RE: [ozmidwifery] Friend with breach baby...told CS only options.

[Sally Westbury]

Hi Deb,   This is a hard position to be in.   The buck stops with how strong this woman is. No-one can do a C/S without her consent. If she wishes to be really stubborn, exert her rights and desire and be ready to have grumpy midwives and obs assisting her c/s then she simply waits for labour. Remind her that the medical/midwifery staff are there to provide her with a service, so don’t be put off by this, just be prepared.   In a system that is unsupportive and inexperienced with vaginal breech birth probably a C/S is gentler for her baby. A breech extraction is pretty much medically managed, usually with an episiotomy (which she may also refuse) added in staff who are very afraid the energy is very violent.   On the other hand an amazing woman who had a c/s for breech with her first baby went on to have a VBAC breech. She had planned to have an elective c/s when labour had established. When it actually started she felt she could do it. Unexpectedly she met a fair obs at our tertiary hospital who said something along the lines of… it is hospital policy and therefore I advise you to have a c/s BUT I am experienced with breech births.   Sally Westbury Homebirth Midwife "Learn from mothers and babies; every one of them has a unique story to tell. Look for wisdom in the humblest places - that's usually where you'll find it." — Lois Wilson