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OctoberMommy2010
09-02-2010, 06:00 PM
My husband and I just got back from our 34 week check-up. I'm a mess b/c we found out the baby was breech. The whole time we've been thinking it was flipped b/c baby was having hiccups (or what I thought to be hiccups) down low and the nurse practioner also told us at two of our last appointments that she thought she felt the butt up high. I guess we just hadn't considered that the baby could in fact be breech.

I've been very much looking forward to a natural, vaginal childbirth. I've read so much (and our childbirth class focused a lot on) initial bonding with the baby and how important it is for the baby. You lose most all of that with a c-section and the thought is literally breaking my heart. I haven't stopped crying since we left our appointment two hours ago.

I know babies can flip up until the last minute, but my doctor didn't seem too positive about that happening. I think she said only 5% of babies will at this point in pregnancy. Does anyone have any happy, encouraging words or pleasant c-section stories to share? I'm needing some (Mom) encouragement right now. Thanks!

swissair81
09-02-2010, 06:17 PM
http://spinningbabies.com/

Wish I had something comforting to say. I've never had a c/s, so anything I could say would be trite and uninformed.

resipsaloquitur
09-02-2010, 06:35 PM
Take a deep breath and remember the important thing is the having (long term) of the baby and not the having (process) of the baby.

I was so set on natural child birth that I hadn't even read the baby book chapters on c sections. When I found out I had to have a c section because my son was so big, I was devestated. And while I won't lie, it is MAJOR surgery, I still felt tons of initial bonding and don't feel the birth was any less magical because of the medical assistance. Birth is special, it is a historic moment in time. But it is just one moment. Being blessed for years and years with your baby is what really matters. Not how they get here.

Hope it all goes well for you.

Kestrel
09-02-2010, 06:57 PM
Well, I had a 36 week ultrasound, and I had skull head-butting my lungs, just like I had thought. My big guy turned head-down about a week and a half later. So it does happen.
He was also facing the wrong way when I went into labor, but he turned after a few hours.

And my guy was nine pounds!

GonnaBeNana
09-02-2010, 07:05 PM
My last child was breech at 39 weeks. I opted for a manual version (where the dr. turns the baby by manipulating my belly). I'd had a friend who'd had it done and said the pain was worse than labor; so I was really freaked out to say the least. When they give you all the required "worst case scenarios," it only gets worse. My Dr. "gooped" up my belly with the ultrasound gel, placed her hands on my belly and gave one firm push. My baby flipped immediately! There was no pain at all. My labor was started and she was born 4 hours later; no problem at all. Hang in there; it will be OK!

Beth

llama8
09-02-2010, 07:18 PM
I had a c-section with a breech baby and completely bonded with my baby immediately. It was the most beautiful moment of my life.

I had a healthy 9 lb DD who is now 9 months old and that is all I could ask for. I don't feel I missed out on anything with a c-section nor have I ever heard of bonding issues because of one.

Be happy your baby is healthy. I would take a c-section any day over a vaginal birth with severe complications or demise. I am sure you will cherish the moment of birth.

I recovered from my c-section very quickly and I would have one again with no hesitation. Don't be scared. Best of luck


(FYI: My doctor, a high-risk Obgyn in NY, said she would never do the manual flip. She has seen at least 3 cases of fetal death because of it and most doctors won't do one.. She, herself, had a c-section for a breech baby and never regretted it.)

citymama
09-02-2010, 07:20 PM
Sorry about the breech baby. My first was breech and I seriously think she came out practically talking having been so close to my voice in utero! It is certainly not the worst news you can get, but I know it can be so discouraging.

Do a search for "breech baby" on these boards and you'll come up with lots of similar stories. Outcomes have ranged from babies who flipped on their own (and were either born vaginally or ended up c/s for other reasons), babies who stayed breech till their due date and were born by c/s, babies who flipped by manual version and were born vaginally or those that still needed to be delivered by c/s for other reasons, and even babies delivered breech vaginally.

34 weeks is very early. I was able to successfully flip my first baby at 33 weeks or so using the "ironing board" method - basically, elevating my legs against a wall, or keeping them raised on a stack of pillows for 20-30 minutes at a time. I literally felt the baby flip herself. But then, she flipped back again at around 36 or 37 weeks. Like you, I wanted a vaginal birth (dreaded a c-section) so I had a manual version at around 37 or 38 weeks. It was successful. The doc who did it had been practicing for 35 years and every version he performed led to a vaginal birth. I ended up with a c/s 12 days past my due date after a long unmedicated labor with midwives and every effort for a natural birth. My baby and I bonded amazingly, she started nursing within 15 minutes of birth, and my milk came in right on schedule, 2 days post partum. My recovery was fine as well. My second baby was delivered vaginally and we bonded just as well! She probably started to nurse about 8 minutes after birth, but that was the only difference.

Good luck and don't despair! It's early days yet. Welcome to the unpredictable journey of giving birth.

luckytwenty
09-02-2010, 07:41 PM
I hope you have the childbirth experience you want, but I just wanted to tell you your worst case scenario, a c-section, isn't really all that terrible. I had to go through two, one because of an emergency and one planned, and am going through a third in 8 weeks. I couldn't be more bonded with my children, honestly. I don't think your childbirth experience ultimately will dictate what kind of experience motherhood will be for you. The emergency c-section sucked, the second one was fine--but either way, I got two healthy, beautiful children out of it and healed really fast (especially the second non-emergency one.)

Being stressed, whether you deliver vaginally or through a c-section, is not going to do you any favors. You are 4-10 weeks away from having your BABY in your arms--that's what matters most, honestly!!!

swissair81
09-02-2010, 07:41 PM
and most doctors won't do one..

I don't think this is an accurate statement. I know plenty of doctors who would do an ECV. (Although I do have to admit that versions are often more successful on second or subsequent babies. There is more room to turn.)

SkyrMommy
09-02-2010, 07:46 PM
I too had my heart set on a vaginal birth; but ended up late, being induced, more drugs and interventions than I had planned on & with an emergency c-section.

It didn't matter one bit... my baby in my arms was all that I focused on and it was one of the most amazing moments ever. Not to downplay the section, it is major surgery and I found I had to concentrate on healing and watching what I did, but it will be ok.

A healthy you & a healthy baby is all that matters in the long run. :hug:

Katigre
09-02-2010, 07:53 PM
At 34 weeks you are NOT doomed to an inevitable csection. There is still plenty of time for the baby to turn and I would spend the next 3 weeks doing all the things spinningbabies.com suggests. Also, moxibustion and Webster technique with chiropractic can also help turn a baby. If your baby is still breech you can schedule a Version at 38-39 weeks (this often involves an induction immediately after to make sure baby doesn't turn back).

If your dr. is not willing to encourag eyou and work with you on turning your baby that would be a major red flag to me - I have known babies that turned the day before labor or even turned during labor so where your baby is now is not necessarily its ultimate destiny in the womb :).

citymama
09-02-2010, 07:53 PM
I don't think this is an accurate statement. I know plenty of doctors who would do an ECV. (Although I do have to admit that versions are often more successful on second or subsequent babies. There is more room to turn.)

I agree. I think llama8's doc's statements are extremely alarmist, with all due respect. It's the same school of doctors who told my friend her hips were too small to birth vaginally so she needed a c-section to avoid risking her child's life. ECVs performed by experienced and competent OBs - just as c-sections performed by experienced and competent OBs - can be both safe and successful. I wouldn't do one unless you have a doctor who knows what s/he is doing, and unless you want to do one. Having had a successful one myself, I can say it caused absolutely no problems to my very healthy now 4 yr old who walked and talked by 9 months!

ETA I had my version at 38 weeks and gave birth at almost 42 weeks, and my baby did not turn breech again in the 4 week interval in between!

swissair81
09-02-2010, 08:28 PM
I'm starting to realize how unusual my OB is. I have to tell him how grateful I am the next time I see him.

KrisM
09-02-2010, 08:52 PM
I had 3 c-sections. I was very disappointed that I didn't have a natural, drug-free birth as I had wanted. For my last c-section, which was planned, I did things a bit differently. I had a mirror set up and watched DS2 be born. I got to tell DH we had a boy. I asked the pediatrician in the room if I could touch and hold the baby before he was cleaned, assuming all was well, and I got to do that. I didn't get the eye drops put in until a few hours later so I could see the unblurred eyes right away.

For all 3 c/s, I was in recovery within 30 minutes and held and breast-fed immediately in there. As much as I did not want even 1 c-section, I do not feel like I didn't bond with any of my babies.

llama8
09-02-2010, 09:37 PM
I agree. I think llama8's doc's statements are extremely alarmist, with all due respect. It's the same school of doctors who told my friend her hips were too small to birth vaginally so she needed a c-section to avoid risking her child's life. ECVs performed by experienced and competent OBs - just as c-sections performed by experienced and competent OBs - can be both safe and successful. I wouldn't do one unless you have a doctor who knows what s/he is doing, and unless you want to do one. Having had a successful one myself, I can say it caused absolutely no problems to my very healthy now 4 yr old who walked and talked by 9 months!

ETA I had my version at 38 weeks and gave birth at almost 42 weeks, and my baby did not turn breech again in the 4 week interval in between!

It may be alarmist and something you don't agree with but I had 3 doctors tell me they wouldn't do a manual turning of the baby with 1 being a specialist. I don't think it is a red flag. I didn't want to be a statistic of fetal demise. I don't regret my decision and I actually had no problems with the c-section. It was flawless and I would have another without question. I was up and about right away with no ill affects. I am sorry but any risk to me was too big a risk. I don't need a natural childbirth and an ill/stillborn baby.

In my case I also had a 9 lb baby and I am 5'.4" (at 39 weeks) . There was no way they were going to turn my DD. She was just too big. I didn't have a small, typical baby. In my case, all specialists and doctors agreed it was too dangerous. . Sorry you disagree. I am enjoying my very happy and healthy baby girl and I have not 1 regret and wouldn't change a thing :)!!!!

MamaSnoo
09-02-2010, 09:42 PM
My baby turned breech around that time too! ((Hugs)). I was planning on a scheduled c-section, but then my water broke at 37 wk 4 days at 4 am, so I had an unscheduled c-section after calling my OB and driving into the hospital. DD was born around 8 am.

It was a great experience and better than I was expecting! I was really worried about it, too. They gave DD to DH right away and he sat by my head and held her by my face while they sewed me up. I gave her her first kiss. We went into the recovery area together and I held her and was able to breastfeed (during the first hour) there. Then we went up to the room. At some point they took her for a bath/assessment, but I think that they would have done that at our hospital even if she had been a NSVD. They brought her back quickly, and we had no trouble bonding.

All I had for pain meds for the first 24 hours was the epidural that they used for my surgery. It controlled my pain great, and I was not groggy at all. I think our bonding went great!

After that I took a little bit of percocet for pain for 2 days, and then changed to just tylenol and motrin. I think that because I did not really labor, I was not too tired to enjoy her. My mommy friends who have had long, hard labors, followed by a c-section (emergency or urgent) talk about their recovery being much harder. YMMV, but I think that it probably is exhausting to have to give birth 2 ways at once.

In the end, I love my little girl so much. I no longer care about "missing" the vaginal birth. I am grateful to my OB for helping me have a healthy baby safely.

I really hope it all works out beautifully for you, and FWIW, I hope your baby turns, but if not, you will be ok. Congratulations!!!

mikeys_mom
09-02-2010, 09:44 PM
We discovered DS was breech at 40.5 weeks. My OB does do versions, but because of his size and position (head was right up near the placenta), a version was not safe at that point. I was devastated that my plans for a vaginal birth all had to change in an instant. I too felt that I was missing out on something by having a c/s. After the inital shock wore off, I realized that all I wanted was a healthy baby, no matter how he was going to be delivered.

All 3 of my deliveries were by c/s. I bonded with all 4 of my babies the instant they were born. The anestesiologist at the hospital I delivered at has developed a periscope for the moms to watch a c/s delivery. I had a nurse by my side telling me exactly what was going on and then I was able to watch the baby come out. I felt very involved in the birth and never felt detached from the situation. I held all the babies within a few minutes of their birth. After that, DH held them right by my side, as they were stitching me up. They lay the baby (or babies) right on top of me as I was being wheeled into recovery. The nurses encouraged me to nurse right away, which I did. I have no regrets about any of the births and no longer feel like I missed out on anything. I have 4 beautiful, healthy children, which is pretty much all that counts right now.

I agree with others that 34 weeks is still pretty early and there is time for the baby to flip on its own. I would discuss with your OB, the option of a version if it is still breech closer to delivery. Also, I would do some research on your hospital's policies and procedures for a c/s. This way if you do have to have one, you can be prepared for what to expect and if there is a policy you are not in agreement with, discuss with your OB, the option of doing it differently.

Big hugs and good luck!

mikeys_mom
09-02-2010, 09:51 PM
I think that because I did not really labor, I was not too tired to enjoy her. My mommy friends who have had long, hard labors, followed by a c-section (emergency or urgent) talk about their recovery being much harder. YMMV, but I think that it probably is exhausting to have to give birth 2 ways at once.

I think the above is very true. I have had 2 scheduled c/s and 1 attempted VBAC that ended in a c/s after 12 hours of labour. The recovery from the scheduled c/s was much, much quicker. I was not exhausted from being in labour. Plus, with my attempted VBAC, I developed a fever and had chills that I had to have DH hold the baby for a few minutes longer before I felt "ready" to nurse her.

daisymommy
09-02-2010, 09:53 PM
HUGS! I can only imagine how you are feeling right now. My words of encouragement to you are there is still time for your baby to flip! My DS #2 was all over the place up until 38 weeks. He was breech and transverse (side ways) and I did lots of maneuvers from the Spinning Babies website (with approval from my midwife). The day or two before my 38 week check-up I felt a ton of pressure and movement inside, and felt him flip around. At my check-up it was confirmed he flipped head down! Thank-goodness he stayed that way :)

SnuggleBuggles
09-02-2010, 09:58 PM
I think that each mom owes it to herself to research the risks and benefits to everything. Yes, there are risks to ECV but a c-section (and especially subsequent pregnancies and c-sections) are not without risk either. There are plenty of good Dr.s out there that still successfully do ECVs. I think that everyone is entitled to look at the pros and cons and decide what they personally feel comfortable with. llam8, you might think that an ECV is really dangerous from your research but another person could be confronted with the same data and make a different choice. What matters is people feel good about their decision and feel that they were given a chance to make a fully informed decision, preferably one on hard data vs an emotionally based one. It is extremely hard to do that, especially when personal bad experience or that of a someone we know in real life comes into play.

OP- I was quite the planner with ds2 and researched every type of birth and wrote birth plans accordingly. I worked hard to find the information that would make a c-section as close to my "ideal" as possible (healthy mom, healthy baby plus a positive experience). I learned some details along the way that I think could help. PM me (or ask here) if you want to see a copy of that birth plan.

Don't despair though. At 34 w things can happen! I used to host a labor board and I once had a mom whose baby flipped past 40 weeks. Stranger things have happened. No matter what, if you go the c-section route, before the incision make sure they do an u/s first to see if baby is still breech!

Very best of luck!!!
Beth

newg
09-02-2010, 10:45 PM
I had two c-sections. I recovered quite nicely from my last one...which was a planned c-section. I felt very rested and excited to meet my new daughter. DH was handed DD2 as soon as she was checked out (she was born at 36 weeks, so technically a preemie) and he held her right next to me while they finished sewing me up. I held her as soon as they were done and never let go after that ;)
I don't think you'll bond any less if you have a c-section.

smilequeen
09-03-2010, 12:34 AM
I don't think your desire to have a certain type of childbirth should be dismissed. It IS important to some of us and a c/s can be emotionally difficult. I've had a c/s and I've had a VBAC and the experiences with my babies were different afterwards for a lot of different reasons. I can totally understand why you are upset to be confronted with the possibility of the c/s. Of course everyone's MOST important thing is the healthy baby, but that does NOT mean you can't be concerned with the birth process as well.

I don't know anything about having a breech baby, so I can't give you any advice, but I just wanted to say that your feelings r.e. the birth are still valid and important, even if you do end up needing the c/s. Definitely read up on c/s and ways to improve your post surgical experience in case you do end up with a c/s. That is one thing I WISH I had done. I really never even considered that I might have one. I was at a loss when I did.

BabyBearsMom
09-03-2010, 08:16 AM
I had a C Section with DD and it really wasn't that bad. My C section was an emergency because DD wasn't tolerating labor (her heart rate was dropping with each contraction) and I wasn't dialating fast enough to get her out safely. It certainly wasn't what I had planned/hoped for, but it was fine because in the end, I had a beautiful, healthy daughter and that was all that mattered.

As far as bonding is concerned, yes I couldn't hold her immediately, but when they brought me into the recovery room (literally 15 minutes after she came out) they had me do skin to skin and nurse the baby while DH stood close by in case I wasn't able to hold her (by the time we were done, I had full control of my arms and we were fine). I don't think that losing that 15 minutes impacted my bonding with DD at all. And here we are 5 months later, and I can assure you that her face lights up when I walk into the room and when I pick her up she snuggles into me lovingly. So I think we have bonded successfully.

I think that the most important thing to remember when you are having a baby is that you can plan all you want but a baby is another living breathing person and she/he is not always going to go along with your plans. I found that having a baby means that it is time to throw any "plan" out the window and just go with my LO's flow and everything will be fine.

llama8
09-03-2010, 08:22 AM
I think that each mom owes it to herself to research the risks and benefits to everything. Yes, there are risks to ECV but a c-section (and especially subsequent pregnancies and c-sections) are not without risk either. There are plenty of good Dr.s out there that still successfully do ECVs. I think that everyone is entitled to look at the pros and cons and decide what they personally feel comfortable with. llam8, you might think that an ECV is really dangerous from your research but another person could be confronted with the same data and make a different choice. What matters is people feel good about their decision and feel that they were given a chance to make a fully informed decision, preferably one on hard data vs an emotionally based one. It is extremely hard to do that, especially when personal bad experience or that of a someone we know in real life comes into play.

OP- I was quite the planner with ds2 and researched every type of birth and wrote birth plans accordingly. I worked hard to find the information that would make a c-section as close to my "ideal" as possible (healthy mom, healthy baby plus a positive experience). I learned some details along the way that I think could help. PM me (or ask here) if you want to see a copy of that birth plan.

Don't despair though. At 34 w things can happen! I used to host a labor board and I once had a mom whose baby flipped past 40 weeks. Stranger things have happened. No matter what, if you go the c-section route, before the incision make sure they do an u/s first to see if baby is still breech!

Very best of luck!!!
Beth

You are absolutely correct. In my position and with a very large baby wedged the way she was, my doctors would not even consider turning her. (I also had an anterior placenta..the placenta was in the front, making the cord a little more dangerous with a breech delivery and getting a 9lb baby out breech was just not feasable.) Someone else with a different type of breech or size baby may not be nearly as risky. It is a choice for moms (although no doctor would turn mine..so it wasn't a choice for me. My situation was a bit more complex than just breech.)

I agree that research is key and people should do what they are comfortable with. I was just alerting the OP that manual turning is not without risk (but i guess a c-section can have risks too). Ultimately it is most important to do what is in the best interests of the health of the baby. Only a doctor can assess as each woman and baby is unique.

SnuggleBuggles
09-03-2010, 08:25 AM
There have been studies and trials of moms getting to hold the baby as they are still being stitched back up. I swear a mom on here had that. It would be a great question to ask. I'm sure we could find some of the studies that support it.

Beth

TwoBees
09-03-2010, 08:29 AM
It didn't matter one bit... my baby in my arms was all that I focused on and it was one of the most amazing moments ever. Not to downplay the section, it is major surgery and I found I had to concentrate on healing and watching what I did, but it will be ok.

A healthy you & a healthy baby is all that matters in the long run. :hug:

:yeahthat:

I also had my heart set on a vaginal birth as well. Well, I ended up with pre-e and DD was born at 28 weeks by emergency c. I didn't even get to hold her for more than 2 weeks. But she is amazing, and we have bonded nonetheless. Just focus on the fact that you want a healthy baby, and that's what matters most in the end. :hug:

Tondi G
09-03-2010, 03:02 PM
try to find an acupuncturist in your area that will do Moxibustion to try to get the baby to turn.

mmsmom
09-03-2010, 04:47 PM
My first was a breech... We did not try to turn b/c of placenta issues. But I was able to bond right away. I left the operating room with DS is my arms. Straight back to the labor/delivery room where I tried to BF for the first time. This hospital's procedure was that they had to go to nursery after 1st hour. Didn't matter if it was vaginal or c-section. 2nd c-section was a different hospital & baby went to nursery while I was being sewn up. By the time I went to recovery baby was brought to me. It was maybe 30 min after birth. But we did also have plenty of time with her immediately following birth. So... Don't fret! Find out what the procedures are where you will deliver and don't be afraid to ask them to deviate if it is what you want. And has others have said you will quickly forget about how DC arrived & just be so happy they are there.

OctoberMommy2010
09-03-2010, 05:05 PM
THANK YOU! Reading the replies has really been helpful! The inital shock has set in and I think I'm already doing much better. I'm still hoping for a flip though. :) I was trying my hardest last night to do some of the exercises our OB suggested (they are difficult for a pregnant lady!)

I think just having completed our childbirth class, where a major focus was on the initial skin to skin contact/bond & breastfeeding, made it a hard pill to swallow. However, we discussed this with my OB and she seemed to be willing to make every adjustment for me that I asked (hands free, skin to skin before the warmer, etc.) Although I'm not downplaying the fact that a c/s is major surgery, that's not what was bothering me - as I know they are very safe for Mom and Baby. I suppose the thought of losing the first moments is tough, but hopefully my OB will be flexible like she said she would.

Just an FYI for other Moms - my OB does not like to perform versions on first time Moms because she is not sure what a vaginal birth would be like for the individual. For instance, the version may work perfectly (although she said it can be very uncomfortable) but my pelvic bone may be too small for a vaginal delivery and we could end in a c/s anyway. She said she wouldn't want to put me through all of that (I have a history of anxiety.)

Thanks again! I loved hearing all of the positive stories and words of encouragement. We'll keep praying and know that a safe & healthy baby is the goal - no matter which way he/she decides to arrive!

swissair81
09-03-2010, 05:17 PM
There have been studies and trials of moms getting to hold the baby as they are still being stitched back up. I swear a mom on here had that. It would be a great question to ask. I'm sure we could find some of the studies that support it.

Beth

I just had my 4th vaginal birth. I was able to pull the baby out myself (after the shoulders were birthed) and hold her immediately for a few minutes. However, I did not get to breastfeed immediately (like I did for all my other births) or even get to touch her for the next 3 hours. The birth was so rapid & her lungs were very wet, she was in respiratory distress & she had to go to the nursery right away for observation. I was allowed to visit her in the nursery after my recovery was over, but I wasn't allowed to touch her. I was finally allowed to nurse her when they decided that her respiratory rate had stabilized. Nothing is a guarantee even with an epidural free, natural birth like mine.

daisymommy
09-03-2010, 05:33 PM
...but my pelvic bone may be too small for a vaginal delivery and we could end in a c/s anyway.

RED FLAG! I would seriously question any doctor who even said that phrase, which is such an outdated idea, they already have their minds set leaning towards a C/S, and I believe may be setting you up for failure of they even think that way.

There was a thread here recently, where we all talked about this.
http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=366316

ThreeofUs
09-03-2010, 06:19 PM
Sorry I'm late to this.

1. Hugs. It's a hard thing to hear when you want a vaginal birth.
2. DS2 was breech up to 36 weeks, then turned. So keep hopeful and try the different methods for turning the baby!
3. Remember that a planned C isn't that big of a deal. An emergency C - usually defined as the mom having non-productive labor for something like 24 hours (IIRC) - is much harder to recover from as your body is near exhaustion.

Both of my kids were C-sections (the first emergency, the second planned) and we are a VERY attached family. The first C was hard, the second a breeze. DS2 was laid on my chest as soon as he was born, and we bonded like cement. DS1 was in NICU for a week, so that story is a little different but still has a very bonded end.

Sending P&PT that your baby turns, but also that you are both healthy during and after the LO's birth.

MommyAllison
09-03-2010, 06:22 PM
My DS was breech at 34 weeks too, and turned head down in plenty of time. I didn't do anything really, to help him to turn, other than pelvic rocks a couple times (when I thought of it!). I did have spinningbabies.com ready to go, if he had stayed breech longer. My midwife told me not to worry, that he would most likely flip, and she was right! My new nephew was breech until 38ish weeks, and turned on his own. Try not to worry for now :hug:

swissair81
09-03-2010, 06:31 PM
RED FLAG! I would seriously question any doctor who even said that phrase, which is such an outdated idea, they already have their minds set leaning towards a C/S, and I believe may be setting you up for failure of they even think that way.

There was a thread here recently, where we all talked about this.
http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=366316

:yeahthat:

citymama
09-03-2010, 08:44 PM
RED FLAG! I would seriously question any doctor who even said that phrase, which is such an outdated idea, they already have their minds set leaning towards a C/S, and I believe may be setting you up for failure of they even think that way.

There was a thread here recently, where we all talked about this.
http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=366316

I agree! Total red flag. They're preparing you for a c/s regardless of what happens, and that doesn't seem right.

I understand a hesitation to get a version performed. As someone who had a successful version, I can attest that it's uncomfortable (although get ready for discomfort no matter how the baby is born!). But I also successfully turned my baby at about 32-33 weeks using the ironing board method and would recommend you give it a serious try. By serious I mean probably a few times a day (assuming your doc is ok with it) every day. It's really early days yet, and the baby can flip given the right amount of space. No matter what anyone says about the size of your pelvis (which is designed to expand during childbirth), your body can do this! Good luck!

Melanie
09-04-2010, 02:31 AM
I would find a chiropractor on icpa4kids.org that uses the Webster Technique! Some babies just need to be breech, but some don't and I think if you can do all that you can (spinning babies and chiro) you can help!

KrisM
09-04-2010, 07:03 AM
There have been studies and trials of moms getting to hold the baby as they are still being stitched back up. I swear a mom on here had that. It would be a great question to ask. I'm sure we could find some of the studies that support it.

Beth

I got to hold DS2 for a bit while getting stitched up. Not the whole time, but for a couple minutes.

Here are some interesting things to read about a natural c-birth. I tried to do as much as I could.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2005/dec/03/health.medicineandhealth
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/deliver-your-own--by-caesarean/2007/04/14/1175971419538.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7154594.stm

Melbel
09-04-2010, 07:47 AM
DS was another breech baby. The external version at 37 weeks was unsuccessful (he did not budge). At 39 weeks, he was 9 pounds 3 ounces and 23 inches. He was so wedged under my rib cage that I do not think either of us would have survived without a CS. It took 2 male doctors doing some major tugging during the CS to get him out.

All 3 of my DC have been by CS and I am thrilled to have 3 healthy children, regardless of how they came into the world. With the exception of DS, who had to go to NICU for a couple days due to breathing problems, I was able to hold my babies immediately after they were born, while they were stitching me up. DS was probably the snuggliest of the 3, and we are very bonded, notwithstanding his delayed bonding with mom.

While I would have preferred vaginal births, there are benefits of a CS, including the ability to plan the timing of the birth (childcare for older DC, family can travel to be here). I also enjoyed getting haircuts and pedicures before each of the births considering that I would not be out for a long time.

I know you are disappointed, but it is important to focus on the big picture - a healthy baby and safe delivery. I hope your baby flips though! :)