Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Personally, I would try notto worry too much about the baby being in a
    breech position at this point in time.  My last baby was in a breech
    position well into my last trimester.  He turned all by himself towards
    week 37 or 38.  If the doctor wants to turn him it is done externally,
    by manipulating the baby through your abdomen.
    
    My doctor told me he would allow me to attempt to deliver the baby
    vaginally even if he was in a breech position, because this was not my
    first child, and he had a history of births to refer to on me.  In
    other words, he knew how my deliveries went and had some idea of the
    signs of trouble with me.  He did mention, however, that he knew many
    doctors that would not even attempt delivering a breech baby, but would
    head straight for the operating room.  So....
    
    I gather you have discussed this with your doctor, and you know
    wheres/he stands on the subject.  But, again, try not to worry at this
    point.  MANY babies are still feet down at 30 weeks, and turn all by
    themselves over the remaining ten weeks.
    
    

    Tricia,
    
    My daughter did not turn until 36 or 37 weeks.  My doctor said  
    that it was not uncommon for the baby to turn close to the end.  
    
    Best of luck,
    Penny

    
    I've heard from a couple of women who had breech babies that
    some doctors do not like to externally turn the baby because
    sometimes there are reasons for the breech presentation, eg.
    the cord is too short or wrapped around the neck. If turning is
    attempted, make sure an ultrasound is done to check if everything
    is in the right place. Some doctors are willing to delivery 
    breech babies. And last of all, C-section is not that big a deal.
    
    Good luck,
    Eva.

    Alexandra was in the transverse breech position ("dead-man's float")
    from my ultrasound at 20 weeks (she moved around a lot, but the "DMF"
    seemed to be her favorite position) til just days before labor started. 
    She (grudgingly?) engaged eventually, but after 2 hours of transition 
    at 8cm (during which the doctor WENT TO LUNCH, if you can believe
    that!), I would have performed a C-sec myself with a rusty saw. 
    Apparently the pressure of Alex's head wasn't centered directly on the
    cervix*.  They gave me a spinal (during a contraction....) and the C-sec
    was a breeze.
    
    In the "info you thought I would WANT?" department, when I was back in
    my room, my Mom confided that she had me when she was only dilated to
    8cm.  Thanks a LOT!!  (Well, at least I snuck in a very satisfying push
    when the nurses weren't looking!)
    
    Leslie
    
    *Surprisingly, Alex _now_ has a great sense of direction.  

    I went to a group practice and was told by one doctor that the baby was
    breech and to prepare for a C-section and the next week with another
    doctor I was told that the baby was perfectly in position (in the last
    month!!).  Either she turned or the doctor was simply mistaken!
    

To make the baby turn on your own, you could do some serious
standing on your head or lean an ironing board against the wall
and lean against that head down.

Doctors in the Boston suburbs who do inversion are:

Dr. Lerner at Newton-Wellsley
Dr. Leah at Emerson in Concord
Dr. Sorgen at Malden Hospital or New England Memorial Hospital

Also, these doctors would be good ones to contact to make sure
that your baby is *really* feet down.  They could also tell you
your chances of the baby turning on its own.

Good Luck!
-Amy

	My first baby was breech and delivered by C-Section.  My normal
doctor was on vacation so he had me go to his "backup" for my checkup.
By now I was 4 days late.  My doctor had been telling me all along that
the baby was head down and ready to go... well, obviously, he was smoking
something.  This new doctor saw me for the first time, and after some
poking and prodding, decided the baby was breech.  He then verified this
by an ultra-sound.  He gave me the choice of delivering breech or c-sect.
I opted for the C, only because he didn't want to do it if the baby was 
over 8� pounds, and we knew it was going to be pretty close.  I decided
to go with what was safer for the baby.  He told me he would like to try 
an external version before the c-section, which he did.  This was 
unsuccessful because the baby was 8.4 lbs and was "packed" in tight.  They 
did, however, have the ultra-sound monitor going the entire time.  The 
C-Section wasn't bad... I had a spinal, and couldn't feel a thing...   
Normally, when they try to turn the babies, they do it a lot sooner than
40 weeks, when the baby still has room to turn.

	Good luck...
	- Janice

    Janice,
    
    My son was 'head down and ready to go' until more than a week
    after his due date. On Tuesday Oct 14th he turned around to
    breech position about the same time as I lost my mucus plug.
    I had 4 days of disultory labour, contractions every 20 mins before
    the doctor did a C-section on Saturday the 18th. He was 8 lbs 13 oz
    at birth by the way, had the doctor said that his weight had
    dropped the last week, that he should have been over 9 pounds.
    
    Anyway, the point of my story is that babies can and do turn very
    late in a pregnancy on their own (it felt like a buffalo stampeed
    in my belly!) and your doctor could well have been entirely correct
    about what he told you.
    
    By the way, my 'baby' is going to be a father in 5 months!
    
    Bonnie

    MY SISTER JUST HAD HER BABY 3 DAYS AGO, SHE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM
    HER DOCTOR HAD HER WALK ALOT, AND I MEAN ALOT. AND  THE DAY BEFORE SHE
    HAD HIM HE TURNED.

    Two stories...
    
    One of my neighbors knew her baby was breech and the doctor made he
    walk constantly. Since she wasn't  working, she had time even pushing
    her first in the stroller. I saw her take at least 2 LONG walks from the
    time I got home every evening. This might be worth asking your doctor
    about to encourage the baby to turn. Her baby did flip and was
    delivered vaginally.
    
    My sister second child was breech. Let me preface this with the fact that 
    she had a "troubled" pregnancy from the beginning (pregnant with twins,
    lost one, lots of bleeding, etc). The doctor attempted an extrenal
    version at 34 weeks because the baby was getting big and figured he
    could use the room to turn him now. My sister went home in pain and
    laid in bed all day. She started bleeding again. The baby had turned
    himself back to a breech position. The bleeding didn't stop and the
    next afternoon the baby was born (6 weeks early and weighing 6lb 13
    oz) via C-section, not emergency because blood pressures and heart
    beats were still normal but it was a quick decision and enough time to
    get the full medical team together. No complications with the C-section
    but both my sister and the baby lost quite a bit of blood (baby needing
    extra blood and under-developed lungs kept him in neo-natal intensive
    care for about 14 days). 
    
    The whole extrenal version process involves pushing on your abdomen to
    manipulate the baby around. 
    
    Whichever note mentioned that there might be a medical reason the baby
    stay breech is so right. My personal choice would be to know whether
    the cord is long enough, whether the placenta is positioned correctly,
    etc. I would also ask the doctor his "success" rate of no complications
    such as bleeding, pain. You cannot predict whether the baby will stay
    turned because they have a mind of their own. This is a delicate
    procedure and you need to feel confident in your doctor. From all I've
    read many babies stay breech until the last possible moment. Do know
    whether your doctor will attempt to deliver a breech baby. It can be
    done but many doctors will refuse to do it because of the elevated
    risks (read malpractice).  
    
    Best of luck and don't worry. You've got plenty to time to have the
    baby flip around.
    
    Andrea           

    
    My baby (born April 26, 1990) was breech, and was delivered by
    C-section.  My doctors did attempt a version at 38.5 weeks, but
    it didn't work.  They told me that the reason they wait so long
    to do the version is because the closer you are to your due date,
    the better chance you have of the baby staying turned if the
    version is successful.  But of course, the bigger the baby gets,
    the less chance they have of it turning in the first place!
    
    When they attempted the version, there were 2 doctors present.  It
    was performed in one of the labor rooms of the hospital,  I
    was hooked up to an IV, and couldn't eat before it was done.  This is
    all done as a precaution in case the version causes a problem and they
    have to do an emergency C-section.  The position of the baby is
    checked via an ultrasound, and one of the Dr's keeps using the
    ultrasound while the other tries to turn the baby.  They watch
    the ultrasound to check where they are pushing, to make sure that
    the cord is not in the way, etc.  
    
    They generally tried to push the baby's head and bottom at the same time, 
    to get her to flip.  It was not the most pleasant experience I've ever gone
    through, (they really do LEAN on you, and push hard!) but squeezing on of 
    the labor room nurses' hands and using some Lamaze breathing helped.  I 
    was a little sore for a day or two afterwards, but the Dr said that was 
    normal because I had probably been bruised internally during the procedure.
    They tried to get her to turn for about 30 minutes, but afterwards they 
    told me that usually the baby flips right away or it's not going to.  My 
    baby was 9 lb 15 oz and in a frank breech position (legs folded flat up 
    against her body) and these two factors contributed to her being fairly well
    wedged in there and not ready to move!
    
    They also did a non-stress test before and after the procedure, to
    make sure the baby was OK.  She was born 10 days later via C-section.
    I was a little concerned about any risks involved with the version,
    too, but the Dr's assured me there was very little risk involved, and
    they do monitor the baby during and after.
    
    I hope this info helps!   
    
    Lynne

    I wonder how the baby can turn so close to term? It seems like there is
    not enough room in there for it to do so. But by the sounds of it, it
    can happen. Through my whole pregnancy I have to say that my biggest
    worry has been wether the baby will turn in time for delivery. I've
    been lucky so far in that the baby has been in the correct position.
    But it's great that we have a choice when it comes to problems like
    these. Although I've heard that external version is not the most
    comfortable procedure to have done, it's been known to work in many
    cases from what my OB tells me.
    
    sandy
     

    My son Alexander was in the breech position through most of my
    pregnancy and every so often would turn in the head down position, but
    in the most case would be breech.  I went in to false labor twice, the
    first time we went to Emerson and Dr. Leavenworth (she works with Dr.
    Lea) had to have the portable ultrasound machine in the room to make
    sure which position Alex was in.  They secheduled me for a version on
    my husband's birthday (Oct. 11th).  I went to ultra-sound first and
    Alex was head down so they didn't have to do the version.  Two days
    later when I went back to the doctor's he was breech.  Alex was born 2
    days early on November 4, 1989 and weighed 9 lbs 7 oz.  he was born
    natural with no medication.
    
    Don't worry they don't like to deliver breech babies anymore.
    
    
    Liz

    This note stuck a memory.  In 1953 I was born in a teaching hospital in
    an amplitheatre in front of about 50 or so doctors.  I was breech and
    the doctor was demonstrating a new preceedure for turning babies while
    still in the womb, during labor.... I was born butt first.
    Ron
    

    The note referring you to doctors who do manual version is great - not
    all doctors are trained, nor feel comfortable/qualified, to attempt it.
    
    Regular exercise such as walking can help, as well as gentle exercise
    such as the cat's stretch - on all 4's, you arch your stomach, then
    relax it (don't let it sag too much in the middle during the relaxation
    part).  There is also one in the Jane Fonda book, where you end up
    looking like a tripod - on all 4's, you rest your head down on your
    hands - great for lower back ache relief.
    
    Best of luck
    

    Thank you all for sharing your knowledge/experiences.  I'm a bit more
    relaxed about it now.  I think the baby has turned about 20 times in
    the past week, however at the moment he/she is back in the breech 
    position.  
    
    At this point worrying won't help at all - just wait and see!!
    
    Thanks again - Tricia
    

	From PARENTS Magazine  "When Your Baby is Breech" pp.150-152


	"...Some obstetricians believe that when a baby is breech close to term,
an attempt should be made to turn the baby around, thus possibly preventing the 
need for a cesarean delivery.  This procedure, an *external version," has been
reported to be safe if properly and gently performed.  Timing is important
because if it is done too far in advance, the baby may revert to the breech 
position by delivery.  In addition, if a complication such as an early 
separation of the placenta (placental abruption) should occur, or if the baby's
heart rate should show a significant abnormality, an emergency cesarean may be 
necessary.  For this reason, some obstetricians recommend performing a version
only when the baby would not be significantly premature if an emergency cesarean
were necessary.  There are, however,some conditions under which an external 
version may be more risky:  The mother is bleeding; there are abnormalities of
the uterus; aminiotic fluid is decreased; there is evidence that the baby may 
be experienceing stress or distress; the umbilical cord is around the baby's 
neck; or the woman has ahs a previous cesarean delivery.

	Many experienced obstetricians believe that a vaginal delivery for a 
breech baby can be accomplished safely in certain situations if the baby is 
not excessively large and if labor appears to be progressing normally.

	There are, however, a numberof problems that can arise.  When the baby 
is presenting headfirst, there is time for the head to slowly mold itself 
during labor so that it will fit through the birth canal.  With a breech baby,
once the baby's buttocks have been delivered, there is pressure on the umbilical
cord, thus requiring prompt delivery of the baby's abdomen, chest, arms, and 
head.  This does not allow the same amount of time for the baby's head to
mold itself to the pelvic bones....

	...If, early in your pregnancy, the fetus is found to be presenting
breech, don't panic.  The odds are clearly in your favor that the baby will 
turn before labor begins.  If the due date is approaching and the baby is 
still breech, ask your doctor for his or her recommendation."

    This note has eased my mind a bit. I went to the doctor last Wednesday
    and he did an internal exam fir the first time. He has scheduled an
    ultra sound to be done on Monday, as he suspects that the baby is
    breech. I was _so_ bummed out when I heard that! But, now that I have
    been re-assured that the baby can still turn around on its own, I feel
    much better. I friend of mine gave birth to a ten pound girl and she
    turned around the week before delivery!!

    I'm only in my 37th week, so hopefully, the baby will turn to the head
    first position before delivery. My doctor _did_ say that they could
    attempt to turn the baby, but there are risks involved.

    Wait and see, I guess.
    Norma

    Norma:
    
    Hope this makes you feel even more better.  I had a Dr.s appt. on a
    Monday afternoon.  My daughter was breech.  No attempts were made to
    turn - per my request.  Didn't like the story very much.  Anyway, my
    daughter was born two days later and "sometime" between Tuesday and
    Wednesday she had turned and was in the face down position at birth
    and completely normal.  I had no idea when she turned.  I am still
    amazed that she could turn and I didn't know that it had actually
    happened - how could this happen without me feeling anything???
    Mother Nature!  Anyway, she did have a umblical cord twist which is
    no wonder! 

    Thanks Lorrie!! That _does_ help!!  It amazes me, that you weren't
    aware of her turning around. How much did she weigh at birth?
    
    By the way... Congratulations!!! I can't wait for the delivery to be
    over and hold my baby in my arms!!
    
    Thanks again!
    Norma

    5 lb. 10 oz. - which is small - but not too small by Colorado
    standards - because of the altitute.....  
    
    Lorrie
    

    Well, I had the ultra sound this afternoon and the head is right down
    where it should be!! Frank and I were estatic when we were told that
    bit of news!!! Besides the head being in the right position, every
    thing else looked good, according to the technician.
    
    Three more weeks to due date!!!
    Can't wait!! but I guess I have to!!
    Norma

    
    Hello!
    
    Can anyone tell me anything about a baby lying in the breech position?
    
    I'm at 34 weeks and each time I've been to ante-natal the midwife has
    told me the baby is lying "breech".  I feel pretty aware of which parts
    of the baby are which by feeling my own tummy and I'm quite sure the
    baby's head is always at the top and hasn't moved out of that position
    for the last few months, so I tend to agree with her.  Also, most of
    the kicks I get are low down.  The midwife doesn't seem too concerned and 
    said it's difficult to tell just by palpating (sp?) the tummy anyway.
    
    I don't believe it's too much of a problem to have a vaginal delivery
    nowadays if the baby's breech, but that it may be more harmful for the
    baby and a more difficult delivery.  I'm in the UK; C-Sections aren't 
    as common as in the US and I'm not aware of the common practice here. 
    I've even heard they may try "turning" the baby manually next week.  
    I've also read that I may be given the option to go for a "trial labour" 
    and, if nothing's happening, they'll perform a Caesarean at the last minute.
    So I'd get the worst of both worlds!
    
    Also, what are the chances of the baby turning into the head-presenting 
    position before the birth or when it's supposed to engage at about 36 
    weeks?  
    
    I'm not unduly worried at this stage but would welcome anyone's
    understanding/experiences of this.  Thanks.
    
    Alison
      
                                                        

    Hi, my 3rd baby was breech and was concerned that I would also need a
    C-section but at 39 weeks the baby finally turned and I was able to
    deliver vaginally.  So I wouldn't give up yet - your baby still may
    turn.
    
    
    Good luck
    
    /debbie

I've never had a breech, but my doctor will not attempt a vaginal breech
delivery on the FIRST pregnancy - but he will on subsequent ones.  I assume
you have appropriate medical facilities to deliver, should the need for a
c-section arise?  (Don't know how the term mid-wife is used in the UK, but
here it often implies home delivery).

Good Luck, and hope it turns!
Kristen

    Kristen,
    
    The Midwife in the UK is the person who carries out the delivery, be it
    at home or in the hospital, unless there are complications and a
    C-section is needed, when a doctor will be called in.  Most deliveries
    are performed in hospital in the UK nowadays, mine too.  We attend ante
    natal check-ups every two weeks until the last month, with alternate
    visits to the doctor and midwife.
    
    Yes, if a C-section is needed at the last moment, facilities are on
    hand to perform this under epidural.
    
    Alison 

    Ask your midwife about what you can do to help the baby naturally turn.
    I've heard that laying on an angle (feet up, head down), roughly 30
    degrees, for some time each day, can help. This comes from the the
    minimal midwifery reading I've done. Your practitioner would definitely
    know more.
    
    best of luck,
    

    Hello again.
    
    Well, I went along for my bi-weekly visit to the doctor's yesterday. 
    The baby is still lying breech, but everything else is A1, OK.  I
    mentioned that I thought there was every possibility the baby would
    turn by itself any time up to the birth, but the doc was pretty adamant
    that after 36 weeks there was little chance of this.
    
    Anyway, I have an ultrasound scan scheduled for next week, (35 weeks) when 
    they'll check what's going on.  The doc said when I go back to see him at 
    36 weeks, if the baby's still lying breech he'll then start measuring the
    size of my pelvis (?) etc. to decide what to do, i.e. whether to
    schedule a C-section.
    
    So, come on baby, make that turn!!!
    
    Keeping my fingers (and everything else) crossed
    Alison
    

    
    The note about breech births under 219 seems to have gone quiet again,
    so I'm putting this note here for now.
    
    Further to my base note in 219, I've been for an ultrasound scan this
    morning and it was confirmed that the baby is lying breech.  However,
    they said it was an *extended* breech - does anyone know what that means
    please.  It was explained to me at the time, but I can't picture it and
    wondered whether there will be any complications with the birth.  The
    technician said I'll probably be allowed a 'trial of labour' if I'm not
    too small and the baby's not too big - at the moment it's average size.
    
    Thanks.
               
    Alison
    
    
    

	I don't remember what an extended breech is but there are several kinds
based on what exactly is presenting.

	If I remember correctly:

	Full breech - The classic fetal position only head up instead of down.

	Frank breech - butt down, legs straight.  

	Footling breech - one of both feet precede the rest of the baby.


Tracey

    Some quick info from my EMT training on deliveries,  
    
    Frank Breech can be vaginally delivered if necessary, unless the head
    won't pass.  (I won't include the "unless specifics" since you should have
    facilities available for a CSection)
    
    If a head or foot presents first we are instructed to "boogie" (that's
    red lights and siren) since in most cases this requires a CSection) 
    This also applies if the cord preceeds the baby (placenta previa).
    
    My sister inlaw had a frank breech, she delivered in a military
    hospital.  They had her walking the hospital grounds while in labor, in
    an attempt to make the baby turn.  He didn't, she had a CSection, her
    second.  He was also a rather large baby for her petit frame.
    
    Hope this helps
    Lyn
    

    
    I really blundered on this one, it should've read if a *HAND* (arm) or
    foot (leg) present first.  (Of course these people REALLY want the HEAD
    to present first.!!)
    
    Lyn
    

    
    Hello yet again!
    
    OK, I've found out what an extended breech is - it's also called frank
    breech and is the bottom first, with head upwards and legs up beside
    the baby's ears.  (It must be into Yoga!!)  I've been told this is the 
    most difficult breech delivery possible, as the bottom may emerge first, 
    leaving the head and legs to come out together - eeek, what a tight 
    squeeze!  This can be excessively painful and hard work for the mother 
    and dangerous for the baby.
    
    Anyway, I have a visit scheduled to a consultant obstetrician tomorrow
    (in UK we only see an obstetrician if there are complications) when he
    will try to determine my pelvic size, the size of the baby and whether
    I'm big enough to deliver vaginally with this kind of breech.  I must
    admit I'm not keen on going for a trial labour and then finding I have
    to have a C-section anyway.  I'd sooner they just schedule an elective
    C-section and put my mind at rest.  That way, I can still wait for the
    baby to turn at the last minute anyway.
    
    Thanks for your answers!
    Alison

    Here's the next "has anyone experienced this?" question....
    
    Wendy went to the doctor Tuesday, and said the ultrasound tech. got a
    funny look on her face when she started it. She then asked Wendy in
    what position the baby was last week. Wendy said, "head
    down.....*why*?? What position is it in now???". Well, she replied,
    just a second, I haven't found the head yet! She di, of course, and the
    baby is firmly "transverse", which means it's head is pointing straight
    toward her right side and its littel bum is firmly up agianst her left
    side, and it is **LOW** (sort of like lying in a hammock). Doctor says
    this explains her extreme discomfort recently, as they just don't fit
    at this stage in that way! He also told her that he won't let her go
    into her 39th week (because of the gestational diabetes), and will
    deliver her at the end of week 38, which is in 3 weeks. 
    Now the question....
    Has anyone undergone what the call "external version", which simply
    means they manipulate the baby from outside to turn it head down? He
    told her that's what they'd do if the baby was still trnasverse then.
    considering how even the slightest pressure on her belly makes her
    quite uncomfortable, this does not sound like a picnic in any way. He
    also told her he'd keep labor *real* short, because of her need for
    continuos insulin throughout the labor. Knowing full well the effects
    of large doses of pitocin, she is not looking forward to this, in the
    least. She says it's funny, but she's much more scared/nervous about
    this delivery than any of the previous three (says it's because she
    really *knows* what's in store this time!!).
    
    Anywya, if you've had or heard of this external version, could you
    comment here on it's success or lack thereof, and was it as
    uncomfortable as it sounds??
    
    --dave-- (who is glad there are only a max of 3 weeks left!)
    

    One of my friends had this done for her first child.  The baby was
    head up and they wanted to avoid a C-section by flipping her around. 
    They made three attemps; tried to get the baby to somersault
    frontwards, then backwards, then sideways.  Unfortunately, the baby
    didn't budge and the C-section was done a few days later.
    
    My friend said the procedure was pretty painful.  Two people were
    performing the procedure -- one on each side of Linda.  They would do a
    1-2-3 and then each give a pretty hefty push on her in one direction or
    the other.  Although each push was pretty painful, they did limit it to
    three trys only.  She was sore (sort of bruised feeling) for a day or
    so after.  If your wife would like to talk to Linda about it, let me
    know off line and I can give you her number.
    
                                                 Tracy

    My best friend's baby was breech and the doctor and her husband did
    an external version.  One pushing one side of her stomach, the other
    pushing the other side.  It was uncomfortable but I don't know how
    uncomfortable.
    
    As soon as they got the baby turned and let go, the baby went right
    back into the breech position.  After three tries, they quit.
    
    Donna
    

    I just had my twins 12 weeks earlier than expected.  I had an
    ultrasound the day before I delivered which showed that both babies
    were head down.  I managed to deliver Jessica naturally, but Brad
    wouldn't come down the birth canal, so they tried to force him out.  My
    obstetrician put her hand inside my uterus while another doctor pushed
    on top of my stomach to get him to push down. This is essentially the
    same technique that they use for the external version.  Even though I
    had an epidural, I found the whole thing to be quite painful, so I
    can't imagine doing it with no medication.  And after all that, Brad
    was folded in half and trying to come out head, hands, and feet all at
    the same time, so they had to take him by C-section anyhow.
    
    I hope it works better for you than it did for me.

    Well, according to our doctor, there is nothing internal involved,
    unlike yours. He is less than confident that it will work. If you
    imagine my wife's belly as a clock face, the baby's head is at 7:30 and
    the rear end at 1:30, so it isn't fully transverse, but certainly can't
    be born naturally in that position! It is "back down" which he says is
    the most likely to be succesful position for an external version, but
    still says it is most likely the baby will just pop back up where it
    is, if they get it to cooperate and go head down. 
    
    They are going to do an amnio to check for lung maturity tomorrow
    mroning. If that is okay, then she goes in Friday morning for an
    induction. They';ll put her on Pitocin, hoping the contractions may
    coerce the baby into moving. They will also try the ext. version. If
    they do get the baby to move and stay head down, they'll break her
    water immediately. If it won't turn....well, C-section here we come!
    Will keep y'all posted!
    
    --dave--

    
    
    I am 28 weeks along with my second child.  I was wondering if anyone in
    parenting/prego land can offer any information about babies that are in a
    transverse position.
                                                                         
    My doctor has said it's head is on the left side with the butt on the
    right and feet down.  My ultrasounds also show that it is transverse.
    My question is has anyone heard of this and have any advise.  Do they
    turn around or are they born in some type of breech position?  Is it a
    normal vaginal birth or usually a C-section.  
    
    Any advice/information would greatly be appreciated.
    
    thank you
    Denise
    
    WMOIS::PLANT_D                  
    
    241-4444
    (prefer mail)
    
    

    Yup.
    Well, when it happened to me (was it at 25 weeks? I can't quite
    remember) the doctor was unconcerned and pointed out that the baby will
    probably turn. About 6 weeks later she said the baby had indeed turned
    and was head down. 
 
    Monica

    I'm currently attending a Lamaze refresher course.  I asked how you
    could turn a baby because my doctor said that if the baby was breech
    (which I could see at my ultrasound at 26 weeks) that he would have to
    perform another C-section.
    
    The nurse at the class told us of a painless way to try to "encourage"
    the baby to turn -- place headphones on your belly (at the bottom) and
    play music!  She said in many cases the baby will be attracted to the
    sound and move down by herself for a better listen!
    
    Anyway, it couldn't hurt!
    
    (I was all set to try this technique, but when I went to the doctor's
    this week, he said the baby had already turned!).
    
    Good luck,
    
    Dale

    I know that there are other notes in this file regarding fetal
    positions, but none really went into the transverse position.
    
    I am 35 wks. pregnant, and my baby is in the transverse position.  My
    Dr. said that we will wait another 3 weeks and have a sonogram to determine
    what to do regarding delivery.  She does C-section when they are in
    this position, but AFTER you go into labor (she believes that turning may
    occur during labor).
    
    Has anyone experienced having a baby in this relatively rare position?
    (I guess it is about 1 in 100).  Any insight that you can share with me?  
    I am really nervous about it.  I know that a C-section is not a bad thing
    to deal with and I don't have a problem excepting that it is a strong 
    possibility.
    
    Thanks for any information.
    
    Rgds.
    
    Deb
    
    

    Is there any way they can try an External Version and try turning
    the baby now?  They tried turning my baby when she was 5 days late,
    but she was pretty big, and it was kind of late by then.  She wasn't
    transverse, but breech.  I would think they would try this instead 
    of just planning a c-section.  (I ended up with a c-section anyway).
    
    Good Luck!
    
    Janice

    How far along are you?  Maybe you said and I just didn't see it.
    
    I heard a coworker here mention that his wife used a method of turning
    the baby during labor, which was to rock back and forth on your hands
    and knees.  Perhaps it might work before you actually go into labor.
    
    Not to scare you at all, but if you watched Rescue 911 this past
    Tuesday, it was the story of a woman who at 8 months began hemoraging,
    she had placenta previa, with a transverse baby.  Although the two
    conditions together are more common than realized, the story I felt,
    was a bit over dramatized.  The hemoraging was a bit overplayed, and
    wanted for you to NOT worry about this happening to you.
    
    IMO, the baby may still turn, or you could ask your doctor about the
    knee rocking method.
    
    Lyn

    Have you had an ultrasound yet to figure out approximately how
    big the baby is?  A lot of babies are transverse till the
    bitter end -- I forget how far along you said you are.  If you're
    less than 36 weeks, the baby can still turn.  If she turns into
    a frank breech (fanny first) or footling breech (feet first, like
    my son was), you might still be able to deliver vaginally, provided
    the pelvic outlet is big enough.  But most doctors do a section
    for breech babies.  
    
    If you want to send mail, I can tell you about my C-section experience
    and hopefully that will set your mind at ease a little.
    
    Lots of good luck!

    I am 35 weeks along.  I had heard that most babies are in position
    before week 32 or so, so that has added to my concern.
    
    My Dr. never mentioned version, and although I am aware of the
    procedure, didn't bring it up.  I figured I would discuss it with her
    after the ultra-sound.  The last ultra-sound I had (about 24 weeks)
    showed that the baby was in a breech position (which I didn't think
    twice about that early along) and that he was, according to my dr.,
    large for his gestational age.  She told me to expect a boy over 8 lbs. 
    
    Re: .2 -- yes!  I watched Rescue 911. -- I know that the hemmoraging 
    the woman on the show was experiencing was due to the placenta previa,
    but what freaked me out was when they said that the C-section was
    complicated due to the baby in that position.  Geeeez.. (I don't know
    why I even watch that show, between putting the cat to sleep on one
    episode and then the emergency C-section...)  
    
    Does anyone know if C-sections *are* more complicated when the baby is
    in transverse position?
    
    deb
    

    
    My daughter was in transverse position until week 37 [or so].  I
    worried like you did about a C-Sec.  She turned head down one night and
    dropped so low - it felt like she was going to fall out! 
    
    I have a friend who's daughter was head down until labor and then
    turned breech.  They couldn't do a version because her water had
    broken.
    
    Rochelle

    Hi,
    
    I have two children 10 months apart.  The first was a C-section, ended
    up emergency since the doctor did not communicate with my doctor who 
    was on vacation and let me go too far along. 
    
    The second was also tranverse until I went into labor, I really wanted
    to go naturally since the first was a c-section.  I had an ultra sound
    and right before that she turned, I was able to have a natural
    delivery.  I am glad since I have 1 boy and 1 girl and that is all we
    can afford right now.  
    
    I hope that your baby will also turn for you.
    
    Have a happy delivery
    
    Cindy
    

    
    My daughter went into transverse position half way through labor. The
    day before I went into labor I had a sonagram and she was in perfect
    position. Bur 5 hours before I actually delivered her, she turned. My
    OB made me get into every position possible to push and try to turn
    her, or I would have had a section. So, for 4 hours solid I pushed. On
    my hands and knees, squating, lying over the head of the bed, and on my
    back!! And It worked but boy was it tireing!! She came out with a
    little cut on her head from turning and scraping my pelvic bone but it 
    healed and she was fine. So that goes to show you that sometimes the
    baby will turn on it's own, but you have to work your butt off to help
    it!!
    
    
    Sandy  

    I am currently 36 wks and my baby had been transverse up until last
    week.  I was so glad when I noticed a difference in her position which
    was then confirmed by my doctor.  However, twice in the last week she
    had reverted back to the transverse position for a brief period.  I
    guess she really prefers that position but it is getting too crowded. I
    am too hoping the she will decide to stay in the right positon soon.  
    
    I am worried about having a C-sec also.  I really wanted to deliver 
    vaginally since my daughter was an emergency C-Sec 4 yrs ago.
    
    Hang in there, my doctor told me she could move up until labor. So
    there is still lots of hope.
                                                      
    Angie

    I read something in "The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth"
    by Sheila Kitzinger that you can adopt a bottom-up, head-down
    position for 15 to 30 minutes a day and that it sometimes
    encourages the baby to move into the right position.  After you
    spend the 15 or 30 minutes with your fanny up in the air, it helps
    to walk around for another 30 minutes or an hour to encourage the
    baby to settle in the "new" position.  I never did this, and I
    never knew anyone who did this, but if it will help a reluctant
    baby move into the right position...!!
    
    I also have read that the bikini cut (lower transverse) is preferred
    for a C-section, since it is less likely to separate in subsequent
    labors and deliveries.  Unless you are in a real emergency situation
    (i.e., like the "Rescue 911" show, which I never watch, either -- too
    upsetting), the doctor will do a bikini cut regardless of the baby's
    position in the womb.  
    
    Hope this helps.  Let me know if you want the information from the
    Sheila Kitzinger book, I will gladly Xerox it for you.  And if you
    want reassurance about a section, call or send mail to me.  I'm
    a successful VBAC mom and may be able to offer some support.
    
    

    Thanks, everyone for letting me know that things turned out well for
    you.  What happened with me is that Monday at work I had to leave
    because I was having such abdominal pain, that I couldn't stand up.  I
    called my Dr. and went to see her.  It seems that the baby turned, and
    boy oh boy did I feel him.
    
    Big sighs of relief, for sure, and now hoping that he'll decide that he
    likes his new position and stay there!
    
    Now I have to get used to him kicking my ribs instead of my sides.!  
    
    Thanks again everyone.
    
    Deb

    
    Hooray!