Breech

So we had our growth ultrasound this past Friday, where we discovered that little Owen is in the breech position.

The perinatologist who does our ultrasounds, said that there is still a chance he will flip on his own. But my regular OB called on Monday morning (they had just gotten the ultrasound results) and she was not happy that he was still breech at over 34 weeks *sigh* So she is sending us for a follow-up ultrasound next week, when he will be 36 weeks, to see if he has flipped on his own yet. If he hasn't, then we will begin discussing our options at my regular prenatal appointment the following day on Thursday.

I'm honestly not really sure how I feel about all this yet - I guess I just sort of assumed that we had gotten this far without any complications, now the rest would go smoothly and be easy ::: insert side-eye stare and sarcastic snort at self ::: But of course, nothing can be that easy... especially not for me. I'm trying my hardest not to jump to any conclusions just yet. We still have a week before we know anything for sure, and I don't even know what my OB will suggest.

There are some methods for getting the baby to turn on their own:

- External Version; where the doctor physically tries to rotate the baby by pushing on and manipulating your stomach.

- Breech Tilt; where you lay on your back, in a downward angled position, with your feet and hips elevated.

- Music and Light; using baby's sound and sigh to draw them into the head down position.

- Chiropractic and Acupuncture; of course preformed by a trained professional.

I have been attempting the Breech Tilt on my own at home, but it is very very difficult to do at almost 35 weeks pregnant. Gravity basically pushes everything into your chest, making it even more difficult to breathe (as if that were possible) and of course all of the blood rushes to your head = lovely vertigo and headache :o( And I've been coupling that with Music and Light, trying to draw him into a head down position.

So if he is still breech next week, it wont be for a lack of my trying - that's for sure!

I will be interested to see what my OB recommends. I have heard that External Version is not pleasant, painful in fact, and can cause your water to break. Even if she were to recommend it, I'm not sure that I would outright accept it.

And of course there's always a Cesarean Section, which is a popular remedy for breech babies.

I suppose that the c-section option is what I am most concerned about. Obviously that's the last resort and I am trying mentally to slowly begin preparing myself for that, just in case. I've been going over the pros and cons in my head, but I honestly can't decide how I feel about the possibility.

Pros: we'll know exactly when he's coming, we can be fully prepared, no "negative effect(s)" on my "private area(s)", less chance for complications...

Cons: major surgery, longer recovery time, less anticipation and excitement without the element of surprise, not having and the possibility of never being able to have a traditional vaginal birth...

I guess when it comes down to it, my major concern(s) revolve around my personal feelings. I don't want to be disappointed or feel like a failure as a woman because I didn't have a "traditional" vaginal birth. All of my girlfriends (none have had a c-section) share stories and talk about their birth experiences - I feel like I would be sad to be left out of all that.

I'd love to hear thoughts from my readers :o)

Anyone with personal experience in any of these areas?