Baby is breech at 34 weeks

Melissa - posted on 01/17/2012

Many babies are still Breech unt 36 weeks. I have my childbirth couples do a ton of pelvic rocking. What size was baby number one that may make you eligible to have a vaginal Breech delivery there are ob/gyns who still do them under certain circumstances

Clara - posted on 01/17/2012

That is crazy of your doctor to say that c-section is the only option. There are a ton of options before you get to 40 weeks.



Also look around, some doctors might let you go into labor before performing a c-section but doesn't sound like your doctor is one of those.



Try a specialized chiropractor (find a birth education center near you and they will give you recommendations). They don't just crack bones!! They should be versed in the Webster technique and they should also spend about an hour or so with you each time.





Also, check out this website (www.spinningbabies.com) which talks about all kinds of baby positions and exercises that you can try to help breech baby.

Plus, breech is not the only problem there can be others because you want the baby to be facing you for the best birth possible...also you can try some of these suggestions which were recommended to me...



- Play music, preferably with headphones, placing them low down on her uterus.

- Shine a very bright light low down on her uterus, or even between her legs.

- Have someone (preferably the father) talk loudly but soothingly to the baby, low on the belly, close to the skin, telling the baby to turn around, to come towards the voice (have also heard that commanding works).

- You can also try a combo of a warm pack and cold pack...babies like the sound of their mom's heartbeat, so you can put a cold pack (like a bag of peas) near your heart and near your lower pelvis, put a warm pack, so s/he will move towards the warmth...then you might want to try some kind of inversion.



Lots of good videos here:

Lexi - posted on 09/17/2011

My son was breech still at 36 weeks and now at 38 is head down. Keep up hope!

Melissa - posted on 09/14/2011

I am a childbirth instructor and I have seen babies turn themselves sometimes even in labor. 95% of babies are head down at 36 weeks. Get a second opinion from a doctor outside of the practice, do a ton of pelvic rock exercises. See a chiropractor the has good results with using their techniques to encourage babies to turn. It is still really early to be thinking that it won't happen.

Melanie - posted on 09/14/2011

i recently read a report on a study that found that butt first or feet first positions arent as dangerous and the medical field previously thought. maybe it would help to present her with that information and see her thoughts.

Clare - posted on 09/14/2011

My baby was head down until the day before i delivered and then she went breech so they can turn - depends on the size of the baby as well, my little girl was only a tiny 6lb 4oz so clearly had a lot of space.

Devon - posted on 09/11/2011

My baby was in breach and the Dr turned her at 34 weeks- she did say that it was a bit late, but noted the baby still had room to move in my case. You can try a few things a. go to a chiropractor that has experience with babies in breach- they won't turn the baby but have different techniques to try on your body so the baby will turn naturally b. try out different yoga positions, like childs pose, it is supposed to help c. try crawling across the floor on your hands and knees for a few minutes a day, this is supposed to help and d. try doing hand stands in a pool- don't do it long enough where you have to hold your breath for a long period of time.

Janice - posted on 09/01/2011

Haven't read all the other posts but I wanted to give you another story. I knew my daughter was breech and stuck from 17 weeks on. It was confirmed at 34 weeks. there is a medical procedure that can be done which is not risky. Its called an external cephalic version and is done typically between 36-37 weeks so that if the worst happens -premature labor- you are not really that early. I had it done and unfortunately my daughter really was stuck and couldn't be turned.
I was given paperwork with exercises that can sometimes help and the main one is getting down on all fours and doing pelvic rocking. I'm sure you can find a better explanation online somewhere.
Also some babies do really turn at the last second and although I did have a c-section they actually gave me an ultrasound minutes before going to the OR because if she had turned the c-section would have been cancelled.
With my daughter she was so stuck the doctor had a hard time dislodging her hips from mine during her delivery so I really do believe she wouldn't have turned but hopefully that is not the case with yours.
All the best!

Maureen - posted on 08/29/2011

Hi, I had a natural birth, then an unplanned section for a breech baby and then another planned section for a breech baby. The second pregnancy I was 42 weeks pregnant, they said they could try to move the baby but due to the position of the cord it would be dangerous. the third was planned but I went into labour which was painful

Mia - posted on 08/22/2011

Acupuncture! Get to a pool - get in - dive down to the bottom touch the floor and push off and swim back up to the surface as quick as possible (repeat several times), headstands, VISUALIZATION, take a warm heating pad or and drape across your lower abdomen down around your hips and raise your hips on a pillow and feet in the air (often babies are breach because it's warmer by your heart, talk to your baby while using your finger to draw a line from where your baby's head is down to where you want it to be (repeat over and over for an hour and do it again)..... my babies were both breach up until 36 1/2 weeks and i still had both mine naturally and at home!!!!! they both turned using the above methods!!!

Nikki - posted on 08/22/2011

That's not true. My twins turned from breech to head down position when I was 37 wks preg 4 days before they induced my labour. Get a second opinion, def go n see someone else. Apparently drs get paid more to deliver babies via Caesarian. Good luck!!

Kristin - posted on 08/21/2011

My last child, born April 2011, was breech up thru 39 weeks. I already knew I was having a c/s bc all 3 prior were that way, so I was completely happy and unworried... However, when I asked in the OR after delivery about him being breech- they said he wasn't! He turned and I swear it was that morning after I checked into the hospital. I thought he was going to be way too big to turn but he did it! BTW, he weighed 8lb5oz.

Bebe - posted on 08/21/2011

Hello Aruna,
I may not have the answer for that but I just wanted to share my experience with you. My son, who turned one yesterday was in a breach porition byt the end of pregnacy. My doctor said that I should swin and turn around inside the water, which I did everyday after work for the last month. I slept every night with a huge flash light towards the lower of my belly becaue I heard that the baby may turn around. My point is that i tried so many different ways to avoid the c-section because I was so scared of it. Nothing worked for me personally. So I had my surgery 3 days before my due date. It was the best delivery ever. No contractions, no pain except for the day after the c-section which was calmed by the medecine. I cannot see the scar because it is very small, about 6 inches and below my hairline. Going back to your question, Swimming and the flash light are some of the safest ways. It works for some. Good luck to you and your baby!

Lucia - posted on 08/20/2011

im sure you have had the baby by now please let us know how it went would really love to know. :) and what did you have?

Rachel - posted on 08/20/2011

many ladies give birth in the breech position, you may need to find a hospital that has specialists but it is possible if you prefer to give that a go over a c section!!
i guess you do need to prepare yourself mentally for the possibility if your bub doesn't move or breech birth is not productive that a c section could be the safest way.

Rebecca - posted on 08/19/2011

Thats not true the doctor can turn the baby for you, it is uncomfortable but it is done all the time. I would not settle for that to be the final answer,

Ashley - posted on 08/19/2011

Hay thought i would let u no that my baby turned at 35 weeks so if yours hasent yet it still could dont give up. ;)

Julie - posted on 08/19/2011

my daughter was breech 3 weeks before her due date. She turned around on her own. I wouldn't worry just yet. Hang in there and hope for the best.

Iman - posted on 08/19/2011

It's disappointing to know your doctor isn't supporting what YOU want to do! and at 34 weeks it's NOT too late! I have friends that had babies turn the day they were scheduled for the c-section!! I had a version flipping attempted, at 37 weeks, but it failed only because the baby was already over 9lbs and had the cord wrapped around her neck several times, so she moved down but only as far as the cord would allow her and she'd bounce right back up! it's a bit uncomfortable, but not painful and only lasts about 5 minutes anyhow! DEFINITELY worth the try....beats having a c-section any day!!'
I read online about "natural' ways to flip a baby, they're quite funny actually (like shinning a light, putting music on certain parts of ur tummy (depending on where the head is) and several more! Some people say it does work....search and try some :)
if you end up with a c-section, it's not too bad...it's too bad lots more doctors opt for c-sections these days for the simplest reasons....and in your case I think you have ample time! Don't give up just yet, get a second opinion for sure!!! It is major surgery, so if you do end up with a c section, plan ahead of time for someone to care for you for 6 weeks for sure!! I had both, and they each have pro's and con's!! regardless, you want a safe and healthy delivery for mommy and baby :)

Best of luck :)

Nancy - posted on 08/16/2011

Yes, there are ways to safely have the baby turn and or be turned. You might want to read "Silent Knife", check your library. Also if you do have to have a c-section it's not the worst experience of a persons life. Be well.

Victoria - posted on 08/15/2011

A c-section is not as bad as many would lead you to believe. Your baby may or may not turn.. If the baby doesn't then you will have to have a C - Lots fo factors will decide.. how much Fluid you have in the womb.. how big the baby is and if he has the room to turn. It is nothing to worry about. You cannot control the outcome. A midwife is great but breach babies should only be delivered in a hospital to insure safety for everyone.

Becky - posted on 08/12/2011

I delivered my first baby naturaly and she was breach... I guess you have to have a doctor thats comfortable with it?

Angela - posted on 08/09/2011

Chiropractic!!! The Webster Method has a 85% success rate of turning breech babies. My friend was 37 weeks and had 3 adjustments fro. The chiropractor and the baby turned! Here is some more info: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornb...

Erica - posted on 08/09/2011

An excersice my doula showed me is to get on all fours and rock your pelvis back and forth, several times a day.

Bonnie - posted on 08/09/2011

I had a similar situation when I was pregnant with my first daughter. She was breech and luckily the OB I saw at that particular visit actually offered the procedure to turn her. They did it in the hospital and was scheduled for a C-section just in case there was a complication, which there was not and she was born just a week later naturally. But since your OB won't attempt that, I've heard that going on all fours and doing breathing exercises might help. Have you tried doing an internet search to see what options are available? Best wishes for a healthy delivery!! :-)

Belva - posted on 08/08/2011

HOW BIG IS THE BABY AN IS THERE ROOM FOR IT TOO TURN? I HAD A C-SECTION WITH MY SECOND PREGNANT BECAUSE THE BABY WAS TOO BIG IT ISN'T THAT BAD!!!!

Jane - posted on 08/08/2011

I had the same problem. My doctor wanted to schedule the c-section and i didn't want to. She told me one of her other patients went to an acupuncturist, who stuck a needle at a specific point between her toes. It worked for her. I never had the chance to find such a person and schedule this, I went into labor and had to have an emergency c-section. best of luck to you.

Angela - posted on 08/08/2011

Hi! I'm a labor and delivery nurse with 12 years of experience. While it is uncommon for the baby to turn on its own at this gestation, it is not impossible. Some things you can do to help baby turn involve using gravity to help pull baby out of its current position. A swimming pool is very helpful. If you are able, lay far onto your left side for about 10-15 min. Slowly begin moving knees up towards your chest gently, then out your legs as far as possible. gently turn to the other side and repeat. Make sure that while you are doing the long streych at the end you allow enough time for baby to roll. You may also gently push on your tummy to wake baby and encourage movement. hands and knees out of the water is also helpful. I do hope that you get to have a nice normal delivery, but if not there are worse things that can happen than a nice scheduled cesarean section. I would never, ever recommend a breech delivery from below. It is very dangerous for both mom and baby,. I would be very suspicous of any provider who is willing to attempt this type of delivery. External versions are a fairly common practice, but are also high risk and not usually successful. Good luck and I hope whatever type of delivery you have, it is safe and special;)

Simone - posted on 08/08/2011

Acupuncture is safe and has been known to turn babies. Find someone who specializes in pregnancy.

Jennifer - posted on 08/08/2011

Just to let you know that my baby was breach at 34 weeks. My doctor was not concerned with that b/c he said the baby could still flip, but due to protein in my urine & high blood pressure I did have to have an emergency c-section. By the time I went home got my things got myself checked into the hospital & into my room, when the lady came for an ultra sound my baby had flipped back into correct position.

Kelli - posted on 08/08/2011

I had a breach baby at 38 weeks and went to my chiropractor who turned the baby. I went to my OB that afternoon for an ultra sound and proved that the baby had turned.

Tita - posted on 08/08/2011

Getting a second or third opinion will be of help. My daughter also had her first baby delivered the normal/natural way. However with the second, the doctor advised that a cesarean will be done . She cried buckets of tears but after realizing there was no other way, she went through it and delivered safely. When her 3rd child was delivered, again she went c section but this time she was prepared and happy to have her baby safely delivered. Prayers and doctor's advice would still be the best step to follow. Happy delivery and welcome to your healthy baby. God be with you.

Becky - posted on 08/08/2011

My first child was breech and I told the doctor point blank I did NOT want a C-Section. I was 34 weeks too I think. He gave me some exercises to do, like doing somersaults in a pool, laying on an ironing boards while it's laying against the couch w/your head towards the floor, etc. Nothing worked. If the baby didn't turn by 37 weeks, he would try to turn the baby. A 50% success rate, but it worked for me! I won't lie, it hurt and they won't give you pain meds. But I would do it again if I had to, beats surgery. Not every doctor will take the risk of turning babies, so it sounds like yours is one of them. Ask him to refer you to one who will. Good Luck!

Kathy - posted on 08/07/2011

hi. my 3 baby was breech at 39 weeks. both of my older 2 were born naturely so i didnt want a c-section either. i had a brillian dr in the maternity section of our local hospital who was able to turn my baby into the correction position. it hurt me like hell when they were manouvering her but it was worth it so unless there is some other condition that is preventing them from performing this ive proved that its not too late. my baby was turned on the monday and she was born the following saturday and both she and i were fine. i also found sleeping on my left hand side seemed to keep her and the older 2 in the proper place. best of luck with your baby.

Wilma - posted on 08/06/2011

Just relax and be patient. The baby can possibly turn itself. When I went into labor, my doctor told me that between my last visit and going into labor my baby was breech. He said it would take hours before she turned. He was going back to his office and the nurse would call him when it was time. I begged him not to go because I KNEW I couldn't take the pain much longer. He left anyway. I started praying that God would turn her around and let her be born. To make a long story short she was born in less then an hour. A nurse and a Africian American delievered her before the doctor came back and his office was just around the corner. She turned herself around with God's help.

Peta - posted on 08/06/2011

c-section is not the only option, it's the easy option for the doctor! I gave birth to twins and twin 2 was breech and I still delivered him vaginally. The doctor told me to have a c-section but I knew I could deliver them naturally. It is more important for the baby to go through the birthing process than it is for the convenience of the doctor and that is all it is.Whatever you decide, make sure it is your decision not the doctors. Ask the midwives and they will give the right guidence to make an informed decision.

Megan - posted on 08/06/2011

My first child was delivered breech. They were prepared for a cesarean in case of an emergency, but all was fine. She was 3.2 kg. My second turned, was only slightly bigger but a more painful experience. I wouldn't go against your Dr's advice but there may be other options. Good luck!

Ashley - posted on 08/05/2011

My doc said that he could get the specialist doc to try to turn my baby there is a 65 % success rate im not sure why that hasent been offered. Im 33 weeks and baby is breech to. also said to sleep with my bum in the air lol i was like are u serious jeez u first.

Katie - posted on 08/05/2011

Both of my children were breech. My first never turned so I had a c-section and it was not bad at all. My second one turned in the last few weeks and I was so surprised. I had a c-section the second time around as well. Babies can and will turn at the last minute but just incase he/she doesn't a c-section is not as bad as it sounds. Best wishes.

Michelle - posted on 08/05/2011

Well, just like that, my baby has flipped back to transverse position. I commented a few days ago that I did some yoga to move her and she finally went head down at 35 weeks. Now at 36 weeks, she's back to transverse...UGH! So back to the yoga I go and I guess I really won't stress because all that matters is a healthy baby delivered (no matter how) when it is all said and done.

Jennifer - posted on 08/05/2011

I was in your same position a few weeks ago. My dr told me to lay with my hips propped up on pillows and to look old wives tales on flipping baby. One thing I found that was hilarious was to do flips in a pool, which I did with help from the hubby. She stayed breach. My water broke at 37 weeks and I had a c section. I was scared to death but it wasn't that bad. I still would have preferred natural like my first child but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Melanie - posted on 08/05/2011

I have heard placing bags of frozen veggies on top of your tummy helps, placing a radio at the vaginal entrance so the baby can hear the music or shining a flashlight near the lower abd, I guess baby becomes interested in the light. also placing feet higher than hips to give them room to turn. Didn't need to try these with my 2 pregnancies. I agree with Marina, on calling your dr's bullshit. get a 2nd opinion. You can deliver breech, not most comfy but it has been done. good luck

Marsha - posted on 08/05/2011

Your dr. is misguided. My daughter was breech till basically the week before I had her! I actually went swimming a lot, and I went to an accupuncturist, and he worked on my feet... and low and behold, my daughter turned!

Donna - posted on 08/05/2011

My daughter was breech and over 9 lbs so I had a C-section. I was 19 and I kept telling my Dr it was her head pushing up under my breasts and he kept saying it was her bum. The day before she was born he did an X-ray and sure enough she was breech. I had a C-section. I asked what would happen if I tried naturally and everything came out but her head and she got stuck and he said "You don't want to know." This was 29 years ago. I never regretted having a C-section and I think the health and safety of the baby is all that matters in the end.

Janessa - posted on 08/05/2011

I completely understand your pain, that is one of my fears, with every pregnancy. I've had them all natural and I'm always afraid I will have a breeched baby and have to have a C-section. I actually asked my doctor about that, and he has delivered babies in the breeched position before but he says he won't now because of all the liability issues there are even if the parents don't blame you, insurance will. There are still doctor's and/or midwives out there that could have second opinions, you might want to look into it. I totally love my doctor because he is so honest and upfront with me about everything I trust him completely, but if I were in that position I might look into other options if I felt I should.

Maxine - posted on 08/05/2011

Wow...I know things have changed in the last 30 years but I gave birth to my son who was breach 37 years ago. I had natural childbirth, no drugs and baby came out feet first. It was hard and long labor...but it was done without drugs, without c- section! They did however have to give my son oxygen once he was out. I might add that they didn't even have sonograms back then and they discovered his position by x-ray! I don't know if they do this any longer but if I were you I would at least get another opinion!

Sarah - posted on 08/05/2011

Do you have anywhere nearby that holds pregnancy swimming? I (here in New Zealand) really enjoyed going to one of our hospitals' hydrotherapy pool where they held specialised classes. Private pool....preggie ladies only! Your belly floats in the water and all the pressure comes off...I imagine that would also give the opportunity for babies to readjust themselves. Good luck!

Andrea - posted on 08/05/2011

Really, I don't think it is ever too late for a baby to turn unless there are other issues. My SIL had her baby turn at about 38 weeks. I had an external version at the hospital with my 1st child, even though I had low fluid, at 39 weeks. They did get her turned, but unfortunately her feet stayed up by her head, so I still ended up with a C-section. They just did it right afterwards. There is a site called Spinning Babies that you might check for suggestions. I've also heard that some chiropractors are trained in the Webster Technique which can be helpful in getting babies to turn.

Keri - posted on 08/05/2011

You don't have to have a c-section. There is still plenty of time for the baby to turn and there is new research saying breach births are nearly as dangerous as once thought. I can't find the information for you right now. A c-section should be an absolute last resort not something that is scheduled for convenience for either you or the doctor.

Dannielle - posted on 08/05/2011

My third turn 12 hours before she was born. The doc also told me I was not in labour because I was too calm and did have any signs of "active" labour and I still had three weeks to go....My water broke as she walked out of the room..."active" labour started 10 hours after my water broke. My fourth, I interviewed the doctors until I was happy and I enjoyed my all natural delivery...Doctors make or break a good delivery .....good luck.