Breeched baby - 36 wks - external version - any experience

[Anonymous]

I'm 36 weeks and just found out the baby is breeched. Drs say one option (other than C-section) is to have a external version(ii.e. physical manipulation) to turn the baby. Any one with this experience. Thoughts, advice???

[Anonymous]

What type of breech is the baby? Just because a baby is breech doesn't mean you need a c-section.

[Anonymous]

OP here - not sure, dr. didn't say. Head is at top and legs are footling is what it showed on Ultrasound.

[Anonymous]

You might want to considered the Webster Technique. There Chiropractors in the area that do this technique that helps turn babies or even acupuncture/acupressure. Its less evasive.

[Anonymous]

I found out my baby was breech at 36 1/2 weeks. I had a version at 37 1/2 weeks that was unsuccessful, so my OB scheduled a C-section for 39 1/2 weeks. I was really disappointed about having to have a scheduled C-section. I tried lying in all sorts of positions to try to get the baby to turn, but that didn't work either. My DD was born perfectly healthy at my scheduled C-section and now it doesn't matter at all how she came, just that she's here and she's healthy! She is a beautiful 6-week-old now.

[Anonymous]

PP here - I forgot to say that even though my version was unsuccessful, I was still really glad we tried it. I know if we hadn't, I would've been wondering if there was more that I should have done in order to try to have her the "regular" way.

[Anonymous]

Not to scare you, but versions sometimes don't work and can endanger the baby. You should definitely read up on them and decide if you want to take the risk or not before committing to it. Check out spinningbabies.com for some techniques and I've also heard good things about chiropractors turning babies. I'm not sure if I would try for a version or not if my baby was breach, but you should do your research before doing it. Also, make sure your doctor has a lot of experience and that there is an emergency medical team nearby if things go bad. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I was able to use techniques from this website (per my midwife) to turn my baby. If you have any questions let me know. Just relax, concentrate and send thoughts to the baby that he should turn! It worked.

http://www.spinningbabies.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to scare you, but versions sometimes don't work and can endanger the baby. You should definitely read up on them and decide if you want to take the risk or not before committing to it. Check out spinningbabies.com for some techniques and I've also heard good things about chiropractors turning babies. I'm not sure if I would try for a version or not if my baby was breach, but you should do your research before doing it. Also, make sure your doctor has a lot of experience and that there is an emergency medical team nearby if things go bad. Good luck.

There is also some risk from chiropractic techniques. Just be sure to discuss the possible risks of a version with your doctor beforehand. They will monitor the baby during the procedure.

[Anonymous]

My baby was breeched and I had to have a c-section as well. Was really dissapointed about that because I was planning on having a natural delivery. I was offered to try the external version, but decided against it. I just didn't have a feeling that I should go for it. C-section went really well, I have a 2 week old baby now. But if anything goes wrong during the version, I was told that the doctors will perform an emergency c-section right away. I would advice just to go with your gut feeling on whether or not to do it.

[Anonymous]

Wow, OP, I'm in the same boat as you (almost). I just had my 36 week ultrasound today, and the baby is positioned with the butt down at the bottom and head and feet up at the top.

OB mentioned versions, but the nurse from my childbirth class strongly felt they were not worth the risk. From reading online, DH read that they totally fell out of favor in the 70s.

OB gave me the option of scheduling the C-section or waiting until I go into labor. I'm leaning towards scheduling.

Will definitely check out www.spinningbabies.com though!

Good luck to you, OP!

[Anonymous]

I had an external version at about the same point you are now. Like the earlier poster who had the procedure, mine also was unsuccessful but I am glad I tried it.

One thing to consider is how well you tolerate pain. The doctor applies some serious pressure to try to flip that baby around! I found the pressure from the procedure easy to take, but I apparently have high tolerance for pain -- something I didn't know until the version. I used a lot of breathing techniques and tried to detach myself mentally from what the doctor and nurses were doing.

About the risks mentioned in the earlier posts: My procedure was done in the hospital on the L&D unit. The nurses started an IV and basically prepared me in case they had to deliver.

In the end, my baby was just too big and too wedged into my pelvis to turn. However, I felt better knowing I did everything I could to have a vaginal delivery for my first child. That said, the C-section I ended up having was NOT as horrible as I'd heard or imagined it would be. Just know that whatever you decide, it will be fine once your baby has arrived. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I was told breech at 35 weeks and tried moxibustion. When I went in for my 37 week check up the breech had corrected itself. The moxibustion is very easy and not painful at all. All you need to do is go to an acupuncturist and have him/her teach you how to do it at home and buy the sticks. Even though you buy these things at an acupuncturist the sticks are sort of like rolled cigars and they are not needles of any kind (I believe they are rolled herb sticks). You have your husband hold a lit stick next to your toes for a few minutes twice a day. Definitely worth checking out. I went to an acupuncturist in Chevy Chase DC. Good luck!