Doctors v.s. Breech Babies

Okay, why do Doctors automatically want to schedule you for a C-section if they find your little one is breech rather than try to turn the little monkey around or see if you are capable of having the baby vaginally as a breech?

Now, I understand it is easier for the Doctor.  They schedule the time when they aren't busy are are done in 5 minutes rather than wait around all night.  I also understand that there are instances where it is in the best interest of the Baby and Mother to have a c-section rather than a natural birth; but I am talking about the times when there isn't a medical reason for not working with the Baby and Mother to deliver vaginally.

After all, it wasn't to long ago when c-sections didn't happen and when they did begin it was only with the select few.  So, many, many women delivered breech babies vaginally.  We are loosing the skills needed to handle this type of situation by not doing it.  Any thoughts?

Chiropractors are wonderful at turning babies.  My guy was transverse until about 37 weeks and after a few visits to the chiro, he turned head down.  Find yourself a pre-natal chiropractor and see what they can do for you.

Oops - double post!

Huh - I was envisioning a fight ring...

I don't know.  I was SO against a C-section until I had to have one for my 2nd (head was 99th percentile and it got stuck.)  But after having one, I'd take a scheduled C-section any day over a difficult labor.

Both my brother and I were born breech - according to my mom, we just slipped right out - no problems.

Oh, I have already gone through all of this.  I had told our Doctor my whole pregnancy that if by chance my little one happened to be breech (family genes I guess) I wanted to do everything we could before saying it would be a c-section.  Well, we went into the office at about 36 weeks I believe and she check my little ones position only to say, "The babies breech still so we will schedule a c-section for Wed."  One, they hadn't mentioned to me my little one was breech in the first place and then completely disregarded everything I had said about trying other things first.  I had to FIGHT them to try to turn my Baby and they waited until I didn't have enough fluid for it to work.  It was only when, as I laid on the hospital table in pain, with tears flowing and me yelling at them for setting me up for a c-section that one of the Doctors told me that their is a Doctor in Jacksonville who will often take cases like this.  I got an appointment and off we went. He checked us over a said I wouldn't have a problem and a week later my water broke as my Husband and I watched tv at home.  We went to the hosital and I delivered our little one as a vaginal breech in just under 5 hours from my water breaking at home to holding my little one in my arms with about 20 Doctors around us.  This is my FIRST of many as we are both doing wonderful.  Because of my Doctor, I didn't even tear during the delivery and my Monkey is PERFECT!!!  I just wish Doctors would make more of an effort to take care of the Baby and Mommy rather than jump to the knife.

Slipping right out is right! Lol!  It was a wonderful labor and delivery.  My Husband and Mother helped prop me up with their arms so that as I pushed I could see my little one slip out.  *Sigh*  Very Good Memories of the ending!

Breech, by definition, is a harder delivery and a greater risk to the baby.  That doesn't mean you can't deliver a breech baby vaginally, but it really depends of the position of the baby and its size.  My oldest was breech.  Fortunately, she came about a month early and I delivered so fast they didn't have time to schedule a c-section.  They were talking about it.  She came out butt first. This could have damaged her hips.  I remember doctors checking her hips and legs very carefully on the first few well baby visits.  Fortunately, she was fine.

Ask around for a doctor that does breech deliveries.  Make sure you understand the risks for you and your baby.  It can work, but you have to understand what is going on in your case.

I was breech and my mother had a c-section... My mother is an OBGYN and says ALL breech babies must be c-sectioned out because you do not want to risk the mother's safety as well as the babies!

giasbash6260,

Not to be arguementative but if that was the case then what about the thousands of breech deliveries that have happened over time?

Also, if there isn't a medical problem it is actually better for the Mother and Baby to have a vaginal delivery.  NO c-section is good for the Mother in any instance (we were not made to be sliced open during birth and is why women often can only have one other child after if that due to scar tissue and a weakened uterus); but if it is between doing that or causing serious to fatal injuries, then it is acceptable.

Another thought is the emotional consequences to the Mothers who are unable to handle a c-section.  Expecially one that was unnecessary for either the Baby or the Mother.

I also have to add that any OBGYN who says that all breech babies have to be c-sectioned out are saying that due to the fear of being sued and NOT because it is the right thing for the Baby or Mother.  (That also was said by the Doctor who delievered my little one breech.  We are both doing fabulous and are about 8 months out now. In fact, my monkey is way ahead of the game physically, emotionally and is very, very smart and active.)

I have to say ami that I disagree with you on a couple points. I don't think that doctors schedule C-sections for breech babies because it's "easier" for them or they're "afraid of being sued." A baby being delivered breech is at much greater risk for injuries and trauma as is the mother. I was breech, my mom had a C-section and we both ended up just fine.

I do agree with you that doctors should do their best to achieve a natural birth. Some babies can be born vaginally in the breech position, but I think it really depends on the size of the baby and mom's condition.

I agree that during a breech it is more difficult depending upon the type, Baby and Mothers size, experience, etc.  I just get really fumed when there could be other things tried and Doctors are hesitant to do them. Especially when they are proven to work and are safe for both the Baby and Mother.

Also it isn't just my opinion about Doctors not wanting to due it do to conviences and being sued.  The Doctors who wouldn't delivery for me (all but 3 in a very large city with 10 hospitals. I called everyone) and the ones who would (3 in the same practice and they only do it because you can't sue them. Their words) depending upon a bunch of factors.  We were lucky to fall into all of the good ones with room to spare so we didn't have any problems at all.  It bothers me knowing this that if I hadn't been persistant I would have had a c-section that I personally know would have been extremely difficult for me to handle emotionally and possibly physically.

I think they instantly recommend C-Sections because it is easier for them and especially in the states they probably get paid more since a C-Section is MAJOR surgery.

Why else would a lot of doctors completely neglect to tell women that the baby can be turned manually? Midwives have been turning breech babies from the outside for hundreds of years. Why else would they not even give the woman the option after stating the pros and cons?

It's easier, faster, they get paid more, and they can schedule you at their own convenience - nobody likes working weekends.

GET A MIDWIFE if its legal in your state. they are all about YOU

I have heard...turning a baby manually can be more painful than the delivery itself.  I have a preemie and HAD to get a c-section...otherwise she and I would have died.  I would take a natural delivery over c-section anyday but don't blame the doctors for (in my opinion) wanting to do what they think is best.  It is definately a case by case basis!

Whoa, whoa...

First of all, the doctor/midwife can TRY to turn the baby but there's no guarantee of success there. I don't think it's wise to get that stuck in someone's head. Plus, I've heard it can be accompanied by some pretty intense pain.

Also, many women may have birthed kids breech "back in the day" but a lot more of them also died. My midwife also stated during parenting classes that there were fewer breech babies back then ("maybe from scrubbing the floor more than we do, who knows?"), so much less risk in the total population. I don't think these are 'skills' you can acquire or lose--some women can, some women can't. It's the body and the circumstances that you're given.

amiblue--I think the issues should be with your original doctors--they didn't bother telling you he was breech when they should have, despite you stating that you wanted to try to turn him if that issue arrived. My midwife told me at every visit if my son's head was down or not.

I think the doctors are just trying to stay on the safe side, the less unpredictable side. Breech babies are at a higher risk than those head-down. "With a breech, the largest part is last, and the baby's head hasn't had a chance to "mold", or adjust to the pelvis by the time of birth. If it takes too long for the baby's head to be born after the body is out, he or she could have some damage from lack of oxygen. For this reason most breech births (90%) are by cesarean in the US. Because of additional manipulation of the breech baby during delivery, mothers may have more infections or tears in the birth canal than normal." childbirthsolutions.com

Don't get me wrong. I am pretty disgusted by the amount of c-sections the U.S. has (50%) and I had my baby in a birthing center with a midwife med free which is practically unheard of these days--in the U.S., that is. I had a wonderful experience as well. But I'm not ignorant of the risk factors (and I'm NOT saying that you are, btw, just in case that is read incorrectly). If my son had been breech, I would have been transferred to a Doctor at the hospital and a C-section would have probably been done. I accept that. Safety is the most important thing, even over comfort or preference, to me.