Baby is breech - just found out, c-section scheduled...?

Question

We just found out this week that the baby is breech and they are scheduling a c-section for next week. We have come to terms that this isn't what we had planned nor wanted, but it's what is going to happen. Does anyone have any advice? Stories about their own c-section? Warnings and personal experiences with this situation? Any information you can share is appreciated - I'm a first time mom and a little nervous about what lies ahead. Thank you in advance!!!

Answer 1

My first baby was breech and I had a scheduled c-section - first of all, it was not that bad.  A scheduled c-section, you can come into well rested and you'll only have to recover from the surgery.  The worst part is the first time you walk after the surgery.  You'll walk like you're 100+ for a few days, but after 2 weeks you should feel pretty normal.

The best thing about a scheduled c-section is that you know you need help, enlist someone (you own mother is ideal) to take care of you for the first 2-3 weeks.  Take it easy and don't feel like you have to do everything.

My 2nd pregnancy, the baby was not breech, I attempted a VBAC, which would have gone very well (I had no complications with my previous scar), there were some other issues, which turned out to be structural issue with my body and I ended up with a 2nd c-section (emergency this time, much more difficult to bounce back from.)  Regardless, don't think that if you have a c-section, you can't try for a regular birth with a future baby.

Assuming your c-section isn't scheduled for tomorrow, you can do some things to encourage your baby to turn.  Get on your hands and knees and relax your ab muscles completely letting your belly dangle.  That *can* help the heavy head of your baby to go south.  You could also ask your dr. about turning the baby.

If baby says breech, try not to stress out about it.  A good book about c-section recovery is Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year by Elizabeth Noble.  The scar is not that big of a deal and your baby will be well worth it :)  God bless!

Answer 2

I am a mother of three beautiful children. They were all delivered by c-section. I can honestly say i would rather have had a c-section than naturally! I can say this because I Tried to have my 1st child naturally. I was in labor for 10 hours dilated all the way pushed for 3 hours and nothing. I had an emergency c-section.

2 years later I delivered a healthy baby girl. I went in got the epidural and about 25mins later she was here! No fuss! No pain! I was great!!

I know that you are probably scared and i don't blame you, It's major surgery! The only down fall to a c-section is while you are being sown up and in recovery the baby is taken and washed and checked. I really missed not being able to hold them right away!! I would advise you to ask visitors to wait until you are out of recovery and have had time to spend with your baby. Other wise everyone is going to hold your baby before you do. Other than that just keep taking the medication (pain) as scheduled. Don't wait until you start feeling pain.It takes the medication about 15 min to start working.

Everything will be great!! Best of luck to you and the little one!!!  

Answer 3

Everything will be fine.  I had a c-section 2 years ago with my daughter and will have another in November with my son.  Take it easy & don't overdo it - you'll be in worse shape if you try to do too much too soon.  Good Luck, you'll do great.

Answer 4

Things definitely do not always go as planned - especially with labor and delivery.  I wanted to be able to give birth naturally, but because I have a complete placenta previa I will probably need a c-section as well. The only way I won't have a c-section is if the placenta moves up during the next couple of months - not likely, since it's a complete previa. Like you, I was really disappointed.  I don't want to have surgery! I want to give birth naturally, or at least vaginally, and then go home without stitches or a big incision.

However, the way I look at it is my health and my baby's health are ultimately far more important than following a particular birth plan.  In my case, trying to give birth with the placenta in the way is extremely dangerous and could cause some serious problems. You could also have major problems if you try to deliver a breech baby.  I've gone from being disappointed to being relieved that modern medicine can easily handle what was once a dangerous complication.

best of luck to you!