Wednesday 11/22/17: OB appt
When Jameson and I found out baby was breech positioned, we were both pretty freaked out. My doctor was very calm about it and reassuring, however it makes you question everything about labor and delivery. At our appt on 11/22, while my doctor was doing an ultrasound it became clear there was something not right. My doctor did not take the time to show us any parts of the baby, but rather was quickly looking around on my belly with the ultrasound wand and concentrating. My OB explained that baby is in an "oblique lie" position which means its head is in my left hip and its back and butt are transverse or facing towards my right hip and baby is basically laying across my belly rather than head down. The concern with this position is that if I was to go into labor the only way to get baby out safely would be a unplanned C-section and could become very dangerous. My doctor then explained that babies should be in the correct position (head down) by 37 weeks in order to deliver vaginally. She explained 3-5% of babies are not head down at this point. Some move on their own, while most need an external cephalic version to help them into the correct position. Because I am 6'2 with a long torso allowing space for baby to flip and baby is transverse rather than completely breech, my doctor felt there was a really good chance the version will be successful. The major risks involved with the procedure is that baby could not tolerate the procedure and need to be removed immediately via emergency c-section. That is rare (<1%). Secondly, the placenta could tear a lot or a little and cause short term or later that evening problems for baby. The procedure itself is done in the hospital with constant monitoring. There is also a medication called Terbutaline given, that relaxes the uterus to prevent it from contracting while the procedure is being done and after to help baby stay in place. If the procedure is unsuccessful, as in the baby or mom (me) don't tolerate it or the baby does not flip then a C-section is scheduled at 39 weeks.
When Jameson and I found out baby was breech positioned, we were both pretty freaked out. My doctor was very calm about it and reassuring, however it makes you question everything about labor and delivery. At our appt on 11/22, while my doctor was doing an ultrasound it became clear there was something not right. My doctor did not take the time to show us any parts of the baby, but rather was quickly looking around on my belly with the ultrasound wand and concentrating. My OB explained that baby is in an "oblique lie" position which means its head is in my left hip and its back and butt are transverse or facing towards my right hip and baby is basically laying across my belly rather than head down. The concern with this position is that if I was to go into labor the only way to get baby out safely would be a unplanned C-section and could become very dangerous. My doctor then explained that babies should be in the correct position (head down) by 37 weeks in order to deliver vaginally. She explained 3-5% of babies are not head down at this point. Some move on their own, while most need an external cephalic version to help them into the correct position. Because I am 6'2 with a long torso allowing space for baby to flip and baby is transverse rather than completely breech, my doctor felt there was a really good chance the version will be successful. The major risks involved with the procedure is that baby could not tolerate the procedure and need to be removed immediately via emergency c-section. That is rare (<1%). Secondly, the placenta could tear a lot or a little and cause short term or later that evening problems for baby. The procedure itself is done in the hospital with constant monitoring. There is also a medication called Terbutaline given, that relaxes the uterus to prevent it from contracting while the procedure is being done and after to help baby stay in place. If the procedure is unsuccessful, as in the baby or mom (me) don't tolerate it or the baby does not flip then a C-section is scheduled at 39 weeks.
Here is a basic explanation of the procedure: https://www.webmd.com/baby/external-cephalic-version-version-for-breech-position
My doctor suggested trying some "alternative methods" while we waited until Monday for the procedure. Her suggestions were yoga positioning (downward dog & pelvic tilts) and going swimming and doing summer salts. I did all of the above each day. I even did 37 summer salts in 45 minutes of swimming in the pool! I was quite sick afterwards :)
Monday 11/27/17: External Cephalic Version Procedure
The procedure was scheduled for 9:30am at Stanford Labor & Delivery. I will spare all the SUPER stressful details and how painful it was. (procedure did not start until 1130, multiple IV sticks, terbutaline medicine makes you feel awful, & procedure was super painful but short lived). The best news is that Baby and I tolerated the procedure and everything went as planned! Baby is now head down and ready for labor! Btw I did not feel any different with Baby's position after the procedure. No pressure additional pressure.
Tuesday 11/28/17: NST=Non stress Test
The doctor who did the procedure in the hospital recommended I get a NST done the next day to make sure baby was still doing good and head down. NST involved sitting in a nice room with a fetal monitor on my belly that monitors the baby's heart rate and any movements for 30 minutes. Thankfully again everything checked out fine and baby was still doing good. My doctor also did a quick ultrasound to confirm baby was still head down! So now its just a matter of waiting until baby is ready to come out! My next appt was not scheduled until a week later.
I took a picture before I left for the hospital in case my belly was going to be gone ;)
37 Weeks
After the procedure went well!
Getting my NST the next day!
My doctor suggested trying some "alternative methods" while we waited until Monday for the procedure. Her suggestions were yoga positioning (downward dog & pelvic tilts) and going swimming and doing summer salts. I did all of the above each day. I even did 37 summer salts in 45 minutes of swimming in the pool! I was quite sick afterwards :)
Monday 11/27/17: External Cephalic Version Procedure
The procedure was scheduled for 9:30am at Stanford Labor & Delivery. I will spare all the SUPER stressful details and how painful it was. (procedure did not start until 1130, multiple IV sticks, terbutaline medicine makes you feel awful, & procedure was super painful but short lived). The best news is that Baby and I tolerated the procedure and everything went as planned! Baby is now head down and ready for labor! Btw I did not feel any different with Baby's position after the procedure. No pressure additional pressure.
Tuesday 11/28/17: NST=Non stress Test
The doctor who did the procedure in the hospital recommended I get a NST done the next day to make sure baby was still doing good and head down. NST involved sitting in a nice room with a fetal monitor on my belly that monitors the baby's heart rate and any movements for 30 minutes. Thankfully again everything checked out fine and baby was still doing good. My doctor also did a quick ultrasound to confirm baby was still head down! So now its just a matter of waiting until baby is ready to come out! My next appt was not scheduled until a week later.
I took a picture before I left for the hospital in case my belly was going to be gone ;)
37 Weeks
After the procedure went well!
Getting my NST the next day!
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