Forum : Pregnancy

Just to let you know i tried the turning thing. it didn't work but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as some people would have you believe! To be honest, the doctor didn't press on any harder than the midwife does - so i really would suggest giving it a go. Baby wasn't bothered at all - they monitored me for 30mins after and baby was moving as normal and wasn't distressed in the slightest. The chances of needing a emergency section i was told was about 1 in 250. Although if you do go for it i wouldn't eat beforehand otherwise i can imagine it being uncomfortable on a full stomach.

I'm now booked in for a section on friday 6th which is not my first choice - i feel slightly robbed of the whole labour / birth part - but i've had time to prepare and i'm glad i can say i tried everything.

A freind has lent me her birthing ball and i keep having a go on that but baby isn't going anywhere i don't think!

I just wanted to say that obviously it is best to avoid emergency c section but if you do end up with one then it doesn't neccessarily mean you will both miss the birth. I have had 2 emergency c sections. The first was an urgent, get the baby out now, situation and the second the midwives were calling semi-emergency because they were more worried about my placenta than my baby (as I fell) so they had plenty of time to deliver him. I was awake and my husband present for both deliveries. Incidently, although not the reason for my emergency c section, my youngest son was breech too!

I was about 39 wks before they realised my bab was breech, but i myself think he'd ben there for at least 4 wks, even tho ur meant go in at approx wk 39, i went in week 40+1, and went thru same procedure as natural hospital turned me away as contractions too far apart, they do put a screen up ,but due fact u are awake, its pretty much all same, and u still get him out scremaing his lungs off, best sound n world, and i wouldnt change it now, as turning can be dangerous if not what little one wants, downside: recovery, but least he's happy x

My baby is due in two weeks and the little guy has been breech for months now! I was offered the turning procedure but declined it due to the fact that I had heard it's unpleasant and distressing for the baby. I've got an appointment with my obstetrician this week, when a decision will be made about an elective caesarean. I'm not upset about missing out on going through labour, the main thing is to make the correct decision for the welfare of the baby and your own welfare too. I know some women feel robbed if they can't go through a natural labour but I will have had 40 weeks of my little boy growing inside me, knowing that I did everything in my power to make him as healthy as possible. Plus, the labour is only one small part of the whole experience. The real joy will be when you can hold your baby for the first time, bring him/her home and become a family.

Hi Lorraine!
I was told last week my baby was breech (it was head down the week before at the midwife). They gave me all the statistics for breech baby's and also said they can try and turn it and gave me a leaflet on that.
After doing various research on the internet, I'm also thinking it's bet to leave things as be, and if the baby doesn't want to turn don't force it. At the hospital last week however, they were very matter of fact about turning it therefore I assumed that this was something done by everyone - obviously they did explain that it could turn back but they would try a second time.
Was your hospital okay with you declining the turning procedure or did they try and influence you in any way? I also read on the internet that it is possible to deliver a breech baby normally - obviously if I was advised there was too much of a risk I would go with the caesarian, but I just feel my hospital has not given me all the options.
I tried to speak to both my midwife and gp, and both said was I not offered the turning procedure - again making me think that this is automatically done.
I now have four weeks left. Has yours turned yet?

Hi, i found out my baby was breech at 34 weeks. I was gutted as i had had no problems and had an easy natural labour 5 years earlier. I tried all the moves and exercises to get her to move but no, she didnt. Then i opted for the ECV turn, which was 2 sets of blood tests, monitoring, half day in hospital and they told me after it was done that ony 2% of turns worked. I found it more unconfortable than painful, but did have bruising the next day. I had an elective c section on 19th may and was petrified before i went in, but i shouldnt of been as the worse oart was having the drip in my hand, the spinal was great an it was a really good experience. Recovery after i found to be no worse than after an easy natural delivery. I was up and about next day and bending down by day 2. Yes it takes longer to recover and some things aren't as easy to do like lifting, but i was amazed at how quickly i healed and fely myself again.
Good luck!!!

ps with elective section you dont have all the labour pains and its over with in an hour!! lol!!

i wouldnt like to give birth to a breech baby as it is dangerous for the baby. The cervix can start to close once the hips are out (mistaking it as a head) and cut of the oxygen supply. Plus you may need an episiotomy which i dont think would be v pleasant, but its all personal choice, but i dont think most hospitals offer natural breech delivery as they see c section as the safest procedure for mum and baby.