Turning Breech Babies - Ideas?

[Tiffany]

I have a young mother (18) whose baby is breech. She is 37 weeks and the doctor she is seeing referred her to an OB for next week so they can make sure the baby is breech.

My feeling is, that if it still is breech the OB will probably offer external version (I don't see why he wouldn't) and if that doesn't work I know they will book a section. The family docs she is seeing now were telling her she will most likely have a c-section. This poor girl is all alone and having a section will be VERY bad for her. She really does not want that.

I'm reading a few things online that can help the baby turn, I'd like to know your personal experiences and any advice you may have. Also, what is acceptable to try and what would you not do? A doula friend of mine brought up the point of not trying things (like having her knees on the couch, leaning down with her hands on the floor) because we can't monitor the baby and what if it went into distress? While I do think about those things, I don't think a position like that is much different than if she was to bend over really far to get something. Of course I never want to put a baby in danger, but when are you worrying TOO much?? Ya know?? Anyways, any advice is appreciated!! We need help!

[Pambug]

I don't have any experience with breech babies but I'll be sending good luck vibes to your client that her baby turns before the OB appointment.

[DL]

I don't have any personal experience with breech babies yet. For whatever it's worth, I do have some opinions & ideas, though! As far as her being in a head lower than hips/legs position....I don't think that would be the cause of fetal distress. She should probably stop if she feels light-headed, flushed, head-achey, or more uncomfortable than usual. A lot of Midwives suggest Mom laying on a slant board with head down, pillow on the floor for her head, and feet on the high end (i.e. iron board FIRMLY leaning against the couch).

Here are a few others things I've heard tried (although probably not new to you):

1. Place headphones on lower abdomen with nice music playing to try to coax baby to turn to hear the music better.

2. Have mom put very cold cloth (maybe with ice in it) up where baby's head is...this could possibly coax baby to want to move away from the cold...thus turning head down.

3. Any access to a chiropractor? She could have the Webster's technique tried on her.

If I see some more good ideas, I'll post them. I have some rather old Midwifery books that have just been given to me (haven't had the chance to look at them yet). I'll take a look and see if they have any good info to pass on. If I see anything, you'll be the next to know about it!

[Tiffany]

I've been to www.spinningbabies.com which is an awesome resource, and I've followed a few links from there and have gotten a whole bunch of suggestions. I just got off the phone with my client and told her to do some squats and lunges to help loosen her ligaments. She is so so tiny and I am wondering if baby isn't going head down because the ligaments are so tight.

I also suggested she do elbows and knees where her hips are higher than head, and suggested a modified shoulderstand where she could put her legs up the wall with a pillow under her bum.

She told me tonight she thinks the baby is turning, slowly, but she feels he will turn. I REALLY hope so. This poor dear!!

[Luv2bemommy]

I'll do some searching, tons of turning vibes to her!!!!! Let us know how it goes!

[Kim Trower]

squats and lunges would encourage the baby to engage in the position he/she is at..being breech. If baby is not in optimal position she needs to be in positions that will encourage baby to float up and then rotate:
* rebozo with mom in knee/chest position...pull up, rotating to each hand like a washing machine action, getting faster and faster. Do this for 10 min.
* have mom scrub some floors or just be in hands and knees
* if she has access to an indoor pool or heated pool she can do some get in and do some handstand movements.
* visualization and/or hypnosis has a high 80% success rate
*work with her on emotional stuff, that usually has a lot to do with babe not turning.
* if she chooses section or has not other choice based on provider encourage her to fight for a trial of labor as this will benefit her and babe more so that a straight section.

[fearlessbirth]

While I don't have any 'doula' experience with this, I do have a couple of things I can offer.

I was born breech to my Mama naturally. So, it infuriates me that the art of this delivery is lost and not even taught to OBs anymore and is illegal to perform if you're a midwife. Buh.

I also have a friend who lived in FL and wanted a VBAC. Girlfriend had to travel all the way to New Mexico to find a midwife who would take on her case. To add to that, her baby was breech. Here is this story she wrote for Mothering magazine:

SHE TURNED HER BABY AROUND
Mothering, May-June, 2004 by Katherine Easterling

This pregnancy was tilted with research, questions, and many educational bumps in the road. I was told that I have a heart-shaped uterus (I think that's kind of cool), also called bicornate by the surgeon who did my cesarean in 1995, and that this can encourage not-so optimum fetal positioning. So I read midwifery texts and learned how to feel for my baby's position on my own.

At 37 weeks, I discovered her presenting breech. It was late evening, and I was having supper with friends. I went to bed that night rubbing my daughter's head through the thick skin of my belly between my ribs. I awoke in the night and whispered to my baby, "Do you want to turn around? Here, I'll help you." And I cupped my hands around her little bottom and lifted her so gently out of my pelvic bones. She nudged slightly to my left as I lay on my back. She was moving smoothly and easily. I continued to talk to her and massage her in the still, quiet night.

Please contact me via Mothering if you would like to talk more about my experience.

While I would never suggest to a mother that she does this (unless she thought of it herself) I do think it's incredible that Katherine was so in touch with her body and her baby that she made this happen herself.

I've also heard of moxibustion working to turn breeches although some sources say it's pure coincidence. All of the other things the other ladies mentioned I've come across in reading and totally agree with them!

Good luck and lots of good vibes and prayers to this Mama!

[wendoula]

I don't have any experience with breech babies as a doula. But most of what I would suggest has already been suggested. Definetly try to get her to go to a chiropractor and get some adjustmens. Here is a website also that might interest you or her.
www.breechbabies.com

Goodluck - I hope you and her find an OB that will listen to her desires and needs. I can't believe how OB's think they can just tell a women that they need a c-section before they even hit their due date. It just feels like they are moving that date of taking a baby farther and farther sooner and not letting the mom and baby work together on getting the little one into the correct position.

Goodluck and sending lots of goodvibes to the mama - turn baby turn!

[Tiffany]

I don't know how to vent about this without giving too much information--we'll see how this works out.

I have a client whose baby is breech and I went to an OB appointment today with her. This OB made it clear she wants to do absolutely NOTHING to help this baby turn and kept repeatedly telling my client to schedule the c-section at 38 weeks. My client was horrified. She at least thought she'd receive some information on how to encourage the baby to turn or perhaps give external version a try. The doc refused saying she hasn't done many versions, and never suggested finding another OB to do it.

After a little discussion, we learned my clients due date is actually 10 days later. The OB would have taken this baby out close to 4 weeks early if we had never gotten into that discussion.

My client left without scheduling the section. She just doesn't want to resolve to that and believes this baby will turn. After this appointment she told me she isn't comfortable with this doctor and will be looking for a new OB tomorrow.

Wish us luck that we can find someone who wants to help the baby turn and not just section her before her baby is even ready to come. I'm going to call our midwifery groups tomorrow and see what OB they like referring to for breech babies. Any thoughts from you guys? I just couldn't believe I met a woman OB like this.

[DL]

Well....That is indeed, appalling!!!! It sounds like your client is well educated and is also lucky to have you as her doula. I think that you all are on the right track by contacting the midwives and looking for a different OB immediately. to you and your client!!!! Btw....That wasn't too much info; you did a great job with confidentiality!

[tlcdoula]

Well at least she found this out now instead of during the delivery. It is things like this that have made me really think about client and doctor "matches." When I was still taking on private clients I used to talk with them about their healthcare provider and I gave them handouts on the medically minded doctor and the mother friendly doctor and had them see where they placed themselves after reading the descriptions and where they thought their doctor fell. I also encouraged them early on to discuss things with their doctor and to create a birth plan early to also discuss with the doctor. These things can help them decide if the fit is right that they have chosen.

It is often so hard to find a provider towards the end and I congratulate this mama and deciding to take that plunge!!!

[~Tranquility~Doula]

My midwife told me a story of a baby turning to vertex ON THE OPERATING TABLE minutes before her c-section at 40w 1d. So it can happen that late.
Just keep having her do the breech tilt, try hypnosis, acupuncture, chiro, etc.... Good luck with your client!

[Babies_Bellies_Boobies]

how would she feel about seeing a chiropractor?

[loveslabor]

I learned in the Acupressure for birth pros class (that I took last night!) that there is a spot on the outside of the pinkie toe that is often used to try and turn breech babies.

You may want to look into it. You can't harm anything or induce labor using that point, so it's worth a try.

the teacher suggested mom on all fours, leaning forward, head to the ground and pushing on that point on the outside of the little toe....

I don't have a link avaiable this second, but I'm sure you could do a search.

How sad. Not even willing to explore options. Just wants to cut baby out early. Makes me remember why I want to do this so much.

[1stimestar]

Have her find a chiropractor that does the Webster's Technique.