We elected not to try and flip due to the risks, though by 36 weeks my OB no longer recommended due to projected size.
Honestly, my c section was a piece of cake. I was a nervous wreck in the OR and the spinal was awful, but the procedure itself was fine and I probably had the easiest recovery ever. I had a lot of anxiety about a vaginal birth though, so was (not so) secretly happy that i didnt have a choice.
He kept flipping back and forth throughout pregnancy. When we got to 37 weeks and he was breech, we scheduled the ECV. The earliest they would do it was 38 weeks. It was scheduled at the hospital, attended by my OB and another doctor there. They monitored DS before, during, and for about another hour afterwards to make sure he was OK. I wasn't allowed to eat or drink that morning in case I ended up with an emergency csection. I packed our bags in case it put me into labor.
(ETA - I forgot to mention, my OB felt I was a good candidate for an ECV as DS had just flipped within the previous week, so his size and my fluid levels would still indicate he had plenty of room to flip back. YMMV)
My OB gave two options - check into the hospital to L&D, get an epidural, and do the ECV. Or come in as outpatient, no epidural. I chose not to get the epidural. The procedure was uncomfortable, but not painful. I was sore the next few days, from where they were pushing on my abdomen. It felt like I had done a whole lot of crunches at the gym (which, LOL at 38 weeks doing a million crunches). So not painful, just sore.
Ultimately, DS did not flip. I had a scheduled csection a week later at 39w. DD was breech too, but due to the previous csection, an ECV was not an option, so I had another scheduled csection.
Both csections were actually very easy. I mean, it's nerve wracking. I was worried. It's surgery. And OMG am I going to feel something? But no, the experience wasn't bad at all. And I had easy recoveries. (Take a lot of Colace to counteract the pain meds!)
My only issue was during my first csection. Once DS was out, the meds they were giving through the IV caused my BP to drop a bit, which made me nauseous. The anesthesiologist tried to give me something to counteract the nausea, but I ended up vomiting while on the table. I was fine, just not the way I expected to meet DS, lol. For my second csection, I told them right away when I felt nauseous so they were able to give me the meds quickly. So I felt nauseous for just a few seconds, but it passed quickly.
Good luck! Hoping he decides to flip on his own! Feel free to PM me with questions!
My baby was breech this whole time as well. I had a follow up u/s planned for 36 weeks and was going to do a version at 39 weeks if needed. A few days before my appt I did Webster chiropractor and acupuncture with Moxi. Baby flipped! So I say try those. I read online about Moxi and it has a good success rate but can take time. My Dr doesn't do versions till 39 weeks. You basically go in for c sec. If it doesn't work, I would do a c sec. If baby flipped I would have been induced. I heard horror stories but felt comfortable whatever my Dr plans was.
I had one. It was unsuccessful, but I was glad I tried it, and I have no regrets. Made me feel at peace with the c-section. It was uncomfortable, but not painful. It seems on here many people say to skip and go right to c-section, but per my doctor, the risks of c-section were still higher than the risks of a version, so it was worth trying. I mean, do your own research, but I felt comfortable trying it. I was a "good" candidate in that I had had prior births and had plenty of fluid. They monitored me and the baby the whole time. Baby's heart rate hardly changed. It was clear she would only move so far and then just didn't seem to want to go further. I don't think my OB was particularly aggressive about it, which was totally fine with me.
My friend’s baby was breech at 38w and they scheduled her c-section. She did not want a section after two previous unmediated births. She did some spinning babies techniques the one she most highly recommended was getting on your hands and knees and just letting your belly hang freely. She would do it as long as she could stand it and by 39w baby had flipped on her own.
Post by somersault72 on Jan 26, 2018 13:58:09 GMT -5
I have not had a version, but from what I know of them (working in an OB office), I'd choose a C-section, especially with an anterior placenta. This sounds silly, but have you tried putting frozen peas where the head is? Sometimes it causes baby to "swim away" from the cold causing them to flip. Good luck with whatever you decide!
My second was breech and my OB told me about versions, but also said he does not do them, so if I wanted one I would have to choose another OB. I love my OB and decided to stick with him.
We scheduled a C-section for 10/18 at my 36 week appointment when she was still breech. I was due 10/25. She flipped on her own, I think at 38 weeks. I delivered following a successful induction on 11/2.
Post by elynne2012 on Jan 26, 2018 19:13:38 GMT -5
Lurker but I had a successful one at 37 weeks. Prior to that I tried all the tricks and had seen a chiro. My OB has a pretty good success rate but average is 50%. It hurt a lot. It was my second pregnancy and I went on to deliver 40w 4days, normal delivery. Let me know if you had questions!!
DS was breech. My OB did not recommend a version. My placenta was in the front and it can be really dangerous in those cases, but she also didn't recommend them in general. I think one of the doctors in her practice had a really bad experience performing one and it ended in the worst possible way. Anyway---we didn't really even consider it as our doctor seemed really opposed so we did a c-section.
I did try spinning baby exercises and acupuncture and they both didn't work. I wish I hadn't wasted the time or mental energy worrying about this all in hindsight. The c-section was fine.
My placenta is in the front, as well. I think I know what the answer is going to be here. I'm just afraid of a c-section. Maybe that should be my question - tell me about a c-section. Haha!
I hope baby flips for you. My c-section was awesome and I'm actually glad I'll need a repeat for any future kids because it was so easy. So fx that if you end up with one, the surgery and recovery are just as easy on you.
Post by daisyfay25 on Jan 26, 2018 19:38:34 GMT -5
I hope baby flips on its own but don't worry too much about a c-section, mine wasn't too bad! You are seriously a saint for going through all of this for them.
Post by downtoearth on Jan 26, 2018 23:54:46 GMT -5
My second was a surprise vaginal breech birth. Once you have a breech it’s more likely to have another breech baby, so I did a lot of the spinning babies techniques for the third kid and worked hard to stay hydrated so if the third baby was breech, I could be an ECV candidate. Luckily I didn’t need the ECV, but I wouldn’t have hesitated to have it done in the hospital if that third was breech.
I hope baby flips. If he doesn't and you decide against the version, here's my c-section thoughts:
DS1 was an emergency c-section after a very long labor. I did not do well under anesthesia (vomiting, shaking, had a hard time waking up enough to breathe normally), but the actual surgery, holding DS1 right after, nursing, etc. was a piece of cake. I was up and walking around the next day (so about 9-10 hours after he was born). My recovery was about as good as it gets. I left the hospital 48 hours after he was born. I had some moderate pain for about a week, but only needed ibuprofen to manage it.
I elected to do a repeat c-section with DS2. I was very happy with my previous recovery and figured there was really no reason to go through potentially another long labor that would just result in surgery anyway. My initial post-op was not great, same as the time before. It took awhile for me to recover enough to really be breathing normally on my own and I didn't nurse DS2 for a good bit after surgery (though I was able to hold him while I was on the operating table). Aside from that, recovery was again a breeze. DS2 was born around 6am and I was up and moving that afternoon once they took the catheter out. I left the hospital the next day, like 30 hours later. Once I was home, recovery was even easier. Minimal pain, noticeably less than what I had the first time around. You're not supposed to, but I was able to comfortably pick up DS1 less than 2 weeks after surgery.
Overall, even though I didn't want a c-section, I am really pleased with how both surgeries went. There are certain things about both experiences that I would change, but the c-section and recovery are not part of that. It went really well for me and recovery was honestly a breeze.
DS was transverse at about 36 weeks. My MFM offered to do a version if I wanted him to. I talked to my OB and she was extremely against it and said if I do it to let her know when so she would be available in case I needed an emergency c-section. I went to a chiro who was Webster trained and DS flipped before the 37 week mark. Him flipping didn’t hurt, but it was really odd to watch.
I had an ECV. It didn’t work but it also wasn’t bad, and I’m glad I tried it. Overall they have about a 50% success rate and very low risks. Best factors for success: you’re not a First time mom, you have good fluid levels, baby has been in other positions earlier in the pregnancy, and (most importantly) doctor is experienced with versions. If those things are true, personally I think it’s worth a shot.
I also tried the Webster certified chiropractor, the spinning babies stuff, and handstands in a pool (what a sight at 37w!)
All that said...my scheduled c was incredibly easy and civilized. Would absolutely do it again.
I hope baby flips. If he doesn't and you decide against the version, here's my c-section thoughts:
DS1 was an emergency c-section after a very long labor. I did not do well under anesthesia (vomiting, shaking, had a hard time waking up enough to breathe normally), but the actual surgery, holding DS1 right after, nursing, etc. was a piece of cake. I was up and walking around the next day (so about 9-10 hours after he was born). My recovery was about as good as it gets. I left the hospital 48 hours after he was born. I had some moderate pain for about a week, but only needed ibuprofen to manage it.
I elected to do a repeat c-section with DS2. I was very happy with my previous recovery and figured there was really no reason to go through potentially another long labor that would just result in surgery anyway. My initial post-op was not great, same as the time before. It took awhile for me to recover enough to really be breathing normally on my own and I didn't nurse DS2 for a good bit after surgery (though I was able to hold him while I was on the operating table). Aside from that, recovery was again a breeze. DS2 was born around 6am and I was up and moving that afternoon once they took the catheter out. I left the hospital the next day, like 30 hours later. Once I was home, recovery was even easier. Minimal pain, noticeably less than what I had the first time around. You're not supposed to, but I was able to comfortably pick up DS1 less than 2 weeks after surgery.
Overall, even though I didn't want a c-section, I am really pleased with how both surgeries went. There are certain things about both experiences that I would change, but the c-section and recovery are not part of that. It went really well for me and recovery was honestly a breeze.
Every time I read 30 hours - and I did several times - it takes my breath away. I had, by all accounts, an amazing c/s recovery but was still asked the day I was discharged if I wished to stay an additional (4th) night. If waking up in my own bed on my birthday - the next day - wasn’t a huge priority for me, I’d have taken them up on it. No cooking, huge shower, lots of good pain meds (dilaudid!), no 21 month old (Kid1) to deal with, bed that raised and lowered with a button - sign me up.
I hope baby flips. If he doesn't and you decide against the version, here's my c-section thoughts:
DS1 was an emergency c-section after a very long labor. I did not do well under anesthesia (vomiting, shaking, had a hard time waking up enough to breathe normally), but the actual surgery, holding DS1 right after, nursing, etc. was a piece of cake. I was up and walking around the next day (so about 9-10 hours after he was born). My recovery was about as good as it gets. I left the hospital 48 hours after he was born. I had some moderate pain for about a week, but only needed ibuprofen to manage it.
I elected to do a repeat c-section with DS2. I was very happy with my previous recovery and figured there was really no reason to go through potentially another long labor that would just result in surgery anyway. My initial post-op was not great, same as the time before. It took awhile for me to recover enough to really be breathing normally on my own and I didn't nurse DS2 for a good bit after surgery (though I was able to hold him while I was on the operating table). Aside from that, recovery was again a breeze. DS2 was born around 6am and I was up and moving that afternoon once they took the catheter out. I left the hospital the next day, like 30 hours later. Once I was home, recovery was even easier. Minimal pain, noticeably less than what I had the first time around. You're not supposed to, but I was able to comfortably pick up DS1 less than 2 weeks after surgery.
Overall, even though I didn't want a c-section, I am really pleased with how both surgeries went. There are certain things about both experiences that I would change, but the c-section and recovery are not part of that. It went really well for me and recovery was honestly a breeze.
Every time I read 30 hours - and I did several times - it takes my breath away. I had, by all accounts, an amazing c/s recovery but was still asked the day I was discharged if I wished to stay an additional (4th) night. If waking up in my own bed on my birthday - the next day - wasn’t a huge priority for me, I’d have taken them up on it. No cooking, huge shower, lots of good pain meds (dilaudid!), no 21 month old (Kid1) to deal with, bed that raised and lowered with a button - sign me up.
I was so ready to get out of there the first time, but the second time was worse. I missed DS1 like crazy and just wanted to be home. I will say that it was pretty entertaining when we took DS2 in for his 2-day visit at the pedi. That would normally be done in the hospital, obviously, but we actually took him into the office since we had already been discharged. It took him a minute to connect the dots - "So... he was born on the 9th? And today is the 11th? And... you're here? And... you had a c-section? And you're here...?" I think he was kind of judging my OB a bit. lol
In hindsight, I probably should have stayed another day, but all's well that ends well. My mom and dad were both staying with us, so they were a huge help for about a week after I got home. DS2 was an amazing sleeper and STTN for the first month or two, which was amazing for my physical and mental health. And I should probably note that my recoveries are, I think, significantly better than the norm, which is fortunate since I apparently suck at being in labor.
Post by minionkevin on Jan 27, 2018 23:11:37 GMT -5
isabel I can imagine that pedi visit, lol. Ah, well Kid1 visited us each day and was thrilled to stay at my ILs’ then parents’ house the nights we were in the hospital, and also the first night we were home. DH’s PL was 16w. My mom came to visit 2 days/week, stayed over 1 night/week to let us sleep, plus some weekend days and my ILs came 1 day/week. We had (have!) plenty of help. DH wouldn’t have taken the fourth night in the hospital though, he hated the “bed”. Crazy story, only bc it’s not mine. I know someone who is narcoleptic. His wife had a baby and ended up with an emergency c/s. He forgot his meds at home and fell asleep in HER bed while she was in the bathroom I think the 1st, maybe 2nd, night and she could not get him awake. He was in top of the thing that had the nurse call button and she felt unstable on her feet to walk to the nurses station. So she sat and waited in a chair until a nurse rescued her. He will never live it down.