Vaginal breech birth in a birth centre

Does your hospital support vaginal breech births in the birth centre? If not, why not make 2024 to year to make this happen?

Becky Talbot  generously shares her wonderful story of this happening at The Rosie birth centre. What an incredible experience for everyone this must have been.

“I was determined to turn my baby, but he was more determined to stay breech. With the help of our Doula, Becky Talbot, I tried everything: bouncing on my ball, hunching over it while I watched TV, inversions, handstands in the pool, osteopathy, an ECV – but no luck. After the ECV, the Consultant briefly discussed our options: a planned cesarean section or vaginal breech delivery in the Delivery Unit. We scheduled a follow-up discussion with the Consultant Midwife, in ten day’s time, to finalise a plan.

I was hugely disappointed and frustrated to be in this position. Why hadn’t he turned?! I had had a straightforward vaginal delivery with my daughter, so my gut decision was for the vaginal breech delivery, but I wanted to be in the Birth Centre. I wanted a less clinical environment, with midwife led care where I could feel the most relaxed and least interrupted.

My partner and I discussed the options with Becky in preparation for our meeting. I was absolutely confident in birthing my breech baby in the Birth Centre with skilled midwives, but feared pushback because the guidelines were to be in the Delivery Unit with Consultant led care and constant monitoring.

My waters broke Friday morning, three days before our meeting with the Consultant Midwife. Becky rang The Rosie to inquire about a Birth Centre delivery while I started labouring at home. After discussions on my behalf with the Lead Midwife and Consultants to consider my history and baby’s well being – I was cleared to use the Birth Centre! They would be expecting us, under the care of one of the most experienced breech delivery midwives. I was extremely relieved and appreciative to get this news and be supported in my choices.

I laboured at home for a few hours before arriving at the Birth Centre, where everything was ready and waiting for us. A mat and birthing ball were set up in the corner, where I could labour and deliver my baby in a comfortable position for me and as recommended by the midwife. With the support of my partner, Becky and the midwife, my baby made his entrance into the world Friday afternoon – bum first! We enjoyed the golden hour and stayed the night in the Birth Centre before heading home the next morning.

My Birth Centre birthing experience was all I could have hoped for. I felt cared for, supported and safe. My birthing team approached the situation with confidence, but most importantly calmness and compassion, which helped my baby arrive without any complications or interventions. We are extremely thankful and appreciative of The Rosie team who supported our wishes to use the Birth Centre for our breech birth and hope this can be an option for other women who want to do the same.”