Breech Baby at 36 Weeks

I know a woman who had twins that were both breech. She was set against a c-section. She had a version performed and delivered BOTH babies vaginally.

my son was in perfect position during my last dr's appointment, a few days after my due date. within 36 hours my water broke, and when i got to the hospital, he was breech. they did an emergency c-section and i had my baby in my arms within 30 minutes of them giving me the news. i had zero complications, was up and around within a couple days, no problems. i hear a lot of horror stories about c-sections, as opposed to vaginal delivery, but i at least am one mom who had a great experience with c-section. i feel i cheated nature a bit, because i did NO work and then POOF there was my baby. i think i was less sore and less laid up than most of the moms i know who delivered vaginally. just my two cents - since everyone is different it is hard to tell!

My daughter was breech at 36 weeks, I tried chiropractic, acupuncture and moxa, and several inversion/flashlight/talking low ideas I found online. Nothing worked! I did not feel right about doing the version, figures I would rather have a planned c-section than risk an emergency one, plus I knew two people personally that had a relative's baby die as a result of cord entanglement due to a version. After I canceled it, it felt like the right decision. I had a great c-section experience and recovery, and it turned out my baby was too big to turn anyway! I'm glad I experienced both types of births, all that matter is that they get here, not how. Best of luck!

My son was breech at 36 weeks. We did the version, and it worked. I wouldn't recommend it, though. It was painful and expensive, and then he ended up having the cord around his neck (not sure if it was at all related to the version) so we had to have the c-section anyway.

One other natural thing you could try is moxibustion. Any acupuncturist should be able to do it. Basically, all it is is burning some moxa sticks (kind of like incense) and then placing it at the outer edge of your pinky toes. I tried that too before the version. It didn't work (obviously), but it's something you could do.

My advice would be to try all the natural techniques up until the time of your due date. If the baby still hasn't turned, then schedule the c-section.

Well my children were born in the 'old days' and are all grown but I have 8 children, 3 were born breech and vaginally. One was born 6 weeks early and was frank breech, ( feet straight out ) and the other two were born with legs crossed somewhat. I had no turning and don't know what 'version technique' is but I know they would not do it now vaginally like I did. Since the first was early and they didn't know in time that he was breech ( no sonograms then ) they delivered him and so let me do the others later that way. I'm glad they did but also know it's risky. I'm telling you this just to say it can be done. Also they can turn on their own close to delivery. I'd hope for that.

I have 5 kids and the last two were both cephalic versions. I, too, tried the Webster technique with my chiropractor, with some success...his head went from by my ribs on the right to his head resting on my left hip. My first version 7 1/2 years ago was a breeze...I had extra fluid so he just flipped with one push and I didn't feel a thing. The version I had last April wasn't quite as easy. It was painful. I actually had it done twice because the first team didn't complete it. Two days later I saw my regular dr (the hospital where I deliver doesn't allow versions but because of my last success and my ob's history of successful versions at her last practice granted us an exception), she did the version herself with a nurse standing by with an ultrasound. I was able to completely relax the lower half of my body by holding onto the top of my bed with all my strength. After 20 minutes his head was engaged (he had gone completely breech during the night) and 4 hours later I was holding my son in my arms. I could have opted for the c section but with 4 other kids at home, a self employed husband and nobody to stay and help out, I couldn't afford to be laid up. If you're up for it and it's an option go for the version. If you're unsure, you can try the version and if it's too much for you, you can stop them at any time and opt for the section.

Best of luck to you!!

I had an external cephalic version at 36 weeks with my daughter. Best decision ever! I ended up with a wonderful natural birth experience.

Not everyone is a candidate, you must have enough room and it is best if baby is a frank breech (legs up). Find an experienced practitioner! Do not just have your OB do it, because he's your OB and he can! Find someone with experience!
I was referred to someone by my midwife. He gave me a whole speech on how he was not actually turning her, but more motivating her to turn herself. He also informed me about possible complications and upon me asking, mentioned that he has never actually had a complication in his practice, even though he does a few versions a week. His success rate was about 75 %, the week I went all of his attempts had been successful - my midwife described him as the "best baby turner in town". So if you do it, get someone with experience!

He did it in the L&D unit (just in case). Ultrasound and heart monitoring for 20 minutes prior to the procedure. The ultrasound showed him which direction might be easier for her to turn. I was given NO meds AT ALL!

He lubed my belly with ultrasound gel, with one hand pushed my daughter up and with the other hand gently pushed her over. Pushing her up was uncomfortable, because of the pressure on my bladder, but the procedure was not painful. It took three attempts and on the third attempt she turned.
I was monitored for another 30 minutes after wards and went home.

I am SO grateful for how the entire experience turned out, so I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

My son was not breech, however, I was wondering if you had heard about an acupuncture technique called Moxibustion? They burn herbs around your ankles, and it has a great success rate for turning babies. If I were in your shoes, I would start there with the least invasive thing first. You can read more about it here- http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/abc/moxibustion.php. I knew someone who did it when pregnant with her daughter and said it worked for her.

Good luck!
T.
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www.ReadandGrow.com

My older daughter was actually sideways at 36 weeks (as she had been since 20 weeks). They wanted to schedule a c-section since a baby actually CAN'T be born sideways - darn baby just won't fit out that way! - but I wasn't too enthused about a c-section, so my doctor and I adopted a wait-and-see approach. Sure enough, 3 days before I went into labor (at 38 weeks), she flipped head down on her own! So, maybe your baby will too?

Have you considered talking with a doula? I am on another mama site and found a very nice woman there when I was asking questions about why my labor wasn't progressing. Bottom line is she offered me some advice on WHY my labor wasn't progressing, WHAT to do to get the baby to shift and I really do think it helped! This was my third baby and something just seemed different. I wasn't really scared, but I definitely wanted some "mama's" advice/experience and got a great doula who replied.

The reason I bring this up is I think they walk the line of being more mama focused, more homeopathic and know some of the "old school" tricks while I feel that doctors are more scientific/medical about things and opt to avoid lawsuits.

It may be worth checking out.

I'm happy to refer you over to her to talk if you want. Or if you want to know what she told me about "spinning" my baby to help him engage into the birth canal.

try accuuncture and relxation techniques. have the doc try the version. c-section is no fun and avoid it if you can. make them schedule you as late like 40 weeks as possible.

I am sorry I have no advise on breech bc I did not have one, but I did have a c-section. for some they go easy, others not. just be prepared for recovery as it will be very different than the vaginal one. I suggest enlisting help as it might be hard to walk and if you can freeze some food so you dont have to cook. also nursing is a bit more complicated, but they should help you with that in the hospital and if not then call a LAC your OBGYN should know of one. good luck with the flip!

Has your doctor told you what the risk is if you have a vaginal delivery? I think recovery would be much easier for you as long as it's safe for both you and the baby.

I was in your exact position with my third...stubborn little rascal. It may still turn, a friend's turned at 38 weeks. I had a version at 38 1/2 weeks. My doc. put the epidural in. He turned no problem. I didn't feel anything because of the epidural, but I've heard it can be painful otherwise. I would definitely do it again, though. I didn't want the section because the other two weren't. (Also, I did the exercises, too, and they didn't work for me, either, but I'd keep doing them to try if I were you). Good luck...maybe it will turn for you..there's still time!
I should also add that he planned to induce labor after that, just in case the little guy decided he'd rather be head up after we turned him. Supposedly that can happen, then you've gone to the trouble for nothing.

My daughter was breech at the same mark. My doc gave us one week for her to turn on her own... she didn't. We had the version scheduled for the same day if she hadn't turned..(My "check" was scheduled for 4:30, so if she had not, we could just go right over to the hospital next door and do the version pretty much right away).

Talk Talk talk to your Doctor. How comfortable is he/she with it? How many has he/she done?
My doctor was wonderful. It should be done in a hospital, as bringing on labor is a possibility. I was fully monitored, and given some meds to stop any contractions (I was having the mild unnoticeable kind... but any tightening has to stop in order to attempt version). After contractions were completely gone, they used the ultrasound to verify the position again, and "lubed" my stomach up with the ultrasound gel... Doc used his hands to physically push on my stomach(the baby) to turn her. It was very uncomfortable (as it is 7 lbs of baby in there being turned upside down,lol) but I wouldn't have called it painful. Not what I was expecting or had heard horror stories of, for sure. My husband was right there are held my hand throughout -- all of about 2 minutes. Literally. That 2 minutes kept me from a C-section. I had to remain in the hospital for about 2 more hours or so, to be sure everything was still fine, before I could be released to go home. It was dinner time, so the cafeteria sent up a nice fruit salad for dinner while we waited.
My daughter was born one week ahead of her due date. Piece of cake delivery... 2 pushes and she was out. (This was our 2nd baby with an all natural delivery).

My doc said that he was appalled at home many doctors refused to even attempt the version process. If it is successful, you can avoid (in most cases) MAJOR surgery. If the baby doesn't turn, or turns back around the wrong way again (which isn't likely but CAN happen), then you are back to square one with a C-section plan. My doc seemed to think that the reason people's attempts at version are so painful, is that they wait too long to do them, when there isn't enough room or fluid left. An unusually large baby would probably make it more difficult.
Talk to your doctor with ALL your questions. Ask how you/the baby will be monitored during the process. What happens if.... questions. And line up child care for your older 2 in the event you go into labor.

It may not be right for everyone... but it was a blessing for us. Don't let other people's stories about pain deter you if you are otherwise willing to give it a try. Mine was not bad at all. Not even on the same SCALE as labor pain, lol. Not even as bad as a cramping calf muscle, lol.
Best wishes to you and your baby... happy turning!

My daughter was breech. My OB told me she doesn't do version as she believes if they are breech, there is usually a good reason for it. For example, my girlfriend's daughter was breech and her OB tried to turn her but it didn't work and they ended up having an emergency c-section. The baby's umbilical cord was too short! My OB said my daughter was stuck in the breech position because of my pelvis.