A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:I am 32 weeks pregnant with my first baby and i went to the midwife's today ... my plan is to have a home birth however the midwife said baby is currently in a breach position and looked at me nerviously, which of course made me feel nervous. I am positive baby still has plenty of time to move around again as baby was in the correct position just a few days ago as i felt his feet kicking the top of my belly. lol. Am i right, does he and could he still have time to move around again? And also, if he is a breach, how will that effect my plans to home birth??? I didn't feel overly confident asking the midwife at that particular time hence the reason i am stalking here lol. Also, anyone know of any good positions which can turn baby around naturally because i have heard stories about that and i really really really really want my home birth.
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female
reader, AuntyEm +, writes (14 July 2010):
 Find out what the policy is for homebirth from the hospital you are under.
Most community midwives would not accept the risk of delivering a pre designated breech at home. If a baby turns in labour (which can happen)and your at home, even then a midwife would take you in to hospital to deliver.
Some hospital insist on C-section for breech (again to minimise the risks) but it will entirely depend on how you progress and how you feel at the time.
At 32 weeks the baby can still turn. Once the baby engages into the pelvis then the likelyhood of turning is reduced. Ask about ECV, this is performed by a specially trained doctor or midwife...but bear in mind that even after ECV a baby can turn back to breech.
Keep your options open, don't set your heart on home birth...it could still happen but a midwife will assess the situation over the next few weeks...so prepare for all options.
A
male
reader, justhelpingout  +, writes (14 July 2010):
 As an Emergency responder I know many women have home births just fine, however I and all my cohorts in EMS have to deal with the end result of a home birth gone bad.
For thousands of years women have been giving birth anywhere and everywhere, it happens, fact of life, and with life there is death and many women and their babies have died as a result of a complication. In 25 yrs I have lost 2 babies and one mother as a result of the birth gone wrong. I don't mean to scare you, but this is the truth of things.
If you know that the baby is breach then you really need to be looking at going to a hospital with a "Good" L&D department that can handle an emergency c-section, cause that will be what can make or break yours and your baby's life.
Good luck and talk to your doctor,, and remember if it worries the mid-wife, then it should worry you.
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A
female
reader, k_c100 +, writes (14 July 2010):
 Have a read of this http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/2010/jul/02/home-birth-triples-risk-of-infant-death
Basically what the conclusion is from this study is that home birth is better for the mother because there is less chance of infection, vaginal tearing etc however home birth is much worse for the baby compared to a hospital birth. So while you might end up better off, if there is the slightest complication with the child then he/she is going to be in a much worse position than if you were in hospital.
This is just my personal opinion but I cannot understand why anyone would want a home birth, you are putting so much at risk, and when it is something as precious as a newborn child why would you want to risk the child's health just so you can have a better labour? To me that is a bit selfish - you are in effect putting your own body above the health of your child.
And if your baby is breech, and stays that way - there is no way you should have a home birth. To get a baby out who is breach without a c-section is difficult enough, therefore you will need a team of doctors on hand and the baby may have breathing difficulties once he/she is born which will need urgent medical attention.
I'm not sure about turning the baby around - that is one to ask your doctor.
I have just read about this
"External cephalic version where a midwife or doctor turns the baby by manipulating the baby through the mother's abdomen. ECV has a success rate between 40 - 70% depending on practitioner. The fetal heart is monitored after the turn attempt, usually in the context of an institutional protocol. Studies show that turning the baby at term (after 36 weeks) is effective in reducing the number of babies born in the breech position. Complications from external cephalic version are rare. Studies have also shown that attempting to turn the baby prior to this point has no impact on the presentation at term"
Maybe you should ask your doctor/midwife about this? Aside from that most breech babies are born by c-section here in the UK so I think it may be time to let go of your ideal home birth and start to think about getting this baby out safely, rather than risking your child's life just because you "really really" want something. I think you will "really really" want a healthy baby over a home birth!
I hope this helps and good luck!
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (14 July 2010): i am not a doctor, but i have had 4 home births and attended the home birth of 4 grandchildren. This is your first child and you have no idea what you are facing. i am all for home births, but if that baby hasnt turned when you start labor, do not attempt a home birth. my son and daughter in law had a set of twins at home, the second one was breech...and you dont want to go there i promise.
the closer you come to your due date, the less room there is for the baby to turn...but it could still happen. watch closely and if it doesnt turn...please do not do this at home. if it were a third or fourth child i might feel different but not with a first. I am not a doctor, but i have given birth 7 times and i know what i am talking about.
Dont lose hope, and you really really need to talk this over with your midwife.
congratulations on your pregnacy, i hope all goes well for you... in the end it will be worth whatever you have to do, to have a healthy baby. so please dont take a chance on your babies health, or your own, just to fulfill a dream. i do understand, it was my desire too...but nothing is more important than this child. People who are suddenly rushed into a C section feel this way a lot of the time...but what you do whatever you have to do.
try not to worry, hopefully it will all work out the way you want it to, mal
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A
male
reader, CaringGuy +, writes (14 July 2010):
100% ask your doctor. Unless there is a doctor on this site (which I don't think there is), no one here will be able to tell you for sure what's best to do. It would be lovely for you to have a home birth if that's what you want. But you must talk to your doctor and ensure you know the facts from a qualified medical person so you make the right decision. You don't want to follow the wrong advice from those who aren't qualified only to end up in difficulties. Please ask your doctor. And all the best to you as well :). Not long now!! :) x
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