Pregnancy Bump in the Road

I am currently 36 weeks pregnant and until now have had a relatively smooth pregnancy, but today I had some news that made me a little nervous to say the least. My little wriggler, the little wriggler who has been in an uncooperative position for every scan we’ve had since the 10 week early assessment, has now got herself nicely nuzzled into the breech position. For anyone unfamiliar with the term – that means that rather than preparing for birth in the ideal head down position, she instead has her head firmly squished under my ribs and her feet down in my pelvis, stretched out.

Breech labours, from what I understand, can often cause complications and as such, if babies don’t turn before labour starts, sections are often recommended.

At 36 weeks there is in theory still time for baby to move, and I am hoping and praying that she does.

Whilst I am by no means anti section, (let’s face it as long as my baby gets out safe I really couldn’t care less), I left the hospital today feeling really deflated and haven’t really snapped out of it since. Whilst I haven’t got a birth plan (other than hoping for a shorter labour than the 36 hours I had last time!), I didn’t factor in the concept of a section and the thought of one makes me quite anxious. Anxious for reasons that probably don’t make sense to most!

I am not scared of the procedure, I have had surgery before so the thought of being cut open doesn’t scare me. I’m not bothered about scars, body image or precious about not giving birth naturally. If anything, from a planning point of view, knowing when we are going to have our baby might be quite a positive, and would certainly stop the panics I’ve had about childcare arrangements when the big day does come.

What I am most scared of is being away from Erin for 3 nights, and not being able to cuddle her like crazy when i get home! I already feel guilty for saying I’m uncomfortable when she tries to cuddle me, and with a section I would need to be extra careful. I’m also scared of the longer recovery and the concept of running after a toddler when I can barely move.

So I have 3-5 weeks in theory to get this baby to turn. A quick google comes up with a number of suggestions, from the medical (reflexology and an external turning procedure which sounds a little grim) to the more natural – birthing balls, lots of walks and spinning circles on your hands and knees!

For now I will be attempting the latter until I have a midwife appointment on Tuesday and get my head around my options in more detail.

As someone kindly put it however, only baby can ultimately decide which way she ends up! That’s not to say I won’t be poking her occasionally! 😉

Lucy xxx

UPDATE – I saw my midwife today, and she was surprised that the hospital didn’t refer me to a consultant at the last appointment. Baby still appears to be breach, as she can sense heartbeat above my belly button, although she appears to be more sideways that completely upside down. She has booked me in for a consultants appointment on the 2nd September, but says I basically have 3 options – a) to continue to try and give birth naturally with a breech baby b) attempt to “turn” the baby, or c) have an elective section. She says the consultant will guide me through the risks of each, and help me make a decision. I am still hoping and praying that the baby turns in time, as I am still not keen on the idea of a section, but what will be will be!!!