Breech Babies Club

Teddy’s birth – a planned midwife-supported hospital breech birth

I discovered Teddy was breech at a growth scan at 36 weeks- it was completely unexpected as I had three different midwives at three previous appointments all tell me that the baby was ‘definitely head down.’ One of those appointments was two days before the growth scan!

I opted for an ECV which was booked at 37 weeks. I then spent the next week and a half desperately doing anything to try and turn baby. This was probably the most stressful time of my whole pregnancy. I physically and mentally exhausted myself with all the Spinning Babies exercises, handstands in the pool, acupuncture with moxibustion and just generally being terrified to sit down and slouch just in case he had miraculously turned and I did something that made him go back into the breech position. Sadly, not only was I unable to turn baby via these methods, the ECV also failed. Teddy’s bum was too engaged in my pelvis and they could not even start the procedure as he would not budge! The consultant assumed I would be booking in for a c-section and was shocked when I explained that I was still considering a VBB. She went on to list all the reasons why this wasn’t a good idea, but I had already started to do some research at this point and found a number of her reasons contradictory to what I had been looking at. My main fear with considering a VBB was the level of skill of the midwives as I was aware that it wasn’t common practice and, despite training, many of the midwives may have never delivered a breech baby or attended a breech birth. I knew that if I could find someone who had experience, was on the same page as me and who I could trust, then I really felt that I could do it.

I was booked in the following week to discuss options and come to a decision on whether I was going to opt for the c- section or VBB. My husband, James, and I spent the weekend researching via podcasts, looking at the work of Shawn Walker and the Optibreech trial and watching videos of VBBs. I had also spoken to a couple of local doulas as was considering additional support in this form if I was unable to find a midwife who was able to support me. One of the things I did struggle to find was a wealth of positive VBB stories, which is one of the main reasons I am writing this as I was desperate for any real life examples which could reassure me and make me feel like it was possible and that I was making the right decision.

We both felt pretty well informed by the time we met with the consultant on Monday- which made it all the more shocking when everything we were being told about the VBB contradicted all of the research we had done. For example, I was under the impression that the “hands off the breech” approach was best and that the best way to approach labour would to be in upright, forward and open positions and to even give birth on all fours. Yet, in my meeting, I was told that I would need an epidural at 5cm and would need to be on my back with legs in stirrups. When we questioned this, the consultant claimed that I would be in too much pain and by the time I am in the transitional phase, I wouldn’t be aware of what is going on and they would struggle to help me as I would be experiencing so much pain. I was determined to not have an epidural as I knew how important it would be to know when to push. Obviously, having not given birth before, I had no idea how painful it might be- but I also had confidence in myself that I couldn’t imagine myself reacting in the way the consultant described.

In my quest to turn baby, a number of people had mentioned a Kettering Community Midwife, Keeley. They said she had experience of delivering babies via VBB. I was given her contact details via an independent midwife and she was kind enough to meet with me. The experience of meeting and discussing a VBB with Keeley was so vastly different to my experience in the hospital with consultants, etc. She had been trained by Shawn Walker and her view of a positive VBB was exactly on the same page as mine. She made me feel like I could do it and I felt really supported by her. She gave me her number so that, if and when I went into labour, I could phone her and she would be there for me. She also informed me of another midwife who was also experienced and could support if, for any reason, Keeley couldn’t be there with me. I was so glad that I was able to make that contact with Keeley, as it was the final thing I needed to truly have the confidence to go ahead with the VBB.

My labour started early Saturday morning. I contacted Keeley when I started experiencing contractions every 5 minutes and by 2am Sunday morning, I had arrived at the hospital and was 4cm dilated. I was advised to keep active and they would look to move me into a private room in the next hour or so. I walked up and down the corridors and used my birthing ball until I was ready to go into a private room. In the private room, I almost instantly started feeling the contractions ramp up in intensity and frequency. We had gotten the room ready with battery operated tea light candles, our birth playlist playing, lavender scented room spray and alongside using hypnobirthing techniques (breathing, visualisation, etc), I also had a wave comb. When I was 8cm dilated, I started to have the urge to push but was worried that baby’s head would get stuck if I wasn’t fully dilated. Until this point, I had been following what my body was telling me to do and, in a panic, I started trying to hold in the urge and fight against the contractions. This distracted me from my breathing and was when the contractions were at their most painful. Keeley must have noticed that something had changed and I explained to her why I was holding back. She confirmed that I was ok to push and that was a massive relief.

As soon as I got onto the bed, into an all fours position, and started pushing, I felt much better. The pushing stage did not feel long at all and apparently Keeley and Melissa (the additional midwife who came in to support) chased the consultants away as they were confident that everything was going smoothly. Very soon, Teddy’s bottom was making an appearance and I was able to push more of his body out with each contraction. His left arm did get slightly stuck, Keeley unhooked it, and as soon as his face and nose were out, he started crying, which was such as a relief, as I had read that sometimes breech babies can take a little while to respond after birth. All that was left, was the top of Teddy’s head (from his eyes upwards) and this was where my contractions seemed to stop. I knew that I only had so much time to get the rest of his head out, so I did start to panic a little at this point. However, with a bit of coaching to push from the midwives and my husband, and some support with positioning from Keeley, Teddy made his full appearance into the world- six and a half hours after I had arrived at the hospital. James and I found out the gender together. It was such a magical moment. And, if anyone had told me that I would be giving birth to a breech baby on no pain relief, I would have not believed them. I felt invincible and so happy that I had stuck to my gut instinct about Teddy’s birth.

I am really grateful to have had the support of my husband and Keeley throughout the labour. It made me feel secure and confident to know that I had people who understood and supported what I wanted alongside me throughout the experience. I also feel proud that I was able to prove that a VBB is possible and is safe- just a variation of normal! I really hope that my story can inspire some confidence and reassurance in others whatever decision they make with a breech baby. I am aware that a VBB may not suit everyone, but after my experience, I believe that it is so empowering to be informed and to feel that you actually have a choice without being pressured or coerced down a route which may not be right for you or your baby. I also find it concerning how midwives are becoming more and more deskilled when it comes to VBB as it means more people are put off the VBB route due to lack of confidence. I hope my story can somewhat normalise a breech birth and show that it isn’t scary or massively riskier than any other type of birth- and that it can in fact be an equally wonderful and positive experience.

Listed below are a few of the links that I used to help inform my decision- thought they might be helpful for anyone who is interested/ going through a similar experience as I know they really helped me:

Cassie’s birth – nothing like I pictured or planned

I wasn’t sure if I should tell my story as people always say to me you have been though the mill but I did not feel that way at all as I have an amazing beautiful happy baby and I know I made all the right choices for my birth.

When I found out I was pregnant the doctor referred me for therapy with regards to my needle phobia. I had a session most weeks before my birth and this really helped me along with the hypnobirthing course to get though my pregnancy as I never feared birth, I feared blood tests, injections and cannulas. I would use my affirmations when I had to have any needles to keep me calm. ( I have even used them now when having the covid jab and further blood tests after birth).

I had the usual morning sickness 7 weeks till 16 weeks (but it was all day) – thank god for the 3rd lockdown so I was working from home.

I suffered with insomnia most of my pregnancy but I’m not a big sleeper so I managed fine with the tiredness.
At my 20 week scan we found out the placenta was low laying and we were having a girl ?

I had already started the Positive Birth Course and affirmations so it really kept me calm and helped me not to worry too much.

At 28 weeks I woke in the night and had been bleeding heavily. I calmly went to the hospital and was monitored for a few hours till the bleed stopped. I was admitted as a precaution and went for a scan – they said that the placenta had moved and in the process they think it caused a vein to rip and cause the bleed. I stayed in hospital for 36 hours and had some steroid jabs just in case of early labour. But everything was fine. ? The only part of the whole process I found upsetting was when they gave me leaflets on if my baby came before 30 weeks and I read them when I was very tired!

I went for a scan at 32 weeks and they confirmed that the baby was frank breech but my midwives said that there was plenty of time for turning.

At 34 weeks I had a little wobble and went to the midwife as I was worried about her not turning and wanted to know what I could do. They told me that the baby was head down and to not worry till 36 weeks.

36 weeks… The same midwife told me the baby was still breech, I was so upset (and pretty pissed off) but they put me straight under the consultant at the Jessops hospital and she was amazing!

An ECV was attempted at 37 weeks but my little girl was not moving! I used my affirmations and felt it was meant to be so embraced the breech and was no longer worried about it all.

At this point I was offered a c-section at 39 weeks or a scan to check I could go for VBB (vaginal breech birth). I opted for the scan.

39 weeks scan all was well and good for VBB. As you cannot be induced with a breech baby I had a c-section booked in for 41+5 which gave me time for labour to start naturally.

40+1 – first sweep – I chose to have the sweep to see what stage my body was at. My cervix was closed.

40+5 – 2nd sweep – cervix was still long but starting to open up. I made the decision this was my last sweep now I knew things where moving along.

41+1 – I had decided to go for reflexology as it had been recommended to help relax especially if I was to need the c-section.

That morning some of my plug had come away so I was a little excited but I knew that it could still be a few days. The reflexology was amazing and so calming, after this I went for a walk and lunch with my mum and then went home to lay watching movies. At 4pm I was 10 minutes from the end of Rocketman (yes I was singing along the whole film) and I decided to sit on my ball. A few bounces in and I felt a pop and a gush. My waters and my plug had gone. Thank goodness we have a downstairs toilet as I managed to get there without making too much of a mess. You know how they say your waters don’t go in the movies… well mine did.

I shouted to my partner who luckily works from home to help me clean up and get me some clean clothes. At this point I did not have any contractions so I called the hospital who were mega busy. They said to make my way to the hospital and they would check me over. As they were so busy I asked if we could have our tea first! Tea of champions… Chicken nuggets and chips ?

At 6pm my mum came and took us down to the hospital. I had started to get mild back ache. After an hour waiting to be seen my contractions had started to get stronger and I needed my up breathing while tracking on the Freya app. While waiting I felt a gush again and had to ask for some pads as my partner was outside with my bag which had all my stuff in. (Bloody covid)

When I went to change I had a major shock… it was all dark. It was meconium. Now no one had warned me about this with breech. When a baby is breech the contractions can cause it to go to the toilet … a-lot!!! Obviously I knew if it was in waters it was dangerous to the baby but that’s just if baby is head down. But when the baby is head up it’s normal and nothing to be worried about. It’s very unglamorous!

I was monitored for the first hour to check the baby was ok and contractions were about 1 every 15 minutes. At about 8pm they examined me and I was only 1cm. They took me off the monitor and said I would need to stay and be checked again in a few hours. We set up some music and went though the affirmations. I was offered some tablets at about 9pm but I had started being sick from the contraction pain so they came back up as quickly as they went down. For about 2 hours my contractions were about 2 in 10 minutes and really strong in my back. I found I just needed to walk around a lot and really use my up breathing as I couldn’t find a position which helped. I tried a ball, on all fours and even sitting on the loo but all I could do was bend over and breath.

At just before midnight I was examined again as my contractions were every 2 minutes for a while and I still had not had any drugs! I was now 6cm so they moved me over to a consultant led room where I was given gas and air … I was so happy .. literally! I was put back on the monitor and I now could not move around. I just talked loads of rubbish and laughed.

Now this is where things started to go fast and a little fuzzy due to the gas and air.

I was examined some time after 1am and I was 10cm. I was so excited as I knew it meant action stations… We practiced going on all fours but the babies heart rate dropped. Midwife pressed the panic button and the room filled. They wanted me to try again and they would watch the monitor. Same happened again and they said they needed to prep for a c-section. I used my BRAIN and asked for them to hold off a little longer and to let’s see what happened but in the mean time I had numbing cream put on my hands for the cannula as I had a massive phobia.

A few more contractions passed and we tried again, the heart rate dropped and took some time to come back up. The consultant said to try on my side but the same happened again.

I now started to feel more pressure down below. They asked me to attempt to push if I felt the need but all I could now feel was the baby moving up rather then down.

I agreed to go for the c-section. Everything moved so fast but I was so calm as I knew I was going to meet my baby. I thought I would be scared but I really wasn’t.

I did shout at the anaesthetist though as he went to wash his hands and I wanted the cannula putting in as I wasn’t having any contractions (oops).

While I laid there with my partner at my head we were chatting and I didn’t even know they had started and I heard someone say “hello little girl”.

She was here! They took her off to be checked and clear her lungs – it did feel like a lifetime but she cried after a few seconds and they wrapped her up and brought her over to us.


She was put on my chest and we chatted away to her while they finished closing up.

It was all so fast but so amazing.

She could not have delayed cord cutting as they found bruising on the cord. I was fine with this as it was what was best for her at that moment.

She was perfect and all fine!

When they were closing up they found I had some bleeding and had to fit me with a drain. That stayed in for 24 hours and all the fluid had stopped coming out.

One bit of advice. If you have blood loss and they offer you blood or iron… take the blood!!!I went for Iron as I didn’t realise how low my HB levels where and it meant I was more tired then I should have been after a c-section.

Now this is where I went a little down hill. I ended up going back into hospital a few days later as my internal bleeding had pooled and caused a hemotoma. I was admitted and given 2 blood transfusions and 3 days of IV antibiotics. While it was very strange being in the hospital I was so well looked after and had my little girl with me so we got to bond so much and the midwives were so helpful.

While the healing process has taken me a lot longer then expected I have to say all the things that scared and worried me before having a baby were all not as bad as I expected.

I still use the golden light affirmation now to help with stressful mummy times.

My little girl is 5 months now and I love every minute I spend with her. She’s a healthy weight and I’m so lucky I was able to breastfeed even while being so poorly. She’s still breastfeeding now and we are getting ready to start our weaning journey.

Her birth was nothing like I pictured or planned but it was all the right choices especially after they measured her head size as the 98th centile after being born and with being breech her head getting stuck was my main worry.

She is a happy and healthy little girl who is my whole world.

Alma’s birth – a planned breech hospital birth

Positive Birth Story; first time mum, Frank breech, planned breech birth in hospital.

I’m 33 and this was my first baby who I had originally planned to have at home. The only thing that had cropped up during pregnancy was a single umbilical artery, which was interesting, but had no impact on my daughter and was not specifically related to her being breech. However my mum was breech (footling homebirth, and I was born prematurely by c-section, so who knows could be something that runs in my family).

She was breech at the 28 week growth scan but I was not at all concerned and assumed she would turn. After that, my midwife had done a check on position and felt she was head down, another homebirth midwife also checked and agreed…. (A sneak my daughter!) However at the 36 week growth scan she was definitely bum down. I panicked an did all the things, acupuncture, moxibustion, spinning babies, handstands in the pool ? and agreed to an ECV at 37 weeks but was unsure if I wanted it. She didn’t turn by my ECV date and was still Frank breech and so to try and keep homebirth as an option, I had the ECV (and as an aside I would say to other ladies out there, I know easier said than done, but I wish I hadn’t let the turning activities and worry consume my last week’s pregnancy, so do them, but don’t beat yourself up with them).

I found the ECV painful but completely bearable. They tried twice without success and then almost immediately it felt, tried to push a C-section at 39 weeks. My trust (Homerton) will do VBB but they didn’t want to with a first time mum. I asked for info from the senior midwife and consultant, but also said I wouldn’t be making a decision that day (they really wanted to sign me up so be clear and take pressure off ?). After a chat with my homebirth midwife, she explained that she wouldn’t feel 100% comfortable doing a homebirth but encouraged me to push for VBB in hospital if that’s what I wanted.

I had a few horrible days of stress trying to decide what to do. In the end, I decided to schedule a section for my due date (arbitrary I know but it gave me peace to have an end to the worry) and then if she came in the meantime I’d “see how it went”…

My waters broke at 4am at exactly 39 weeks. No contractions, but I called the hospital and they suggested I came in just to check all well. Upon arrival I had a VE, I was 2cm and the midwife said she thought she was head down, but scan confirmed she was still breech (told you, my daughter was very sneaky). I was offered a section but declined and asked to see how labour progressed. I was told that if everything progressed “smoothly” and baby’s heart rate was normal then it indicated that the breech birth would proceed well. I was also told I had 24 hours to progress due to water being broken. It was very interesting, as I faced a lot of push back on having a VBB as a first time mum, but as soon as I said I wanted a “trial of labour” aka give it a go, I noticed everyone kind of felt a bit excited. I had asked if the team on were confident with a breech birth and was assured they were.

At this stage (around 9am) I was still not experiencing any strong contractions, though maybe slight twinges. I had thought about going home (I’m only 5 minutes away by car) which they didn’t want, but a senior midwife secretly told me I could do what I wanted and if I wanted to go home I could (remember you are not a prisoner!). They also wanted to put in a canula at this stage but I declined as it seemed uneccesary and I knew I wouldn’t want to labour with one in my hand, so remember you can say no. Husband and I went on a long walk for ice cream, and by 12 midday I was feeling them and by 2pm I was moved to private room as I was 7cm and in active labour.

I was introduced to my birth team, which was quite large and included two midwives, a student (I didn’t mind – better to train more in breech), consultants, anaesthetist, baby specialists, talked through risks and how we would proceed. I already knew my Trust would decline me using a birth pool (apparently so as not to slow labour and then during birth so they could see) and would prefer me to labour upright / on all fours, ideally on a bed. Happy.

I was very active, moved around walking a lot and had terrible back pains so used the shower and counter pressure. At this stage I also agreed to a canula in case of emergency (it was hard to get it in with contractions happening I’ll admit!)

Everything progressed relatively quickly and I felt labour switch to pushing so was helped onto the bed around 7.30pm. Without asking lights were dimmed and all was very calm. 1 hour of pushing in an upright kneeling position against the back of the bed (which felt great and very powerful) and my daughter was born. She came out relatively easily, however there was a slight delay (only a couple of minutes but felt like forever) when her body was out and not head, which panicked me, however we waited for a contraction, which did come and then she was here. It felt amazing to feel her come out.

She was floppy and not breathing on arrival (I’ve since learnt that’s normal with breech, but I was very worried at the time), cord was immediately cut and she was taken to the resus table and I didn’t get to see her. She apparently had fluid on the lungs and a blood clot in her mouth. She cried after 5 minutes, and I held her after 20 minutes, uninterrupted for the next hour. The best feeling ever. I recall saying to the doctor’s “there’s your *effing “proven pelvis”” ? (in jest, but that’s the term often used to explain why second time, but not first time mums can do something like a VBB).

I felt incredibly proud of my body. Labour was HARD, but for me it felt right. That said, had I needed a c-section I’d also totally made my peace with it. I was sad to loose out of immediate skin to skin and having the cord cut so quickly, the resus was stressful, and I needed stitches for a second degree tear, but these things may also have happened with a head down birth.

After the birth I had a lot of young excited midwives congratulating me and saying they hoped more breech births could happen, which was positive! One more for the books (as an aside I hadn’t realised as I was on all fours, but my husband told me at the point of birth there were about 15 people in the room, some because they needed to be, others just watching ?)

Anyway, the story of my beautiful breeching; Alma Medeina.

Chloe’s story – a positive planned vaginal breech birth

I read so many posts and comments with great interest after finding out my baby was breech just before Christmas. I found the birth stories in particular so useful and reassuring so wanted to share mine!

I have a bicornuate uterus so knew all along that I was more likely to have a breech baby as they can run out of space to turn. I had a presentation scan at 36 weeks because of this, and he was head down so I thought we’d got away with it. At 37+5 I felt like the movements had changed and just had a feeling he might have turned so went to triage to be checked out. Sure enough it was confirmed that he was breech (footling according to the sonographer) and I was given the choice of a vaginal breech birth or a c-section. I spoke to a lot of people and asked a lot of questions, but ultimately wanted to avoid a c section if at all possible so opted to try for a vaginal breech birth.

I ended up back in triage with reduced movements at 39+2 and while everything looked fine on the monitor, I still wasn’t feeling as much as I had been (I think baby had moved position slightly by this point which may have been why). A doctor convinced me that a c-section would be the best option and scheduled it for the following day. I got to the hospital the next morning and after waiting for 5 hours we were told that it had been rescheduled due to staff shortages and would now be 3 days later, so at 39+6. When we got to the hospital on the rescheduled date, I was put on the monitor and during the hour it was on, started having tightenings which were becoming more regular and more noticeable. A doctor came to review and agreed it looked like I was in early labour, so wanted to get on with the c-section asap. I asked if this meant I could reconsider a vaginal delivery (the main risk I’d been worried about was going into labour at home and something going wrong, but I was in the hospital now so felt more confident). I was rescanned by a very supportive consultant who said baby was now flexed breech, with his bottom presenting first, so we agreed to cancel the c section and wait for things to progress naturally.

The tightenings continued for the next 24 hours, getting slightly more intense and remaining regular at about every 4-5 minutes. At about 1am on the day after my due date I was woken by the tightenings and started trying to time them but kept drifting back off to sleep so gave up. At 4am they woke me again and seemed more intense so I timed them over the next 2 hours and they were every 3.5 mins lasting 1-1.5 mins so I called my midwife who said to come in to triage. After we got there at about 7:30am I was examined and to everyone’s surprise I was fully dilated! I was still managing well with breathing through the tightenings so couldn’t believe it. I was taken across to labour ward and we waited for things to progress further. Over the next hour or two things got a lot more intense and the tightenings were harder to breathe through so I tried some gas and air but didn’t feel like it did very much for me. At about 9:30am (timings get a bit hazy here!) my midwife asked if I could try to go to the toilet. I felt a pop and my waters started to trickle, then they went with a big gush when I got back to the bed. The midwife examined me and said she could see a foot was coming first and that it was time to push so I knelt leaning over the back of the bed. I think I was pushing for about 15 minutes in total before our little boy Oliver arrived safely, one foot first, at 9:54am on 06/01/2022 weighing 7lbs8oz, followed very swiftly by the placenta.

This was all SUCH a positive experience and I am so glad I stuck to my instincts and pushed (pun not intended!) for the delivery I knew I wanted and could have. Huge thanks have to go to Amy Meadowcroft from Oldham Hospital who was the most amazingly supportive midwife I could ever have hoped for, I definitely wouldn’t have felt able to get through all of this without her.

Sophia’s story – a positive and empowering attempted HBAC

My beautiful baby Victoria was born on 14 July at 41+5 weighing 7lb 1oz. She is my second baby.

I had an unplanned c section with my first after two days of 2 in 10 contractions and a mini panic attack which prompted me to transfer in to hospital (had planned a home birth). Once in hospital I had a lot of unnecessary interventions that caused my son (and I) distress and I opted for a c section over further interventions.

When I got pregnant this time I knew the birth was going to be different and early on I planned an intervention free home birth after c section (HBAC). I also engaged private midwives at around 20 weeks pregnant to provide continuity of care.

At 31 weeks I had a private 4D scan where I was told baby was lying in the breech position. I wasn’t too phased by this as my son had also been breech at around the same gestation but then turned. As the weeks went on however I started to notice a hard lump at the top of my uterus that I hadn’t remembered feeling with my son. My midwife thought they might be knees at our 36 week antenatal appointment. I wasn’t sure however and booked in for a presentation scan at 37+1 when it was confirmed that baby was breech. The sonographer classed it as a footling breech but since doing a lot of research she was actually a complete breech with dropped feet. The doctor I saw after that scan basically told me my only option was an elective c section at 39 weeks. I said I was certainly not taking that option and would do my own research and even if I felt a c section was safer I would not choose the day, I would wait to go into labour because then I know my baby is ready to be born and you never know she could turn head down at any point.

Over the next week I did A LOT of research and concluded that a planned breech home birth was what I felt would allow the ideal conditions for a physiological safe birth.

Unfortunately I was told by my private midwives that they were not breech competent and thus could no longer support me at home, only as advocates, so if I still wanted a home birth I needed to arrange that with the hospital.

Arranging a breech HBAC with my hospital was no easy feat. I think I was probably the first person to request a breech HBAC. The last breech home birth was 5 years ago and that wasn’t an HBAC. It wasn’t until my due date that I finally received a letter from the hospital agreeing to support my birth plan with the help of an amazing independent midwife who luckily already had a contract with the hospital and was confident to support a breech birth. My private midwives were supposed to also attend the birth as advocates but at 40+5, the company they are employed by withdrew the contract so I lost their support which really upset me but at least I still had the plan in place with the hospital.

All of this fighting for the birth plan I wanted and the emotional rollercoaster it caused I have no doubt delayed me going into labour. I was getting period like pains for weeks and then in the week before I went into labour I would get bouts of contractions at night that would die off by the morning.

At 41+4, after dropping off my son at nursery, my husband and I decided to go for brunch at a nearby cafe. Whilst there, I had about 5 mild contractions and felt that things might be starting. After brunch I spent the rest of the day relaxing on my sofa watching Netflix and had a nap. Mild contractions kept coming and going about every 10-20 minutes. At around 6pm as I was preparing dinner I felt a couple of stronger contractions that I needed to breathe through. I texted my independent midwife (IM) and doula to let them know something might be starting. Sure enough a couple of hours later contractions ramped up and were coming at a more regular frequency and greater intensity. My IM lives only 10 minutes away so she popped round for a quick check in. All was well with me and baby so she went home to rest and I went to bed to try and sleep as best I can and save energy.

Just before midnight I had a very intense contraction which caused my waters to break quite spectacularly. I jumped out of bed and ran to the toilet, losing my mucus plug in one huge blob on the way. It was all quite exciting for me because with my first, my waters were artificially ruptured so to feel my body doing it naturally was exhilarating and it gave me a mental boost that things were progressing well. I texted my IM and doula and suggested they make their way over. I had a quick shower and went downstairs. My husband started sorting out the pool and thankfully my son was fast asleep. Over the next 3 hours I laboured in mostly upright positions and got in the pool (which felt amazing!).

At around 4am, the consultant midwife and a band 7 NHS midwife arrived (this was part of the plan agreed with the hospital). My living room started to feel quite crowded and I was getting more and more tired so I decided to go up to bed and lie down. The contractions felt more painful lying down but at least in between contractions I was able to rest.

At around 6am I agreed to my first VE. I was ecstatic to find out that I was 5cm and my baby’s bum and foot were engaging. My midwife said she could feel my baby’s toes curl around her fingers when she touched her foot! It seemed I was going to have a ‘dropped foot’ complete breech birth as I had expected. I had seen a birth video recently like this and decided to watch it again with my husband for motivation.

I then went back down to the living room and stayed upright which I felt was the position I managed best through the contractions which were now 3 in 10. After a couple of hours I was feeling very tired again so went back to my bedroom for the next few hours alternating between standing through each contraction and perching on the side of the bed whilst the midwives would knock on my door every 15 minutes to listen in to baby. All observations were reassuring but contractions weren’t getting any more intense or closer together. I eventually asked if we could change the listening in frequency to 30 minutes as I felt every 15 minutes was too frequent and was potentially disturbing progress.

At around 10am I was offered another VE but I declined and pushed it back to 12pm. I decided to change location and went to my son’s room who by that point my husband had taken to nursery. I had quite a few intense contractions and kept losing more amniotic fluid. I thought things might be ramping up. At 12pm I accepted my second VE, was feeling so hopeful, but unfortunately it was bad news. I was still 5cm, my baby’s foot was now poking through my cervix and her bum had actually moved back up my pelvis. This meant that there was a greater risk of cord prolapse due to there not being a tight wedge over my cervix. At this point the advice of all the midwives was to transfer to hospital. I was really unsure. In the weeks leading up to the birth I had connected with an expert in breech birth and decided to call her to ask for her opinion as well. She said that baby was probably trying to move themselves into a more optimal position for birth and although she had supported women to birth ‘dropped feet’ breech babies this was done in a hospital setting. Based on this I decided to go into the hospital and continue my labour there with every intention to still have a vaginal birth.

I refused to go in an ambulance as I live less than a 5 minute drive away. Despite this, the consultant midwife arranged for two ambulances to turn up at my house! I just walked passed them and my doula drove me and my IM to the hospital. Such a waste of resources!

At the hospital, I was lucky that the pool room was free. It was nice and spacious although a bit too bright because there were no blinds just frosted windows. I had told my IM I did not want a cannula and she was amazing in not even letting the anesthetist into the room to offer it to me! (I only found this out afterwards). I agreed to 30 minutes on the CTG and baby was doing just fine so I then reverted to intermittent monitoring every 30 minutes. I was determined to birth my baby, I was moving all around the room and used the pool for pain relief but I was losing strength as the day went on so I started to ask about other options for pain relief. I had 2 paracetamols, tried gas and air but didn’t like it. Considered pethidine so I could potentially sleep but then decided against it. An epidural was always a firm no due to wanting full sensation in my body for birth and my risks of complications being higher due to a couple of minor back conditions I have. So in the end I just carried on with my deep breathing and paracetamol.

At around 5pm I agreed to my third VE. Was absolutely gutted to find out I was still 5cm but was excited to hear that my baby had moved her foot back out of my cervix and her bum was now the presenting part (but not yet engaged). The mood music in the room was certainly one of this is not good, a c section is looking necessary but I was feeling positive that she was now in a better position and I just needed to do all I could to help her move down. So I asked for 2 more hours and even if I only made 0.5cm progress that would keep me going. So I got up, did some deep squats, my amazing doula and IM did the ‘labour dance’ (search it on You Tube- it’s great!) with me and I just kept upright moving around to hopefully encourage gravity to do its thing.

At 7:30pm I was checked again but sadly no change at all, still 5cm and there was swelling on my cervix. By this point my temperature had gone up slightly, there was some meconium in my waters, and baby’s baseline heart rate had gone up. As much as I didn’t want to accept it, I had to look at the situation – it was well over 24 hours from the first contractions – and realised at this point the safest way to birth my baby would have to be a c section.

I had a good cry as the anaesthetist inserted a cannula and read through the procedure and risks for a spinal block and c section. I reluctantly signed the paperwork and made my way to the operating theatre. I found my strength to ensure my gentle c section wishes were met so I had the curtain dropped when she was born, delayed cord clamping, my cord tie placed on her, skin to skin in theatre and the midwives took pictures of her birth. She was so calm when she was born, as though she slept through the whole thing!

The surgery felt like it took longer than with my first with a lot more tugging and pulling. I was also told that the incision had to be made slightly further down to my previous one, so now I have a scar for each baby but to be honest I don’t mind, might as well have a mark for each! The doctor said he didn’t see any signs of scar dehiscence so that was good news. The placenta looked really healthy although the cord was shorter than average which could potentially be a reason she was breech?

She was born at 21:16 and despite being 41+5 by that point, only weighed 7lb 1oz! Looking at her tiny bum, I did start to think how difficult it would have been for her to engage and apply enough pressure to my cervix! I really needed her head!

After the section I spent an hour in recovery and then a day on the postnatal ward before going home. The first week postpartum I was in a lot of pain and so upset that I ended up with another c section, another long recovery and another missed opportunity to experience a physiological birth. I can’t help but feel I am broken in some way given both times I planned a home birth and went into spontaneous labour but still ended up with sections. But looking at the facts, I had a long latent phase with my first with no sleep and got tired which factored into me transferring in and then not having the knowledge I have now to decline the unnecessary interventions that were made. And this time sadly it was an awkward breech presentation that just wouldn’t descend.

The things I am grateful for is that both times my babies chose their birthdays, we both experienced labour and my second labour experience in particular was really positive and empowering even though it didn’t end the way I had hoped.

I’m not currently planning on having any more children but if I do I will be attempting a hba2c and hopefully will be third time lucky!

Isobel’s story – a planned midwife-led breech birth

I just wanted to share my positive breech vaginal birth story. I spent many hours in the weeks leading up to the birth searching for such stories, so hopefully mine will bring some comfort to those who are in a similar situation.

We found our little boy (second baby) to be breech from about 28 weeks following regular growth scans. I had an unsuccessful and rather distressing ECV at 38 weeks and was then given the option by our hospital of a planned C-section on our due date, or to attempt a vaginal delivery. I was desperate for a natural birth so I was lucky that our local hospital supports this option and we were told we would be assigned a senior midwife on arrival if I went into spontaneous labour.

Fast forward to 5/7/21 at 39+3 I started having regular contractions so we made our way in to the hospital. I was put on continuous monitoring as per protocol but was allowed to move around.

4 hours later I noticed the telltale signs of transition and began to push. I was allowed to be on all fours which was my preference. I heard some commotion of more people entering the room but we were made aware of the need for a doctor, NICU nurse and additional midwife to be present for the birth due to the potential for myself or baby needing some additional help.

The whole birth was hands off, with the midwife just talking me through what was happening which I found a huge help and a great motivation.

His body delivered in 2 contractions, these then died off and I was instructed to push his head out without the aid of contractions as there is a time limit on how long they will let the head go undelivered. This was actually not as difficult as I had anticipated and I got away with not even a graze.

Our little boy was born unresponsive, and needed immediate cord clamping, CPAP and vigorous stimulation at the beginning but quickly came round with no ill effects. Having the NICU team present was actually a real comfort and at no point did I feel anxious, I knew he was in safe hands and having done plenty of reading in the run up to birth I knew that this was quite normal for breech babies.

Apart from having some spectacular ‘frogs legs’ he is doing really well and my recovery has been far easier than my first vaginal cephalic birth.

I hope that this helps even one person in a similar situation who may be undecided about what sort of birth to go for. I knew I wanted to avoid surgery and felt that on balance trying for a vaginal birth was the right thing to do for me.

At the end of the day, you must go with your gut feeling – you will make the right decision for you!

Natalie’s story – a c-section in labour for a footling breech baby

My pregnancy was low risk, straightforward and with the usual pregnancy symptoms. I was active until the end of pregnancy by walking our dog every day.

We found out our baby was breech on a scan at 35 weeks. I tried everything to turn her – spinning babies, inversions, moxibustion, chiropractor, lots of walking and gardening (being on all fours). After a position scan at 37+2 confirming she was a flexed breech we agreed to the ECV to try to turn her at 37+4. The ECV was unsuccessful as baby was well and truly wedged in my ribs. She coped really well with the ECV (whereas I found it quite stressful and uncomfortable). It did, however, make me feel at peace with the fact that my baby was breech and I don’t think I could have done anything else to turn her! I finally started enjoying my very low down kicks instead of stressing about her position.

We initially agreed to an elective caesarean at 39 weeks as the only realistic option presented by the obstetric team that day. However, on leaving the hospital I was devastated. I felt she was not ready and surgery seemed a huge reaction to a healthy baby and mother when the only issue was her position. The next morning I called my community midwives who were incredible supportive and directed me towards AIMS and referred me back to the consultant midwife at my hospital to discuss other options.

After doing 2 days of research into vaginal breech births I was really confident I wanted to try. I cancelled my elective caesarean and came up with birth preferences with the consultant midwife. It was highlighted to me that my birth would likely be influenced by the skills and experience of those on duty.

With my plan in place and me feeling much more confident we enjoyed our last week before she arrived! I did lots of batch cooking, swimming, walking the dog and just really trying to enjoy ourselves.

The day before I went into labour we had spent a stunning day at the seaside; walking, enjoying the sunshine and fish & chips on the beach. I went to bed that evening feeling completely normal.

Contractions started really mildly at 4am. They woke me up and felt very different to Braxton Hicks, I took paracetamol and tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t. I ended up downstairs on my birth ball. The contractions became regular very quickly but then slowed and got more intense. My partner took our dog out for a walk at 9am and my contractions basically stopped and only restarted when he got back. I also felt very nauseous at this point. We attended my community midwife appointment at 11am. Contractions continued throughout the appointment (and the 30 minutes spent stood in the car park because of the fire alarm). I came home, had lunch and bounced on a ball for the afternoon. Contractions continued at variable intervals, intensities and lengths. Nausea and indigestion were pretty unpleasant as well – I was having my bowels open many times for the clear out! I managed to breathe through contractions and could talk and walk through most of them. The worst discomfort was when I stood still outside and felt it in my bum and hips.

By about 5pm I wanted a change of scenery so got in the bath. This shortened my contractions but increased the frequency. According to the Freya app I wasn’t ever in established labour but I called the hospital just in case. I wanted a plan for the evening and I thought there was no point in heading in. However, because baby was breech and we’d be delivering on the labour unit they wanted me straight in for assessment.

This was the least pleasant part of my birth story. We arrived in the hospital at 8:30pm and started the CTG monitoring. Sitting in a chair whilst labouring and not knowing whether we’d come or go was so stressful and uncomfortable. We tried to joke around and keep positive but more than anything I just wanted to go home. When I was allowed to stand I breathed and danced through the surges. Eventually, I had a VE and was happy to hear I was 4cm although the midwife could only feel her feet. Immediately afterwards my waters broke. There was light meconium staining but this is normal for a breech.

We were taken around to the labour unit at around 10pm. Once on the labour unit I wanted to settle in. We’d agreed to wireless monitoring but it was very problematic and intermittent. My partner went back to the car and got my bag, put music on and we had dim lighting.

The specialist registrar came in and discussed our footling presentation. I requested a ultrasound and ‘thorough’ VE in order to confirm the presentation had switched from flexed to footling. It was confirmed I was now 7cm and baby’s feet were definitely below her bum. They explained the biggest risk was cord prolapse and that a footling presentation is a contraindication to vaginal birth under RCOG guidelines. We asked questions about the likelihood of an emergency caesarean under general anaesthetic and risk to baby of cord prolapse. We requested a few minutes to discuss our options and came to the conclusion that with the risks of a vaginal birth combined with the confidence of the medical team in delivering a footling breech vaginally our best option at that time was an immediate caesarean. One downside was that no one read my birth preferences or offered me any pain relief. I wanted to use my TENS and gas & air but didn’t get to try either. On reflection, for the medical team caring for us it was more of an emergency than I was aware of. Also, at no point were my contractions indicative of established labour. They were powerful but only every 5 minutes or so despite my labour progressing very rapidly. I’d gone from 4-7cm in a hour with moving units, never having time to ‘settle in’, constantly having the monitoring adjusted, an ultrasound and vaginal exam.

I felt very confident in myself and my baby to deliver safely but did not have the same confidence in those looking after me. On reflection, with the attitude and staff confidence levels in delivering breech babies I would make the same decision again in the same scenario. However, I might have made a different decision somewhere else with a different attitude to vaginal breech birth.

After agreeing to the caesarean, less than 10 minutes later we were in theatre. Despite my birth preferences not being followed again we just tried to keep calm and get through it. I was shaking terribly due to the fact I was still having contractions and in a very cold operating theatre. The anaesthetist and assistant were the kindest, friendliest people though and really tried everything to make it positive for us. I had to have the spinal on my side as I was still contracting and they did not want labour to progress any further than it had. The anaesthetist was incredible and managed to do an effective spinal despite me not being about to stop shaking uncontrollably. The shaking was also worsened by having the spinal and is a common side effect. Although it wasn’t what I ‘wanted’ the staff were so professional, supportive and explained what they were doing. Her birth was very rapid and she arrived on her due date at 11:55pm. However, she was straight off to the paediatric doctor and it took a couple of minutes for her to cry but she then bawled loudly and for a long time. The anaesthetist was keeping us updated but I couldn’t stop crying and was just desperate to have her in my arms. The staff had placed the ECG monitoring and gown so that I could have skin to skin as soon as possible. Very quickly she was passed to me and they finished off the section with her on my chest and my partner by my side. I was still shaking but so relieved and happy to be talking to and holding my baby.

We were wheeled back to the labour unit for recovery where she latched on with a bit of help from the midwives. After an hour I was allowed to eat and savoured the NHS standard of tea and toast whilst my partner had skin to skin.

At 3am my baby and I were taken to the ward for recovery where we were both monitored and were absolutely fine. We stayed in the hospital for nearly 2 days but I was keen and ready to leave after the first! Although we had an emergency caesarean in my mind it was a speedy caesarean to prevent risks. Recovery has been straightforward and we are settling at home well.

I feel my story was very positive because I was informed and empowered throughout my pregnancy and labour. Although it was not the perfect birth I had initially envisaged I always felt in control. I knew that a caesarean was a likely outcome for a vaginal breech birth as a first time mother so we had prepared ourselves for it. I felt incredibly powerful as I had managed to get so far using breathing and could ask questions and make rational, informed decisions. My baby chose when she wanted to arrive and I feel I made the right decision at the right time for us both.

Cina’s story – an upright breech birth in a hospital birth centre

My baby had been breech basically since 28 weeks. She was breech at 28 weeks for my midwife appointment, at 30 weeks I was told her head was up where my ribs were. I don’t know why but even though there was plenty of time for her to move I just knew she would remain there! At the 34 week scan she still was there too.

I was referred to the breech clinic at 35 weeks for confirmation of position and advice on how to turn baby. At 37+2 I had a failed ECV and baby was firmly engaged into my pelvis.

My waters broke at 6.30am with some twinges. I headed to hospital just to get checked etc. It was decided it would be best to keep me in due to breech/second baby and contractions had started at this point which I was more than happy to do. I had planned to have my VBB on the birth centre which luckily was honoured and not met with any disagreement. I stayed mobile and upright and contractions picked up quite a bit. Was 3 almost 4 cm by about 10.30am. At about 12 a foot presented itself. Contractions picked up and by 13.49 baby was born- about 5 mins between bum and head.

I am very happy about all the support I’ve received at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and am very pleased I was able to be on the birth centre which made me feel very comfortable.

Naomi’s story: a calm elective c-section

I found out at 34 weeks that my baby was breech and a 36 week scan confirmed that. I tried yoga positions, moxibustion and osteopath to move her, and whilst these made me more comfortable she did not turn.

I was very reluctant to have an ECV because of the low quality rate of success and by that point I felt like she was just facing that way “for a reason” sort of thing. But I went to the appointment at 37 weeks and the midwives and doctors put my mind at ease so I went for it. In my experience it was not painful, just uncomfortable. They were happy to take a break when I asked for it and I practiced hypnobirthing breathing to make myself calm. It didn’t work so we went for a c-section.

I had not wanted this initially but after researching I didn’t feel I could calmly go through a natural birth and wasn’t sure the support they offered was enough (they didn’t have any breech specialists). So for me and my husband c-section felt like the best option.

I can honestly say it was one of the most special experiences of my life and I would not hesitate to do it again. My fears about c-section were completely misplaced – seeing my daughter being lifted over the drape within a few minutes of the op being started was so wonderful and still so special I fell in love with her straight away.

The recovery has not been that bad at all, only the first few days were tough and I am now 13 days in and can bend, change her on the floor, can go for walks and am no longer taking pain meds. Scar is healing really well. If you are having one, my advice would be to drink loads of water and eat fruit and veg on the days leading up to the op to aid digestion and not get constipated and get up and walking as soon as you can. Take it easy and get as much help as you can and if this is the path you end up taking I assure you, you won’t feel “guilty” or like you didn’t earn the birth.

It is still a wonderful way to meet your breech baby.

Anne’s story: a calm breech midwife-led VBAC

Back story: Ever since my (unnecessary emergency) Caesarean section with my first breech baby, there was nothing more I longed for to experience a natural vaginal birth. Hence, I was quite devastated when my second daughter turned breech at 33 weeks and nothing worked to turn her back (spinning baby positions, moxibustion, ECV, you name it).

Because I found the thought of a planned Caesarean unbearable and my current hospital wasn’t breech experienced enough/ advised against a VBB, I did a fair bit of research online. All I wanted was being able to give it another go whilst being fully aware that it could end up in another caesarean which I was totally ok with. It was pure luck that the wonderful and amazing Emma Spillane worked at a hospital (Kingston) that wasn’t too far from where we lived.

The day after I had contacted her I transferred hospitals at 37+1 and was so relieved and happy. Emma briefed me in detail about pros and cons and I was given a 40% chance of success. Labour started 1.5 weeks later with sporadic contractions every 10-20 minutes during the night (midnight to 6am) which paused during the day and then became more regular from 6:20pm onwards (every 5-7 minutes). 30 minutes later my waters went and we slowly made our way to the hospital.

At 10pm I was examined for the first time and was at 2-3cm. I was then put in a beautiful room in the birth centre as I wasn’t in established labour yet. Contractions remained at 5-7cm throughout the night. I was grateful for a slow labour as I could properly relax in between contractions. For the contractions I found it most comfortable to kneel in front of the birthing ball and have my upper body rest on it. At some point in the early morning I had to vomit which I thought was a sign that things were progressing. The best of it all, I was left alone to labour in peace and I felt like I was treated like any other laboring woman. A lovely midwife only checked in every now and then to see how I was coping.

I was examined again at 7am when I felt things were picking up a bit. It turned out I was 7cm dilated which meant I got transferred to the labour ward for the last stretch. I was able to find a similar position on the bed with the headrest up as I had before on the ball and before I knew it I was told it wouldn’t be much longer. I was offered gas & air which didn’t do anything to alleviate the “pain”/ pressure but it helped me tremendously with my breathing. It is also recommended for VBACs to have baby’s heart monitored which was a bit tricky in the position I and baby were in but we got there and the heartbeat was never a concern.

Elise was born at 8.52pm weighing 2890g. She had great oxygen levels and could be put on my chest straight away. I was close to needing a small cut but the next contraction was strong enough to avoid it after all. I ended up with a small tear but nothing to worry about. Overall, I couldn’t have asked for or imagined a better birth experience and will be forever grateful. I felt so incredibly well taken care of and supported throughout.