BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 03:34 PM

Not to worry, SRS, thanks. She has read my copy of Spiritual Midwifery as well as a couple of other books, grown up with "radical wimmin," and has already discussed this with him. :-) I've had lower back problems all of my adult years due to delivering all three of my children in the prone position and them all being the face-up, or is it face-down that puts so much pressure on the lower back, whichever, it was the more unusual way. Ever seen a picture of an old-time "birthing stool?" That, or squatting, makes much more sense!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Tam the Bam (Nutter)
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 11:42 AM

I wish my mother knew about this, because I was born breeched.
That was in 1965, however I had a few medical problems after my birth.
Which may or my not been part of the breech birth.

Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 11:25 PM

Kat, I hope your daughter has a doctor who doesn't insist she lie on her back to deliver. That is the worst position because it presents all sorts of extra obstacles. If you don't have your legs and hips stretched out in a prone position, you're much less likely to get the "hips too small" hyperbole. Sitting or squatting you can push more effectively, and it's a helluva lot quicker.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: alison
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 07:47 PM

unfortunately.... again due to litigation doctors everywhere are heading towards C sections..... they can be sued up to 18 years after the delivery so many of them feel that it is easier & safer for them to do the op ..... thats a shame but it is the way things are going....

heartburn remedy...... peppermint, & reflexology get someone else to massage the soles of your feet... they need to do swiping movements with their thumbs (like windscreen wipers on a car).... the direction depends on which way you wan the wind to go..... stroke towards the toes to make it come up, towards the heel to make it go out the other end..... *grin*

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: smallpiper
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 07:42 PM

Ride a bicycle - a friend of mine was advised to do this and sure enough the baby turned in time.

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 06:10 PM

I know it probably seems you have to go to the bathroom a lot already, but be sure you are drinking plenty of water and the alkaline foods recommendation is good, too, imo.

My oldest daughter's friend just finally had her second son...he was past the due date and weighed 9lbs 1 oz!

My youngest daughter is due in Dec. and her doc has already said he's not sure her hips will allow a vaginal birth, BUT we'll see...she had no problems with riding horses all of her life and the docs in WY seem to have a penchant for C-sections.

Good health to you and the baby, whichever way it happens.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 05:04 PM

Every time I've been pregnant I've had heartburn. Only thing I ever found that helped was raw celery. Fingers crossed for you!

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 03:47 PM

Don't know if you can take it while pregnant, but there is deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL. The brand I use is called Enzymatic Therapies, and I get it off the shelf at my food coop. Now, licorice root (what this is) is a pretty potent herb, so I'd check with your midwife or whomever, to see if it can be taken while pregnant.

That said, if you can take it, you chew 2 tablets 20-30 mins before eating. It does help somewhat, but if you have chronic reflux (a possibility) rather than heartburn now and then, it might not help much. In that case, you need to eliminate caffeine and alcohol (which I assume you aren't currently using while pregnant), which are two of the worst offenders. Next, eat LOTS of fresh fruits and veggies, which are mostly alkaline. They will help balance the over acidic tummy, though it takes a couple of days of diet change to do that. Avoid sugar, salt, and yes, spicy foods. Sorry! It is sad, but so is feeling awful from over acidic system. Also, try and limit the amount of processed foods (this includes bread, quick rice, any prepared wheat products like tortillas, etc), and no junk foods. You can still eat some dairy, like yogurt, but cheese usually exacerbates the problem.

And remember, October 10th is only a few weeks away!

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Beccy
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 03:24 PM

Believe me! I know that it isn't the end of the word... it's just that I'm a gal who likes to be physically active and the c-section is enforced relaxation whilst in physical discomfort- you can see how that would annoy me. However, I am just concerned that my baby is safely delivered, which is why I would agree to the c-section in the first place. I've had two vaginally and one by c-section and the only difference is that my breech baby likes to sit upside down on the couch- he's always liked being wrong-side up! :-) He's a love, the other boys are loves and I'd just like to not be recovering from surgery the first few days of my wee angel's introduction to our world.
Update? Had an appointment today and he's still bum down. We've scheduled a section for October 10th- provided we don't start the action early or he doesn't turn. This appeals to the planner in me as my eldest boy (almost 6 yrs old- he would say...) won tickets to a Buffalo Bills football game and is wildly excited (as is his Daddy) and I'd hate to have him go to the game with anyone but Dad. So... the moral of the story is that there is a bright side to everything- even if it DOES come with painkillers.

Beccy
P.S. Whilst we're on home remedies... Anyone have a good one for heartburn AND turning a breech baby simultaneously??? :-) And don't tell me no spicy food- 'cause I'll curl up and die. Besides, I tried that for two days and not only did it NOT help, it made me cranky! Eggs minus hot sauce just is so sad.

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 10:13 AM

The information on the scanning of the pelvis is really interesting alison. Last night I was listening to Lady Heather Mills McCartney (how's that for a mouthful of a name) talk about her pregnancy and planned delivery by c section this coming November. The reason she must have the c section is because she has a steel plate in her pelvis from her accident, so the pelvis can't move (read: open) to allow the baby out.

One of the things she said was just as you are saying--once you know it's a c section, you just accept it. She said she never really felt a longing for a vaginal birth, because it simply isn't possible, like many things in her life because of her physical limitations. But she said the important thing is to focus on what you can do with your physical limitations. For her, she feels very blessed that after her accident she is still able to have a baby, and her a mother for the first time at 35.

You are so right about the c section. It isn't so much about how the baby gets here, only that you want mother and baby to deliver in the healthiest way possible for both. Having a c section is much preferable to the alternative, after all. Until medicine became advanced enough to deliver babies safely via c section, the alternative to a safe and healthy baby was usually quite a grim one for both mother and baby. But especially mother.

Very best of luck to you Beccy. You'll soon be in the "falling in love" phase, and that does help quite a bit--we'd never have a second one if we didn't fall so madly in love and release all those endorphins once delivery is behind you!

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: alison
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 07:49 AM

OK from a midwife point of view.... yes in the olden days before litigation they would try to turn the baby manually (they still taught us this 14 years ago)...... now even the obstetricians won't try it... as it is VERY risky...... (ripping off the placenta, tying knots in the cord etc)...... some will try it though with an epidural already administered, and in an operating theatre so as if the baby has fetal distress they can do the immediate c section.

my kids were both stubborn little buggers...... both head first but both in the OP position..... that is their spine was against my spine making it really painful for me, and difficult for them to curl up for delivery...... I did all the crawling about on all fours... lying over bean bags etc..... but in the end there is a reason why babies fit into your pelvis the way they do....... the reason being the shape of each individual pelvis..... some people will only be able to carry breech babies...... same as mine only wanted to be born back to front

often over here they do pelvimetry ... ie a scan of the pelvis after the first birth (if it ended in a C section).... to find out why... so many mums know in advance that every delivery will have to be a C section as the baby simply won't fit any other way.....

good luck with the ginger, but remember another C section isn't the end of the world.. the important thing is a healthy baby


slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: LadyJean
Date: 22 Sep 03 - 11:38 PM

My friend Emily's son was born feet first. He plays ice hockey, but other than that there's nothing wrong with him. She had two other children, perfectly normally. One of them is named Cornelia, but I think there are ways of preventing that.

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 22 Sep 03 - 01:03 PM

In a similar vein to Sorcha's suggestion (although do not replace vibrator in other circumstances!) is a pack of frozen peas placed at head end.

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Beccy
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 04:10 PM

Right- but moxibustion is often taught to the client by the acupunturist/acupressurist- I didn't say I was using it... I said I was using the ginger on the toe. As for danger with THAT? I get more ginger absorbed through my skin in cooking than in putting it on my toe and I'm not dead yet. I'll not get worked up, but I'll also not try anything stupid. So far, no flip. We'll see-

Beccy

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 03 - 10:54 PM

It is a real word used in acupuncture.

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Amos
Date: 20 Sep 03 - 09:01 PM

Is moxibustion an actual word? Or the name of a product?

A

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Sep 03 - 07:30 PM

Moxibustion is very powerful, but you absolutely shouldn't be doing these procedures on your own. It needs to be done by a certified acupuncturist. As to self-treatment and self-medication, including with herbal remedies, all I can say is YIKES!

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Sep 03 - 11:28 AM

Of course, you may just have to accept that baby wants to give it's opinion of this world first.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 20 Sep 03 - 11:07 AM

Open Mike,

You beat me to it. A very experienced doula that I know suggests swimming.

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Sep 03 - 10:33 PM

Just heard one that sounds as if it might work......run a vibrator over your upper belly where the baby's head is. They don't like it and turn around. Might need to do more than once.

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: open mike
Date: 19 Sep 03 - 06:47 PM

i have some floors that need scrubbing if that would help!
perhaps swimming? and turning over under water would give
the kid a new angle on things??

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Peg
Date: 19 Sep 03 - 05:01 PM

I was a breech and Mom did   not have a   C-section;   I was her third, though. But she did not have inordinately wide hips, either...
would yoga deemed suitablefor pregnancy help? yoga positions and stretches   can be very   helpful at realigning muscles and organs..maybe a baby too. (Ask your ob-gyn, though).

Good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Mrrzy
Date: 19 Sep 03 - 02:11 PM

Tim was breech and they just got him out feet first, but he was tiny. I don't think that works for a full-termer... Let us know about the toe thing!

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: radriano
Date: 19 Sep 03 - 01:16 PM

We wanted a home birth for our daughter when, fairly late in the pregnancy, she turned around and became breech. We had two doctors manually turn her successfully, with the understanding that if it didn't work my wife would be immediately wheeled in for a c-section.

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 04:04 PM

When we found that Bratling was upside down (and every other wrong way a baby can be - facing out with her legs completely straight - toes in her ears), I tried the old fashioned way. I got down on my hands and knees and scrubbed half the length of the hall floor. It worked! She turned round. Then I went home and finished the floor and the little cow turned back again. She ended up being a C section because despite having a fat arse, there was no way she was going to fit through the gap. We knew she was a girl before they'd even finished the cut!

Good luck with it, and enjoy, what ever happens!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Beccy
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 03:40 PM

Thanks, Kat... I think I'll just put the ginger paste over the sides of both small toes... that ought to cover my bases :-) It's a danged good thing I like ginger.

Beccy

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 02:15 PM

Yikes, any day now! If you go to this page and click on the foot link, it comes up with a pretty good diagram for the top of the foot. There's also a link for bottom of the foot, etc. I hope this helps.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Beccy
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 01:41 PM

I'm 36 weeks along... Um...can someone translate this for me? 0.1' from post edge of nail-root of little toe, lat side (That is the elusive acupoint I'm supposed to find upon which to apply my ginger paste.) I'm ever so tired.

Beccy

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 01:26 PM

Beccy, in a couple of my midwifery books, one technique that has worked to turn the baby during labour has been to have the mom on all fours, belly hanging down, like a cat or dog. This is to utilise the force of gravity in getting the baby to reposition.

You must be getting close to delivery-time, eh? Good luck and best wishes,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: brid widder
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 01:23 PM

My bum was the first part of me to see the light of day ... & I was born at home!!... some might say I've been showing the world my arse ever since!

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Amos
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 12:57 PM

How'd they get 6'4 worth of information into that little bitty package??

A

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 12:49 PM

aww...he was only moderate length...then...6'4" now..

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 12:43 PM

well - it was kinda cramped in there for the shadowmonk!

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 12:24 PM

we had no choice 21 years ago...baby kicked down for several months,(I'm told that was not exactly fun), refused to turn, and wanted to stick one leg into the birth canal! C-section was only way, and even then he stuck the other foot out first and had to be turned before they could extract him.

It would have been pretty serious otherwise...

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 12:12 PM

to qoute the site linked above: "In breech presentation babies, the acupoint BL 67, located on the outside of the little toe, is stimulated"

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Beccy
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 12:09 PM

There are three kinds of breech- Frank breech (the most common) is butt down, hips flexed, head up to one side and feet folded up near head. Footling breech is with feet or foot extended below baby's bum. Last is complete breech, which is where both hips and knees are flexed and baby is butt down.

beccy

P.s. does anyone know where exactly the acupoint is for the ginger paste/moxibustion???

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 12:02 PM

Is a frank breech different from an ordinary breech? Never heard the term before.

moxibustion

Subject: RE: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Homeless
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 11:15 AM

Place an ironing board or some other firm surface between a chair and the floor so that it is sloped. Lie with you head at the bottom end of the slope. Being inverted can sometimes cause the baby to turn.

You also might want to find a midwife who can try manually turning the baby. And alison can probably give you a few different ideas to try.

Subject: BS: Home remedies for turning a breech baby
From: Beccy
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 11:01 AM

Anyone have any ideas on home remedies for turning a frank breech baby? This is frank breech number 2 for me and I'd like to avoid another c-section if possible!
I've read about moxibustion and ginger paste, and am planning on trying the ginger paste, but would like more ideas, too!

Thanks,
Beccy