Breech Birth?

What options do you really have for breech birth? And will your doctor tell you about them?

I consider myself educated about birth and research-based practices. I studied all I could before I was pregnant and while I was pregnant.

So why did I agree to an elective c-section?

I thought I had no other option.

It frustrates me, angers me, saddens me to learn now what options I did have, but at the time had no way of finding out.

I feel lied to, mislead, coerced even.

It hurts that I feel so taken advantage of.

The situation: I made my doctor very aware throughout my pregnancy of my intention for a drug-free natural birth. This was usually met with a well-meaning but slightly condescending comment that I “really had no idea of how my labor might go, that it might be as long as 12 hours and I may change my mind.”

This should have been my first clue – a doctor should always support any healthy practice. This includes encouragement and even giving further resources. A doctor should never discourage a healthy practice. (How many of us would go to a doctor who told us starting an exercise program or diet was really hard and that we might want to change our mind once we started?!)

Late in pregnancy when he was stubbornly breech, I wish my doctor would have given me other options rather than a scheduled cesarean before my due date. Yes, I should have looked into options on my own as well. However, ethically, a doctor should give you all information. Period.

What could these options have been?

1. Switch to a practitioner trained in vaginal breech birth. There is at least one in the area (I know this now and with I had known then). Research says that vaginal breech birth is just as safe as cesarean breech for the baby and presents fewer complications for the mother. I believe it is unethical not to provide this information.
2. Wait until I went into labor to do a cesarean. It seems that we are so focused on the pain of labor (next post will discuss a bit of this) that we forget that labor is beneficial for both mother and baby. Babies benefit from the contractions of labor; they help push fluid from the lungs in preparation for breathing. Both mother and baby benefit from the natural hormonal cocktail (which is very different from the unnatural Pitocin many get) – lactation is facilitated and the baby is better prepared for the sudden environment change. Bonding is initiated. These benefits cannot be overlooked or ignored – they equate fewer NICU stays and better lactation success. Additionally, there is some, however slim, chance that a breech baby may turn during labor. Again, it is unethical for a practitioner to neglect to mention these facts.

I’m starting very much to question going back to my current OB/GYN for future pregnancies – even though I have heard he will attend VBACs. I feel he neglected to tell me so much that I wonder what he might leave out of his VBAC “standard of care.”

I’m always looking for VBAC and breech birth information in the area, and would love to hear about VBAC and breech supportive providers – even homebirth midwives. (which, judging from the research I found for my last post, is looking to be more and more of an option)

A little end note: I would love to get my hands on this film – A Breech in the System.