Opus it seems has decided that a change of scenery is in order. He/she has moved into a nice, comfy transverse position…Apparently unless he/she is head down by 36 weeks (my Monday appointment) we can't "plan" a home birth. We either need to look into an external version or….or…well, I'm not sure.
I was convinced a month or so ago that Opus was breech. Why? Because I could feel a large, hard knob moving around under my rib cage…the midwife said it was a bottom not a head. I however was not convinced. In eight pregnancies I've never had this feeling…you could also see the head/bottom move, and I could grab a hold of it…my personal opinion is that the baby has gone from breech to transverse, not from head down to transverse…not that it really matters at this point.
At any rate, his current position is uncomfortable in many ways, but on the other hand, it is a relief to have a bit more breathing room and to not have him using my bladder as a pillow.
Off to do a little research…
Summer was breech. Even though she was my first, I KNEW her head was under my ribs. I could feel it! The doctor didn’t believe me until he could feel for himself. (Silly doctors!) At 36 weeks we went in for an attempt at external version. Un-fun, but it worked. She stayed head-down until d-day! If you have any questions about my experience, please feel free to ask.
This is a great website with lots of info on optimal fetal positioning:
http://www.spinningbabies.com/baby-positions/all-positions/sideways
If you can find a chiropractor who can perform the Webster Technique, I’d strongly recommend it. My son was persistently breech due to my oddly shaped uterus, and all the medical people told me that he would not and could not flip. Minutes after one webster adjustment at 37 weeks, he flipped to vertix and stayed that way until his birth. I did keep getting the adjustments to ensure optimum positioning, but it was pretty crazy how gentle and non-invasive the adjustment was, and how effective. http://icpa4kids.com/about/webster_technique.htm (there is listings for practitioners trained in the technique on this website as well)
I had an external version and it was no big deal. Not the most comfy thing I’ve had done but it worked well. The doctor said since she was my third and my uterus was stretchy it was a simple one. So I would assume if they did it to you there would be a good chance of it working. Kellina was breech till 37 weeks. It for sure felt different and the bumps were off.
I had an external version with my third. It wasn’t the most comfortable thing ever, but hey … he stayed head down and I delivered naturally, so I think it was totally worth it. Here’s to Opus deciding upon the same!
http://www.spinningbabies.com/
this site will help
there is an OB at Swedish that will deliver breech babies for women with a “proven pelvis” meaning they have had a vaginal birth before – I think you definitely qualify. Anyway, I can get the name for you if you have to transfer care – I hope it doesn’t have to come to that though.
My last boy was transversal for several weeks, very close to delivery, and I had begun to freak out. He had been nicely set, head down, and then went and switched around. It was a very painful position to have him… I consulted a Doula about possible versions and stuff like that, but about 10 days prior to his birth, he up and moved AGAIN and got himself all ready for a nice, normal delivery! Hope that happens to you as well, so Opus can be born in the comforts of his home!
I had an external version because Laura was breech. It hurt…but I figure not as much as recovering from a c-section would. I heard from my mid-wife in my next pregnancy that she had a tried and true breech technique but I never learned what it was. I’ve also heard that the Webster technique works like a charm.
I had an 3 external versions with Joshua. I recommend the muscle relaxer – that’s the only way it worked for me. My uterus fought the EV without the relaxer. Don’t know if that’s something your midwife can give you though.
I also recommend spinningbabies.com. My midwife told me not to “recline” (ie. Lazy Boy position), but to sit up straight and lean forward (I sat on an exercise ball a lot too) so that baby was force into a good position.
Hope Opus cooperates!
I am really really enjoying reading all your birth stories! Did you write them down before or do you just have an amazing memory? 🙂 I love how looking back, you see pieces of the kids’ personalities so early on!
Praying that little Opus cooperates and that his/her birth goes well! Hope you are having a happy Wednesday!
xo
Devon says that this means Opus is a boy. All the boys wave known in the last year have had positioning problems. Hopefully Opus has just decided to switch from breech to vertex and took a little rest along the way.
I’ve done multiple versions (as a “crunchy” OB) and find them to be reasonaby successful. Not very familiar with the Webster technique. You also might want to look into moxibustion; I also have found that the pelvic tilt on an ironing board has helped my patients. Good luck!
I also have a “roomy” uteris and my last was transverse. Once we got her turned I wore a tight elastic band to keep her in place and it worked.
I was one of your daughter’s doula trainers. Just wanted to let you know I know of some local seattle/king county) midwives who would do a breech birth if you were interested.
Sharon
New Moon Birth
Thank you for this, Sharon! Ill be contacting you if it looks like we need this…