UNSURE about possible moving and/or CS?

[8thMarch2006]

Hi. Just after some advice! I DEFINATELY want to have a natural, vaginal birth, without drugs if I can (I think I can......I think I can........), but with gas (and NOTHING more) as a last resort. It's the one thing that I always thought I could do. I have always had a great set of hips and have joked (but honestly believed) that birth would be my body's hour (/s!) of glory!:p

HOWEVER, although I still have 10 weeks to go, bub has being lying transverse (straight across) since 16 weeks. The Drs, my Obs and MWs all said not to worry at that stage as bub would move. He hasn't, and my uterus has grown to accomodate him (my FH is only 23cms at 30 weeks, but my uterus has grown outwards and is wrapping around my belly!!!!). I find this pretty funny just picturing it all, but bub is getting to a size where it is not comfortable for him to turn like we hoped he would. With each day he gets bigger (he's still bigger than average, which is good), but the bigger he gets, the less likely he is to move around as the 'right way' is smaller than where he is now. Does this make sense???

Anyway, if I haven't lost you,

I've heard of people having their bub 'moved' through manipulation for breach babies (I don't know anyone who has still be transverse this far in), but there can be complications?

When do they start trying to turn bub;

Is it safe to do so;

And is there anyway, if he doesn't move, that I can still have a VB?

If there's a chance I will be forced into a CS *shudder*, I guess I have to start getting myself mentally ready for that possibility. I know it's silly, but it's something I never even considered happening to me.

I know it's probably (hopefully) too early to worry, but I really would need time to get my head around it all.

I am scared that he won't move on his own, he has literally got over twice the length where he is now. I didn't think uterus' would be so......accomodating!

[moonblossom]

My third daughter was transverse till a few days before birth. They didnt try and turn her just left her to "do her thing" as they say.

As for a natural birth, go for it. Try to avoid their attempts to 'hurry you along' it generally turns into one thing after another. Stay home as long as yu possibly can and only go to hospital when you know its going to happen very soon.

Some mums worry they will leave it too late and give birth at home or in the car...so what I say LOL, at least you were left to do it YOUR WAY.

best wishes

[moonblossom]

Opps forgot to add, she turned while I was in labor...good girl ;)

[Goosie22]

I would be wondering WHY he is in this position. Where is your PLACENTA? Ask your midwife about Optimal Fetal Postioning its a list of positons you put yourself into to encourage the baby to a better postion. I cant find any links but the book is available through various birthing outlets. I could send you copies of the pages but Im not there to see or feel your tummy. :)

If the baby is still in this postion when you go into labour or even before. The Doctors may want to do a controlled ARM under Epidural (rupture the bag of water around the baby while they push the babys head into postion or they may pressure you into a C/S)

[mummycloud]

They usually won't try and turn the baby till the day you have her/him.
They say that talking to bubs can get them to turn on their own. Probably and old wive's tale, but it won't hurt trying ;)
Contractions usually help turn babies too. I wouldn't worry too much about not getting your VB at 30 weeks ((((HUG)))

[xkwzit]

Don't stress yet. DD2 was still wrong way up (I don't want to say breach :confused: ) 4 weeks before she was born (but turned during the week after). My doc said that most babies turn right way up by 38 weeks and many still turn after that (he wasn't concerned at all). I think it amazing that they can still do such gymnastics when it is so crowded in there, so there's hope for your little somersaulter yet :D .

Cheers

[schmell]

My DD1 was transverse (although at the time I didn't know what it was called) until 2 weeks before she was born and then one night she turned (and I felt every inch of it) and popped herself into the right position.

My DD2 was posterior right up until about an hour before she was born. I had discussed it with my midwife and as I had a vaginal deivery with no complications the first time they were quite happy for me to try to push bub out posterior if she didn't turn but she did and all was well.

First babies tend to position themselves earlier than subsequent bubs. Basically, bubs can turn any time up to minutes before birth and your bub being transverse at 30 weeks is nothing to worry about at this stage.

Make sure you let your OB know your feelings on C/S and also make sure your OB and support person/people know what your conditions are regarding when it is to be considered, if at all.

All in all, let nature take its course, no matter how big your bub is, he has the room to turn and when he is ready he will flip around into the "right" place.

Here are a couple of links I have found relating to transverse positioning - both the good and the bad. If you go to www.google.com and put in turning a transverse baby or transverse baby there are heaps of sites that refer to it, some even tell you what exercises are good to do to help bub turn.

http://www.purebirth-australia.com/childbirth/variations/transverse.html

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/birth/challenges/transverse.html

http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/malpositions.htm

And also in another thread on bubhub, someone mentioned wearing bike shorts can possibly help turn a transverse bub as the snug fit makes it a bit uncomfy for them and they turn vertical rather than horizontal to get more comfy.

[reAllytee]

My bubs kept changing his mind about whether he wanted to be transverse or not heh but then knew what he had to do (well somewhat) as the others have said try not to stress just yet but there is some great info there have a read & talk it over with your midwife &/or Ob.

Goodluck!

[JanetF]

I'm with Goosie. Babies don't normally pick positions like that for no reason so make sure you know where your placenta is in case he's up there avoiding putting pressure on it. I'm the bike shorts advocate :) Seen it work for a number of women and heard very good things about it anecdotally. I've posted heaps of links on moving babies over and over and over on bubhub. There are many many options before opting for surgery - always always the last resort for the sake of safety!

[Rell]

Don't worry too much my DD was transverse the whole pregnancy and turned some time in the last week before she was born.
Hang in there, I hope bubs turns on his own.

[JanetF]

One midwife’s collection of breech turning info.
http://gentlebirth.org/Midwife/breechcl.html

Attending a breech birth.
http://gentlebirth.org/Midwife/breechbr.html

Turning a breech.
http://gentlebirth.org/Midwife/breechtn.html

Book review on breech babies.
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/reviews/breech.asp

Ina May Gaskin on catching surprise breech babies!
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/artic...isebreeches.asp

Homeopathy to turn babies in utero.
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/turnbaby.asp

A great site on moving breech babies.
http://www.spinningbabies.com

A Natural Breech Birth - hospital
http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBMarApr01p47.html

More than you could ever hope for from the UK midwives (I love these women!)
http://www.radmid.demon.co.uk/breech.htm

About 500 birth stories with clear descriptions.
http://www.breechbabies.com/hospital_breech.htm

Make sure you visit~
http://www.spinningbabies.com/pregnancy.html

[8thMarch2006]

Thanks everyone for your support. I've met with my Ob and he was really keen on booking an 'elective' CS. I was very open with him, and expressed my desire to wait and give bubba as much time as he needs. He's fine with this, so we will wait until labour. I will have a CS only if it is an emergency, and that we won't know untill bub makes (or at least tries to make) his grand entrance! The placenta is right up the top (towards my ribcage) of my uterus, so I think that's fine.

Thanks again ladies, I will let you know in 10 weeks and counting whether bubba follows the light!!!!

Katie.

[schmell]

Hi Katie,

I am glad you voiced your opinions and your OB was good enough to go with what you wanted.

I am sure your bub will turn to the right position before you go into labour and by waiting until you go into labour rather than having an elective c/s you will know bub is good and cooked and ready to be born, even if you have to have an emergency c/s bub will be on the way at the right time for him.