Breech at 37 weeks - how likely to turn?

[Gangle]

Had 36 week appointment earlier this week and the baby is breech. I was given the option of EVS or an elective section and I chose the latter which is now scheduled for my due date as the hospital had no space beforehand. Just wondered, how likely is it that the baby will turn? Is he too big now or is there still a chance? Also, what if I go into labour before the section and he is still breech? Presumably they would do a section anyway but is that not more risky?

[Gangle]

Sorry, meant ECV - brain is a bit mushy!

[SquonkForgotHerEasterName]

I'm not an expert, I only know what I was told when I had ds, by ecs, as he was breech.

Firstly, I wish (with hindsight) that I had at least tried the EVS, so give it some more thought, and maybe start a thread on here asking for advice about it.

re: the turning - from what I gathered, it was entirely possible that ds would turn before the due date (he didn't) they will give you a scan before the section to make sure baby is still breech before they do the op.

If you do go into labour first, you must ring the hospital as soon as you think you are in labour and tell them that you are supposed to be having a cs. As far as I know, it is no more dangerous than a non-labour one.

Good luck.

xx

[SquonkForgotHerEasterName]

(I couldn't remember what it was called so I copied from your post )

[theboob]

my baby was breech at this point,he turned on his own,it was the most bizzare feeling hewas side ways for about 30 mins,i rocked on all fours and it shifted him the right way

[SquonkForgotHerEasterName]

that reminds me, rocking on all fours is supposed to 'encourage' them to turn.

[Gina80]

Not sure about all of your qu's but would like to say good choice! I had an ECV and found it more painful than the cs recovery!!! Needless to say that it didn't work and despite my best efforts, constantly for 5 weeks, my lo didn't turn. I have heard of people who's babies did but havent actually met anyone!
I was told that if I went into labour beforehand, it was my hospital's policy to get me in for an emergency cs rather than a vaginal delivery due to risks. Not sure if that is standard policy or not.
It's quite nice knowing when your baby will come, you can get all organised before hand. Best of luck with everything. x

[jessikart]

My son was breech at 39+0, so I was sent to see a consultant the very next day...by which point he'd turned! He ended up being born with no intervention at 39+5, so it can happen although I haven't anecdotally heard of anyone else who had a baby turn so late. All I did was follow the advice about keeping your knees lower than your hips, getting down on all fours etc. I'm still surprised they didn't even discuss an ECS with me prior to the consultants appt, but DS was a very active bump and moved (quite violently!) almost constantly for the last few weeks.

My SIL tried EVS and said it was a pretty torturous process which in the end didn't do anything at all to move the baby. She was booked in for an ECS on her due date, but was sent home twice as the hospital was too busy - eventually it was third time lucky!

[Tangle]

DD was breech and, after doing some homework of our own, she was born at home as a breech baby with Independent Midwives. Our conclusion was that breech birth is not dangerous in and of itself, as long as you have a midwife with suitable experience. By using IMs we could guarantee that experience, and also be confident that the birth wouldn't be invaded by a roomful of Drs keen on medicalising everything.

If you are worried about going into labour, ask to talk to the head of midwifery at your hospital and ask about their breech birth experience - IIRC all midwives cover breech birth in their training, its a question of how many breech births they get to attend now. If they have some experience they'll probably be far less worried about delivering the baby as a breech (eg if you labour very fast, although if you're not completly sold on a CS you could discuss that too) than you might think: Experienced midwives tend to perceive breech as unusual - Drs tend to see it as abnormal.

Fingers crossed everything goes well for you

[Smee]

DS was breech and turned by himself at about 36 weeks. I did the all four thing, but here's another mad one for you: midwife told me to lie on the floor with my legs on the sofa and shine a torch down there. Apparently the baby turns to see the light... If nothing else I thought this might make you laugh

[lucysnowe]

Do a mumsnet search on ECV - there have been a number of threads with some v. useful posts about other people's experiences. I wouldn't rule out an ECV completely, personally, as everyone's experiences appear to be different, and for some people it has been successful.

In my case although I was booked in for one my LO turned all by itself at 37 weeks! It's my first baby and there wasn't lots of space in there so it was really unexpected. I didn't feel it either - it must have happened when I was asleep.

Hope you get the same result!

[middymee]

OOOOHHHH>>>>THIS SUBJECT GETS ME SOOOOO MAAAAAD!!!!!

You DO NOT have to have a CS!! There is NO EVIDENCE that says CS is a safer mode of delivery in NORMAL, LOW RISK women!!!!!!

Apologies for the rant!!!

ECV is safe nowadays and the success rate can be as high as 80% depending on the experience of whoever does the procedure. You should defo speak to your doc about his/her rates of success. You need to try the knee-chest position so on all fours then drop your shoulders to the floor with your bum in the air! Alternatively, go swimming and gently lift your tummy as you walk into the water.

Good luck!!

[peach123]

i am 36 weeks and midwife has been fussing that baby was breech since 33 weeks. was due to have baby turned this thurs but went for a swim (breast stroke)for an hour on sat and baby now head down. give it a try. good luck!

[mommylongsocks]

Hi, i went for my 37 week appointment last week as baby was breech, he had turned which i was amazed at because he was breech the week before! i also had a friend whose baby was breech until she was 39 weeks gone and it turned...good luck