Sarah’s Planned Caesarean for Frank Breech Baby
This positive birth story is with Sarah who hoped to have a waterbirth. However, her baby was frank breech and ECV was unsuccessful, so she opted for a planned caesarean and describes it as “the most amazing experience”. Love reading positive birth stories? You’re in the right place!
Like many, my birth ‘plan’ was to have spontaneous labour, a water birth and to nail it using just breathing and gas/air. Mister man had different ideas though and was frank breech from 33 weeks. We researched anything that may help to turn him. I began with holistic methods – we did moxibustion most nights, along with any and all inversions! (see Spinning Babies website).
Using EBRAN to choose ECV
After being given our options by the hospital (C section no ECV, C section if needed after ECV, or vaginal birth) we used EBRAN (multiple times in every which way) to decide what was best for us. We opted to try the ECV as I was determined to try everything possible to turn baby.
I felt quite anxious ahead of the procedure and had been using my breathing techniques and relaxation audios to prepare and calm my overactive mind. This being said, I also felt positive and totally in control in that it was our choice. It it was a choice we had both fully considered and were informed about (I’m a research nerd who reads up excessively). The staff at the hospital were amazing and once I was there, I got fully in the zone with my breathing techniques. My husband remarked how unphased I was – down mainly to the controlled breathing. I had 2 doctors try to turn baby and I’ll be frank (no pun intended ), it was the most uncomfortable and painful experience I’ve had. I opted not to try gas and air when it was offered midway, but this was an option.
Controlled breathing was invaluable in remaining calm (along with crushing my husband’s hand). The consultant felt she could try for 17 minutes as I was apparently tolerating it so well! Whilst it was unsuccessful, I felt really proud of myself and happy that we’d tried that avenue.
There was part of me that (ridiculously) felt like I was ‘failing’ if I couldn’t deliver my baby naturally. It took me some time to get my head round having a caesarean section. Through the course, I’d been visualising so many different birth scenarios and imagining all the different outcomes…
Making a Plan B
When it came to it, I was gutted I may not get my spontaneous, natural labour I’d hoped for. Having said this, after the “failed” ECV, we finalised our birth preferences and felt entirely in control of the situation and indescribably excited!! We saw all the positives in our new plan and after being given a date for the section. We had some fun with our families with them placing wagers on what day baby would be worn.
Caesarean Section to Deliver Frank Breech Baby
The actual caesarean was T H E most amazing experience. It felt like all the Christmas Days in one! Again, I used my breathing techniques (more the night before actually) to control my nerves of the unknown, but the staff were so amazing and reassuring from start to finish.
It ended up feeling like I was in surgery with a bunch of friends!
Despite it being a planned caesarean section, we still wrote some birth preferences. One of which was to drop the drapes as soon as possible. I’ll never forget the moment I saw my little boy’s bum enter the world… Swiftly followed by his beautiful head which was momentarily stuck near my ribs! This immediately explained why the ECV was unsuccessful.
He was quite sleepy initially and needed waking to feed, and along with my flat nips, he was struggling to latch effectively. Despite desperately wanting to get home, I chose to stay in hospital an extra night for more support with breastfeeding. This was the best decision I could have made. Once home and feeling more confident, he was latching like a trooper and still so far so good. Not a sore nip in sight amazingly.
Even if your birth ‘idea’ doesn’t go quite the way you envisaged, using hypnobirthing tools and having the right positive mindset means you can still feel so empowered and in control.
Click the link for more information about The Bump to Baby Chapter’s Hypnobirthing and Antenatal Online Course. Know what you can do to stack the odds in your favour for the birth that you want. Videos, checklists, audios & a support group all created by a midwife to get you feeling excited, prepared and confident for birth.
