Turning baby into position - what worked for you?

C

cyclinggirl

Cathlete
Hi Moms and Mommies to be,

I'm just 33 weeks tomorow and I'm looking for any tips on how to get my baby (1st child) into position so I'm not dealing with a breech baby. I don't have confirmation of my baby's current position (transverse diagonal? I suspect), but I should have a better sense when I see my midwife on monday.

If anyone has tried techniques that DEFINITELY worked I'm all ears. Please share...I've found a lot of info on the web but want to know if anyone has tried these techniques first hand and seen them work.

Today I tried music and it seems like it could really work to move the baby either toward soft music or away from hard rock music.

Thanks in advance for any tips! :)

Best,
Steph
 
Hi, Steph,

In my childbirth class, they recommended two positions:
1) Getting down on all fours - like you're about to do that cat stretch yoga position
2) Sitting in a chair backwards so you can lean forward - turn a chair around so the back is facing forward. Straddle the chair so you can lean your upper body against the back of the chair.

The nurse told us that any variation of these positions work too - e.g. standing next to your bed and leaning forward with your forearms resting on the mattress . . .

Hope this helps and good luck. Your day is almost here!!!!

Chrissy
Ella - born 9/5/07
8lbs 4 oz
21"
 
Thanks Chrissy!!

I tried a bunch of things today and tonight my little one definitely shifted into a southerly direction. My bump has taken on a slightly different shape from this afternoon -- so cool that this stuff works!!

Your positions sound great and a lot more comfy than some of the others I've tried...did the slantboard thing this morning...along with music at my pelvis -- fun, fun. :)

So how is little Ella? And how are you? You sound great, are you adjusting to mommyhood? I read some of your posts and you seem to be a natural to me. I hope things continue to go well.

Thanks again for the help!

Steph
 
Steph,
I'd be interested to hear what those couple of things were that you did to get the baby to turn. I'm 31+ now, and about 2 1/2 weeks ago, my doc told me the baby was still right side up (head against the top of the uterus). She wasn't worried because she said the baby still had plenty of time to turn; she also said that they often turn by themselves around weeks 32+ when the space grows cramped. Apparently, they find the restricted space more comfortable when they turn upside down and get into birthing position. I guess they have more room to stretch their legs this way.

I plan to have a natural, unmedicated birth, so I certainly want to make sure my baby is in a good position.
Manmohini
 
Hi Manmohini,

Good timing! I just sent the links I've been using to my friend who's 1 week ahead of me. Her baby was in position but has done a flip turn.

Here are my favorite resources:

http://pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/baby/How-can-I-tell-your-babys-position-in-utero-175.htm
(this was really helpful!)

http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/turning_a_breech_baby

http://www.babyworld.co.uk/information/birth/assisted_delivery/positioning_baby_for_birth.asp

http://www.birthinternational.com/articles/andrea13.html
(I've done the feet on wall thing with my ipod headphones just above my pelvis...sounds crazy but it got things moving!)

http://www.mother-care.ca/breech.htm#tilt

Good luck!
Steph
 
Hey, Steph,

I don't know if I'm a natural . . .sometimes it feels like I'm just flailing about barely keeping my head above the water. There's so much to try to figure out: sleeping schedules, bathing baby, soothing techniques, interpreting crying - and then throw BREASTFEEDING in there! Eeeek!

I love her to death though!!!! Oh my gosh, I can't wait until your little one is here. You're just going to love your little baby. Looks like we'll see you on the post-partum boards soon! Keep us updated!

Chrissy
 
Hi Steph,

This is probably not very helpful, but I'll tell you what DIDN'T work for me! I tried some of the position things and music, and ended up going in at around 33 weeks to get my baby physically turned. My ob/gyn was able to turn her so her head was at my waist instead of at my ribs (and boy, did that hurt). Well, 2 hours after I got home, I felt a stretch and a wriggle, and my daughter's head was right back up at my ribs again. So I ended up having to have a C-section. That was 5 years and 5 weeks ago, and my worries & panic about my daughter being a breech baby seem like they're from another lifetime. Everything turned out fine and it will for you too!

Good luck getting your baby turned. I hope you are more successful than I was.

Stebby
 
Hey there ladies,

I saw my midwife today and she did an exam and informed me that my baby is in THE position, head down feet up. Lovely. I'm so happy!! Yes, I know the baby can squirm back out of position any time, but...I'm trying to be conscious of sitting up straight and not lying back on the couch and sinking in etc. I guess that can help pop them back out. Who knows. For now, I'm relieved and happy. :)

Chrissy, it must all be very overwhelming at first...I can only imagine. But you sound like you've got it all in perspective and are enjoying little Ella. Even though some of this stuff is "natural" that doesn't mean it comes naturally (especially nursing!), it's all an adjustment so hang in there and don't let yourself get down. If you just keep on keeping on and I'm sure it will all fall into place in time. By the time my baby is here you'll be an old pro!!

Have a good week!

Steph
 
Hello! I am a proud mom of a 16 month old and when I was pregnant my little one never got into position..i tried everything to get her to turn but for the whole pregnancy she stayed in the same place, never moved..a month before my due date they wanted to "turn" her through some kind of mechanism and i decided against it...i felt like if it was meant for her to be where she was than let it be....i ended up having a c-section and she is gorgeous....

Jessica
www.FreedomAtHomeTeam.com/JJBogos
 
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