delivery process right away. I had an epidural during the process and didn't experience any discomfort after.

My advice is this - trust yourself and the counsel of your trusted care providers. Get all the ideas and options like you're doing (which is great that we have these kinds of resources!) - and choose what feels best for you. No matter how much information you get, you're not going to KNOW how it's going to go for you and your baby. So, you can't fully know the "right" decision. Trust yourself.
Blessings to you.
A.

A.
Many babies turn and go "unbreech" during labor. A c-section should not be scheduled if you are determined to give natural delivery a try, but should not be refused for the safety of you and your unborn bundle of heaven.

My first birth was a c-section for breech presentation. At 37 weeks I would try for an external cephalic version (ECV). This is when the doctor or doctors manually turn the baby around. They do it in the hospital and usually give you a drug to help your uterus relax too. I had an ECV at 37 weeks but mine was unsuccessful. They have about a 60% success rate in first-time moms and better if you've been pregnant before. Whether the ECV works or not (I would try and get one ASAP because the larger your baby gets, the harder it will be to flip), I would continue the chiropractic and would also suggest doing Moxibustion. The person to see for this is Dr. Fernandez at http://artofnaturalhealing.com/ - my second child was breech at 31 weeks and with his help I was able to get her to flip and had a great VBAC with baby #2. You've probably seen it, but www.spinningbabies.com has some good suggestions.

If your baby is a frank breech there is very little risk of cord prolapse if your water breaks, in which case you might want to wait as long as possible before going in for a c-section since that will give baby the most amount of time to turn (babies have even turned while mom is in labor) and the longest amount of time to "cook". Then again, there are some benefits to scheduling a c-section too, but I would not schedule it until 40 weeks if possible, 39 weeks at the very earliest.

Finally, there is one doctor who practices out of Northwestern who has experience doing vaginal breech deliveries if you want to do that. Send me a message and I'll give you his name.

Check with Ming-Jie Chiang, in Evanston at ###-###-####.
She is an accupuncturist who says that certain kind of stimulation to the little toe (on the bladder meridian) works with breeched babies.

I've heard that acupuncture can help turn a baby.

I tried some candles that you have to hold close to your pinky toes. They are called moxa rolls. They look like a cigar and someone else needs to hold it for you. I know it sounds silly but I know a few others who did this as well and none of us had breech births. Good luck.

There is an OB at Northwestern that is experienced with breech birth if the the breech presentation is favorable. His name is Dr. Sabagha (though I'm sure I'm spelling it wrong). I do know a couple people who have had successful versions and gone on to have vaginal births.

It can be standard practice for a doctor to schedule a c-section for a baby that is presenting breech for the sole purpose of "getting it on the schedule" (and keeping your health and the baby's health in mind). In a worst-case scenario, your baby could remain in a breech position and when you arrive at the hospital to have the baby you may have to have an emergency c-section under higher stress conditions. For what it is worth, my baby has been transverse for quite some time and my doctor went ahead and scheduled a c-section for us. That does not mean we are definitely having one; it just means that if things stay the way they do then we can do the c-section if we need to.

Our doctor was very clear that, while he was scheduling the c-section, it was very possible that the baby could turn. If that wound up being the case, then a more typical delivery would happen and he would just cancel the c-section, no problem.

I know it can be difficult to "accept a c-section" but at the end of the day, what is most important is that you deliver your baby in a manner that gets him or her into this world in a healthy way, and also in a way that does not compromise your well-being. And besides, what's more important - delivering the baby in a manner that is the healthiest or being able to say that you gave birth 'naturally'? If your baby is breech and a c-section is required, you gave birth in the most 'natural' way possible!

Good luck to you and hope everything 'turns out' (all pun intended!) well!

Ok, well you still have time. A client of mine went 9 days past her due date with her breech baby and then went into labor naturally. SO anything is possible and sometimes it is just baby who will decide. You are not obligated to have a surgery. I say buy time as long as you and the baby are doing good. Anyway, accupressure, accupuncture, and chiropractic care work. You can also try some inversion techniques where you lie on the floor and elevate your bottom up towards the ceiling. You can also get on your hands and knees when you feel the baby move and sway. The last thing is getting the baby to move through external manipulation. I know of a Dr in the city who does gentle version in which they feel the baby and direct it downward. Let me know if you are interested in that and I can get you the contact info.

Hi A.,
My first daughter was breech - we attempted a version (it was a no go for the turning) but also tried moxibustion in combination with acupuncture, the Webster technique with a chiropractor, lying upside down, putting a flashlight and music 'down there' and all sorts of stretches. You name it, we tried it. We did end up with a CS and I had a VERY hard time accepting this; despite the arrival of my beautiful, healthy daughter. So, first of all, just ignore everyone who commented on your feelings about this! Your feelings are valid and important.

On the flip side, if you do end up with the CS, make sure you do all that you can to take control of the situation. I expressed every fear, disappointment and concern about what I felt I would be missing out on to our Midwives and they went the extra mile to put together a great team - ObGyn, Nurses, even the anesthesiologist - to make this as much as possible like the birth I had hoped for. What a difference that made in the end. I got to nurse my child while still being sewn up on the operating table!

I actually JUST had my 2nd child on Friday night (11/6) and had a successful VBAC - so keep that in mind too :) Unless you know you only want on (if this is your first), VBAC is something to hope for down the road!

I'll send good 'turning baby' vibes your way and wish you luck, as well as a healthy baby and satisfying delivery :)