Breach positions and birth "preferences"

Two of my children were both breach presentation but at 35 weeks (for both pregnancies) they were turned. Lucky for me they stayed the right way afterwards but is not successful for all. After the specialists do a turn you will be closly monitored right up to the birth for any complications, but I had none and ended up having a normal birth for both. Have a talk to your midwife, this could be an option for you rather than a c section.   

when the time comes the docs will advice the best option. Zaara was head down and yet looking up so the biggest part of her head was going to come out first (well was not going to come out....) so docs told me that I will need a c section....I didnt want one.....but they explained that she is not going to change position so it is in the best interest for both to go ahead with c section. I said yes!!!

But if you can avoid it...then great!

as jack was still breech at 37wks, the OB lady tried to turn him but was unsuccessful....oh my god was that an experience!! gollymolly, you went through that twice??
she explained to me that the chances of him turning before i went into labour were slim, and if i did go into labour, i'd most likely end up having to have an emergency c-section anyway so i might as well just have an elective one.
most docs/midwifes i think will opt to do a c-section rather than risk the health of you and your baby

I am wondering the same thing Toni - doesnt sound pleasant...

They sometimes try to perform what is called an External Cephalic Version which is where the doctor tries to manually turn the baby by pushing/prodding/poking your stomach. There are some risks involved (ruptured placenta, compression of umbilical cord etc.) but it is successfully performed on a fairly regular basis. It's also never done before 36 weeks as a) most babies who are breech turn themselves before 36 weeks and b)there is a risk that it will stimulate early labour.

as emma said, when they try to manually turn a breech baby they do just that. push down on your belly and try to flip bubs. it was the most bizzare thing to stare down at my belly and see jack sticking right out the side!
it was the worst thing i've had to endure (hehe i havn't been thru labour!). with jack it was unsucessful and my OB suggested a c-section as i was likely to end up having an emergency one anyway even if i tried to push him out.

I have had two out of three of my kiddies turned. It was painless both times although it is a bizzare feeling. Both times were done at the hospital by a specialist who has done this many times successfully. (I WOULD NOT let anyone else attempt it on me.)

I was 35 weeks both times because I have a history of giving birth early(all though my last daughter was right on time ). The specialist does a scan first to check how bubs is sitting then he grabs the bum and very softly pushes bubs around. I was to tell my specialist straight away if I felt any pain (which I didnt) and he would stop. After her turned her he did another scan and had to wait at hospital for a 1/2 an hour afterwards to be safe, and then I was monitored every week by having an appointment with specialist and he would rescan me. I had no problems with mine but there is a risk involved. Early labour, baby turning back etc. Hope this helps explain what is involved.

I had an ECV at 37 weeks. I had 2 specialists do it. One of them had been doing them for years & was one of the most successful at it in NZ, so I felt happy having it done. They did a scan beforehand to check where my placenta was & the position of the cord to minimise risks. They also did a scan afterwards & then baby was monitored for about 1/2 an hour or so to check he wasn't in any distress. It was one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever done - they used a reasonable amount of pressure to get him to turn because there wasn't a lot of room for him to move in my tummy. It was worth it though as it meant I avoided a c-section.