Forum 3rd trimester

Stuit and I don't want a C-section

19 replies

JokemiekeGuest ·
Hi there!

I’m 32 weeks pregnant with my 4th child. For the first time, I’m dealing with a breech presentation. It started as an incomplete breech, and on the last ultrasound, one foot was down. But of course, it quickly pops back up.

I’ve had such beautiful experiences with my previous births and really wanted to have that same experience for the 4th time. The only difference is that I wanted to stay at home longer during labor and only go to the hospital to give birth, then return home again. With my previous births, I didn’t need any stitches or repairs, and it feels nicer to be back with my other kids.

Anyway, I absolutely DO NOT want a C-section.

I don’t want anyone cutting into my body. I recover very poorly from surgeries. Plus, I want to hold my baby immediately and breastfeed. That’s not possible with a C-section. Then they’re left alone in a bassinet for 2 hours waiting for you. (The thought alone is heartbreaking.)

But I also don’t want a C-section because it’s practically not feasible. Who’s going to look after my 3 kids for 2 weeks straight? I don’t have my own parents anymore, so that’s not an option. And my mother-in-law has had a stroke, so she’s not able to help.

Plus, I have to assume I’d be physically capable of caring for 4 kids again after such a procedure.

(I won’t even mention my partner, because that’s a whole other story, but that option is off the table too.)

In short, NO F*ING WAY!

I asked about an external cephalic version (ECV). But the gynecologist immediately said she doesn’t want to push on my belly because the placenta is at the front (somewhere near the navel).

(Although I don’t read much online about problems with that.)

They don’t do vaginal births with a breech presentation.

She basically laughed it off and gave me a paper with yoga exercises, with the top in bold saying: 'After 30 weeks, the chance that the baby will turn is practically excluded.' (Yep, great.)

So my question: I’d like to drive to the Netherlands to contact a midwife, hospital, or... to have a version performed there. In the Netherlands, it’s very common and they’re happy to try.

The only problem is I have no idea where to start. I can’t really find contact details online. So does anyone know a person/institution/hospital... near the Dutch-Belgian border where I can go? The easiest would be towards Eindhoven.

I really hope for a response, because I’m starting to feel a bit hopeless.

Best wishes

Replies

  1. Sofie #2

    I totally get that you're upset! That's really annoying, and it's also tough that you're not really getting support from your OB-GYN. My baby was also in breech at 30 weeks, and my midwife told me that babies can still turn on their own until 36 weeks. After that, they'd consider an external cephalic version. Mine turned on her own at 32 weeks and is now head down in my pelvis. I hope yours turns on its own too, and if not, hopefully you can get help in the Netherlands! Good luck with it all..

  2. Floor Guest #3

    A baby can still easily turn at 32 weeks. With me, they also did an external version even though my placenta was anterior. I was already 36 weeks and had almost no space left, so the baby couldn't turn with its head near my ribs. But I know plenty of ladies for whom it worked out well. Even better is to try going into a headstand. Then someone has to help you with your legs and body, and just keep trying as long as you can hold it. Gravity and the fact that the baby is in water make it possible to turn. I'd go for it!

  3. Bibi Guest #4

    My daughter was in breech until 35 weeks, then turned on her own, so there's a good chance it'll happen again at 32 weeks.
    Do you happen to know if the baby has been in breech the whole time? If so, that's probably a preferred position and turning becomes less likely, but it can still happen since my daughter was in transverse and breech the whole time, never once head-down before 35 weeks.

    I understand your frustration about not wanting a C-section at all; it's quite a challenge with 4 kids. Hope your little one turns soon.

  4. Jokemieke started this #5

    Thanks for the replies. It gives me a bit of courage again.
    It's going to be spicy! But I'm looking forward to it too. They're all such little treasures. And they're so good for each other. I just love being a mom!!
    I secretly hope she'll turn on her own, but my gut tells me otherwise.
    She's been in breech position the whole pregnancy. I know I found that weird, because the other 3 were indeed in the right position right away. But I didn't look further into it, I thought it was just a coincidence.
    My ribs are already completely bruised from her head, so sometimes I get the feeling she hasn't turned. A little nudge would be welcome then.
    Really hope to find someone by week 36. Until then, I have to give it a chance.
    Haha, I once lay on the couch with my knees over the backrest to lie more or less upside down. Apparently, I'm not that flexible anymore :'D

  5. Floor Guest #6

    You really have to be completely upside down, otherwise it won’t work well. My son was also in breech from week 20 onwards, and he didn’t turn anymore.
    Maybe some comfort if you end up having a C-section: here in the Netherlands they have planned C-sections called "gentle C-sections," where the baby can be placed directly on your chest and stay with you, instead of being put in an incubator right away. And I recovered very quickly too.

  6. Stef #7

    Well, sometimes you just don't have a choice, eh. I don't know what other women go through after their C-section, but I could do everything myself right away. No breech, but a baby in distress, which led to an emergency C-section!

    You don't have to lie upside down at all. Instead, lean on your elbow, get on your knees with your pelvis fully arched, and sway back and forth... (doggy style, missionary style...) and then there's gravity that can help your baby turn... Do this for 10 minutes every day...

    Wishing you lots of success and I hope you have a beautiful natural birth

  7. Stef #8

    Oh jeeee haha, what an explanation... this will be better phrased.

    Sit on your hands and knees, bring your forearms flat on the ground, support yourself on your elbows, and push your buttocks up. Rest your head on your arms and bring your upper body as close to the ground as possible.

  8. Anonymous Guest #9

    In the Netherlands, they also have "natural C-sections" (gentle C-sections). You can place the baby directly on your chest right away.

  9. Floor Guest #10

    I've heard stories from people who get completely upside down on their "head" and then support themselves on their hands, and then it works. That only needs to last 30 sec or as long as you can hold it. As a kind of spirit level, the baby should turn that way. But anyway, it can all help. Just try it.

  10. Stef #11

    Yeah, indeed give it all ... x

  11. Orchidea #12

    Oops. Yeah, intense. I had a C-section myself due to a complete breech. Sometimes there's no other option, and then your baby just takes the lead.

    I was offered foot reflexology at that time, which apparently helps. You might want to look it up.

    Besides, you're only "just" 32 weeks along. Your baby can easily turn on their own until 35 weeks. After that, it gets harder, but it's not impossible.

    Good luck with making your choice.

  12. Stuit Guest #13

    Good afternoon!
    My baby was also in breech position, and we found out at 37 weeks. We tried an external cephalic version, but it didn’t work. I gave birth at 39 weeks in breech. The most unpleasant part was having to wait a long time before I could start pushing because the baby had to descend quite far. I was incredibly well supported, so I ended up having a really beautiful birth experience. If I were to have a second baby, I’d definitely consider giving birth in breech again.

  13. Jokemieke started this #14

    Thanks for the encouraging replies. I'll give it another try for now.
    But if it really stays like this and I can't deliver vaginally, then I'll go with what you call a 'gentle C-section'.
    I'm keeping my hopes up.

  14. Jokemieke started this #15

    For those who want to know.
    So I went ahead and tried doing a headstand. Well... I figured I had to give it a shot. And I held it for as long as I could. (I thought the baby was going to come out through my mouth!)
    And now I always wear my pregnancy bell very low.
    I had a day with a lot of hard contractions and false labor. And... she's in a different position. I can feel it. The spot where I could clearly feel her head is gone.
    But how she's lying now, no idea.
    Either she's already dropped a bit and is still in breech. (Really *** that)
    Or she's turned around after all? (Oh how I hope so!)
    On Monday I'm going to the doctor to ask for their verdict.
    There are still 4 weeks left for her to turn spontaneously if needed, so we keep hoping.

  15. Jokemieke started this #16

    Bad news, she's still breech and has already descended into my pelvis. The chance of her turning spontaneously is getting smaller and smaller. I hope to find someone who will still do an external version.

  16. Anonymous Guest #17

    Just called a hospital in the Netherlands. No problem, but we only do this with a referral letter from your OB-GYN. Yeah, he doesn't want a placenta delivery or anything like that. So that option is out too!
    I'm getting really discouraged. I've been crying every day.
    I really DON'T want a C-section!
    Then give birth at home without supervision? In my bath. Then no one can tell me what to do!

  17. Bibi Guest #18

    That doesn't seem entirely responsible if your baby is in a breech position and you're planning to give birth at home. If there's really no other option, you should consider a C-section. The safety of your baby comes first.

  18. floydi #19

    I wouldn't make any irresponsible choices because, harsh as it sounds, your kids might end up without their mom for a few weeks—or it could go really wrong. I'd have a serious, firm conversation with your OB-GYN. Make it clear that you really want a referral, or else you want to be referred to another doctor. It's your body, your choices, but try not to make desperate, dangerous decisions.

  19. Orchidea #20

    I think it all sounds pretty intense. I get that you have an opinion, but I don't think any woman chooses a C-section for fun. I certainly didn't, but I didn't make a huge fuss about it either. The most important thing for me was that my daughter was born healthy, without too many complications.

    I think giving birth at home without help is completely irresponsible. My advice: talk to your OB about your fears, because I find this quite intense, and it doesn't seem like the solution to me. Assisted deliveries are always medical, and not for no reason.

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