QuestionI was just informed of 2 things: My baby is in a breech posititon
and that my placenta looks much (much!) older than the 34 weeks
it should be.The baby is doing fine otherwise. The doctor who
examined me told me that if the baby did not turn on it's own, I
should not attempt to have it turned because the placenta could
tear from the uterus. I would like another opinion as I do NOT
want to have a c-section. Is there a way for the baby to be turned
without harming the placenta?
Thanks!
AnswerThere are many dangers in trying to "turn" a breech ("conveersion"). The baby itself can be damaged (broken arms, legs, etc) or the placenta can be sheared off as an attempt is made to turn the baby to the vertex position. For that reason, if this is your first baby, we ALWAYS perform a cesarean section if the baby is in Breech presentation. If it is not your first baby, some obstetricians will try to turn it or even deliver the baby in the breech position. However, most obstetricians will not turn the baby and will only deliver by cesarean section. It is safer for both the baby and the mother to have a cesarean section for a breech. Furthermore, if it is, indeed, turned, if delivery is not done right away, the baby usually turns right back to a breech position (within hours).
