Hi Sue, What a wonderful example of how breech birth can be! Is it ok to share your story with my colleagues in my local sub branch of ACMI? Nicole.
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Sue Cookson Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 9:31 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] Vaginal breech in hospital Hi all, Had the honour of assisting a 38 year old primip to successfully birth her breech baby vaginally yesterday in a large hospital. She has been told she had to have a c/section but negotiated her way to trying a vaginal delivery. We drew up birth plan specifying freedom of position, midwife delivery, intermittent auscultation, no episiotomy, physiological third stage etc. Went into labour on her due date with the baby sitting with its bottom and right foot at the cervix. Arrived at the hospital amidst a flurry of panic but after presenting them with the birth plan and the 'team' arriving - myself as support person and a friend as filmmaker - the staff settled down to document the plan including refusal of elective c/section, choice to have no epidural, no CTG, etc. A FANTASTIC Indian female registrar arrived and showed genuine excitement at the prospect of a breech birth. The couple then agreed to a PV and ultrasound just to confirm baby's position. She was 8cm with intact membranes, and bottom and foot palpable - baby was 'a nice size' according to the registrar 'G'. There were a few midwives always around but it was G who forged a relationship with us all and was incredibly respectful of the woman's choices. The midwives showed concern when G could palpate the foot but G was fine. We discussed the choice to birth upright and it was agreed that we would assist the mother into a more 'conventional' position if it was required. So labour continued with a few more hours in transition during which time baby rotated to the anterior. We changed positions often and it was whilst in the bath that the membranes ruptured with fresh meconium appearing. Another VE was performed briefly and foot and bottom were close to crowning. We were on the floor with the mother supported upright, using mirrors to watch progress and the first foot began to appear at 5.30pm. I had a closer look and found a second foot. The baby appeared slowly, double footlings breech and G gently assisted the baby's head to birth at 5.45pm. The placenta followed the baby out, so although we'd had good cord pulse a few minutes before the baby was certainly on his own at birth. Baby was minimally resuscitated - away from the mother which was my only slight criticism, but very understandable - and G actually helped the mother to move across the floor to the resus trolley. WOW!! Baby had apgars of 6, then 9 and is just fine. 6lb 11oz. Peri intact, lotus birth... G stated that she had delivered many breech babies in India and New Guinea and I believe she was an obstetrician overseas but not in Australia. She was excited at delivering an upright breech as she had only ever delivered them in obstetric positions before. She was also very OK about the lotus birth which was a different response for that hospital. It was a wonderfully affirming birth - a testament to my belief of being informed, prepared and corageous too!! I am very aware that this birth hinged on G being in attendance - I truly doubt that many other practitioners would have shared her enjoyment of the challenge of this birth. Her experience in other countries was so vital ... it is possible that she put her hand up for this birth when it was discussed a week or so before (the parents had a two hour meeting with another doctor and obstetrician - the ob stated he would not support their decision, so it truly was an amazing outcome!!). Hail to those women who stand strong in their belief of normal birth and also to those of us who can support them. I really felt honoured to be there. I hope by telling this story that more women and midwives may feel encouraged to attempt to negotiate their way through the obstetric maze which surrounds vaginal breech births. Sue -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
