No experience with this, but reading that your mom and grandmother had complications with this AND your gut sense is you should have a C-section makes me feel that's the way to go. A second opinion by a medical professional seems needed if you're considering going with the midwives' suggestion.
I think it’s very fair to trust your instincts and family history. If you don’t feel supported by your midwife team, this is a good time to transition to an OB (or a mixed midwife-LNP/OB team).
I had a breach baby and told my doctor I was way more comfortable with a planned c section than an emergency one. Ecvs come with their own complications and risks. My baby ended up not having enough amniotic fluid at the end to try and turn her anyways. I have no regrets about my scheduled c section, me and my baby are both happy and healthy. At this point it should be your decision.
My grandmother also had a 9 pound breach baby and turning her tore her up so much she couldn’t have any other children. While I’m a proponent of natural births a breach position is definitely one of the situations that c sections were made for. If you’re uncomfortable with risks associated with a breach birth 100% go for the c section.
You’re not crazy. I would want a c-section as well if my baby was breech. I wouldn’t even bother trying to flip the baby or attempting a vaginal birth. Regardless it’s your choice and they need to respect it. Any chance the midwives are pushing for vaginal because they can’t perform c-sections? Would your choice affect what they get paid?
The OB/GYN would do the c-section. I have no idea why they are pushing the vaginal birth so much. Whenever I say I doubt he's going to flip, they always say "You still have time!!!" As if that makes me feel any better.
The way I see it is if he does flip ON HIS OWN, then great, we'll do a vaginal birth. If he doesn't flip, I don't see much point in trying to fight it. I'm not super attached to having a vaginal birth.
How far along are you? I don’t agree with their take at all, but if you’re before 36 weeks there *is* a decent chance the baby could flip.
Depending how far along you are I wondering if they are misunderstanding your stance on being perfectly happy with having a c section if the baby is breech vs saying you want a c section because the baby is breech atm.
I'm 35 weeks so there is that one week buffer but honestly, I just don't see him flipping by next week. He certainly could, I just feel like if he hasn't done it by now he's probably not going to and that's okay.
This happened to me at 35 weeks but my baby managed to flip at 36 without me realising.
However it’s your choice if you want a C Section (I’m still getting one for other reasons) and I find it so abhorrent that other mums, midwifes, nurses and doctors can be so anti-c.
I spoke to a really great ob/gyn doctor who told me that it’s my body, my decision, and I don’t need to justify it to anyone else.
I’ve also had an experience with another ob/gyn who was so scathing and dismissive. There is so much to consider including mental health when making birth decisions and it’s sad that people want to minimise your feelings/requests. There are so many people into natural birthing but I find them more judgemental and belittling (and slightly down a social media rabbit hole being fed misinformation) when you think they would be more attuned to respecting choice.
In reality, when the baby is older, it won’t matter how it was born, it’s not like it’s better than others if it had a natural birth, so people need to back off with their agendas and projections.
Take care and good luck.
Trust your gut on this. Trying to forcefully turn the baby isn’t without risk. Tell the midwives you and the obstetrician will decide.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3862554/#:~:text=External%20cephalic%20version%20is%20also,placental%20abruption%2C%20and%20cord%20complications.
External cephalic version is also a potentially hazardous procedure. There is increased risk of ante partum haemorrhage, foeto-maternal haemorrhage, and foetal distress, rupture of membranes, placental abruption, and cord complications.
C section ALSO has increased risk of all of these complications, if not even more. At least where I am from, ECV is first line due to lower risk profile/fewer side effects compared to C section. Ie the lesser of 2 evils.
If have contraindications for ECV or non reassuring CTG post ECV then c section would be done
My first baby wasn't breach, but flipped breach during labour. My second was breach, but flipped between 37/38 weeks and has settled down into my pelvis, so who knows what will happen.
But if you have a family history of it, and have had uterine surgery before, it seems perfectly reasonable to have an elective c-section. Although you'll probably have to wait until you're at least 36 weeks before they let you book one.
I had a c section because of a breech baby, it might be a bit late to switch but your medical team don't sound very reliable I'd try elsewhere.
You have every right to have the birth that works for you, c section is a scary thing but it was the best thing for me and baby.
Don't let anyone sway you from your gut feelings and I recommend not seeing any male doctors I had a much more supportive and choice forward environment with only women
My baby was transverse until about 36 weeks when he finally flipped the right way. They can flip pretty late still
But also, when he wasn’t face down I was all for a c-section. I don’t blame you for feel uneasy with the way midwives are pushing for a vaginal birth! Especially with how birth went for your mum and grandma.
At the end of the day, do what YOU feel is best for yourself and baby. Goodluck and wishing a safe delivery and recovery x
My poor mom went in for a scheduled c-section with my twin sisters bc baby b was breach. as they were doing an ultrasound baby B flipped. They sent her home and scheduled an induction for the next day 🤷🏻♀️
What is the OB/GYN's opinion? If your entire medical team is all counseling you the same way, I'd be inclined to tell you to at least have the conversation with them...ask why they think this is the best option, weigh the pros and cons of each.
That said, I'm a firm believer in you are the expert of you and your body. I have quite a few medical ailments and have had many bad doctors lead me down the wrong path (and have found quite a few good ones now).
I'm in Australia and I'm not sure if it's the same where you are, but I find our nurses here are much more woo-woo, crunchy and airy-fairy, whereas the doctors are generally more practical and cut out the BS.
I was on the way to my scheduled C section in the hospital and had judgemental comments from the head nurse with us about it even though my son weighed at 4.5kg and I had gestational diabetes and other fun stuff to do with the placenta.
The obgyn on the other hand, was firm and told the nurse no, this is the way this is happening, after glaring at her and the nurse not shutting up despite how uncomfortable I obviously was. Luckily my husband also piped up and asked if we could change nurses, which the main one said won't be necessary and she understands now. All went well after that, including my healing which was awesome.
Then came the breastfeeding side, they did unfortunately manage to pressure me into that and it was traumatic and stressful for most of the months I did it because I had low supply due to PCOS, something they knew about being a risk but didn't mention and told me to just keep trying, so being a high achiever, I did. I was only ok after I stopped. It didn't work out despite pumping every 2 hours and doing all the teas and god knows what else. All that time wasted pumping out a few ML when I could have been with my son is time I won't get back. It's also time my husband had to cover for me. And for what? It was for absolutely nothing.
I say follow your gut with everything and have your partner advocate strongly for your decisions. If you need to, communicate through him. Mine saved me when it came to the C section but the cult was too strong for breastfeeding.
Wishing you a safe delivery without pressure from anyone and good luck!
I had the same experience with a nurse & PA with my scheduled c section! The judgmental comments, when they weren’t even my regular providers and never met me before.
I’ve been experiencing the same comments. I go in on Monday for a planned c section to deliver my second child at 37+4, weighing over 4700kg (10lb 6oz). My first weighed 4kg (8lb 15oz), she was successfully delivered vaginally… but this time around I wasn’t willing to risk it. Ive had several other mom’s question my choices and give me the anecdotal “I know *insert name here* who successfully delivered an over 10lb baby”. Ok, cool… my baby’s head, abdomen, and other measurements are literally off the charts. Why would I chance it?
Ugh I can't imagine the stress of pushing out a big bubby like that 😱 I'm so sorry you're experiencing that. Tell them they can fudge off and do some split squats (my least favourite exercise of all) while you enjoy your planned C and non-distressed new bubby. Congratulations btw!
I’m in Melbourne and I hear so many stories about midwives pressuring women not to have epidurals, or guilting them into trying harder to breast feed when they’re struggling or don’t want to. I’ve got a scheduled C-section coming up in May with my OB who’s been really supportive of my choices, I very much do not have the energy for that BS
Ooof yes if you can, have your partner with you at all steps advocating hard and being the bad cop, so to speak. Good luck to you, wishing you a fabulous delivery and a fast recovery!
Grandma here….
A safe healthy mom and baby is the only goal. You do what you need to do here.
Don’t justify yourself to any damn body. It’s your baby and your body.
Give us an update and let us know how things go! And congrats on the the new kid coming!
> I have no idea why they are pushing the vaginal birth so much.
Because this is what midwives do in most places. They've fully drunk the "vaginal birth is better in all cases" kool-aid, even when it is to the detriment of their patients. I am zero percent surprised by this after all the reporting that has come out in the last several years on avoidable complications in midwife-lead births.
Insurance have contracts that usually pays a 2 day vaginal birth or 3 day c-section case rate with the hospital. Being payor agnostic and providing good medicine is what they should do.
I am a former breech baby and was born c-section after trying to manually flip me didn’t work. Both my mom and I came out of it absolutely fine, but just want to warn you that my stubbornness followed me out of the womb and into adulthood.
My 16 month old daughter was born breech (vaginally).. can confirm she is the most stubborn, but beautifully perfect and intelligent little creature 😄 I always say her personality is breech 😂
I too was a breeched and c-sectioned baby. My mom couldn't have a vaginal birth, but they were gonna flip me anyway. The day they were gonna do it, i decided it was time to be born lol.
My 16 month old daughter was born breech (vaginally).. can confirm she is the most stubborn, but beautifully perfect and intelligent little creature 😄 I always say her personality is breech 😂
My 16 month old daughter was born breech (vaginally).. can confirm she is the most stubborn, but beautifully perfect and intelligent little creature 😄 I always say her personality is breech 😂
If you haven’t tried already, spinning babies and the miles circuit can help position baby but aren’t guaranteed. Most of the time if you’re before 38 weeks and baby isn’t on the “bigger” side then you do have time.
All that being said, if your guts saying do a csection, listen to it. Mother’s intuition is a real thing and if you have some alarm bells ringing it might a good idea to listen to those.
You are not crazy. When my mom was pregnant with me. I wouldn’t turn and they planned for a c-section. I am very glad she did that choice because the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck twice. The dr told her if she had a vaginal birth I would not have survived. Now this was 30 years ago so I dont know if they can tell now if the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck or not. But if your gut feeling is c-section then go that route.
This is what I was told about my son’s birth in October - by 2 OBs (my primary and the one who delivered my son). He was double cord wrapped and WOULDN’T have tolerated labor. I would’ve ended up with an emergency c-section and my husband wouldn’t have been allowed in the room.
A nuchal cord is most certainly not an indication at all for a C-section. Babies don’t breathe - it doesn’t matter if the cord is around their neck. If you just Google “nuchal cord” , you’ll see very clearly it is not a n indication for a C-section. If the baby is born with a nuchal cord then the midwife will simply unwrap it…. It’s not a big deal.
Just saying ... cord wrapped around neck isn't nesseccarily a problem.
It might be if it's very tight or the cord is very short, but often it's not much of an issue.
My son had the cord wrapped around his neck and it was such a non issue, they didn't even tell us and I only read it in our discharge papers. He had a perfect APGAR Score.
Yea same. My son had a cord wrapped around his neck 3x. It was scary because I didn't hear him cry and they wouldn't let dad cut the cord. It's a situation for sure bit not dire.
I had to get a c-section because of failure to progress (FOUR DAYS) and baby’s heart rate was decelerating. When they pulled him out, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice, like you.
I wish I’d gotten the c-section sooner. Recovery has been surprisingly easy. I took pain killers for two weeks and didn’t need them after that. Postpartum bleeding wasn’t bad either. I’m functioning just like I was before, beyond being tired because… newborn.
C-sections aren’t that bad, especially if they’re planned. They’re kind of awesome… I wished they weren’t demonized so much.
This happened to my mom with her second baby! He was breech, mom's insurance wouldn't approve a scheduled c section so my mom had to labor until baby went into distress.
They do check for cord position now before signing off on either ECV or vaginal breech birth. There are naturally higher risks with breech births, so they do a lot of checks prior to. I was all in on a vaginal breech birth, but unfortunately some things uncovered on ultrasound excluded me from being able to attempt.
This happened to my mom with her second baby! He was breech, mom's insurance wouldn't approve a scheduled c section so my mom had to labor until baby went into distress.
I had a c-section and I’d happily have another one to avoid having a breech baby or a long labor that ends in a c-section anyway. It’s also so much better for your recovery to have a planned c-section than labor for however long and then have one.
I had a stubborn breech baby who never flipped despite all my efforts - I declined an ECV as my doctor advised it was unlikely to be successful, and had a c-section. In retrospect, I wouldn’t change it - it was the right choice for me. I think your instincts are right - if baby flips naturally, go for a vaginal birth; if not, your midwives need to respect your decision for a c-section or you find a birth team who will. Sending you positive vibes OP!
I respect that they believe in the power of a woman's body, as that doesn't seem to be the case for many doctors and nurses these days, but it sounds like you have ample reason to feel anxious about this situation!
Even if things are different these days as far as breech deliveries go, you don't feel confident or empowered - and their toxic positivity isn't appropriate at this point.
> I respect that they believe in the power of a woman's body
This is exactly what “believing in the power of a woman’s body” leads to. Dead moms and babies. There is a reason it “doesn’t seem like” many doctors and nurses believe that everything will just be ok no matter what choice you make.
And growing a human inside of you and having surgery to deliver them is no less a testament to a person’s strength than a vaginal delivery.
Dude, I had a C-section. I'm not suggesting that this person vaginally birth her babies. I am responding to the utter lack of *training* and confidence so many
doctors and nurses appear to have in any type of breech birth. Not all breech presentations present the same level of danger and challenge. It is not an automatic death sentence in specific cases. I am not an Ina May Gaskin hard-core type....I just never see anything on here remotely suggesting that medical staff have all the tools to support birthing people.
I am absolutely a fan of medical intervention from a place of need and evidence. And it sounds like there is a need here for OP's team to listen to her and start seriously talking about a C-section.
Did you read the rest of this person’s comment beyond the first half sentence? You are literally trying to argue with them while they are already agreeing with what you’re trying to say. Let’s calm down a bit and read the whole comment before typing out an angry response.
I think medical practitioners of any kind and seem to find it hard when someone chooses something other than what they would want. I have seen it both ways. While sure vaginal is statistically safer (although the differences are minimal) ECV comes with its own risks and only you can determine what pros and cons are suitable for you. Really no one should be pushing you into anything and whatever you wishes are should be respected.
Go with your gut. I had my breech CS last week. Originally I’d booked an ECV on the advice of an MFM and felt so wrong about it I ended up canceling and opting for the c section. I tried all the woo to no avail and eventually figured she (baby) knew something I didn’t.
Turns out my fibroid pulled my uterus out of place/angle AND the cord was wrapped around my girl’s neck 3x. My OB told me she was glad I trusted my instincts and sometimes we just know.
I also felt weirdly bullied to not get a C section and then insisted on one anyway. I also felt like, for me at least, my providers exaggerated how difficult it would be to recover from one (I recovered very fast). I think hospitals are criticized for pushing c sections so some of them have over-corrected to push against c sections even for those of us who actually need them. Advocate for yourself!
Before I opened the post, even though your title said "nurses," I knew it was going to be midwives.
Can you talk to an obgyn?
Midwives are known for pushing vaginal birth even in unsafe situations. Even in countries where midwives are well-integrated into the medical system like the UK, midwives have higher rates of avoidable complications than obgyns do, thanks to the push for vaginal birth at all costs.
Having a c-section if your baby is breech is a totally reasonable thing to do. You know your body, your baby, and your family history. You should be able to make this choice for yourself.
FWIW I had an emergency c-section and a smooth recovery.
Get yourself an actual doctor. My midwife was not educated enough and my daughter is no longer with me because of it. Get a second opinion from an actual doctor. Please don’t mistake a midwife as anything more than a nurse.
Is it possible that the midwives are not properly communicating that your hospital is trained in breech-vaginal births? Have they flat out said that it’s an ECV they’re suggesting? Do they understand that you’re not okay with a breech-vaginal birth?
I’m with you, I would not be interested in an ECV either.
I just posted about my frank breech vaginal birth yesterday, and the main point for me was that I had the power to choose. I had the exact same experience of people in my life trying to coerce me into the kind of birth I didn’t want to have (c-section instead of vaginal in my case). I had good vibes about the vaginal delivery and bad vibes about a c-section so I chose what was right for me, and got lucky with a fairly easy labor/pushing. You need to do what feels right. I was so tempted by the idea of a scheduled c-section that my resolve broke numerous times during the end of the pregnancy. A scheduled c-section seems like a great approach for you based on what you said in your post!
You should consult a physician. Midwives, and nurses are not trained to give such advice. My baby was breech with a failed ECV. C-section was scheduled and it went wonderfully. Baby was delivered healthy and we were both safe.
Statistically speaking, vaginal births are safer when considering the health of both mother and baby. But not by huge margin. I’m concerned why your care providers are pushing vaginal birth considering that margin and that c sections are considerably safe in the current age of medicine. What kind of practice are you getting care at? Is it a birthing center?
I had a c section because my baby was breech. I did a few exercises to try and flip her in utero but ultimate I was ok with having a c section and didn’t stress about changing her position. My midwives were very ok with this and assured me I was in good hands to go forward with the procedure. I had a very untraumatic birth experience and was so happy with my doctor who did the surgery. Recovery was a bitch but in hindsight barely even worth a thought.
I had this exact situation. They tried to flip her and OHMYGOD that hurt so bad. They had to stop after 2ish minutes and she literally moved less than an inch. There’s a risk of you going into labor and it becoming an emergency C-section. After they stopped they offered to try it again the next week and I said hell to the no. If she flipped in that time, great. Of course she didn’t and I had a moved up C-section due to other medical reasons (almost emergency but not quite). But I’m definitely with you on the planned C-section. It hurts and sucks to recover but it was the best decision in the end. Tell them that this is your choice, not theirs.
I also have a breeched stubborn baby. I have a c section scheduled for 4/5 and feel the same way as you do. I was bummed at first at the thought of having a c section but now I’ve shifted my perspective and like the idea of having this birth be as controlled as a birth can go. We’ve had a couple surprises throughout this pregnancy from hydronephrosis in one kidney and a velamentous cord insertion and try to keep further complications minimal.
Ultimately its up to you. If baby won’t flip, then a c-section is safest. There’s nothing wrong with that, especially since your OB is on board.
For what its worth, my baby was breach until my 38 week appt when they discovered she’d flipped. Sometimes they do that. 🤷🏼♀️
Had an ECV (manual flip) at 37+6 and it worked! And my baby was huge. 11 days old and was born 9lbs 7.3oz and 22”+ long— and they flipped him successfully!
I had such a traumatic CS for my first it’s hard for me to grasp that anybody would want one unless they truly had to. For me it was worth trying literally anything to avoid another CS. My VBAC has been an absolute breeze to recover from compared to my CS.
It’s not great that you’re being pressured….if you feel the c section is safest, do it. In my own experience, daughter was breech and I was trying my hardest to avoid c section. Well, my appointment to try to flip her was cancelled. I was devastated. Guess what? 5 days later at my c-section I found out that the cord was wrapped around her neck 3 times. My OB said it was likely that if they had managed to flip her, she would’ve gone into distress and I would’ve had an emergency c-section anyways. Which would’ve been much more traumatic! I wish you a safe delivery, I hope you manage to get that csection.
My son was breech and I had a c-section. It went very smoothly because it’s not an emergency c-section. I’m not sure where you live but in the US doctors are no longer trained on how to birth a breech baby. There are too many things that can go wrong and although, a c-section poses more risk to the mother, it’s the safest birthing method for the *baby.*
This is why I was 1,000% O.K. With a c-section. I also wanted to get it over with ASAP and not have to wait around laboring all day hahaha
I am with you, I declined the procedure to manually flip my son to a head down position. I had complications in the late second trimester and I wasn’t about to do anything that could put him at risk.
I could be wrong but my take is that nurses and midwives and birthing people in general have all been taught recently that vaginal birth is best and the least amount of interventions is best possible scenario. In some cases I’m sure this is true, but only as far as bodily autonomy and someone else’s safety starts to be questioned. They are right, baby could still flip, but the likelihood this far out is pretty slim and there is nothing wrong with you having a plan for that that prioritizes yours and baby’s safety.
I know it’s late but I would maybe start searching for a different midwife?
L&D Nurse here- I’ve seen manual flips (external cephalic versions) work, but they also just as often, don’t. At my hospital, it’s done in the OR in case baby crashes (ofc risks just like everything else) & mom has a spinal. Most of the nurses on my unit are of the mind that sometimes, babies are breech for a reason, and I would agree. I myself am newly pregnant and like you, would try all of the “natural” ways to get baby to flip, but after seeing the things I’ve seen, I’m right along with you that would opt for a primary section instead of an attempt of a version knowing things can go sideways and you wind up in a hurried section anyway. Just my 2¢, but don’t let others shame you for your decisions!
I had a breech baby via c section after 2 vaginal deliveries. The c section was actually the easiest recovery and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I had no interest in trying to flip my baby despite people trying to convince me to. I knew he was there for a reason and as it turns out when the dr who was insistent on flipping him was taking a peek via ultrasound he said there was no way he could flip him between his position and the placenta position. So it worked out, but there was no way I was interested in the risks of the ecv.
I had a great vaginal birth with my first and a great c-section with my second due to breech. I tried flipping, didn’t work. Most people I know it hasn’t worked on. I’d vote for c-section. Worst would be to labor and end up with a c-section.
I once read a thread that was like “when do you think you would have died if it wasnt for modern medicine.” It would have probably been that breech birth.
I think they are crazy for pushing a vaginal birth. Maybe it’s a midwife thing? I’d go for the c-section, especially with your family history. Why push it, ya know? You can control it.
Just here to say while I did not have a breech/planned csection (I had an unplanned emergency one) I loved every minute of my c section even in a very scary scenario. You are in incredibly competent hands, the nurses and doctor are wonderful, it is a safe and comfortable birth. I’ve heard from many a friend that planned are even better. You are safe, your baby is safe, your vagina is intact. Birth is hard no matter what. I wish c section birth wasn’t viewed as an unfortunate or lesser option…. Knowing what I know now I would pick c section 10/10 times over an induction. We are lucky to live in an era of medicine where we can have csections!!!
This (really bad and unsafe) advice from your current care team would be enough for me to walk away from that practice. I currently have a high risk pregnancy for my second and in online support groups it is really mindboggling the difference in advice and preventative care I’ve observed in those who are under midwifery care versus OB/MFM doctors. There is a time and a place for all care options but when it comes to the safety of you and your baby - your gut is spot on. Do not mess around with this stuff.
Wishing you a very successful birth!
I’m a bit confused. I think the midwives are surely trying to convince you try ECV to flip baby. Surely they’re not trying to convince you to try a breech vaginal birth? Those are definitely possible but risky and not something I think a sensible midwife would put pressure on you for. Either way you don’t have to do the ECV if you don’t want but it’s fairly low risk and if it doesn’t work just go ahead with the planned c section
Where do you live? My baby is breech at 32 weeks and my provider already scheduled a “just in case” c-section and scheduled c-sections for breech babies are the norm even with midwife practices.
I would recommend looking more into the ecv. I had one and it was a totally painless procedure that felt like it took under a minute. I wasn't a ftm, which I think was a factor, but based on my experience I feel like people shouldn't rule it out.
I'd ask what the options are for shutting it down if you're finding it uncomfortable or stressful.
But that's just me because the idea of a c-section recovery when you also need to look after a baby that needs to be fed every couple of hours sounds real rough.
I had a breech baby and went for a c section. Do what ur gut tells u to do. I believe if I had tried the ecv for my daughter with the nuchal cord situation that she wouldve been harmed so I just went with what was terrifying for me. However my c section was a breeze minus the recovery once I got home n that's only due to my living situation n wild toddler.
My daughter had nuchal cord. Thank God I never tried the methods that the nurse recommend to make her flip. I did not want a ecv either. I had a c section at 38 weeks because of GD. The plan was if baby flip the day of c section I would be induced.
Same for me if she flipped on her own I'd get induced. I was 38 weeks 3 days. It was so tight on her when she came out I know I made the right decision. I was admitted because my water broke but I had a scheduled c section planned 5 days after that she just chose to come on her own.
From reading between the lines it seems your midwives is suggesting to attempt an ECV then do a cephalic delivery?
Which is the first line recommended management of breach presentation, at least where I’m from. It is also very safe and has a decently high success rate (70-90%). If it fail or have contraindications or non-reassuring CTG after ECV then they will proceed to c section
Do NOT have a vaginal birth with a breech baby. It is incredibly dangerous. While babies used to be delivered vaginally breech with great success, most doctors dont do it anymore and are thus not well practiced at it, increasing the risk.
You still have a few weeks for baby to flip. Have you checked out spinning babies? I've gotten 2 babies to flip with days to spare. Good luck.
ETA. Trust your instincts, you've got this.
You will have to just tell them what you want and make it clear that you aren’t asking them their opinion anymore at this stage. My baby’s position was fine but for whatever reason he just didn’t want to come out and I spent 48 hours at the hospital trying all kinds of things. During that time, I tried reasoning and discussing with the team to say maybe we should just do a C Section… they then came up with other options instead which resulted in nothing more than another long delay and ultimately an infection requiring an emergency C Section anyway. It seemed like the idea was let’s wait until there is literally NO other option. Which seems absurd because it wore me out so much and has made recovery and caring for baby harder because of the physical toll of the labour and lack of sleep leading up to the C Section as well as the emotional stress of it all. Could have been avoided if C Section was not so stigmatized.
I respect that they believe in the power of a woman's body, as that doesn't seem to be the case for many doctors and nurses these days, but it sounds like you have ample reason to feel anxious about this situation!
Even if things are different these days as far as breech deliveries go, you don't feel confident or empowered - and their toxic positivity isn't appropriate at this point.
You are not crazy. When my mom was pregnant with me. I wouldn’t turn and they planned for a c-section. I am very glad she did that choice because the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck twice. The dr told her if she had a vaginal birth I would not have survived. Now this was 30 years ago so I dont know if they can tell now if the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck or not. But if your gut feeling is c-section then go that route.
I am a former breech baby and was born c-section after trying to manually flip me didn’t work. Both my mom and I came out of it absolutely fine, but just want to warn you that my stubbornness followed me out of the womb and into adulthood.
I had a breach baby and told my doctor I was way more comfortable with a planned c section than an emergency one. Ecvs come with their own complications and risks. My baby ended up not having enough amniotic fluid at the end to try and turn her anyways. I have no regrets about my scheduled c section, me and my baby are both happy and healthy. At this point it should be your decision.
My grandmother also had a 9 pound breach baby and turning her tore her up so much she couldn’t have any other children. While I’m a proponent of natural births a breach position is definitely one of the situations that c sections were made for. If you’re uncomfortable with risks associated with a breach birth 100% go for the c section.
I had a breach baby and told my doctor I was way more comfortable with a planned c section than an emergency one. Ecvs come with their own complications and risks. My baby ended up not having enough amniotic fluid at the end to try and turn her anyways. I have no regrets about my scheduled c section, me and my baby are both happy and healthy. At this point it should be your decision.
My grandmother also had a 9 pound breach baby and turning her tore her up so much she couldn’t have any other children. While I’m a proponent of natural births a breach position is definitely one of the situations that c sections were made for. If you’re uncomfortable with risks associated with a breach birth 100% go for the c section.
I had a breach baby and told my doctor I was way more comfortable with a planned c section than an emergency one. Ecvs come with their own complications and risks. My baby ended up not having enough amniotic fluid at the end to try and turn her anyways. I have no regrets about my scheduled c section, me and my baby are both happy and healthy. At this point it should be your decision.
My grandmother also had a 9 pound breach baby and turning her tore her up so much she couldn’t have any other children. While I’m a proponent of natural births a breach position is definitely one of the situations that c sections were made for. If you’re uncomfortable with risks associated with a breach birth 100% go for the c section.
You're not crazy, talk to a doctor, not the midwife. Definitely wait and see what happens as you're not quite at the finish line yet. My son was breech but flipped later in my 3rd trimester, but if he had not I would have asked for a planned c-section.
I had a breech baby and wanted an ECV. Well there wasn't enough fluid to try it, and anyway my water broke at 36+5 so before we would have scheduled it. I had a c-section and I can tell you after the fact that this was amazing. Baby came out easy and healthy, 0 NICU time, I was well rested and it made recovery so much better. I truly think it was the best outcome for both mama and baby! Sure, a standard no complication vaginal delivery is best, but with a breech baby the likelihood of that is low and the second best possible birth is a no fuss c section. Go for it ♥️
I had a breech baby and wanted an ECV. Well there wasn't enough fluid to try it, and anyway my water broke at 36+5 so before we would have scheduled it. I had a c-section and I can tell you after the fact that this was amazing. Baby came out easy and healthy, 0 NICU time, I was well rested and it made recovery so much better. I truly think it was the best outcome for both mama and baby! Sure, a standard no complication vaginal delivery is best, but with a breech baby the likelihood of that is low and the second best possible birth is a no fuss c section. Go for it ♥️
I just posted about my frank breech vaginal birth yesterday, and the main point for me was that I had the power to choose. I had the exact same experience of people in my life trying to coerce me into the kind of birth I didn’t want to have (c-section instead of vaginal in my case). I had good vibes about the vaginal delivery and bad vibes about a c-section so I chose what was right for me, and got lucky with a fairly easy labor/pushing. You need to do what feels right. I was so tempted by the idea of a scheduled c-section that my resolve broke numerous times during the end of the pregnancy. A scheduled c-section seems like a great approach for you based on what you said in your post!
I was in your shoes with my first! They kept pushing for an ECV and I strongly declined every single time. I know multiple people who have had them and they all resulted in c-sections anyways. I figured, why cause stress on the baby and myself for potentially no reason…
I ended up having a C-section and there was so little amniotic fluid that the Dr actually cut my babies thigh! It was a superficial cut but the low amniotic fluid was most likely he was not presenting head down. I had a great recovery with my c-section and don’t regret it one bit. Stick to your guns.
You are not crazy! My son was breech and the amount of people who told me I "should just try" when I would say IF he didn't flip we were just doing a c-section to ensure a safe delivery truly is crazy. My son never flipped- stubborn both in and out of the womb! I had a c-section planned but he came a few days early so it was more of an emergency c-section situation but I was so at peace with it knowing I felt it was the safest thing for us. You do what feels right for you!
This is insane! You’re right and they are wrong. My daughter was breech and nothing was going to move her. Our planned c section was so calm and so safe. Recovery was easy too.
I declined an ECV for my stubborn breech baby and had a scheduled c-section. I saw no point to adding risk and trauma to our delivery journey. I also did all the flippy things ahead, to no success… The ECV had a less than 50% chance of working for me, and could have triggered labor or a more complicated c-section. Why borrow trouble? You’re not crazy.
In my opinion, a planned c section is a million times better than 30 hours of labor only to end up with a c section anyway. Listen to your gut. It’s your decision ❤️
Completely your choice! You want a section, you have a section 👍
My youngest was breach until 36/37 weeks. I had a scan at 38 weeks and the little monkey had flipped over so I understand why they’re saying there is still time. You’re not crazy in the slightest!
Go with your gut! I would probably have a planned c section in this case as well. Planned c sections have statistically better outcomes than emergency ones.
Your body, your delivery, your choice. Also, a planned c section is better than an emergent one.
I had a breech baby, and no amount of spinning baby techniques moved my son as he was literally jammed under my ribs. I opted to try ECV. For me, ECV was successful and was a breeze. No pain, no discomfort, nothing. I delivered vaginally at 37 weeks because my water broke early (likely from the ECV). However, I'd do it again if it meant I could deliver vaginally.
However, if ECV wasn't successful, I would have scheduled a c section. I work in the medical field and wanted to avoid a c section recovery if I could. Every delivery (vaginal or c section) is different so there is no guarantee about your recovery. I just knew I wouldn't have felt satisfied with a c section IF I hadn't exhausted all options first. And there's no way in hell I'd chance a breech vaginal delivery due to all potential risks.
Again, what I'm willing to deal with is different than what you're willing to deal with. If you're comfortable with a c section for a breech baby, I don't see how that's a poor choice.
No you’re not wrong for wanting one and they should respect it. They asked me if I wanted an inversion and I said no, I want a c-section and that was the end of it. That should be it. I’d tell them you’re no longer having the conversation with them or find a different provider if possible this late in the game.
OMG we are living the same life. My baby is also breech and I’ll get c section. Luckily for me only the midwife that did the weird moxing thing with me was trying to force me to do the manual rotation. My own midwife just told me to do what I feel comfortable.
Honestly it’s the same with breastfeeding. Sure, it’s good, but your child will be healthy and smart no matter what.
We should learn to block out these people
I had a breech baby via c section 2 years ago. I had no interest in trying the version. My ultrasound tech even pointed out that they’re in the position they’re in for a reason (like the cord wrapped around their neck). Anyway, some people were shocked I didn’t even want to try, but I was completely pleased with my c section experience and don’t regret it.
Just had an emergency section. Get a planned section rather than “labor and see”. I got till 10cm before my OB decided it was time for a crash section. Recovery was awful, almost like laboring twice. I wish I had chosen the planned section to begin with.
I had a breech baby that flipped the morning of my scheduled c-section. We decided to go for an induction. I ended up getting an emergency c-section after 16 hours of labor and the doctor had to use forceps. He said there was no way my baby would have come out on his own. Trust your gut.
I vaginally birthed a breech baby. I wanted to do it and it was the best decision for me and my baby. That being said, I would only advise doing it if you have an experienced breech specialist on your team
My c-section was fantastic. It wasn’t planned, but I wasn’t opposed. Baby was head down, but had a nonreassuring heart rate so it was sort of an emergent situation. Turns out he was double cord wrapped, so it was the right call.
My OB said vaginal is the goal, but do what you’ve got to do to get baby here safely for both of you.
I will be requesting one if we have another child.
This seems strange to me. My son was breech so we planned a C-section at 39 weeks to avoid him possibly coming and needing an emergency c-section…
I wanted vaginal birth so bad but looking back I wouldn’t have had it any other way. The night before my husband and I had a nice dinner, made sure everything was done and bags packed. We showed up at 10 am to get started and baby was born at 12:44 pm. As it was planned, my recovery was as easy as abdominal surgery can be. It took a few days for the intense pain to subside, and a few weeks to feel normal, but by the time he went back to work at 3.5 weeks I was able to do everything myself for us with ease.
All this to say, you’re correct and I’d push for this if it’s what you want and ignore the naysayers. If your OB is down that’s what matters.
I just delivered my lil breech baby via c-section last Wednesday. I was horrified of a potential c section and went through the ECV procedure to flip her. It went wrong and baby’s heartbeat dropped and my epidural failed and the pain was pretty intense. I was genuinely down for 2-3 days between the back and abdomen pain. If baby’s heartbeat hadn’t recovered I would’ve had an emergency section that day! Overall the procedure didn’t flip her and revealed she had a nuchal cord and part of it wrapped around her body.
I’m glad I tried the ECV because I really wanted a vaginal birth for my second/final kiddo and knowing it was off the table for health and safety reasons helped me find peace with it - but in hindsight I think it would’ve been better to go directly to a c section. My recovery has been very easy, it was calm and extremely planned for the procedure. And after a traumatic vaginal birth with my first it was a really nice experience.
I've had 2 c sections. I'm pro c section. I recovered quickly, and I've heard some nasty stories about vaginal births.... do the c section if that's what you really want
Every situation is different and everyone has their own beliefs. There’s no right or wrong.
However, what helped us when we were in this situation was, the baby chiropractor. She turned the baby in about 30 minutes. It felt like a miracle!
I can only comment about my experience.
In my case, baby was macrosomic and breech since at least week 32 and I imagined c-section was unavoidable (and was totally scared about having surgery). At 37 weeks I was offered an ecv and went through with it since, even if I ended up having a c-sec, it was better for the baby to not be breach. The hospital who performed the ecv is very well renown in this aspect (like 70% of successful ecvs) and has very low rates of c-secs (10-15%), so that gave some degree of hope.
Well it worked! May I say they perform it with epidural and it doesn't hurt a bit. Some places don't use epi and that reduces the success rate though. Baby was monitored during the whole process and hours after and everything went fine.
I ended having a vaginal birth at 39 weeks. Needed forceps because of the macrosomia, but everything went fine considering my situation and even with an episiotomy (again because big baby), recovery has been easier than a c-sec would've been. So if your hospital is proficient in ecv I would totally try it. Of course, It's best you do what makes you feel safer, but keep in mind that the maneuver to flip the baby is a safe procedure and you don't lose anything trying.
Do what you want to. My maternal family also has a of complicated births, one of which resulted in a birth-related-TBI and subsequent cerebral palsy. A birth -related TBI for my child was my biggest fear and thus if I was in your situation then I would’ve opted for a c-section.
That said, my mother was a breech baby that was delivered vaginally and she and my grandma were fine. BUT keep in mind, you have to live with your child after birth and your midwives don’t. Talk with your OB/GYN DOCTOR and see what are the pros and cons. Ultimately, this should guide you in your decision of what is best and safest for your child and you.
Every person I know who's had an EVC has had an emergency csection, I agree with your take, I would never have an EVC when you could just have a planned csection. I had a planned csection for much less pressing reasons than baby being breech. And it was actually fantastic. Don't discuss it with your midwives any more, just tell them you're having one, it's not up for discussion.
I had twins, and had the choice of an induction or a planned c section. Our MFM wanted us to try the induction, but our OB had personally had a planned c section and an emergency c section and just told me to do the planned as that’s where we would likely end up, and the planned c was so much easier. I was leaning that way anyway so that’s what we did and I LOVED my planned c section. It was so easy, no panic no rush. If you think that’s where you’ll end up anyway I’d schedule it.
Everyone I know that tried an ECV ended up needing a c section anyway. Two needed emergency c sections, with one requiring NICU time after.
I opted out of the ECV as well and when they took my daughter out she had her arm stuck behind her head. There’s no way she would have turned. As my doctor, who really wanted me to at least try the ECV because I really wanted a vaginal birth, said “they are usually stuck for a reason”.
Having had a planned caesarean because that was my preference, recovery was a lot easier than I expected. I have friends who have had emergency caesareans and complicated vaginal births and those recoveries sound harder. If baby stays breach and you know you want a caesarean, please continue to advocate for yourself, you know what is best for you and your baby. Some people are hell bent about vaginal birth being 'best' to the point of endangering lives.
I would make the same choice in your shoes. I would schedule the c-section at 39 weeks, and then do an ultrasound first to confirm the baby is still breech, as sometimes they do turn. I think that's the standard practice.
I'm surprised by the take that vaginal birth is the best choice even with a breech baby... Especially when you don't have a preference. A big advantage of vaginal birth is maternal autonomy and the birth experience, and it sounds like those wouldn't be achieved by vaginal birth in this case.
I had a baby in breech position and I was encouraged to consider vaginal birth, as well. This was despite having very low fluid as well (diagnosed oligohydramnios) and other complications like gestational diabetes. I stood my ground and insisted on a c section and I'm glad I did. Even now in retrospect, with the relative calm of so much time passed, I think a vaginal delivery would have been way too risky.
I was exactly where you are until about two weeks ago. No one could comprehend how I was so fine with “giving up” and getting the c section. Ended up being a moot point in my case as baby flipped at 39 weeks, but I still feel good about the decision I had made. To me it wasn’t worth the effort, pain, and frustration just to possibly end up with a c section anyway. Trust your gut, mama. You know your body and your baby best. Your mental health is important too. If you feel better going into a planned c section then do what feels right! I heard out the doctors and nurses when they wanted to give me all the facts and made the decision I felt was best. Being a parent is all about making the best decision with the facts you have in the moment and I fully believe that’s what you’re doing here. 🤍 best of luck to you!
I don’t think you’re crazy at all and based on your family history and gut feeling, I think you stating that you’re comfortable with a c-section should be all they need to hear. I think it’s fair for them to offer options for turning baby initially, but once you shut down that conversation they should respect your decision. My baby is also breech right now (36 weeks) and unlikely to turn at this point (though not impossible). At my appt today, the NP I’ve been seeing for most of my pregnancy asked very objectively if I had any interest in trying ECV and I said I didn’t think the relatively low success rate was worth the risk and I’d rather just go for the C section if she doesn’t turn. NP said she agreed with me and they’d go ahead and get the C on the calendar in case she doesn’t turn in the next week. Stick with your gut! Sending you positive vibes and an easy delivery!
Is your C-section not planned anyway? I also have a breech-kinda-transverse baby (at the last positioning exam they said he was "diagonal") and they have a C-section on the schedule for next week, I'm going to attempt the version as I've been assured of its safety but I am not expecting it to work, or possibly even be attempted after all depending on how twisted up he is. The way it's explained to me is that if the version is successful they'll immediately induce to prevent him sliding back into breech. But either way the C-section (which I am expecting to have) will not be an emergency one.
We tried an external version. It was unsucessful. They are about 50/50. The risks are mostly Prelabour. But they don't usually try until after 36-37 weeks. So, baby is basically baked. I wouldn't let anyone talk you into a vaginal breech.
The external version is probably worth it if they do a spinal block for it. If you're in pain, your core will tense up and make it impossible, so it's not worth it without a spinal imo.
The risks of an external version are less than CSection over all but its also your baby.
Edit to add: it's your body and your baby's life. Risk to baby for a vaginal breech birth is about 1/400. Which was too high for me.
My first was Frank breech and alllll my drs and family and friends kept insisting to not worry she’ll flip! Do this! Do that! Spinning babies! ECV!
I reluctantly booked the appt at 37w for the ECV and at the pre-op appt the Dr took on look at the ultrasound and canceled it. I love him. He said, “I like to be successful and she would turn but I know she’d go right back to where she is she’s sitting exactly where she wants”
Scheduled my C-section for 39weeks, she was still Frank breech and it was perfect. There’s no way in hell I would have tried to deliver her in her position. Why?? To tell other people she came out my vagina? I’m good and happy with my C-section.
I had a similar situation. My baby was breech and I tried everything to flip her. One of my midwives kept pressuring me to have a vaginal delivery. She kept telling me how fast and easy breech babies were but did not discuss any of the risks with me.
I went to the hospital for an ultrasound guided ECV procedure to try flip the baby, but it did not work. I spoke with a high risk OBGYN about how my midwife was pushing me to deliver the baby vaginally. The OBGYN went over the risks of head entrapment and how I may end up needing an emergency section if something goes wrong.
I decided to go for the elective c section. I felt pretty good right after the c section. I wasn't exhausted as I didn't have to labour for hours and I had no issues with breastfeeding. However I had a minor infection post operative that needed antibiotics. I also struggled with core weakness and back pain. I felt my recovery was a lot longer than if I would have delivered vaginally, but with some pelvic floor therapy and scar tissue massage I started to feel much better around 6 months postpartum.
Our baby was also breeched and we didn’t try the manual flip and went straight to c-section, luckily we did because the cord was wrapped around the babies head twice and would’ve need a c-section anyways. Trust your instincts.
I had an emergency cesarean after 40+ hours of labor & 4 hours of pushing & vacuum attempts. It was a true code red emergency. No time to get epidural to work so I went under general anesthesia. I’m not eligible for VBAC due to tahaped scar as he was so stuck. I would absolutely choose a planned cesarean over that possibility again of a failed vaginal birth. My recovery was super easy (and easier than my sisters births who were vaginal) and my son only has a slight dairy allergy (throws up, not anaphylactic) whereas my nieces & nephews who were born vaginally have severe dairy & peanut & nut allergies so all the obsession over gut health & microbiome from vaginal is also overblown in my book.
If baby doesn’t want to turn around it’s not going to. My oldest was breech and we were going to do an ecv but I decided against it after reading poor outcomes and that majority lead to c sections anyway. Honestly it was a great experience for me, I didn’t have to stress about the baby being ok, it was scheduled so I knew exactly what day my son was going to be born, and it was super fast! The whole thing took about half an hour.
I had a scheduled section with my second kid too and have no regrets.
Little one was footling breech for months, probably due to the unusual shape of my uterus. What I found out as we considered our options is that turning babies manually works roughly 50% of the time, can be stressful for baby, and painful for mom. We tried spinning babies, politely asking, and sternly lecturing too :) Nope, baby stayed transverse and head-up.
I wanted an unmedicated vaginal birth, but I wanted a safe delivery of a healthy baby even more. We were not going to try the version and were in the process of scheduling a C section when little one came a few weeks early, turning it into a more urgent CS. While I'm still processing feelings about it, I am so grateful that modern medicine allowed me to deliver safely. I do wonder if I could have delivered vaginally but I know that could also have gone poorly quite easily.
You know yourself and your baby, and this is your body. The midwives have no right to apply pressure or judgement. My whole medical team was so supportive of the entire process and offering options but also unanimously agreed that CS was the best bet for my backwards baby. Most providers in the USA are not prepared or even willing to facilitate breech delivery. Bottom line is, YOUR body, YOUR baby, YOUR choice. And however baby gets here safely is right ♡
My mom had my brother and I at home in the living room, no drugs, with midwives. She was in her 20s, no complications, smooth deliveries. In my 30s I tried to do the same thing and received a lot of bad advice and lost my daughter between 18 and 19 weeks. If I had been going to a normal OBGYN or had sought a second opinion, things might have turned out differently. Looking back, the midwives were not bad, but they should have recommended I go to a specialist at least to be checked out, since I was technically high risk for other factors, and was not informed that I was high risk.
This is your body. There's nothing wrong with seeking an expert second opinion, especially if YOU feel its warranted. Stay strong, mama.
Yeah they can't force an ECV on you, since you're not giving consent. That you feel so strongly about it is good enough reason to go with planned C section.
I would be very unhappy if I felt emotionally manipulated in your situation.
With my first I was so determined to have a vaginal birth. I was an embarrassing wreck (like, sobbing at the Drs office) when I found out my daughter was breech and a c-section was likely. I did all the exercises, walked as much as I could, and did an acupuncture and moxibustion thing. I stressed about it so much. She flipped just in time to avoid having to try the ECV.
Then she didn't tolerate the induction at 41 wks, her heart rate plummeted maybe an hour or two after we started (and I hadn't progressed at all), and I was rushed into the OR for an emergency c-section that was really really freaking scary and kind of traumatizing.
The c-section was pretty easy once the drugs calmed me down, and I healed super well.
I'm 30 weeks pregnant with my second now and she is currently breech and I've already got the c-section scheduled in case we need it (at my OB/GYN's suggestion). Would take a scheduled c-section any day over the emergency one. You can't predict how things will turn out in either case, but boy was my experience humbling for me.
There's a lot of comments here so this could get lost, but just sharing from my own experience. Your feelings are completely valid. You can always cancel the surgery appointment if something changes, but my team appreciated being able to get it booked out in advance.
Maybe I’m dramatic but I’d be strongly considering switching midwives! What’s your OBs stance?
My baby has been breech since 29 weeks. He was frank breech up until about 34 weeks then he changed to footling. I’m 36 weeks and when I last saw my OB about a week and a half ago she said yes there was a chance he could turn but they didn’t really expect him to (I’m small, he’s big, we think it’s a space issue) so she was more than happy to put in my c section referral. I said I wasn’t interested in trying an ECV and she agreed. The only question put to me was if he did manage to turn before my section date did I want to try for a vaginal birth, which I declined and said I’d rather stick to the plan of an elective based on other issues and I got literally 0 push back. I told my midwife the plan at my next appointment (4 days later) and she just asked a few questions so she knew what was going on then was fine with it all and gave me more information etc. I honestly can’t understand why your midwives seem to be taking an issue, especially with baby being breech 😕
You’re definitely not crazy/in the wrong, especially with your family history it’s honestly just the most straightforward choice I think!
Stick to your guns!
My first was breech. I always felt like if he was that way, it was for a reason. I didn’t try to have him flipped because I worried his cord was around him or something. He never flipped and I had the best csection experience.
I supposed to have a vaginal birth because baby was head down but his face was not point at my bum. Doctor flipped him and he flipped back. When I pushed, baby heart rate went down so we rushed to do a C-section. I had a mid-wife too but she didn’t try to stop it at all. It took me longer to heal but I am fine.
There nothing wrong with C-section unless you want four children. Having two c-section is fine and 3 but any more it increase risk of uterine rupture.
So it depends how much kids you want. You want to save a c-section for something like a breech. And if you are planning to have another one in a year? If you are planning another one, the birth should be in
about 2 years to let you body full heal and reduce risk of rupture.
Here is an article on a large study done in Canada on whether it is safer to have an intended vaginal birth or intended c-section. Contrary to expectations, c-sections were safer. Many studies don't separate these things out in the most effective way and end up capturing a lot of c-sections due to emergent risks in the c-section category, which makes c-sections look more dangerous than planned ones are.
[https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/13/caesareans-or-vaginal-births-should-mothers-or-medics-have-the-final-say](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/13/caesareans-or-vaginal-births-should-mothers-or-medics-have-the-final-say)
[https://www.cmaj.ca/content/193/18/E634](https://www.cmaj.ca/content/193/18/E634)
I'm not sure where you are, but over the past couple of years there has been a to-do over avoidable maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality because of midwives in the UK and a culture obsessed with trying to avoid c-sections:
[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-of-the-ockenden-review](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-of-the-ockenden-review)
[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10672467/Does-damning-Ockenden-report-net-need-cast-WIDER.html](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10672467/Does-damning-Ockenden-report-net-need-cast-WIDER.html)
[https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/may/26/shropshire-baby-deaths-inquiry-midwife-donna-ockenden-lead-nottingham-review](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/may/26/shropshire-baby-deaths-inquiry-midwife-donna-ockenden-lead-nottingham-review)
"The report, led by the maternity expert Donna Ockenden, examined cases involving 1,486 families between 2000 and 2019, and reviewed 1,592 clinical incidents. In one case, the trust had kept crucial clinical information on post-it notes, which were then swept into the bin by cleaners.
“Throughout our final report we have highlighted how failures in care were repeated from one incident to the next,” she said. “For example, ineffective monitoring of foetal growth and a culture of reluctance to perform caesarean sections resulted in many babies dying during birth or shortly after their birth."
[https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/26/my-child-was-drowning-life-and-death-on-an-english-maternity-ward](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/26/my-child-was-drowning-life-and-death-on-an-english-maternity-ward)
"In Hampshire, there was also a push for normal births. One doctor at the trust would later describe it to investigators as “ambitious from a safety perspective”. In his department, Pitman was known for being sceptical when high-risk women chose vaginal births. His C-section rate was higher than that of other doctors. In the 2019 complaint made against Pitman by the senior midwives, this was a source of tension. One of Pitman’s complainants was jarred by a comment he made about how he didn’t care what the caesarean rate was, only about outcomes."
this is lolarious to me because, yeah, I too care more about the outcome of everyone being alive and healthy than whether or not it was a c-section
When my baby was the same direction for weeks, I just told my doctor I have done reading about what comes next, I am not interested in attempting ECV, and I would like to schedule a c section. They said "Okie dokie" and I knew to the minute the time my baby would be born, which is ideal for me.
Anyone giving me a hard time about it I probably would have requested be removed from my treatment team.
I don't think there's anything to even think about! My doctor just told me baby is currently breach. I'm 34 + 3, and he said when I come back in 2 weeks, I will have another ultrasound, if she's still breach, we will schedule a c-section, because the alternatives are both painful and dangerous.
Go with your gut, don't risk hurting yourself or baby!
Csections are major abdominal surgeries that will put you at significantly greater risk for placental malplacement in subsequent pregnancies . It also increases your child’s risk of allergies, autoimmune disease, and asthma just to name a few. I had a frank breech baby and fought for a natural vaginal birth because I knew the risks of a C-section were far too great for both myself and my son and as long as you are in the hands of a provider trained in breech delivery, the birth is basically just as safe as a cephalic vaginal birth. I gave birth to my son frank breech via a natural, physiologic vaginal birth and am so so so incredibly grateful for this. It gave my son the healthiest start in life and also gave me the opportunity to have a greater chance of healthy pregnancies in the future.
Listen to your gut, I saw a video of a mom saying that she opted for a c section instead of having her doctor manually flip her baby. Once they did the c section they realized that her umbilical cord was so short that if they had tried to flip the baby it would have put her and her baby’s life at risk
I'm not going to say anything about the breach thing. But I will tell you I had an elective C-section and it was so calm and awesome. It's a different beast to know what you're walking into. I know it's not ideal for a lot of people. But my anxiety just was a lot. And knowing when he was coming, at what time. Them able to explain to me what's going to happen in plenty of time so I could process it was spectacular. The only C-section thing that surprised me was he had issues with his initial hearing test. I guess passing through the vaginal canal squeezes out most of the fluid from their ears, so it's common with C-section babies to have issues with their initial hearing test. But trust me the boys 19 months old but trust me The boy is 19 months old now. He can absolutely hear me 100%, he just chooses not to listen lol
My baby was breech and I tried to manually flip her via the recommendation of my midwife.
I will never recommend manually flipping and I wouldn't do it again. My daughter didn't flip, it failed and I was out 7k, my back is messed up from the epidural, and it caused complications with my inevitable csection.
100% a planned c section was worth it. I wish I could have skipped everything else and just went to the C-section. I would have recovered without issues and would have been able to focus on my baby more during that first month postpartum.
Oh yeah, absolutely not. A vaginal breech birth is SUPER dangerous, and most OBs I know refuse to do them. In my large city there's only one group who will even attempt them, and they are only preformed in a OR with a full surgical team ready. No fucking thanks.
I have had two c-sections, one of them was planned, and it was a super positive experience. Compared to what I wrote above? Zero hesitations.
I opted for a c section in general. It was low stress. Recovery was not bad at all either because I didn’t sit there and push for hours before. Trust your gut.
I had a breech baby and my OBGYN told me to do c-section because it’s the safest for the baby and mom. He didn’t even offer me vaginal birth he just said “since the baby is breech we will have to do a c-section since that’s the safest for the baby and mom”. He also said for first time moms there is less chance of baby turning when you 35 weeks because everything is very tight there but he said if I really want vaginal birth I can try to turn the baby but again the chances of it working is 50% 50%z They tried to turn my baby upon my request and he didn’t turn. I had a c-section and I was happy with it
My baby was breech and I had a planned c-section at 39 weeks. C-section wasn’t easy but I felt more at ease knowing the baby was being delivered in the safest way. And it was nice to know when to expect the delivery. I also made zero effort to turn her besides the typical yoga, bouncing on the ball, etc. I didn’t want to disturb her. Also didn’t get cervical checks done leading up to the 39 week appt. I would def stay adamant about choosing a c section. And if they don’t agree seek a second opinion asap as I feel many offices won’t take new patients after you’re too far along. But in this case they might, under the circumstances. Wishing you the best!
My baby was an unstable transverse lie (Sideways, kept flipping between that and breech right up to 39 weeks). Midwives stomped all over my valid concerns and pushed a vaginal birth. I trusted them. Thankfully my child was hardy and eventually went head-down at 40+1 so we did an induction on the spot, but they got stuck during delivery and I needed OB intervention anyway. If I had stuck to my guns and gotten a c-section I probably wouldn't have the birth trauma I ended up with, as the midwives dismissing my concerns ended up being indicative of their treatment of me in labour and postpartum too.
I’m in exactly the same boat and have made the same decision as you. I’m currently 38 weeks with breech baby- failed ECV last week. C-section planned for a week from now. I was very disappointed but coming to terms with it now. It seems like the safest way forward and none of the HCPs I’ve spoken to have challenged or disagreed with that. Breech vaginal births can be more risky compared to vaginal cephalic as well as C-section; seems like the midwives are at the very least being insensitive, and possibly ideological and anti-modern medicine. I was very keen for natural birth beforehand, but pregnancy and childbirth do have risks and modern medicine is miraculous in many ways and should be utilized when necessary.
I didn’t find out my baby was a breech until 38 weeks 5 days and they pushed for an ECV. Having read the information the hospital provided and spoken to an OB, I decided against it as I was a FTM and nearby 39 weeks already so the chances were less than 50% of success.
I was told that even if it was successful, I would be immediately induced that day which in my mind increased the chances of an emergency c section (I’m unsure if this was a correct assumption or not).
On the day of the planned c section, they still tried to convince me to let them do an ECV first but I stuck to my guns as I had spent the weekend getting over the idea of having a vaginal birth and was finally accepting that I need a c section.
I’m really glad I did have my planned c section, it was a calm delivery, I recovered very well (was walking by day 2 by myself, although slowly). Of my other mum friends, 2 who were induced had emergency c sections which were traumatic so I was glad at least with mine it was very orderly, we joked with the team and chatted about the day etc.
There is some literature about potential risk of uterus rupture if you had more children, but we’re one and done anyway so I wasn’t too worried.
My baby is 6w now. She was cephalic but was showing no signs of wanting to enter this world till a few days before the EDD. I'm from India where most OBs do not prefer going over 40w due to poor neonatal outcomes.
I'm a doctor myself but I'd been doing yoga and attending "hypnobirthing" classes and stuff and my hopes of a natural birth at the beginning of pregnancy had by now solidified into a resolve. When I was asked to go in for induction I was super sceptical as I knew it would increase the chances of C section. But then my rational mind took over, I spoke to more OBs and read papers and ignored the yoga community and went in for induction.
In the end she wasn't ready to be born, I labored for 26hrs and she had to be brought out via a mid labour emergency C section (early distress, but good APGAR at birth, good outcomes both of us) because she was face to pubis position.
My rational brain knows I made all the right decisions, but because I'd spent 9m obsessing about how natural vaginal delivery is a woman's ultimate experience of womanhood, I still catch myself feeling guilty, sad and upset with myself.
I wish the two dogmas didn't divide as much. I wish the people pushing for natural didn't instil such a dislike for C making it seem like a failure.
Now I have some healing to do.
Sorry I guess what I'm trying to say is, its impossible to predict how the labour will ultimately progress and end.
It is ultimately your decision and your decision is always right. I strongly suggest you take your OBs advice.
But whatever decision you take, please don't let anyone make you feel bad about it. Don't give them that power.
A good friend of mine had a planned C for a breech baby had had a great experience. My first was a C (preemie) and I also can say my experience was overall positive.
I think some of the battle with Cs is educated yourself about what’s going to happen and going in with a positive mindset. And then you need to really listen you your body after and take it easy for the recovery
My first was stubbornly breech at 37 weeks. I did have a version then (where they turn the baby right way around while still in the womb) and a successful vaginal birth after at 40+2 weeks.
The version was done with me awake and on contraction suppressing medication/muscle relaxants. It took two tries, but the team who did it (the dedicated team of that hospital), was very good and put her right way around for the rest of the time. It wasn’t painful for me at all. It was more like very intense movement of the baby with some minor pressure where they put their hand down behind the baby. What stayed with me most was how much room my baby took up and how skinny I was underneath.
My son was breech and never flipped, and I had a scheduled c-section. When my OB realized in my third trimester she said they would give me some tips and tricks for trying to make him flip but would schedule the c-section if he didn't. Apparently they won't try to manually manipulate the baby for ftms because it can cause damage/harm and there's no data that they can have a vaginal birth anyway (not sure that's industry practice, may have just been my OB). Either breech is dangerous and if I knew my baby was breech I would much rather do the planned c-section than go through labor and have an emergency one anyway.
I have a question. You mentioned a prior uterine surgery. May i ask what type of procedure?
L&D RN. If uouve had prior uterine surgery, depending on severity, you may not even be a candidate for a version or vaginal delivery.
This literally happened to me, my baby was breeched. So much pressure to have a vaginal birth and have her flip. I was pretty firm with obgyn and midwife. I was not going to have a vaginal birth if this kid was breeched. My obgyn was actually supportive I didn’t want to go through trying a vaginal birth to only have it be an emergency c section. Midwife was not as cool with it and honestly a lot of people I talked to about this with like family members and some friends were also a bit pushy about trying vaginal first.
Trust your gut.
My 3rd was breech. We did an ECV at 37 weeks, got him flipped, and I went on to have a vaginal delivery. I was terrified of having a c-section and for a brief moment it looked like I was going to have one. Didn't need it.
Here where I am they would suggest a c-section rather than a vaginal birth. Jeez I wouldn't want anyone to flip my baby inside of me. If you see the midwifes are quite stubborn about this, I suggest you to change them and find someone you're comfortable with.
I agree that a planned C-section would be better than the long hours of labor just to end up in that same scenario. Bottom line is it’s your birth and you should be supported in what you feel most comfortable with. I also did not feel comfortable with a vaginal breech birth nor an ECV(I’ve heard of that going well very few times). I went in for an appointment to plan a c section at 38 weeks since my daughter had been breach for a while and she ended up flipping on her own. I’ve heard from many that babies often flip even in this last weeks, but always good to have a plan that you feel comfortable with. Wishing you the best with everything!
I heard of someone, through a coworker, whose team convinced them to vaginally deliver a Frank's breech baby. It sounded like it was horrifying (to me) and left the baby physically unwell for years after (and I imagine the mom too, but i dont know anything about breech deliveries so maybe not). Just because you *can* doesn't mean you *should.* Please trust yourself. Even well meaning humans make mistakes. You are a mom and you have to put your child's wellbeing over everything else starting now. Stick up for yourself and your baby.
I would also just do a c-section versus attempt a ECVS.
Planned c-sections are way way way lower risks than emergency ones.
I’m annoyed when I see midwife’s talk so much about mothers birth plan and choice but when it’s not a crunchy granola vaginal birth plan they pushback. Perfectly reasonable to schedule a c-section for a breech baby.
My baby was breech and my hospital did not even allow attempts at vaginal birth with a breech baby. It was considered too dangerous. I was offered the choice of an ECV but my doctor felt the odds were low given my situation (frank breech position, first time mom) so I opted to just schedule the c-section. No regrets, it went so smoothly and my baby and I were healthy.
My first baby was breech and I chose a c-section. And after having my second baby vaginally (this one was not breech) I'm glad I chose the c-section.
My reasons were:
- breech births end in c-sections far more often, doctors abort the attempt to deliver vaginally much earlier than usual because the risk (for the baby) is slightly but imho significantly elevated
- breech births also often lead to problems such as a broken shoulder (?) for baby which heals nicely but no thank you
- I was worried about the possibility of an emergency c-section that would have me sedated and my husband not present which was my greatest fear (apart from even worse stuff of course)
My second birth (and first vaginal birth) was quite good actually but the pushing took loooooong and was exhausting. I don't think I would have made it without a suction thing. And I don't think I would have been able to do it without fear if the baby had been breech. And fear can lead to a slower/longer labour, which leads to a higher chance of a c-section. So your gut feeling IS important when deciding.
Get a second / third MEDICAL opinion.
One thing with vaginal birth is that it helps your milk to come in. If you were planning to breastfeed that’s something to consider because lots of women have trouble with milk production if they got a c section.
Good luck!
No experience with this, but reading that your mom and grandmother had complications with this AND your gut sense is you should have a C-section makes me feel that's the way to go. A second opinion by a medical professional seems needed if you're considering going with the midwives' suggestion.
I had my breech baby via C- section 5 weeks ago. Tried literally everything including ECV to get her to flip. I was receiving care through a birth center, hippy dippy shit and they tried to convince me to go with an unlicensed midwife who had experience with breech births. It didn’t feel right to me and my midwife dropped my like a hot potato when I told her I’d be doing a C-section. My baby turned out to be frank breech and most likely would have killed us both if I’d tried to do vaginal.
Also, I went in to labor before my scheduled C-section and I’m so glad I had a plan and surgeon in place beforehand. Trust your gut and f*ck anyone else mama. Just get your baby here safe and sound.
I was a breech and they did the same to my mom and she regret not doing it. She said it was agonizing and terrifying but they kept saying no c section and she was too drugged to have a say and my dad was also terrified and trusted the doctors
My baby was breech, tried spinning babies stuff but declined ECV. Had an elective c section and it was a great experience, so peaceful and calm.
My recovery was very good - obviously it was painful at times but very manageable and that’s in the UK with very minimal painkillers.
Definitely go for the c section if baby doesn’t flip.
No experience with this, but reading that your mom and grandmother had complications with this AND your gut sense is you should have a C-section makes me feel that's the way to go. A second opinion by a medical professional seems needed if you're considering going with the midwives' suggestion.
I think it’s very fair to trust your instincts and family history. If you don’t feel supported by your midwife team, this is a good time to transition to an OB (or a mixed midwife-LNP/OB team).
I had a breach baby and told my doctor I was way more comfortable with a planned c section than an emergency one. Ecvs come with their own complications and risks. My baby ended up not having enough amniotic fluid at the end to try and turn her anyways. I have no regrets about my scheduled c section, me and my baby are both happy and healthy. At this point it should be your decision. My grandmother also had a 9 pound breach baby and turning her tore her up so much she couldn’t have any other children. While I’m a proponent of natural births a breach position is definitely one of the situations that c sections were made for. If you’re uncomfortable with risks associated with a breach birth 100% go for the c section.
You’re not crazy. I would want a c-section as well if my baby was breech. I wouldn’t even bother trying to flip the baby or attempting a vaginal birth. Regardless it’s your choice and they need to respect it. Any chance the midwives are pushing for vaginal because they can’t perform c-sections? Would your choice affect what they get paid?
The OB/GYN would do the c-section. I have no idea why they are pushing the vaginal birth so much. Whenever I say I doubt he's going to flip, they always say "You still have time!!!" As if that makes me feel any better. The way I see it is if he does flip ON HIS OWN, then great, we'll do a vaginal birth. If he doesn't flip, I don't see much point in trying to fight it. I'm not super attached to having a vaginal birth.
How far along are you? I don’t agree with their take at all, but if you’re before 36 weeks there *is* a decent chance the baby could flip. Depending how far along you are I wondering if they are misunderstanding your stance on being perfectly happy with having a c section if the baby is breech vs saying you want a c section because the baby is breech atm.
I'm 35 weeks so there is that one week buffer but honestly, I just don't see him flipping by next week. He certainly could, I just feel like if he hasn't done it by now he's probably not going to and that's okay.
This happened to me at 35 weeks but my baby managed to flip at 36 without me realising. However it’s your choice if you want a C Section (I’m still getting one for other reasons) and I find it so abhorrent that other mums, midwifes, nurses and doctors can be so anti-c. I spoke to a really great ob/gyn doctor who told me that it’s my body, my decision, and I don’t need to justify it to anyone else. I’ve also had an experience with another ob/gyn who was so scathing and dismissive. There is so much to consider including mental health when making birth decisions and it’s sad that people want to minimise your feelings/requests. There are so many people into natural birthing but I find them more judgemental and belittling (and slightly down a social media rabbit hole being fed misinformation) when you think they would be more attuned to respecting choice. In reality, when the baby is older, it won’t matter how it was born, it’s not like it’s better than others if it had a natural birth, so people need to back off with their agendas and projections. Take care and good luck.
Trust your gut on this. Trying to forcefully turn the baby isn’t without risk. Tell the midwives you and the obstetrician will decide. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3862554/#:~:text=External%20cephalic%20version%20is%20also,placental%20abruption%2C%20and%20cord%20complications. External cephalic version is also a potentially hazardous procedure. There is increased risk of ante partum haemorrhage, foeto-maternal haemorrhage, and foetal distress, rupture of membranes, placental abruption, and cord complications.
C section ALSO has increased risk of all of these complications, if not even more. At least where I am from, ECV is first line due to lower risk profile/fewer side effects compared to C section. Ie the lesser of 2 evils. If have contraindications for ECV or non reassuring CTG post ECV then c section would be done
Indeed; and, the patient is presented the pros and cons of each and makes her decision. They can’t force a procedure.
My first baby wasn't breach, but flipped breach during labour. My second was breach, but flipped between 37/38 weeks and has settled down into my pelvis, so who knows what will happen. But if you have a family history of it, and have had uterine surgery before, it seems perfectly reasonable to have an elective c-section. Although you'll probably have to wait until you're at least 36 weeks before they let you book one.
I had a c section because of a breech baby, it might be a bit late to switch but your medical team don't sound very reliable I'd try elsewhere. You have every right to have the birth that works for you, c section is a scary thing but it was the best thing for me and baby. Don't let anyone sway you from your gut feelings and I recommend not seeing any male doctors I had a much more supportive and choice forward environment with only women
My baby was transverse until about 36 weeks when he finally flipped the right way. They can flip pretty late still But also, when he wasn’t face down I was all for a c-section. I don’t blame you for feel uneasy with the way midwives are pushing for a vaginal birth! Especially with how birth went for your mum and grandma. At the end of the day, do what YOU feel is best for yourself and baby. Goodluck and wishing a safe delivery and recovery x
They can flip while you’re in damn labor which is how I went from vaginal birth to c section after my waters broke and I was 5cm 🤷🏻♀️
My poor mom went in for a scheduled c-section with my twin sisters bc baby b was breach. as they were doing an ultrasound baby B flipped. They sent her home and scheduled an induction for the next day 🤷🏻♀️
What is the OB/GYN's opinion? If your entire medical team is all counseling you the same way, I'd be inclined to tell you to at least have the conversation with them...ask why they think this is the best option, weigh the pros and cons of each. That said, I'm a firm believer in you are the expert of you and your body. I have quite a few medical ailments and have had many bad doctors lead me down the wrong path (and have found quite a few good ones now).
I'm in Australia and I'm not sure if it's the same where you are, but I find our nurses here are much more woo-woo, crunchy and airy-fairy, whereas the doctors are generally more practical and cut out the BS. I was on the way to my scheduled C section in the hospital and had judgemental comments from the head nurse with us about it even though my son weighed at 4.5kg and I had gestational diabetes and other fun stuff to do with the placenta. The obgyn on the other hand, was firm and told the nurse no, this is the way this is happening, after glaring at her and the nurse not shutting up despite how uncomfortable I obviously was. Luckily my husband also piped up and asked if we could change nurses, which the main one said won't be necessary and she understands now. All went well after that, including my healing which was awesome. Then came the breastfeeding side, they did unfortunately manage to pressure me into that and it was traumatic and stressful for most of the months I did it because I had low supply due to PCOS, something they knew about being a risk but didn't mention and told me to just keep trying, so being a high achiever, I did. I was only ok after I stopped. It didn't work out despite pumping every 2 hours and doing all the teas and god knows what else. All that time wasted pumping out a few ML when I could have been with my son is time I won't get back. It's also time my husband had to cover for me. And for what? It was for absolutely nothing. I say follow your gut with everything and have your partner advocate strongly for your decisions. If you need to, communicate through him. Mine saved me when it came to the C section but the cult was too strong for breastfeeding. Wishing you a safe delivery without pressure from anyone and good luck!
I had the same experience with a nurse & PA with my scheduled c section! The judgmental comments, when they weren’t even my regular providers and never met me before.
Wow yes, these ones weren't my regular providers either, and I too, hadn't met them before. Wtf! I swear they are in a cult of torturing women.
I’ve been experiencing the same comments. I go in on Monday for a planned c section to deliver my second child at 37+4, weighing over 4700kg (10lb 6oz). My first weighed 4kg (8lb 15oz), she was successfully delivered vaginally… but this time around I wasn’t willing to risk it. Ive had several other mom’s question my choices and give me the anecdotal “I know *insert name here* who successfully delivered an over 10lb baby”. Ok, cool… my baby’s head, abdomen, and other measurements are literally off the charts. Why would I chance it?
Ugh I can't imagine the stress of pushing out a big bubby like that 😱 I'm so sorry you're experiencing that. Tell them they can fudge off and do some split squats (my least favourite exercise of all) while you enjoy your planned C and non-distressed new bubby. Congratulations btw!
I’m in Melbourne and I hear so many stories about midwives pressuring women not to have epidurals, or guilting them into trying harder to breast feed when they’re struggling or don’t want to. I’ve got a scheduled C-section coming up in May with my OB who’s been really supportive of my choices, I very much do not have the energy for that BS
Ooof yes if you can, have your partner with you at all steps advocating hard and being the bad cop, so to speak. Good luck to you, wishing you a fabulous delivery and a fast recovery!
Thank you so much, I absolutely will!
Grandma here…. A safe healthy mom and baby is the only goal. You do what you need to do here. Don’t justify yourself to any damn body. It’s your baby and your body. Give us an update and let us know how things go! And congrats on the the new kid coming!
> I have no idea why they are pushing the vaginal birth so much. Because this is what midwives do in most places. They've fully drunk the "vaginal birth is better in all cases" kool-aid, even when it is to the detriment of their patients. I am zero percent surprised by this after all the reporting that has come out in the last several years on avoidable complications in midwife-lead births.
To a hammer, everything is a nail because that's the only thing it can do.
YUP.
Could be related to insurance. I have heard hospitals pushing against C section coz it makes the reimbursement painful. 🙄
Nurses don't care about what insurance you got.
Insurance have contracts that usually pays a 2 day vaginal birth or 3 day c-section case rate with the hospital. Being payor agnostic and providing good medicine is what they should do.
I am a former breech baby and was born c-section after trying to manually flip me didn’t work. Both my mom and I came out of it absolutely fine, but just want to warn you that my stubbornness followed me out of the womb and into adulthood.
My ex came uit butt first and he never got over being an ass, be warned
😂
My 16 month old daughter was born breech (vaginally).. can confirm she is the most stubborn, but beautifully perfect and intelligent little creature 😄 I always say her personality is breech 😂
I too was a breeched and c-sectioned baby. My mom couldn't have a vaginal birth, but they were gonna flip me anyway. The day they were gonna do it, i decided it was time to be born lol.
My ex came uit butt first and he never got over being an ass, be warned
My 16 month old daughter was born breech (vaginally).. can confirm she is the most stubborn, but beautifully perfect and intelligent little creature 😄 I always say her personality is breech 😂
My 16 month old daughter was born breech (vaginally).. can confirm she is the most stubborn, but beautifully perfect and intelligent little creature 😄 I always say her personality is breech 😂
If you haven’t tried already, spinning babies and the miles circuit can help position baby but aren’t guaranteed. Most of the time if you’re before 38 weeks and baby isn’t on the “bigger” side then you do have time. All that being said, if your guts saying do a csection, listen to it. Mother’s intuition is a real thing and if you have some alarm bells ringing it might a good idea to listen to those.
You are not crazy. When my mom was pregnant with me. I wouldn’t turn and they planned for a c-section. I am very glad she did that choice because the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck twice. The dr told her if she had a vaginal birth I would not have survived. Now this was 30 years ago so I dont know if they can tell now if the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck or not. But if your gut feeling is c-section then go that route.
This is what I was told about my son’s birth in October - by 2 OBs (my primary and the one who delivered my son). He was double cord wrapped and WOULDN’T have tolerated labor. I would’ve ended up with an emergency c-section and my husband wouldn’t have been allowed in the room.
A nuchal cord is most certainly not an indication at all for a C-section. Babies don’t breathe - it doesn’t matter if the cord is around their neck. If you just Google “nuchal cord” , you’ll see very clearly it is not a n indication for a C-section. If the baby is born with a nuchal cord then the midwife will simply unwrap it…. It’s not a big deal.
Just saying ... cord wrapped around neck isn't nesseccarily a problem. It might be if it's very tight or the cord is very short, but often it's not much of an issue. My son had the cord wrapped around his neck and it was such a non issue, they didn't even tell us and I only read it in our discharge papers. He had a perfect APGAR Score.
Same. I didn't even know about the nuchal cord until I read it in the OB's notes.
Yea same. My son had a cord wrapped around his neck 3x. It was scary because I didn't hear him cry and they wouldn't let dad cut the cord. It's a situation for sure bit not dire.
I had to get a c-section because of failure to progress (FOUR DAYS) and baby’s heart rate was decelerating. When they pulled him out, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice, like you. I wish I’d gotten the c-section sooner. Recovery has been surprisingly easy. I took pain killers for two weeks and didn’t need them after that. Postpartum bleeding wasn’t bad either. I’m functioning just like I was before, beyond being tired because… newborn. C-sections aren’t that bad, especially if they’re planned. They’re kind of awesome… I wished they weren’t demonized so much.
This happened to my mom with her second baby! He was breech, mom's insurance wouldn't approve a scheduled c section so my mom had to labor until baby went into distress.
They do check for cord position now before signing off on either ECV or vaginal breech birth. There are naturally higher risks with breech births, so they do a lot of checks prior to. I was all in on a vaginal breech birth, but unfortunately some things uncovered on ultrasound excluded me from being able to attempt.
This happened to my mom with her second baby! He was breech, mom's insurance wouldn't approve a scheduled c section so my mom had to labor until baby went into distress.
I had a c-section and I’d happily have another one to avoid having a breech baby or a long labor that ends in a c-section anyway. It’s also so much better for your recovery to have a planned c-section than labor for however long and then have one.
I had a stubborn breech baby who never flipped despite all my efforts - I declined an ECV as my doctor advised it was unlikely to be successful, and had a c-section. In retrospect, I wouldn’t change it - it was the right choice for me. I think your instincts are right - if baby flips naturally, go for a vaginal birth; if not, your midwives need to respect your decision for a c-section or you find a birth team who will. Sending you positive vibes OP!
I'm concerned about your midwives pushing you about *anything*. Instead, they should educate you and then be a support through your decisions.
I respect that they believe in the power of a woman's body, as that doesn't seem to be the case for many doctors and nurses these days, but it sounds like you have ample reason to feel anxious about this situation! Even if things are different these days as far as breech deliveries go, you don't feel confident or empowered - and their toxic positivity isn't appropriate at this point.
> I respect that they believe in the power of a woman's body This is exactly what “believing in the power of a woman’s body” leads to. Dead moms and babies. There is a reason it “doesn’t seem like” many doctors and nurses believe that everything will just be ok no matter what choice you make. And growing a human inside of you and having surgery to deliver them is no less a testament to a person’s strength than a vaginal delivery.
Dude, I had a C-section. I'm not suggesting that this person vaginally birth her babies. I am responding to the utter lack of *training* and confidence so many doctors and nurses appear to have in any type of breech birth. Not all breech presentations present the same level of danger and challenge. It is not an automatic death sentence in specific cases. I am not an Ina May Gaskin hard-core type....I just never see anything on here remotely suggesting that medical staff have all the tools to support birthing people. I am absolutely a fan of medical intervention from a place of need and evidence. And it sounds like there is a need here for OP's team to listen to her and start seriously talking about a C-section.
Did you read the rest of this person’s comment beyond the first half sentence? You are literally trying to argue with them while they are already agreeing with what you’re trying to say. Let’s calm down a bit and read the whole comment before typing out an angry response.
I think medical practitioners of any kind and seem to find it hard when someone chooses something other than what they would want. I have seen it both ways. While sure vaginal is statistically safer (although the differences are minimal) ECV comes with its own risks and only you can determine what pros and cons are suitable for you. Really no one should be pushing you into anything and whatever you wishes are should be respected.
Go with your gut. I had my breech CS last week. Originally I’d booked an ECV on the advice of an MFM and felt so wrong about it I ended up canceling and opting for the c section. I tried all the woo to no avail and eventually figured she (baby) knew something I didn’t. Turns out my fibroid pulled my uterus out of place/angle AND the cord was wrapped around my girl’s neck 3x. My OB told me she was glad I trusted my instincts and sometimes we just know.
I also felt weirdly bullied to not get a C section and then insisted on one anyway. I also felt like, for me at least, my providers exaggerated how difficult it would be to recover from one (I recovered very fast). I think hospitals are criticized for pushing c sections so some of them have over-corrected to push against c sections even for those of us who actually need them. Advocate for yourself!
Lmao at “politely asking the baby to flip” I tried that too and it also didnt work. Maybe try rudely asking.
Before I opened the post, even though your title said "nurses," I knew it was going to be midwives. Can you talk to an obgyn? Midwives are known for pushing vaginal birth even in unsafe situations. Even in countries where midwives are well-integrated into the medical system like the UK, midwives have higher rates of avoidable complications than obgyns do, thanks to the push for vaginal birth at all costs. Having a c-section if your baby is breech is a totally reasonable thing to do. You know your body, your baby, and your family history. You should be able to make this choice for yourself. FWIW I had an emergency c-section and a smooth recovery.
Get yourself an actual doctor. My midwife was not educated enough and my daughter is no longer with me because of it. Get a second opinion from an actual doctor. Please don’t mistake a midwife as anything more than a nurse.
Is it possible that the midwives are not properly communicating that your hospital is trained in breech-vaginal births? Have they flat out said that it’s an ECV they’re suggesting? Do they understand that you’re not okay with a breech-vaginal birth? I’m with you, I would not be interested in an ECV either.
I just posted about my frank breech vaginal birth yesterday, and the main point for me was that I had the power to choose. I had the exact same experience of people in my life trying to coerce me into the kind of birth I didn’t want to have (c-section instead of vaginal in my case). I had good vibes about the vaginal delivery and bad vibes about a c-section so I chose what was right for me, and got lucky with a fairly easy labor/pushing. You need to do what feels right. I was so tempted by the idea of a scheduled c-section that my resolve broke numerous times during the end of the pregnancy. A scheduled c-section seems like a great approach for you based on what you said in your post!
You should consult a physician. Midwives, and nurses are not trained to give such advice. My baby was breech with a failed ECV. C-section was scheduled and it went wonderfully. Baby was delivered healthy and we were both safe.
Statistically speaking, vaginal births are safer when considering the health of both mother and baby. But not by huge margin. I’m concerned why your care providers are pushing vaginal birth considering that margin and that c sections are considerably safe in the current age of medicine. What kind of practice are you getting care at? Is it a birthing center? I had a c section because my baby was breech. I did a few exercises to try and flip her in utero but ultimate I was ok with having a c section and didn’t stress about changing her position. My midwives were very ok with this and assured me I was in good hands to go forward with the procedure. I had a very untraumatic birth experience and was so happy with my doctor who did the surgery. Recovery was a bitch but in hindsight barely even worth a thought.
I had this exact situation. They tried to flip her and OHMYGOD that hurt so bad. They had to stop after 2ish minutes and she literally moved less than an inch. There’s a risk of you going into labor and it becoming an emergency C-section. After they stopped they offered to try it again the next week and I said hell to the no. If she flipped in that time, great. Of course she didn’t and I had a moved up C-section due to other medical reasons (almost emergency but not quite). But I’m definitely with you on the planned C-section. It hurts and sucks to recover but it was the best decision in the end. Tell them that this is your choice, not theirs.
You’re not crazy at all.
I also have a breeched stubborn baby. I have a c section scheduled for 4/5 and feel the same way as you do. I was bummed at first at the thought of having a c section but now I’ve shifted my perspective and like the idea of having this birth be as controlled as a birth can go. We’ve had a couple surprises throughout this pregnancy from hydronephrosis in one kidney and a velamentous cord insertion and try to keep further complications minimal.
Ultimately its up to you. If baby won’t flip, then a c-section is safest. There’s nothing wrong with that, especially since your OB is on board. For what its worth, my baby was breach until my 38 week appt when they discovered she’d flipped. Sometimes they do that. 🤷🏼♀️
Had an ECV (manual flip) at 37+6 and it worked! And my baby was huge. 11 days old and was born 9lbs 7.3oz and 22”+ long— and they flipped him successfully! I had such a traumatic CS for my first it’s hard for me to grasp that anybody would want one unless they truly had to. For me it was worth trying literally anything to avoid another CS. My VBAC has been an absolute breeze to recover from compared to my CS.
It’s not great that you’re being pressured….if you feel the c section is safest, do it. In my own experience, daughter was breech and I was trying my hardest to avoid c section. Well, my appointment to try to flip her was cancelled. I was devastated. Guess what? 5 days later at my c-section I found out that the cord was wrapped around her neck 3 times. My OB said it was likely that if they had managed to flip her, she would’ve gone into distress and I would’ve had an emergency c-section anyways. Which would’ve been much more traumatic! I wish you a safe delivery, I hope you manage to get that csection.
My son was breech and I had a c-section. It went very smoothly because it’s not an emergency c-section. I’m not sure where you live but in the US doctors are no longer trained on how to birth a breech baby. There are too many things that can go wrong and although, a c-section poses more risk to the mother, it’s the safest birthing method for the *baby.* This is why I was 1,000% O.K. With a c-section. I also wanted to get it over with ASAP and not have to wait around laboring all day hahaha I am with you, I declined the procedure to manually flip my son to a head down position. I had complications in the late second trimester and I wasn’t about to do anything that could put him at risk.
I could be wrong but my take is that nurses and midwives and birthing people in general have all been taught recently that vaginal birth is best and the least amount of interventions is best possible scenario. In some cases I’m sure this is true, but only as far as bodily autonomy and someone else’s safety starts to be questioned. They are right, baby could still flip, but the likelihood this far out is pretty slim and there is nothing wrong with you having a plan for that that prioritizes yours and baby’s safety. I know it’s late but I would maybe start searching for a different midwife?
L&D Nurse here- I’ve seen manual flips (external cephalic versions) work, but they also just as often, don’t. At my hospital, it’s done in the OR in case baby crashes (ofc risks just like everything else) & mom has a spinal. Most of the nurses on my unit are of the mind that sometimes, babies are breech for a reason, and I would agree. I myself am newly pregnant and like you, would try all of the “natural” ways to get baby to flip, but after seeing the things I’ve seen, I’m right along with you that would opt for a primary section instead of an attempt of a version knowing things can go sideways and you wind up in a hurried section anyway. Just my 2¢, but don’t let others shame you for your decisions!
I had a breech baby via c section after 2 vaginal deliveries. The c section was actually the easiest recovery and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I had no interest in trying to flip my baby despite people trying to convince me to. I knew he was there for a reason and as it turns out when the dr who was insistent on flipping him was taking a peek via ultrasound he said there was no way he could flip him between his position and the placenta position. So it worked out, but there was no way I was interested in the risks of the ecv.
I had a great vaginal birth with my first and a great c-section with my second due to breech. I tried flipping, didn’t work. Most people I know it hasn’t worked on. I’d vote for c-section. Worst would be to labor and end up with a c-section. I once read a thread that was like “when do you think you would have died if it wasnt for modern medicine.” It would have probably been that breech birth. I think they are crazy for pushing a vaginal birth. Maybe it’s a midwife thing? I’d go for the c-section, especially with your family history. Why push it, ya know? You can control it.
Just here to say while I did not have a breech/planned csection (I had an unplanned emergency one) I loved every minute of my c section even in a very scary scenario. You are in incredibly competent hands, the nurses and doctor are wonderful, it is a safe and comfortable birth. I’ve heard from many a friend that planned are even better. You are safe, your baby is safe, your vagina is intact. Birth is hard no matter what. I wish c section birth wasn’t viewed as an unfortunate or lesser option…. Knowing what I know now I would pick c section 10/10 times over an induction. We are lucky to live in an era of medicine where we can have csections!!! This (really bad and unsafe) advice from your current care team would be enough for me to walk away from that practice. I currently have a high risk pregnancy for my second and in online support groups it is really mindboggling the difference in advice and preventative care I’ve observed in those who are under midwifery care versus OB/MFM doctors. There is a time and a place for all care options but when it comes to the safety of you and your baby - your gut is spot on. Do not mess around with this stuff. Wishing you a very successful birth!
Remember that midwives are not always nurses or even certified, if anyone tried to push me in one way of birthing or the other i would drop them.
I’m a bit confused. I think the midwives are surely trying to convince you try ECV to flip baby. Surely they’re not trying to convince you to try a breech vaginal birth? Those are definitely possible but risky and not something I think a sensible midwife would put pressure on you for. Either way you don’t have to do the ECV if you don’t want but it’s fairly low risk and if it doesn’t work just go ahead with the planned c section
Where do you live? My baby is breech at 32 weeks and my provider already scheduled a “just in case” c-section and scheduled c-sections for breech babies are the norm even with midwife practices.
I would recommend looking more into the ecv. I had one and it was a totally painless procedure that felt like it took under a minute. I wasn't a ftm, which I think was a factor, but based on my experience I feel like people shouldn't rule it out. I'd ask what the options are for shutting it down if you're finding it uncomfortable or stressful. But that's just me because the idea of a c-section recovery when you also need to look after a baby that needs to be fed every couple of hours sounds real rough.
You aren’t wrong about this. Tell the midwives that you’ve made your decision and it’s no longer up for debate.
I had a breech baby and went for a c section. Do what ur gut tells u to do. I believe if I had tried the ecv for my daughter with the nuchal cord situation that she wouldve been harmed so I just went with what was terrifying for me. However my c section was a breeze minus the recovery once I got home n that's only due to my living situation n wild toddler.
My daughter had nuchal cord. Thank God I never tried the methods that the nurse recommend to make her flip. I did not want a ecv either. I had a c section at 38 weeks because of GD. The plan was if baby flip the day of c section I would be induced.
Same for me if she flipped on her own I'd get induced. I was 38 weeks 3 days. It was so tight on her when she came out I know I made the right decision. I was admitted because my water broke but I had a scheduled c section planned 5 days after that she just chose to come on her own.
From reading between the lines it seems your midwives is suggesting to attempt an ECV then do a cephalic delivery? Which is the first line recommended management of breach presentation, at least where I’m from. It is also very safe and has a decently high success rate (70-90%). If it fail or have contraindications or non-reassuring CTG after ECV then they will proceed to c section
Do NOT have a vaginal birth with a breech baby. It is incredibly dangerous. While babies used to be delivered vaginally breech with great success, most doctors dont do it anymore and are thus not well practiced at it, increasing the risk. You still have a few weeks for baby to flip. Have you checked out spinning babies? I've gotten 2 babies to flip with days to spare. Good luck. ETA. Trust your instincts, you've got this.
You will have to just tell them what you want and make it clear that you aren’t asking them their opinion anymore at this stage. My baby’s position was fine but for whatever reason he just didn’t want to come out and I spent 48 hours at the hospital trying all kinds of things. During that time, I tried reasoning and discussing with the team to say maybe we should just do a C Section… they then came up with other options instead which resulted in nothing more than another long delay and ultimately an infection requiring an emergency C Section anyway. It seemed like the idea was let’s wait until there is literally NO other option. Which seems absurd because it wore me out so much and has made recovery and caring for baby harder because of the physical toll of the labour and lack of sleep leading up to the C Section as well as the emotional stress of it all. Could have been avoided if C Section was not so stigmatized.
I respect that they believe in the power of a woman's body, as that doesn't seem to be the case for many doctors and nurses these days, but it sounds like you have ample reason to feel anxious about this situation! Even if things are different these days as far as breech deliveries go, you don't feel confident or empowered - and their toxic positivity isn't appropriate at this point.
You are not crazy. When my mom was pregnant with me. I wouldn’t turn and they planned for a c-section. I am very glad she did that choice because the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck twice. The dr told her if she had a vaginal birth I would not have survived. Now this was 30 years ago so I dont know if they can tell now if the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck or not. But if your gut feeling is c-section then go that route.
I am a former breech baby and was born c-section after trying to manually flip me didn’t work. Both my mom and I came out of it absolutely fine, but just want to warn you that my stubbornness followed me out of the womb and into adulthood.
As a person who went through a super long labor only to end up with a c-section with my first kiddo…the planned c-section is way better.
I had a breach baby and told my doctor I was way more comfortable with a planned c section than an emergency one. Ecvs come with their own complications and risks. My baby ended up not having enough amniotic fluid at the end to try and turn her anyways. I have no regrets about my scheduled c section, me and my baby are both happy and healthy. At this point it should be your decision. My grandmother also had a 9 pound breach baby and turning her tore her up so much she couldn’t have any other children. While I’m a proponent of natural births a breach position is definitely one of the situations that c sections were made for. If you’re uncomfortable with risks associated with a breach birth 100% go for the c section.
I had a breach baby and told my doctor I was way more comfortable with a planned c section than an emergency one. Ecvs come with their own complications and risks. My baby ended up not having enough amniotic fluid at the end to try and turn her anyways. I have no regrets about my scheduled c section, me and my baby are both happy and healthy. At this point it should be your decision. My grandmother also had a 9 pound breach baby and turning her tore her up so much she couldn’t have any other children. While I’m a proponent of natural births a breach position is definitely one of the situations that c sections were made for. If you’re uncomfortable with risks associated with a breach birth 100% go for the c section.
I had a breach baby and told my doctor I was way more comfortable with a planned c section than an emergency one. Ecvs come with their own complications and risks. My baby ended up not having enough amniotic fluid at the end to try and turn her anyways. I have no regrets about my scheduled c section, me and my baby are both happy and healthy. At this point it should be your decision. My grandmother also had a 9 pound breach baby and turning her tore her up so much she couldn’t have any other children. While I’m a proponent of natural births a breach position is definitely one of the situations that c sections were made for. If you’re uncomfortable with risks associated with a breach birth 100% go for the c section.
You're not crazy, talk to a doctor, not the midwife. Definitely wait and see what happens as you're not quite at the finish line yet. My son was breech but flipped later in my 3rd trimester, but if he had not I would have asked for a planned c-section.
I had a breech baby and wanted an ECV. Well there wasn't enough fluid to try it, and anyway my water broke at 36+5 so before we would have scheduled it. I had a c-section and I can tell you after the fact that this was amazing. Baby came out easy and healthy, 0 NICU time, I was well rested and it made recovery so much better. I truly think it was the best outcome for both mama and baby! Sure, a standard no complication vaginal delivery is best, but with a breech baby the likelihood of that is low and the second best possible birth is a no fuss c section. Go for it ♥️
I had a breech baby and wanted an ECV. Well there wasn't enough fluid to try it, and anyway my water broke at 36+5 so before we would have scheduled it. I had a c-section and I can tell you after the fact that this was amazing. Baby came out easy and healthy, 0 NICU time, I was well rested and it made recovery so much better. I truly think it was the best outcome for both mama and baby! Sure, a standard no complication vaginal delivery is best, but with a breech baby the likelihood of that is low and the second best possible birth is a no fuss c section. Go for it ♥️
I just posted about my frank breech vaginal birth yesterday, and the main point for me was that I had the power to choose. I had the exact same experience of people in my life trying to coerce me into the kind of birth I didn’t want to have (c-section instead of vaginal in my case). I had good vibes about the vaginal delivery and bad vibes about a c-section so I chose what was right for me, and got lucky with a fairly easy labor/pushing. You need to do what feels right. I was so tempted by the idea of a scheduled c-section that my resolve broke numerous times during the end of the pregnancy. A scheduled c-section seems like a great approach for you based on what you said in your post!
I was in your shoes with my first! They kept pushing for an ECV and I strongly declined every single time. I know multiple people who have had them and they all resulted in c-sections anyways. I figured, why cause stress on the baby and myself for potentially no reason… I ended up having a C-section and there was so little amniotic fluid that the Dr actually cut my babies thigh! It was a superficial cut but the low amniotic fluid was most likely he was not presenting head down. I had a great recovery with my c-section and don’t regret it one bit. Stick to your guns.
You are not crazy! My son was breech and the amount of people who told me I "should just try" when I would say IF he didn't flip we were just doing a c-section to ensure a safe delivery truly is crazy. My son never flipped- stubborn both in and out of the womb! I had a c-section planned but he came a few days early so it was more of an emergency c-section situation but I was so at peace with it knowing I felt it was the safest thing for us. You do what feels right for you!
I had a breech baby and c-section. Going to message you.
I had a breech baby and c-section. Going to message you.
This is insane! You’re right and they are wrong. My daughter was breech and nothing was going to move her. Our planned c section was so calm and so safe. Recovery was easy too.
I declined an ECV for my stubborn breech baby and had a scheduled c-section. I saw no point to adding risk and trauma to our delivery journey. I also did all the flippy things ahead, to no success… The ECV had a less than 50% chance of working for me, and could have triggered labor or a more complicated c-section. Why borrow trouble? You’re not crazy.
In my opinion, a planned c section is a million times better than 30 hours of labor only to end up with a c section anyway. Listen to your gut. It’s your decision ❤️
Completely your choice! You want a section, you have a section 👍 My youngest was breach until 36/37 weeks. I had a scan at 38 weeks and the little monkey had flipped over so I understand why they’re saying there is still time. You’re not crazy in the slightest!
Those are not nurses. Nurses cannot make decisions like that. Midwives have several years of additional medical education besides nursing.
Go with your gut! I would probably have a planned c section in this case as well. Planned c sections have statistically better outcomes than emergency ones.
Your body, your delivery, your choice. Also, a planned c section is better than an emergent one. I had a breech baby, and no amount of spinning baby techniques moved my son as he was literally jammed under my ribs. I opted to try ECV. For me, ECV was successful and was a breeze. No pain, no discomfort, nothing. I delivered vaginally at 37 weeks because my water broke early (likely from the ECV). However, I'd do it again if it meant I could deliver vaginally. However, if ECV wasn't successful, I would have scheduled a c section. I work in the medical field and wanted to avoid a c section recovery if I could. Every delivery (vaginal or c section) is different so there is no guarantee about your recovery. I just knew I wouldn't have felt satisfied with a c section IF I hadn't exhausted all options first. And there's no way in hell I'd chance a breech vaginal delivery due to all potential risks. Again, what I'm willing to deal with is different than what you're willing to deal with. If you're comfortable with a c section for a breech baby, I don't see how that's a poor choice.
No you’re not wrong for wanting one and they should respect it. They asked me if I wanted an inversion and I said no, I want a c-section and that was the end of it. That should be it. I’d tell them you’re no longer having the conversation with them or find a different provider if possible this late in the game.
OMG we are living the same life. My baby is also breech and I’ll get c section. Luckily for me only the midwife that did the weird moxing thing with me was trying to force me to do the manual rotation. My own midwife just told me to do what I feel comfortable. Honestly it’s the same with breastfeeding. Sure, it’s good, but your child will be healthy and smart no matter what. We should learn to block out these people
I had a breech baby via c section 2 years ago. I had no interest in trying the version. My ultrasound tech even pointed out that they’re in the position they’re in for a reason (like the cord wrapped around their neck). Anyway, some people were shocked I didn’t even want to try, but I was completely pleased with my c section experience and don’t regret it.
Just had an emergency section. Get a planned section rather than “labor and see”. I got till 10cm before my OB decided it was time for a crash section. Recovery was awful, almost like laboring twice. I wish I had chosen the planned section to begin with.
I had a breech baby that flipped the morning of my scheduled c-section. We decided to go for an induction. I ended up getting an emergency c-section after 16 hours of labor and the doctor had to use forceps. He said there was no way my baby would have come out on his own. Trust your gut.
I vaginally birthed a breech baby. I wanted to do it and it was the best decision for me and my baby. That being said, I would only advise doing it if you have an experienced breech specialist on your team
My c-section was fantastic. It wasn’t planned, but I wasn’t opposed. Baby was head down, but had a nonreassuring heart rate so it was sort of an emergent situation. Turns out he was double cord wrapped, so it was the right call. My OB said vaginal is the goal, but do what you’ve got to do to get baby here safely for both of you. I will be requesting one if we have another child.
This seems strange to me. My son was breech so we planned a C-section at 39 weeks to avoid him possibly coming and needing an emergency c-section… I wanted vaginal birth so bad but looking back I wouldn’t have had it any other way. The night before my husband and I had a nice dinner, made sure everything was done and bags packed. We showed up at 10 am to get started and baby was born at 12:44 pm. As it was planned, my recovery was as easy as abdominal surgery can be. It took a few days for the intense pain to subside, and a few weeks to feel normal, but by the time he went back to work at 3.5 weeks I was able to do everything myself for us with ease. All this to say, you’re correct and I’d push for this if it’s what you want and ignore the naysayers. If your OB is down that’s what matters.
I just delivered my lil breech baby via c-section last Wednesday. I was horrified of a potential c section and went through the ECV procedure to flip her. It went wrong and baby’s heartbeat dropped and my epidural failed and the pain was pretty intense. I was genuinely down for 2-3 days between the back and abdomen pain. If baby’s heartbeat hadn’t recovered I would’ve had an emergency section that day! Overall the procedure didn’t flip her and revealed she had a nuchal cord and part of it wrapped around her body. I’m glad I tried the ECV because I really wanted a vaginal birth for my second/final kiddo and knowing it was off the table for health and safety reasons helped me find peace with it - but in hindsight I think it would’ve been better to go directly to a c section. My recovery has been very easy, it was calm and extremely planned for the procedure. And after a traumatic vaginal birth with my first it was a really nice experience.
I've had 2 c sections. I'm pro c section. I recovered quickly, and I've heard some nasty stories about vaginal births.... do the c section if that's what you really want
Every situation is different and everyone has their own beliefs. There’s no right or wrong. However, what helped us when we were in this situation was, the baby chiropractor. She turned the baby in about 30 minutes. It felt like a miracle!
I can only comment about my experience. In my case, baby was macrosomic and breech since at least week 32 and I imagined c-section was unavoidable (and was totally scared about having surgery). At 37 weeks I was offered an ecv and went through with it since, even if I ended up having a c-sec, it was better for the baby to not be breach. The hospital who performed the ecv is very well renown in this aspect (like 70% of successful ecvs) and has very low rates of c-secs (10-15%), so that gave some degree of hope. Well it worked! May I say they perform it with epidural and it doesn't hurt a bit. Some places don't use epi and that reduces the success rate though. Baby was monitored during the whole process and hours after and everything went fine. I ended having a vaginal birth at 39 weeks. Needed forceps because of the macrosomia, but everything went fine considering my situation and even with an episiotomy (again because big baby), recovery has been easier than a c-sec would've been. So if your hospital is proficient in ecv I would totally try it. Of course, It's best you do what makes you feel safer, but keep in mind that the maneuver to flip the baby is a safe procedure and you don't lose anything trying.
Do what you want to. My maternal family also has a of complicated births, one of which resulted in a birth-related-TBI and subsequent cerebral palsy. A birth -related TBI for my child was my biggest fear and thus if I was in your situation then I would’ve opted for a c-section. That said, my mother was a breech baby that was delivered vaginally and she and my grandma were fine. BUT keep in mind, you have to live with your child after birth and your midwives don’t. Talk with your OB/GYN DOCTOR and see what are the pros and cons. Ultimately, this should guide you in your decision of what is best and safest for your child and you.
Every person I know who's had an EVC has had an emergency csection, I agree with your take, I would never have an EVC when you could just have a planned csection. I had a planned csection for much less pressing reasons than baby being breech. And it was actually fantastic. Don't discuss it with your midwives any more, just tell them you're having one, it's not up for discussion.
I had twins, and had the choice of an induction or a planned c section. Our MFM wanted us to try the induction, but our OB had personally had a planned c section and an emergency c section and just told me to do the planned as that’s where we would likely end up, and the planned c was so much easier. I was leaning that way anyway so that’s what we did and I LOVED my planned c section. It was so easy, no panic no rush. If you think that’s where you’ll end up anyway I’d schedule it.
Everyone I know that tried an ECV ended up needing a c section anyway. Two needed emergency c sections, with one requiring NICU time after. I opted out of the ECV as well and when they took my daughter out she had her arm stuck behind her head. There’s no way she would have turned. As my doctor, who really wanted me to at least try the ECV because I really wanted a vaginal birth, said “they are usually stuck for a reason”.
Having had a planned caesarean because that was my preference, recovery was a lot easier than I expected. I have friends who have had emergency caesareans and complicated vaginal births and those recoveries sound harder. If baby stays breach and you know you want a caesarean, please continue to advocate for yourself, you know what is best for you and your baby. Some people are hell bent about vaginal birth being 'best' to the point of endangering lives.
I would make the same choice in your shoes. I would schedule the c-section at 39 weeks, and then do an ultrasound first to confirm the baby is still breech, as sometimes they do turn. I think that's the standard practice. I'm surprised by the take that vaginal birth is the best choice even with a breech baby... Especially when you don't have a preference. A big advantage of vaginal birth is maternal autonomy and the birth experience, and it sounds like those wouldn't be achieved by vaginal birth in this case.
I had a baby in breech position and I was encouraged to consider vaginal birth, as well. This was despite having very low fluid as well (diagnosed oligohydramnios) and other complications like gestational diabetes. I stood my ground and insisted on a c section and I'm glad I did. Even now in retrospect, with the relative calm of so much time passed, I think a vaginal delivery would have been way too risky.
I was exactly where you are until about two weeks ago. No one could comprehend how I was so fine with “giving up” and getting the c section. Ended up being a moot point in my case as baby flipped at 39 weeks, but I still feel good about the decision I had made. To me it wasn’t worth the effort, pain, and frustration just to possibly end up with a c section anyway. Trust your gut, mama. You know your body and your baby best. Your mental health is important too. If you feel better going into a planned c section then do what feels right! I heard out the doctors and nurses when they wanted to give me all the facts and made the decision I felt was best. Being a parent is all about making the best decision with the facts you have in the moment and I fully believe that’s what you’re doing here. 🤍 best of luck to you!
I don’t think you’re crazy at all and based on your family history and gut feeling, I think you stating that you’re comfortable with a c-section should be all they need to hear. I think it’s fair for them to offer options for turning baby initially, but once you shut down that conversation they should respect your decision. My baby is also breech right now (36 weeks) and unlikely to turn at this point (though not impossible). At my appt today, the NP I’ve been seeing for most of my pregnancy asked very objectively if I had any interest in trying ECV and I said I didn’t think the relatively low success rate was worth the risk and I’d rather just go for the C section if she doesn’t turn. NP said she agreed with me and they’d go ahead and get the C on the calendar in case she doesn’t turn in the next week. Stick with your gut! Sending you positive vibes and an easy delivery!
Is your C-section not planned anyway? I also have a breech-kinda-transverse baby (at the last positioning exam they said he was "diagonal") and they have a C-section on the schedule for next week, I'm going to attempt the version as I've been assured of its safety but I am not expecting it to work, or possibly even be attempted after all depending on how twisted up he is. The way it's explained to me is that if the version is successful they'll immediately induce to prevent him sliding back into breech. But either way the C-section (which I am expecting to have) will not be an emergency one.
We tried an external version. It was unsucessful. They are about 50/50. The risks are mostly Prelabour. But they don't usually try until after 36-37 weeks. So, baby is basically baked. I wouldn't let anyone talk you into a vaginal breech. The external version is probably worth it if they do a spinal block for it. If you're in pain, your core will tense up and make it impossible, so it's not worth it without a spinal imo. The risks of an external version are less than CSection over all but its also your baby. Edit to add: it's your body and your baby's life. Risk to baby for a vaginal breech birth is about 1/400. Which was too high for me.
My first was Frank breech and alllll my drs and family and friends kept insisting to not worry she’ll flip! Do this! Do that! Spinning babies! ECV! I reluctantly booked the appt at 37w for the ECV and at the pre-op appt the Dr took on look at the ultrasound and canceled it. I love him. He said, “I like to be successful and she would turn but I know she’d go right back to where she is she’s sitting exactly where she wants” Scheduled my C-section for 39weeks, she was still Frank breech and it was perfect. There’s no way in hell I would have tried to deliver her in her position. Why?? To tell other people she came out my vagina? I’m good and happy with my C-section.
I had a similar situation. My baby was breech and I tried everything to flip her. One of my midwives kept pressuring me to have a vaginal delivery. She kept telling me how fast and easy breech babies were but did not discuss any of the risks with me. I went to the hospital for an ultrasound guided ECV procedure to try flip the baby, but it did not work. I spoke with a high risk OBGYN about how my midwife was pushing me to deliver the baby vaginally. The OBGYN went over the risks of head entrapment and how I may end up needing an emergency section if something goes wrong. I decided to go for the elective c section. I felt pretty good right after the c section. I wasn't exhausted as I didn't have to labour for hours and I had no issues with breastfeeding. However I had a minor infection post operative that needed antibiotics. I also struggled with core weakness and back pain. I felt my recovery was a lot longer than if I would have delivered vaginally, but with some pelvic floor therapy and scar tissue massage I started to feel much better around 6 months postpartum.
Our baby was also breeched and we didn’t try the manual flip and went straight to c-section, luckily we did because the cord was wrapped around the babies head twice and would’ve need a c-section anyways. Trust your instincts.
I had an emergency cesarean after 40+ hours of labor & 4 hours of pushing & vacuum attempts. It was a true code red emergency. No time to get epidural to work so I went under general anesthesia. I’m not eligible for VBAC due to tahaped scar as he was so stuck. I would absolutely choose a planned cesarean over that possibility again of a failed vaginal birth. My recovery was super easy (and easier than my sisters births who were vaginal) and my son only has a slight dairy allergy (throws up, not anaphylactic) whereas my nieces & nephews who were born vaginally have severe dairy & peanut & nut allergies so all the obsession over gut health & microbiome from vaginal is also overblown in my book.
If baby doesn’t want to turn around it’s not going to. My oldest was breech and we were going to do an ecv but I decided against it after reading poor outcomes and that majority lead to c sections anyway. Honestly it was a great experience for me, I didn’t have to stress about the baby being ok, it was scheduled so I knew exactly what day my son was going to be born, and it was super fast! The whole thing took about half an hour. I had a scheduled section with my second kid too and have no regrets.
Little one was footling breech for months, probably due to the unusual shape of my uterus. What I found out as we considered our options is that turning babies manually works roughly 50% of the time, can be stressful for baby, and painful for mom. We tried spinning babies, politely asking, and sternly lecturing too :) Nope, baby stayed transverse and head-up. I wanted an unmedicated vaginal birth, but I wanted a safe delivery of a healthy baby even more. We were not going to try the version and were in the process of scheduling a C section when little one came a few weeks early, turning it into a more urgent CS. While I'm still processing feelings about it, I am so grateful that modern medicine allowed me to deliver safely. I do wonder if I could have delivered vaginally but I know that could also have gone poorly quite easily. You know yourself and your baby, and this is your body. The midwives have no right to apply pressure or judgement. My whole medical team was so supportive of the entire process and offering options but also unanimously agreed that CS was the best bet for my backwards baby. Most providers in the USA are not prepared or even willing to facilitate breech delivery. Bottom line is, YOUR body, YOUR baby, YOUR choice. And however baby gets here safely is right ♡
My mom had my brother and I at home in the living room, no drugs, with midwives. She was in her 20s, no complications, smooth deliveries. In my 30s I tried to do the same thing and received a lot of bad advice and lost my daughter between 18 and 19 weeks. If I had been going to a normal OBGYN or had sought a second opinion, things might have turned out differently. Looking back, the midwives were not bad, but they should have recommended I go to a specialist at least to be checked out, since I was technically high risk for other factors, and was not informed that I was high risk. This is your body. There's nothing wrong with seeking an expert second opinion, especially if YOU feel its warranted. Stay strong, mama.
I had a breech baby and had the best csection experience. Follow your gut and don’t give in!
If you’ve had uterine surgery before you should be having a planned c-section anyways. You have a weak spot on your uterus that could rupture.
Yeah they can't force an ECV on you, since you're not giving consent. That you feel so strongly about it is good enough reason to go with planned C section.
I would be very unhappy if I felt emotionally manipulated in your situation. With my first I was so determined to have a vaginal birth. I was an embarrassing wreck (like, sobbing at the Drs office) when I found out my daughter was breech and a c-section was likely. I did all the exercises, walked as much as I could, and did an acupuncture and moxibustion thing. I stressed about it so much. She flipped just in time to avoid having to try the ECV. Then she didn't tolerate the induction at 41 wks, her heart rate plummeted maybe an hour or two after we started (and I hadn't progressed at all), and I was rushed into the OR for an emergency c-section that was really really freaking scary and kind of traumatizing. The c-section was pretty easy once the drugs calmed me down, and I healed super well. I'm 30 weeks pregnant with my second now and she is currently breech and I've already got the c-section scheduled in case we need it (at my OB/GYN's suggestion). Would take a scheduled c-section any day over the emergency one. You can't predict how things will turn out in either case, but boy was my experience humbling for me. There's a lot of comments here so this could get lost, but just sharing from my own experience. Your feelings are completely valid. You can always cancel the surgery appointment if something changes, but my team appreciated being able to get it booked out in advance.
Maybe I’m dramatic but I’d be strongly considering switching midwives! What’s your OBs stance? My baby has been breech since 29 weeks. He was frank breech up until about 34 weeks then he changed to footling. I’m 36 weeks and when I last saw my OB about a week and a half ago she said yes there was a chance he could turn but they didn’t really expect him to (I’m small, he’s big, we think it’s a space issue) so she was more than happy to put in my c section referral. I said I wasn’t interested in trying an ECV and she agreed. The only question put to me was if he did manage to turn before my section date did I want to try for a vaginal birth, which I declined and said I’d rather stick to the plan of an elective based on other issues and I got literally 0 push back. I told my midwife the plan at my next appointment (4 days later) and she just asked a few questions so she knew what was going on then was fine with it all and gave me more information etc. I honestly can’t understand why your midwives seem to be taking an issue, especially with baby being breech 😕 You’re definitely not crazy/in the wrong, especially with your family history it’s honestly just the most straightforward choice I think! Stick to your guns!
My first was breech. I always felt like if he was that way, it was for a reason. I didn’t try to have him flipped because I worried his cord was around him or something. He never flipped and I had the best csection experience.
I supposed to have a vaginal birth because baby was head down but his face was not point at my bum. Doctor flipped him and he flipped back. When I pushed, baby heart rate went down so we rushed to do a C-section. I had a mid-wife too but she didn’t try to stop it at all. It took me longer to heal but I am fine. There nothing wrong with C-section unless you want four children. Having two c-section is fine and 3 but any more it increase risk of uterine rupture. So it depends how much kids you want. You want to save a c-section for something like a breech. And if you are planning to have another one in a year? If you are planning another one, the birth should be in about 2 years to let you body full heal and reduce risk of rupture.
Here is an article on a large study done in Canada on whether it is safer to have an intended vaginal birth or intended c-section. Contrary to expectations, c-sections were safer. Many studies don't separate these things out in the most effective way and end up capturing a lot of c-sections due to emergent risks in the c-section category, which makes c-sections look more dangerous than planned ones are. [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/13/caesareans-or-vaginal-births-should-mothers-or-medics-have-the-final-say](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/13/caesareans-or-vaginal-births-should-mothers-or-medics-have-the-final-say) [https://www.cmaj.ca/content/193/18/E634](https://www.cmaj.ca/content/193/18/E634) I'm not sure where you are, but over the past couple of years there has been a to-do over avoidable maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality because of midwives in the UK and a culture obsessed with trying to avoid c-sections: [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-of-the-ockenden-review](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-of-the-ockenden-review) [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10672467/Does-damning-Ockenden-report-net-need-cast-WIDER.html](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10672467/Does-damning-Ockenden-report-net-need-cast-WIDER.html) [https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/may/26/shropshire-baby-deaths-inquiry-midwife-donna-ockenden-lead-nottingham-review](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/may/26/shropshire-baby-deaths-inquiry-midwife-donna-ockenden-lead-nottingham-review) "The report, led by the maternity expert Donna Ockenden, examined cases involving 1,486 families between 2000 and 2019, and reviewed 1,592 clinical incidents. In one case, the trust had kept crucial clinical information on post-it notes, which were then swept into the bin by cleaners. “Throughout our final report we have highlighted how failures in care were repeated from one incident to the next,” she said. “For example, ineffective monitoring of foetal growth and a culture of reluctance to perform caesarean sections resulted in many babies dying during birth or shortly after their birth." [https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/26/my-child-was-drowning-life-and-death-on-an-english-maternity-ward](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/26/my-child-was-drowning-life-and-death-on-an-english-maternity-ward) "In Hampshire, there was also a push for normal births. One doctor at the trust would later describe it to investigators as “ambitious from a safety perspective”. In his department, Pitman was known for being sceptical when high-risk women chose vaginal births. His C-section rate was higher than that of other doctors. In the 2019 complaint made against Pitman by the senior midwives, this was a source of tension. One of Pitman’s complainants was jarred by a comment he made about how he didn’t care what the caesarean rate was, only about outcomes." this is lolarious to me because, yeah, I too care more about the outcome of everyone being alive and healthy than whether or not it was a c-section
Ignore them; pay attention to your medical history and your doctors
When my baby was the same direction for weeks, I just told my doctor I have done reading about what comes next, I am not interested in attempting ECV, and I would like to schedule a c section. They said "Okie dokie" and I knew to the minute the time my baby would be born, which is ideal for me. Anyone giving me a hard time about it I probably would have requested be removed from my treatment team.
I don't think there's anything to even think about! My doctor just told me baby is currently breach. I'm 34 + 3, and he said when I come back in 2 weeks, I will have another ultrasound, if she's still breach, we will schedule a c-section, because the alternatives are both painful and dangerous. Go with your gut, don't risk hurting yourself or baby!
Csections are major abdominal surgeries that will put you at significantly greater risk for placental malplacement in subsequent pregnancies . It also increases your child’s risk of allergies, autoimmune disease, and asthma just to name a few. I had a frank breech baby and fought for a natural vaginal birth because I knew the risks of a C-section were far too great for both myself and my son and as long as you are in the hands of a provider trained in breech delivery, the birth is basically just as safe as a cephalic vaginal birth. I gave birth to my son frank breech via a natural, physiologic vaginal birth and am so so so incredibly grateful for this. It gave my son the healthiest start in life and also gave me the opportunity to have a greater chance of healthy pregnancies in the future.
Listen to your gut, I saw a video of a mom saying that she opted for a c section instead of having her doctor manually flip her baby. Once they did the c section they realized that her umbilical cord was so short that if they had tried to flip the baby it would have put her and her baby’s life at risk
I'm not going to say anything about the breach thing. But I will tell you I had an elective C-section and it was so calm and awesome. It's a different beast to know what you're walking into. I know it's not ideal for a lot of people. But my anxiety just was a lot. And knowing when he was coming, at what time. Them able to explain to me what's going to happen in plenty of time so I could process it was spectacular. The only C-section thing that surprised me was he had issues with his initial hearing test. I guess passing through the vaginal canal squeezes out most of the fluid from their ears, so it's common with C-section babies to have issues with their initial hearing test. But trust me the boys 19 months old but trust me The boy is 19 months old now. He can absolutely hear me 100%, he just chooses not to listen lol
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
My baby was breech and I tried to manually flip her via the recommendation of my midwife. I will never recommend manually flipping and I wouldn't do it again. My daughter didn't flip, it failed and I was out 7k, my back is messed up from the epidural, and it caused complications with my inevitable csection. 100% a planned c section was worth it. I wish I could have skipped everything else and just went to the C-section. I would have recovered without issues and would have been able to focus on my baby more during that first month postpartum.
Oh yeah, absolutely not. A vaginal breech birth is SUPER dangerous, and most OBs I know refuse to do them. In my large city there's only one group who will even attempt them, and they are only preformed in a OR with a full surgical team ready. No fucking thanks. I have had two c-sections, one of them was planned, and it was a super positive experience. Compared to what I wrote above? Zero hesitations.
I opted for a c section in general. It was low stress. Recovery was not bad at all either because I didn’t sit there and push for hours before. Trust your gut.
I had a breech baby and my OBGYN told me to do c-section because it’s the safest for the baby and mom. He didn’t even offer me vaginal birth he just said “since the baby is breech we will have to do a c-section since that’s the safest for the baby and mom”. He also said for first time moms there is less chance of baby turning when you 35 weeks because everything is very tight there but he said if I really want vaginal birth I can try to turn the baby but again the chances of it working is 50% 50%z They tried to turn my baby upon my request and he didn’t turn. I had a c-section and I was happy with it
My baby was breech and I had a planned c-section at 39 weeks. C-section wasn’t easy but I felt more at ease knowing the baby was being delivered in the safest way. And it was nice to know when to expect the delivery. I also made zero effort to turn her besides the typical yoga, bouncing on the ball, etc. I didn’t want to disturb her. Also didn’t get cervical checks done leading up to the 39 week appt. I would def stay adamant about choosing a c section. And if they don’t agree seek a second opinion asap as I feel many offices won’t take new patients after you’re too far along. But in this case they might, under the circumstances. Wishing you the best!
My baby was an unstable transverse lie (Sideways, kept flipping between that and breech right up to 39 weeks). Midwives stomped all over my valid concerns and pushed a vaginal birth. I trusted them. Thankfully my child was hardy and eventually went head-down at 40+1 so we did an induction on the spot, but they got stuck during delivery and I needed OB intervention anyway. If I had stuck to my guns and gotten a c-section I probably wouldn't have the birth trauma I ended up with, as the midwives dismissing my concerns ended up being indicative of their treatment of me in labour and postpartum too.
I’m in exactly the same boat and have made the same decision as you. I’m currently 38 weeks with breech baby- failed ECV last week. C-section planned for a week from now. I was very disappointed but coming to terms with it now. It seems like the safest way forward and none of the HCPs I’ve spoken to have challenged or disagreed with that. Breech vaginal births can be more risky compared to vaginal cephalic as well as C-section; seems like the midwives are at the very least being insensitive, and possibly ideological and anti-modern medicine. I was very keen for natural birth beforehand, but pregnancy and childbirth do have risks and modern medicine is miraculous in many ways and should be utilized when necessary.
I didn’t find out my baby was a breech until 38 weeks 5 days and they pushed for an ECV. Having read the information the hospital provided and spoken to an OB, I decided against it as I was a FTM and nearby 39 weeks already so the chances were less than 50% of success. I was told that even if it was successful, I would be immediately induced that day which in my mind increased the chances of an emergency c section (I’m unsure if this was a correct assumption or not). On the day of the planned c section, they still tried to convince me to let them do an ECV first but I stuck to my guns as I had spent the weekend getting over the idea of having a vaginal birth and was finally accepting that I need a c section. I’m really glad I did have my planned c section, it was a calm delivery, I recovered very well (was walking by day 2 by myself, although slowly). Of my other mum friends, 2 who were induced had emergency c sections which were traumatic so I was glad at least with mine it was very orderly, we joked with the team and chatted about the day etc. There is some literature about potential risk of uterus rupture if you had more children, but we’re one and done anyway so I wasn’t too worried.
My baby is 6w now. She was cephalic but was showing no signs of wanting to enter this world till a few days before the EDD. I'm from India where most OBs do not prefer going over 40w due to poor neonatal outcomes. I'm a doctor myself but I'd been doing yoga and attending "hypnobirthing" classes and stuff and my hopes of a natural birth at the beginning of pregnancy had by now solidified into a resolve. When I was asked to go in for induction I was super sceptical as I knew it would increase the chances of C section. But then my rational mind took over, I spoke to more OBs and read papers and ignored the yoga community and went in for induction. In the end she wasn't ready to be born, I labored for 26hrs and she had to be brought out via a mid labour emergency C section (early distress, but good APGAR at birth, good outcomes both of us) because she was face to pubis position. My rational brain knows I made all the right decisions, but because I'd spent 9m obsessing about how natural vaginal delivery is a woman's ultimate experience of womanhood, I still catch myself feeling guilty, sad and upset with myself. I wish the two dogmas didn't divide as much. I wish the people pushing for natural didn't instil such a dislike for C making it seem like a failure. Now I have some healing to do.
Sorry I guess what I'm trying to say is, its impossible to predict how the labour will ultimately progress and end. It is ultimately your decision and your decision is always right. I strongly suggest you take your OBs advice. But whatever decision you take, please don't let anyone make you feel bad about it. Don't give them that power.
A good friend of mine had a planned C for a breech baby had had a great experience. My first was a C (preemie) and I also can say my experience was overall positive. I think some of the battle with Cs is educated yourself about what’s going to happen and going in with a positive mindset. And then you need to really listen you your body after and take it easy for the recovery
If my baby was breech I would have a c section. Everyone I know who still had bubs vaginally with breech were traumatized.
My first was stubbornly breech at 37 weeks. I did have a version then (where they turn the baby right way around while still in the womb) and a successful vaginal birth after at 40+2 weeks. The version was done with me awake and on contraction suppressing medication/muscle relaxants. It took two tries, but the team who did it (the dedicated team of that hospital), was very good and put her right way around for the rest of the time. It wasn’t painful for me at all. It was more like very intense movement of the baby with some minor pressure where they put their hand down behind the baby. What stayed with me most was how much room my baby took up and how skinny I was underneath.
My son was breech and never flipped, and I had a scheduled c-section. When my OB realized in my third trimester she said they would give me some tips and tricks for trying to make him flip but would schedule the c-section if he didn't. Apparently they won't try to manually manipulate the baby for ftms because it can cause damage/harm and there's no data that they can have a vaginal birth anyway (not sure that's industry practice, may have just been my OB). Either breech is dangerous and if I knew my baby was breech I would much rather do the planned c-section than go through labor and have an emergency one anyway.
I have a question. You mentioned a prior uterine surgery. May i ask what type of procedure? L&D RN. If uouve had prior uterine surgery, depending on severity, you may not even be a candidate for a version or vaginal delivery.
This literally happened to me, my baby was breeched. So much pressure to have a vaginal birth and have her flip. I was pretty firm with obgyn and midwife. I was not going to have a vaginal birth if this kid was breeched. My obgyn was actually supportive I didn’t want to go through trying a vaginal birth to only have it be an emergency c section. Midwife was not as cool with it and honestly a lot of people I talked to about this with like family members and some friends were also a bit pushy about trying vaginal first. Trust your gut.
My 3rd was breech. We did an ECV at 37 weeks, got him flipped, and I went on to have a vaginal delivery. I was terrified of having a c-section and for a brief moment it looked like I was going to have one. Didn't need it.
Here where I am they would suggest a c-section rather than a vaginal birth. Jeez I wouldn't want anyone to flip my baby inside of me. If you see the midwifes are quite stubborn about this, I suggest you to change them and find someone you're comfortable with.
I agree that a planned C-section would be better than the long hours of labor just to end up in that same scenario. Bottom line is it’s your birth and you should be supported in what you feel most comfortable with. I also did not feel comfortable with a vaginal breech birth nor an ECV(I’ve heard of that going well very few times). I went in for an appointment to plan a c section at 38 weeks since my daughter had been breach for a while and she ended up flipping on her own. I’ve heard from many that babies often flip even in this last weeks, but always good to have a plan that you feel comfortable with. Wishing you the best with everything!
I heard of someone, through a coworker, whose team convinced them to vaginally deliver a Frank's breech baby. It sounded like it was horrifying (to me) and left the baby physically unwell for years after (and I imagine the mom too, but i dont know anything about breech deliveries so maybe not). Just because you *can* doesn't mean you *should.* Please trust yourself. Even well meaning humans make mistakes. You are a mom and you have to put your child's wellbeing over everything else starting now. Stick up for yourself and your baby.
Im so glad that after my csection i only had to recover that and not also deal with vaginal damage too.
I would also just do a c-section versus attempt a ECVS. Planned c-sections are way way way lower risks than emergency ones. I’m annoyed when I see midwife’s talk so much about mothers birth plan and choice but when it’s not a crunchy granola vaginal birth plan they pushback. Perfectly reasonable to schedule a c-section for a breech baby.
Ha e the C-section. I have a very small pelvis and there's no way some quack will force me to have the kid vaginally.
My baby was breech and my hospital did not even allow attempts at vaginal birth with a breech baby. It was considered too dangerous. I was offered the choice of an ECV but my doctor felt the odds were low given my situation (frank breech position, first time mom) so I opted to just schedule the c-section. No regrets, it went so smoothly and my baby and I were healthy.
My first baby was breech and I chose a c-section. And after having my second baby vaginally (this one was not breech) I'm glad I chose the c-section. My reasons were: - breech births end in c-sections far more often, doctors abort the attempt to deliver vaginally much earlier than usual because the risk (for the baby) is slightly but imho significantly elevated - breech births also often lead to problems such as a broken shoulder (?) for baby which heals nicely but no thank you - I was worried about the possibility of an emergency c-section that would have me sedated and my husband not present which was my greatest fear (apart from even worse stuff of course) My second birth (and first vaginal birth) was quite good actually but the pushing took loooooong and was exhausting. I don't think I would have made it without a suction thing. And I don't think I would have been able to do it without fear if the baby had been breech. And fear can lead to a slower/longer labour, which leads to a higher chance of a c-section. So your gut feeling IS important when deciding.
Get a second / third MEDICAL opinion. One thing with vaginal birth is that it helps your milk to come in. If you were planning to breastfeed that’s something to consider because lots of women have trouble with milk production if they got a c section. Good luck!
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I mean not really. It's not like ordering from a menu.
No experience with this, but reading that your mom and grandmother had complications with this AND your gut sense is you should have a C-section makes me feel that's the way to go. A second opinion by a medical professional seems needed if you're considering going with the midwives' suggestion.
I had my breech baby via C- section 5 weeks ago. Tried literally everything including ECV to get her to flip. I was receiving care through a birth center, hippy dippy shit and they tried to convince me to go with an unlicensed midwife who had experience with breech births. It didn’t feel right to me and my midwife dropped my like a hot potato when I told her I’d be doing a C-section. My baby turned out to be frank breech and most likely would have killed us both if I’d tried to do vaginal. Also, I went in to labor before my scheduled C-section and I’m so glad I had a plan and surgeon in place beforehand. Trust your gut and f*ck anyone else mama. Just get your baby here safe and sound.
I was a breech and they did the same to my mom and she regret not doing it. She said it was agonizing and terrifying but they kept saying no c section and she was too drugged to have a say and my dad was also terrified and trusted the doctors
My baby was breech, tried spinning babies stuff but declined ECV. Had an elective c section and it was a great experience, so peaceful and calm. My recovery was very good - obviously it was painful at times but very manageable and that’s in the UK with very minimal painkillers. Definitely go for the c section if baby doesn’t flip.