Surviving Parenthood: My Breech Babies

Upside Down (But Not Upside Down!)     

As a child, I remember being absolutely fascinated about the story of how I entered the world. “I was an upside down baby,” I used to tell my friends. Of course, technically, a breech baby isn’t upside down at all (although they should be). Ideally a baby should be in a head-down position in the later stages of pregnancy, ahead of their birth. However, I was in a more bottom down position which doesn’t look upside down at all! It sounds comfier perhaps but it really is not the optimum position for birth, coming with increased risks. 

Back when I was born, vaginal breech births were more commonplace. Therefore, bottom first I came! My mum doesn’t have particularly fond memories of my birth (unsurprisingly – giving birth naturally must be exhausting enough when a baby is the right way!). My birth was a struggle and she was moved into a separate area of the maternity ward in case an emergency C-section was needed. Not sure how she did it, but giving birth to me naturally she did! 

“There’s Plenty of Time for Baby to Turn!” 

Fast forward time (a lot) and there I was (roughly 30 weeks pregnant with my eldest) at a baby scan. I had been in hospital for extra monitoring due to reduced foetal movements and so they had booked me in for an additional scan, just to be on the safe side. To my relief, my baby was safe and well. However, the sonographer did mention that he was in a breech position. She said not to worry at the minute: “There's plenty of time for baby to turn.” It was in that moment that I just knew – don’t tell me how – but I just knew he wouldn’t! With a history of breech babies in the family (my sister had recently given birth to a breech baby too), I just had one of those feelings… Was my baby going to be breech too? 

ECV…or not an ECV?   

Another six weeks after that and I was sat in the consultant’s office, reviewing my birth options. By around 36-37 weeks of pregnancy, the majority of babies have turned. However, my baby was one of the 3-4% who had yet to do this. In previous chats with my midwife, we had spoken about what an ECV (external cephalic version) was and how I might be offered one. I had been to-ing and fro-ing with this potential decision in my head, unsure what I wanted to do. Even when I entered that room for my appointment, my mind was still bubbling with uncertainty. After another scan however, the consultant very quickly took the decision out of my hands. Because of the nature of my baby’s position inside my womb, he deemed it very unlikely that an ECV would be successful. Therefore, it was highly advised that I was booked in for a planned C-section.  

My Birth Plan in Tatters

Earlier in my pregnancy (despite the question mark over whether or not my baby was breech) I had learnt a lot about natural births. I had been to all the hospital information evenings, attended NCT classes and was told that I was low-risk, therefore even a home birth was a potential option for me. Of course, my options were very soon narrowed as the medical staff found out that I was carrying a breech baby who was unlikely to turn. Despite me wanting what was best for me and the baby, there was still an element of sadness there that I could no longer have the natural birth that, given the choice, I would have chosen. Following my appointment with the consultant, it did take me a while to get my head around it all. And I had to be kind to myself during that time – it wasn’t the easiest of things to accept. 

Planning for a Planned C-Section

With me being the overly-organised type of person, it was slightly ironic that my own baby’s birth was going to be (what felt like) overly planned too! Knowing my baby’s date of birth ahead of time – being able to actually pencil it in on the calendar – just felt strange! Of course, there was always the chance that my breech baby would decide to make an early appearance (in which case I was advised to get to the hospital right away) but that never happened. There I was, the morning of my baby’s arrival date, walking calmly into the hospital while my husband wheeled my suitcase. It was a gorgeous spring morning (which is always uplifting in itself) but to add to that, friends and family members were able to send me ‘good luck’ or ‘thinking of you' messages. I think the oddness of it all, that there was no pre-birth drama to speak of, almost took the edge off my nerves somewhat. At least until I stepped into the maternity ward. I think reality began to kick in when I was shown to my bed with my hospital gown and elastic stockings laid out ready for me. It was actually happening – I was about to meet my baby.    

One Final Obstacle

As I was waiting in my hospital bed, a consultant arrived with a portable scanner: one final scan and one final chance to check to see if my breech baby had turned. (In which case, I could have been sent home!) However, I think I already knew without seeing it on a screen that my baby was still very comfortable in that same breech position. And that meant it was time to meet them. 

When My First Born Arrived…

I amazed myself at how calm and relatively brave I felt throughout my eldest’s son’s C-section. However, I think it was one of those times where perhaps I tried to handle my nerves by trying to zone out of things as much as I could. I tried not to look around the operating theatre too much, I squeezed my husband’s hand (a lot) and focused on the fact that I would be meeting my baby very, very soon. In fact, it felt really quick – I wasn’t prepared for it when my gorgeous son was held up towards me for the very first time. And, when he was passed to me for newborn cuddles (the best cuddles in the world!) there was no better distraction from whatever the medical staff were doing to me. My breech baby was finally here and most importantly, he was healthy.       

6-Week Hip Scan

When carrying a breech baby, there is an increased risk of developing DDH (developmental dysplasia of the hip). Therefore, we were invited to a 6-week ultrasound scan back at the hospital so that his hips could be properly checked. Needless to say, I was feeling a tad anxious about the trip. It was actually my first time driving my baby boy anywhere after not being able to drive for six weeks post surgery. Throw in the nerves I was feeling about how my baby boy would cope with the scan, whether he would settle or not, whether the appointment would time badly with him needing a feed… it was a whole host of overwhelming emotions to overcome. And yet the sonographer was wonderful with both of us – so gentle and calming. She put both of us at ease and my baby boy was relaxed throughout the relatively quick scan. And it was good news for both of us as his hips were fine. 

Breech Baby Number Two

My eldest was three years old (almost four) when I became pregnant with my second son. And it wasn’t long before members of the family were questioning, “I wonder if this baby will be breech too?” Of course, this question also stuck in my mind. About midway through my pregnancy, I was invited to the hospital to discuss my birth options (an appointment that is typically offered for all mothers who have previously had a C-section). Again, they were confident that if I wanted to, I would be a good candidate for a natural birth. However, as my pregnancy progressed and I went to my midwife appointments, she questioned whether my baby was positioned as it should be. Another trip to the hospital confirmed her suspicions – my second baby was breech too. We had the same repeated conversations as before: “There's plenty of time for baby to turn.” And again, I just knew that this one would be just like his older brother!  

A Heart-Shaped Womb      

My second pregnancy continued just like my first, and once again I was booked in for a planned C-section. Slightly more in the know this time, I knew what to expect. And yet if anything, I think I was more nervous the second time around! The hospital staff were brilliant and helped to deliver another healthy and beautiful baby boy. This time, the surgeon who delivered my baby came to see me following the birth and said that he noticed that I had a heart-shaped womb (the likely cause of why both my babies were breech), something that, until that day, I was completely unaware of. Considering the odds of carrying two breech babies (I’m not sure what the odds are, but I’m guessing pretty low!), his words made a lot of sense. 

Feelings of Gratitude    

At the end of the day, my two gorgeous boys arrived safe and well which I’m beyond thankful for. I’m grateful that in this modern day, there is so much more knowledge out there about breech births. With the help of the medical staff that looked after us, I was advised to make birthing decisions that (although not what I had initially in mind) were best for me and both of my babies. I may not have experienced what it feels like for my waters to break or to have contractions…but I’m told that I’m not missing out on that front! We were looked after so well and I will forever be grateful for that. 

Have you read our other Surviving Parenthood blogs? 

Surviving Parenthood: Four Years Apart

Surviving Parenthood: Navigating Nature and Nurture When Your Child is Just Like You

Surviving Parenthood: Contact Naps 

This Blog is proudly brought to you by the Twinkl Parents Team. Please bear in mind, the views and opinions expressed are those of individuals, and do not represent those of Twinkl. These are personal stories and do not aim to reflect the experiences of everyone in the same situation.