Breech baby at 34 weeks - help!

[hotpotmama]

Just been to the midwife and its still breech (was also breech at 28 weeks)

Is there anything I can do to help it turn myself? And what are the chances of it turning naturally before 39 weeks? It's my 3rd baby, not sure if that helps or hinders or makes no difference.

Just don't fancy having to wait til 39 weeks until the hospital try and turn it.

All advice greatly received!

[TheDevilWearsPrimark]

It is still quite early, my DD didn't turn until 38 weeks.

[PaulaYatesBiggestFan]

i slithered downstairs on my tummy ( yes really) at 37 weeks and mine turned!!

[hotpotmama]

How did you do that, PYBF? I have visions of going head over heels if I tried anything like that!

Do you think it turned because of that? was it straight after?

[hotpotmama]

Bump?

[PaulaYatesBiggestFan]

sorry bedtimes!

I just lay flat at the top ant then kind of shimmied down front ways using my arms to steady me

i swear it worked

[walkingwomb]

Doesn't reflexology or acupuncture have a 90% success rate in turning breech babies?

[Lizzer]

I got an accupuncture appt at 36 weeks (called moxibustion) with my 2nd pg, and i had a consultation with a homeopath the same week and was given some h pills (perfectly safe btw)
The homeopath came with an added benefit-she was a midwife too! And she gave me this wonderful bit of advice..."there may be a reason why your baby can't turn,he might be happy there because the placenta is in an odd place, he might have his cord tangled up round his arm and be aware that he's stuck but knows that to turn into place would put his life support system at risk.." I must say that those words put my mind at rest about having (if need be) a c/s although my 1st pg labour was trouble free and i had expected the same to happen to me with no.2...

As it was, ds turned round at 37 weeks so something worked and i would do it all again tommorow

HTH

[Tangle]

Find a good accupuncturist and ask them about moxibustion. And/or get an osteo/chiro/physio to have a look at the alignment of your spine/pelvis (asymetry in the mother can cause torsion in the uterus which makes it hard for the baby to turn - if you remove the asymetry it can help).

You could also try getting your shoulders lower than your hips (although I'm not sure I'd use PYBF's method - was that intentional?). I've seen talk of kneeling at the top of the stairs and walking your hands down a couple (with someone below to catch you), lying on your back on an ironing board propped against a sofa, or doing handstands in a swimmingpool.

For lots of ideas have a look on Spinning Babies or track down a copy of "Breech Birth" by Benna Waites ("Breech Birth: What are my options" by Jane Evans is also very good but doesn't cover the DIY side so much)

It being your third makes it more likely to turn than if it was your first as your abdominal muscles are likely to be a little more stretcy .

If DC does insist on staying breech it's not necessarily a problem requiring a CS. DD was my first and was born as a breech baby at home. A vaginal breech birth isn't necessarily more risky than either head down or CS as long as you can find experienced midwives.

Good luck

[threetinytots]

my 3rd was breech until 38 weeks. She turned naturally, so here's hoping yours does too

[hotpotmama]

Thanks everyone for all your replies. Will look into acupuncture.

Might do the stairs thing at the bottom few steps but not from the top, not brave enough!!

[Hersetta]

Mine turned naturally at 39 weeks, the day before our ellective CS - we only found out whilst we were in the operating theatre about to have the epidural!

[hotpotmama]

That's good to hear Hersetta, bet you were relieved.

Does anyone know statistically, what is the chance of it turning?

[Tangle]

I remember there being a graph in the Benna Waites book. It showed that (as you'd expect) the further along you get the less chance there is of it turning spontaneously, but I'm afraid I can't remember what the actual numbers were. It's a good book that, IMO, gives a far more balanced view of the options for birthing breech babies than I got from the NHS and also looks at complementary ways to try and encourage babies to turn.

[hotpotmama]

I'll have a look at that, thanks Tangle.

[Hersetta]

I think the numbers are something like 1 in 4 babies are breech at 32-36 weeks but only 1 in 20 at term so good chance they will turn of their own accord.

[hotpotmama]

Thanks Hersetta, that is encouraging.