So scared :(

[AdoreMyDogs]

I am so scared. I'm 36 weeks pregnant and my baby girl has still not turned into the birthing position. She's breach (or breech, however it's spelled). She tried a few weeks ago while I was at work and it was 1.5 hours of pain, but she never turned. She may be too big, im not sure.

I wish I wasn't so scared. I know c-sections are routine and safe, but I'm just terrified. I've done everything in my power to get her to turn, I lay on the sofa with pillows under my bottom so my pelvis is elevated, and play music for her down low so she might turn to hear it better. I'm not afraid of natural birth at all, but I'm just utterly terrified of getting a c-section. I wish I could lose this fear so I could enjoy the upcoming event but I just can't stop worrying about it.

Not sure what anyone can do here to help, but this is mostly just a vent I guess. I keep asking various people how they recovered from c-sections...some people tell me that it was a HORRIBLE recovery, and that I'll want to kill the first person who makes me laugh, others tell me (when they see the fear welling up in my eyes perhaps) tell me it wasn't too bad. I really just wish she would have just turned, but I guess there's a reason for everything. There is still a slight chance that she'll turn, but she's already tried and failed and she's quite a bit bigger now then when she last tried.

I'm just scared. I always imagined myself trying even natural without epidural, now I am skipping the labor all together and I am just so upset about it. I wanted to experience labor. I know it sounds weird to those of you who have been threw it, but even though it's painful, it's so beautiful. I knew I could have done it. I was so looking forward to it througout my pregnancy. Never in a million years would I have imagined having to skip the labor all together and never get to experience it. I don't know why I'm so scared and dissapointed.

[Karen]

Now, don't be scared. Millions of women have had c-sections, and recovered just fine. It no longer means that future babies cannot be born vaginally, either. My sister had a c-section with her daughter after hours of labor (Emily just got stuck!), and was "kinda uncomfortable" for a couple days, but says it was worth it!

And your baby still has some time, Momma Leslie. Isn't it marvelous that we have the technology now to know the baby's position ahead of time? She may still turn, or not, and there's probably no influence you can have on that. Relax, Momma Leslie, it'll be okay.

Sending you a big hug!!!

[PJ's Mom]

I had a C-section with one of my twins, and it was a piece of cake! You'll need a little more time to recover, but it's really nothing horrible like some people want you to believe. Looking at your beautiful baby for the first time makes all the pain go away.

If you need one, you're gonna do just fine. Good luck!

[Pam]

Leslie, I was born via c-section and believe me it was many moons ago and long before the medical advances of today. I am none the worse for wear and neither was my mom. I know you are concerned. Having your first child can be a fearful thing for sure. The important thing is not so much how we arrive on this planet but rather that we are healthy when we do. Try and think past the birth to all of the joy that awaits you in the years ahead.

[borzoimom]

Honey- please do not worry- my daughter didnt move either until two days before I went into labor- please do not worry. I am sure your doctor has this under control..

[moosmom]

Leslie,

My daughter was born via C-Section and everything went fine. She still has time to turn. Sometimes they can manipulate her by massage to get her to turn. In any event, you and that sweet little girl will be in my thoughts and prayers.

HUGS

Donna

[Sirrahsim]

I am with you 100%. I want to share my experience with you even though I did not have the run of the mill c-section.
When time was getting close with Tyler I was very gung-ho and felt ready for the labor experience. I'd read the books, done the visualizations, and gone to the classes. At 41 weeks I still hadn't gone into labor and the reality of surgery started to sink in. The docs gave me the option to try for an induction even though that meant that I would probably not be able to go with an epidural. When I went in for my induction they discovered that my little boy was having trouble. In an instant I went from slightly apprehensive about getting the epidural to terrified because they were rushing me to surgery. In those moments before the surgery I was scared for my little boy but also SO excited because I knew that I didn't have hours to go. With a c-section you have the comfort of knowing that you will see your baby in under an hour.
The surgery itself was relatively easy. I was completely numb from the mid abdomen down and draped so that I couldn't see what they were doing. Once I was all prepped they allowed my husband to come in and sit right by my head. I've heard that there can be a pulling sensation but I really didn't feel anything. Before I even knew what was going on they were lifting my little boy up over the drape and I was looking into the most beautiful (wet, wrinkled, red, and cranky) face that I had ever seen.
My surgery was in the wee hours of the morning on a Friday. By Saturday afternoon they were encouraging me to get up and walk around and by Sunday afternoon I was at home with my sweet little boy. I won't lie and say that it didn't hurt at all, but the pain was not unbearable. You will want underwear that fit you loosely and you will be in your maternity pants for a while longer, but the incision itself will be mostly numb for several months. By the time Tyler was four days old I was up and about. We even went out shopping and out to dinner. The only times I experienced a painful sensation were when I would laugh or sneeze. I quickly discovered that holding an arm across the incision site when I felt a sneeze coming on made a HUGE difference.
My experience was night and day from what I expected, but the c-section wasn't anywhere near as bad as I had heard. Initially I felt guilty because I didn't get to experience labor. At times I even felt like I had somehow cheated but it is just not so!! If you do havea c-section, you are NOT a failure. You did not cheat. If you do end up with a c-section you have to believe that THAT was what was necessary to keep your precious little girl healthy!!
I hope that your little one will turn for you. You still have PLENTY of time for your little one to do some acrobatics in there. Either way you can take comfort in knowing that either way you will end up with a beautiful baby girl

I live in Wichita Falls too!! If you need anything at all or just want a shoulder to lean on you can call or PM me. I'll send you a PM with my number.

[Reachoutrescue]

Oh, Leslie, don't be scared. Your lil' girl still has some time to turn...us girls can be stubborn!! I had two c-sections...I was scared to (I was put completely under, but you won't be), but it was done before I knew it!! You will be okay. If you want to know anything specific about c-sections, just pm me. Chin up mommy...you will do just fine.

[sirrahbed]

It has been a long time since I worked in L&D but I do know that you still have time for your baby girl to turn naturally. It is also possible for the doctor to manually turn her while you are in early labor - that can as you have experienced be painful but I have seen it done and the moms did just fine. A breech can still be delivered naturally though I don't know if they will allow that - just to be very safe.
I really do understand that strong desire to deliver naturally. Does your doctor know how you feel? If not, talk to her/him OK?

If a c-section is called for, I see you already have moms writing that they also did just fine. Sirrahsim (above) is my daughter and I visited her when Tyler was 4 days old and she acted like nothing had happened. I have heard it said that the incison site is sometimes even less painful than the vaginal bruising, tearing etc - that go along with the natural.
You will be just fine. Try to relax and look forward to meeting your new baby

[lizbud]

Leslie, I don't know anything about c-sections as some others here do,
but can tell you that if your Doctor does choose that for you, you won't be
missing much but the pain, hemorrhoids, bruised coccyx, etc, etc. It is not
the beautiful thing we read about, but what comes afterward when you see
your baby for the first time, it's worth WHATEVER you have to do.

Whichever way it happens for you, I wish you a happy & healthy baby.

[cyber-sibes]

Hopefully she'll turn on her own. From my experience I have to say it would be better for the baby to arrive by c-section than to go through a vaginal breech birth. I did with my oldest son and it was no picnic, we nearly lost him. Mind you, my doctor KNEW he hadn't turned, and never mentioned the possibility of a c-section. Lots & lots of healthy babies have been born from via c-sections, and that's the most important thing! We'll be waiting to see your precious little one on PT!

*Lizbud is correct, you won't miss labor, BELIEVE ME! Most miserable days of my entire life...

[Cataholic]

Vaginal births aren't all they are cracked up to be. My recovery, which included a broken bone, kept me down for WAY longer than the recovery from a c-section.

It is all happening for a reason. (Mine must have been to make sure no more children came into the world from me

[petslover]

Hey! I know I talked to you about this by e-mail, but she can possibly still turn around. I know my brother was turned the wrong way for awhile, but he eventually turned back around.. Even if you have a C-section it is perfectly safe. You and your baby will be fine.

[Freedom]

Just wondering if you have a mid-wife you can speak with about all this. Sometimes they have different types of experiences to the text book MDs.

[Rachel]

I don't have any personal knowledge, but the information provided above should be quite helpful. Seems like I remember reports of some women even asking for c-sections when they don't necessarily need them, which should be an encouraging factor. Whenever they have a c-section on A Baby Story on TLC I am always amazed at how the mother can be awake through it all and she's not crying out in pain or anything.

Know that we will be praying for a calm and peaceful delivery for you.