C-Section for Breech Baby--how early to schedule?

[Anonymous]

I am 35+ weeks and at last week's sono, we saw that the baby was breech--sideways, and hadn't yet engaged or dropped. The Dr. said there is a chance he will move, but would like to pre-emptively schedule a C-section in week 39, for the friday before my Wed. due date, to avoid having to do an emergency CS if baby is still breech. Of course, we will do another sono a day or two before, just to check and make sure baby is still breech. I guess I just wondered if this sounds about normal? Due others with solid evidence or breech wait for labor to start before doing the c-section? I am trying acupuncture and various other stuff to get the baby to turn.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, my baby turned four times in the last 6 weeks. Ended up head down (whew).

Sometimes spending some time on all fours with your belly hanging down can encourage turning (plus it feels good).

GL!

[Anonymous]

I had two elective c-sections (breech) ten days before DD.
(My due date was firm since I got pg. through fertility treatments and we could track all dates.)

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't be inclined to schedule a c-section before my due date for a breech. But definitely not on a Friday. In my experience (and those of others), the weekday nurses are much better than the weekend/evening nurses). Have you considered trying a version with an experience doctor as a last resort?

[Anonymous]

my doc encouraged week 38-39...some BS about water breaking.

I waited until one day past week 40. Personally I would never have done it before 40 weeks because babies can turn...mine never did though.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the same advice I received with baby #1. I resisted scheduling c-section at 39 weeks and ended up going into labor at 39.5 weeks; baby was still breech so c-section was emergency. As I understand it, if your baby is breech and water breaks there's a chance the cord can get tangled (cannot recall name of this issue though) so that I why it's important to get to the hospital quickly (hope that I do not sound like an alarmist). Hopefully your OB can work with you to schedule a date that you're comfortable with (if that's what you want). Best wishes for a healthy baby!

[Anonymous]

OP here--thanks for all the feedback. I am not comfortable with trying a version given the risks and my doctor is definitley against it so that won't be an option for me. I am trying all the acupuncture, and home-remedy stuff like kneeling on all fours, swimming etc. I am not super excited about an early c-section but since we will be able to do a sono the week of, I guess I will be more confident about the lack of position change by then.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried seeing a chiropractor who is certified in the Webster Technique? If it was me I would personally wait until I went into labor to have a c-section.

[Anonymous]

My baby was breech at 36 weeks. They scheduled my C-section for 39 weeks, 4 days.

My OB said I had the option of waiting until labor, but she recommended scheduling. Like the pp said, they do it due to a risk of cord prolapse if the water breaks and the cord comes out. She explained that if the baby is in the correct position, the head acts like a cork and that prevents cord prolapse. When the baby is breech, there's a higher risk of the cord coming out.

[Anonymous]

My second baby was breech -- they discovered it at 36 weeks I think. I was trying for a VBAC and they kept my back-up scheduled C-section for the same date (41 weeks) even after the baby was breech. The baby did turn about 1/2 way through the 38th week. I had been spending some time every day with my knees and pelvis elevated. Not sure if this helped or if the baby just decided to turn on his own.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Are you entirely sure you want a c-section at this stage? I only ask because I had a c-section for my first (for various reasons, but not breech) and am trying for a vaginal birth (VBAC) for my second. I've done tons of reading on the topic and most of what I have read indicates that 40 weeks really is a guess of gestation and that babies can come out anywhere up to 42 weeks.

I realise that you are concerned about going into labour with a breech baby (and I would be too), but you might want to give yourself more time to see if the baby does turn. Trying the webster chiropractic technique sounds like a good idea and of course doing what you are doing.

If you are not super excited about a c-section, i'd wait as long as possible. If you get to 40 weeks and the baby is still breech then at least you can be sure you waited as long as possible.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

sorry PP here again - one more thing I forgot was whether you thought about getting another opinion on what to do. I understand that Dr Tchabo at Virginia Hospital Center is a specialist on breech babies and he may be able to offer some alternatives to a c-section (or at least you will have peace of mind in knowing you've tried all avenues).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you entirely sure you want a c-section at this stage? I only ask because I had a c-section for my first (for various reasons, but not breech) and am trying for a vaginal birth (VBAC) for my second. I've done tons of reading on the topic and most of what I have read indicates that 40 weeks really is a guess of gestation and that babies can come out anywhere up to 42 weeks.

I realise that you are concerned about going into labour with a breech baby (and I would be too), but you might want to give yourself more time to see if the baby does turn. Trying the webster chiropractic technique sounds like a good idea and of course doing what you are doing.

If you are not super excited about a c-section, i'd wait as long as possible. If you get to 40 weeks and the baby is still breech then at least you can be sure you waited as long as possible.

Good luck!

I wouldn't recommend she waits until week 40 in case she goes into labor and ends up with an emergency c-section, which is VERY different than a normal C.