Breech baby

[meowmaps]

I had my 36 week ultrasound today and the baby was breech for the first time.  Does anyone have any good stories about their baby flipping this late?  For what it's worth, this is my second baby and google tells me that there's a higher chance a second baby can flip vs. a first baby.  I assume because there's more room in there...?  

I had a vaginal delivery with my first so my anxiety went into hyperdrive as soon as the technician told me her position.  I spent the entirety of the exam with silent tears rolling down my face.  I know that women have safe c-sections every day but up until now having my wisdom teeth extracted is the most invasive "surgery" I've ever had.  I'm just not mentally prepared.    

Update: I just got done with my 37 week appointment and my midwife says she’s head down. They’ll do a sonogram next week to confirm but she feels confident. I’m so relieved. It takes away some of my anxiety since I’m now also freaking out about the delta variant.

[Patsy Baloney]

I’m so sorry. I stumbled in here and, while I don’t have a miraculous baby-flipping late story, I can assure you that it happens to many, many people late in the game.

My first was breech my whole pregnancy and I just felt so sad and defeated that she wasn’t in position. I did end up having a planned c-section. It was hard, I won’t lie. I’ve gone through 2 now, and both definitely involved some, “I did my best,” sobbing that first shower after birth when moving is still crazy hard and you’re super sore. For both, I held onto the hope that I would be able to have a vaginal birth basically until my doctor said, “We’re sewing you up now.”

For my second, I wanted a VBAC so badly, but I just wasn’t going into labor. The day my doctor very kindly and compassionately told me, “I think you need to start preparing for a c-section,” I cried until bedtime. My H took me to a movie, I cried through the whole thing. It was horrible - like you, I felt fully mentally unprepared, even though I had been through it before.

I just want to offer my support to you. It’s so difficult when you have expectations of how things will be and your freaking baby who is supposed to be in this with you and on the same team is like, “lol, no.” Big, deep breaths. Maybe try some of the spinning babies exercises or going for a swim if you feel up to it. Rest. Call that baby some names. Have a good cry. I will be thinking of you and hoping baby turns down. If it doesn’t happen, though, I know you will be in good hands and I hope your recovery will be smooth.

[meowmaps]

Patsy Baloney Thank you so much for your compassionate response. I feel heard and supported. And thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m sorry you weren’t able to have the deliveries you had anticipated.

For now, I will hope. When/if she doesn’t flip then I will try to direct my energy toward acceptance of a different plan.

[statgirl]

My first was breech at 32 weeks so I prepared for a c-section. Around 36/37 weeks, he flipped so I then had to prepare for a vaginal birth. I went into labor at 38 weeks and he went transverse as he descended (short cord and double nuchal) so I ended up with a c-section. I felt confused the whole time (and unprepared) because I like order so I get your apprehension.

It is possible for a flip. I spent a lot of time doing stretches from 32 weeks until 37 weeks and continued them until I went into labor. I think if the cord had not been wrapped, he would have been born vaginally (and probably within 15 minutes of me being admitted). He was also not a small baby—I felt the flip one night.

I will say I have had two c-sections and the semi-planned one was way smoother than the one after labor. I was up and doing things almost immediately.

[meowmaps]

statgirl Thank you for your response. It must’ve been so difficult having to switch gears multiple times with your first baby.

I’ve also heard that planned c-sections are easier for recovery. That’s good to know in case I have no choice but to expect and plan for one.

[jennistarr1]

Any chiropractors or acupuncturists
in your area that specifically specialize

[meowmaps]

Jul 24, 2021 16:34:58 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

Any chiropractors or acupuncturists
in your area that specifically specialize

I’m not sure. I haven’t googled anything beyond “can baby still flip after 36 weeks”. I see my doctor again next Friday. I’m hopeful that she’ll have flipped on her own and if not, that they’ll have helpful suggestions. There is one midwife in my practice so I’d expect her to be more open to/knowledgeable of alternative methods. *fingers crossed*

[katespade]

Jul 24, 2021 18:25:51 GMT -5 meowmaps said:

Jul 24, 2021 16:34:58 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

Any chiropractors or acupuncturists
in your area that specifically specialize

I’m not sure. I haven’t googled anything beyond “can baby still flip after 36 weeks”. I see my doctor again next Friday. I’m hopeful that she’ll have flipped on her own and if not, that they’ll have helpful suggestions. There is one midwife in my practice so I’d expect her to be more open to/knowledgeable of alternative methods. *fingers crossed*

You might also do some research on ECV to see if that’s something you would be interested in asking your doctor about. I was not a candidate for one because I have a bicornuate uterus, but did some research in advance just in case the option had been available.

My DD was breech my entire pregnancy and did not flip, but because of my uterus shape we didn’t really expect her to. I had a scheduled c-section, and it was honestly a great birth experience. However, I know multiple people who have had success with flipping their babies as late as 37-39 weeks. Most of them have done things like chiropractic work and/or spinning babies techniques.

[meowmaps]

Jul 24, 2021 20:08:02 GMT -5 katespade said:

Jul 24, 2021 18:25:51 GMT -5 meowmaps said:

I’m not sure. I haven’t googled anything beyond “can baby still flip after 36 weeks”. I see my doctor again next Friday. I’m hopeful that she’ll have flipped on her own and if not, that they’ll have helpful suggestions. There is one midwife in my practice so I’d expect her to be more open to/knowledgeable of alternative methods. *fingers crossed*

You might also do some research on ECV to see if that’s something you would be interested in asking your doctor about. I was not a candidate for one because I have a bicornuate uterus, but did some research in advance just in case the option had been available.

My DD was breech my entire pregnancy and did not flip, but because of my uterus shape we didn’t really expect her to. I had a scheduled c-section, and it was honestly a great birth experience. However, I know multiple people who have had success with flipping their babies as late as 37-39 weeks. Most of them have done things like chiropractic work and/or spinning babies techniques.

This is promising to hear!  I'm definitely open to trying different techniques but want to see my doctor to confirm her position first.  I'm really hoping that her breech position during my ultrasound was a fluke.  She moves around a lot and even today I've experienced some discomfort so maybe she's already flipped...? I wish I could see what's going on in there.

[meowmaps]

Update in original post.

[madDawg228]

meowmaps, great news! I'm very happy for you. I hope she stays head down, and you have a regular/routine birth and swift recovery!

Being pregnant and giving birth during the pandemic is stressful, and feelings and restrictions you want are justifiable.

[jennistarr1]

Great news!!! flipped on their own?

[meowmaps]

Jul 30, 2021 11:08:51 GMT -5 madDawg228 said:

meowmaps , great news! I'm very happy for you. I hope she stays head down, and you have a regular/routine birth and swift recovery!

Being pregnant and giving birth during the pandemic is stressful, and feelings and restrictions you want are justifiable.

Thank you!

[meowmaps]

Jul 30, 2021 11:35:13 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

Great news!!! flipped on their own?

Thank you!  Yes, it seems so.  What I liked too is that my midwife was confident that she would stay that way and if not, she would set me up with a chiropractor.  She also mentioned that one of the OBs in the office is really good at inversion.  Either way, a c-section didn't even come up so I feel good going into the weekend.  

[Patsy Baloney]

Woohoo! That’s the way, little one. Stop causing trouble and move calmly to the exit.

[jennistarr1]

meowmaps, hanging in there???

[meowmaps]

Aug 5, 2021 8:30:46 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

meowmaps , hanging in there???

Thanks for checking in!    

It must be comfy in there because so far no signs of labor.  I have my 38 week appointment tomorrow and will have my first cervix check.  Not necessarily looking forward to that but it will be good to see if my body is making any progress I'm just not aware of.  

[meowmaps]

Omg. This kid is trying to give me a heart attack. She’s breech. I’m at the hospital for an inversion.

ETA: I think I keep saying it wrong because my doctor called it a “version”. Anyway, it worked. I’m so relieved. I used my yoga/meditation breathing but it really wasn’t painful. My doctor says if she flips again she’ll do another version at my 39 week checkup and then induce me.

[Patsy Baloney]

If that baby flips again, she’s officially caused all the trouble she’s allowed to cause and has to be the best baby ever after that.

That’s how this works, right?

[jennistarr1]

update?!? meowmaps,

[meowmaps]

Aug 16, 2021 10:09:45 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

update?!? meowmaps ,

She was still head down on Friday (good news there) but otherwise, minimal progress.  I'll see the doctor again on Wednesday when I'm 39+5.  I have a feeling I'm going to end up getting induced unless something happens this week.  I'm tentatively on the books for August 26 but will probably be able to move up the date when I go in on Wednesday.  I started laboring with my first when I was 40+5 so it seems this baby is like her sister - doesn't want to come out!  

[jennistarr1]

all I ever wanted is to go into labor on my own!!! so do all the things. You're so close!!!!!

[meowmaps]

Aug 17, 2021 10:23:44 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

all I ever wanted is to go into labor on my own!!! so do all the things. You're so close!!!!!

I feel the same way.  I went into labor on my own with my first at 41+1 but they won't let me go that late this time.  Still hoping that because this is my second that she'll come earlier than that.  I did wake up in the night feeling crampy but no real contractions yet.  I'll try and take a walk later today.