38 Week Pregnancy Update
Ok, now that I have finished crying… for an hour or two at least, I can give you the latest pregnancy update. I am now 38 weeks pregnant, and as confirmed by the consultant today, I am still breech.
Today has not been my favourite day. I was booked in to see the consultant at 11.30 this morning, and waited just over an hour before being called in for the first assessment. The waiting room was boiling hot, I was uncomfortable, and to make life even more challenging, we had our three year old daughter with us due to me wanting Mike with me but a lack of childcare at home. The wait itself was relatively normal – I don’t think I have ever been seen on time in the antenatal clinic, but what happened next was not part of the plan!
The consultant looked at my notes and said… “Oh so your breech?” and I explained that at my last scan at 36 weeks that is what the sonographer had advised. She asked if I was still breech – to which I got slightly narky and replied – “I don’t know – you tell me”. She asked what delivery options had been discussed with me – to which I advised none. She seemed taken aback. It appears the sonographer who did my scan should have booked me in for a follow up there and then, either to see a consultant (who ironically would’ve been there on that day), or for a follow up scan at a later date to reassess. She did neither, simply sending me on my merry way with not a clue what happened next. It was only when I saw my midwife the following week that she asked me “did they book you in with a consultant?” that I explained no further action had been suggested, and she booked it on my behalf. This inevitably delayed the point at which I have had the appointment.
We were sent back out to the waiting room where we waited another half hour, and then she finally took me off to be scanned. She felt my tummy first and said she was pretty certain baby was still breech, and then as soon as the baby appeared on screen I just knew – it was fairly clear to see. I completely broke down into tears. I think it shocked her a bit, but I literally felt my heart sink. I cant even explain what I was so upset about. I think a combination of waiting two hours to be given what I deemed to be bad news, and then knowing that a section was pretty much inevitable just all became a bit too much.
We returned back to the consultants room, requiring a walk back through the waiting room – where I was very aware of all the other expectant mothers staring at my strawberry red and tear stained face and probably wondering what the hell had just happened. I tried to look as upbeat as possible, after all – I knew my news in the whole scheme of things wasn’t the end of the world.
She explained that whilst an attempt at turning the baby was still an option, she didn’t recommend it as late as 38 weeks, as is less successful at that stage, and is more challenging when baby is in a breech position with legs extended – which guess, what, my little madam is. She advised that the safest and most appropriate course of action was an elective caesarean.
Mike jokingly asked if we were about to discover our child’s birthday – and she smiled and said yes, before logging on to her computer to look at available dates. But guess what – there weren’t any. All the available appointments between 39 and 40 weeks at my hospital have already been booked. I was so angry. Due to the sonographer not getting me in with a consultant earlier, I now have the risk of going into labour naturally, and as such requiring a semi emergency section which clearly is not an ideal situation to be in! We asked her what she was going to do about it and as such, I am waiting for a phone call back to advise of what will happen next. I may need to go to a different hospital, or hope that someone cancels their slot due to an earlier than expected birth!
Whilst I know that a section is far from the end of the world, and am focusing on the fact that the experience will be safest for my baby, I am terrified of the prospect of a non natural birth – terrified of being sick (I have a severe sick phobia!), terrified of not being able to take painkillers (I cant take tablets due to strong gag reflex and said sick phobia!) and gutted that I have to be away from my first born for 2- 3 nights – my best friend whom I have never spent a night away from in her entire life! I also hate the idea of being dependent on someone else (I am not one to be waited on!) and not being able to drive or have my own freedom for up to 6 weeks.
When I got in the car to drive home, it also become apparent that I really want my Mum! I think deep down, that is probably the cause of my extreme reaction – although its hard to know for sure. My mum was with us all the way through my first labour – all 36 hours of it, and I know if she was here today she would have some words of wisdom to keep me calm and help me focus on the positive. Without her here to snap me out of it, I will have to just try and imagine what she would say to me, and try and make her proud!
So for now, we know its a section, but we don’t know when. I just need to hope that this little madam wants to stay put as long as Erin did (she was born at 41 + 6) in the hope that a slot becomes available in time. If she doesn’t, I will be having serious words with my hospital, as feel I have been well and truly let down. Talk about avoiding stress in late pregnancy!
Rah!
Any one who has had an elective / planned section who wishes to give words of advise or support – please do fire away!!! đŸ™‚
x
Oh you poor thing. You’ve been totally let down. I had a breech baby second time and it wasn’t as bad as I thought. I was making dinner when I came out of hospital and drove after 4 weeks. I know it’s not ideal but it’s not so bad.
I just hope they sort out the date.
Someone told me being on hands and knees (scrubbing floor action) would turn them but it didn’t work for me but worth a try?
Oh I understand your frustration. I hope they sort out the date for you!
There is the technique of the scarf (I dont know the exact name) but if you are down on hands and knees (like the previous comment scrubbing floor action) your husband is above you holding a long scarf/sheet/towel that you put under your belly. Hubby holds the 2 ends of the scarf and gently moves up and down one end after the other one ( like drum action, one hand up, one hand down). Baby should move!!! (fingers crossed)
Aurélie
I’m going through pretty much the same thing! I’m pregnant with my first baby, and found out my little one is breech at 37 weeks. Midwife was adamant he’s been head down throughout and it wasn’t until I noticed my growth chart had been calculated wrong (they had me down as 5ft instead of 5ft 5!) that I called the hospital and asked for another scan.
I was given info on ECV and booked in the following week for another scan to see if baby was still breech, which he was. I was told I’d be booked in for an ECV even though I’d already decided I didn’t want the procedure (I’d done a lot of reading and decided iy wasn’t for me). I still had to be booked in for an ECV as apparently that was the only way they could get me to see a consultant. If I still didn’t want it on the day then I just needed to say and I’d be booked for an elective.
ECV day came and I waited over an hour to be seen. A student midwife arrived and started to strap me up to a monitor. I told him that I’d decided against the ECV so he stopped what he was doing and went to fetch the consultant.
I then proceeded to be quizzed by the consultant (pretty aggressively) for a good 20mins about why exactly I didn’t want the procedure. Success rates for first time Mums is less than 40% at 36-37 weeks. I was nearly 38 weeks at this point and my little sitting Buddha was already measuring big; I didn’t want to risk distressing or harming either one of us.
I then got a date for my section (a week tomorrow which is just shy of 40 weeks). Thankfully the doctors strike is off otherwise that would have caused extra worry at an already stressful time.
When I found out i’d be having my first baby via elective section I was distraught – I’d pictured and prepared for a natural birth and was gutted when I knew that wouldn’t happen.
Ive come to terms with it over the last week or so and have been reading up on ways to make it a special experience. I’m keen to get skin to skin ASAP and the hospital in going to promote this after a C-Section which is comforting.
The funny thing is my Sister had a baby two months ago and hers was breech (also missed – by the same midwife) and it was only discovered when she was close to being fully dialated. She was rushed in for an emergency c section but was close to being forced to give birth breech. Needless to say that although I’m not thrilled about the idea of an elective, I feel much better knowing that the little man’s breech than having to go through an emergency scenario.
Oh and my Sister recovered stupidly fast (was driving again after 3 weeks) so the recovery isn’t something I’m too worried about. As long as I deliver a healthy and happy baby boy I’ll feel blessed.
Wishing you all the best for next week.
Oh Rachel what a nightmare! Sounds like we’ve both been a bit let down in the process! Sounds like your section is about same gestation as mine then! Hope all goes well for both of us and we will be holding our babies in our arms before we know it! Eek! Feel free to come join in #nightfeednatter on Twitter or Facebook when you’re up with your little one! X