Dear Archie,

I went for my weekly check up on yesterday. The doctor mentioned that the baby hadn't turned down yet. The head is on my right side. I'm completing 37 weeks tomorrow. is there a chance that the baby will turn or will it be in the same position. The baby was head down during my 34th week. Doctor mentioned that the baby will turn and there is a 96% chance i can have a vaginal birth. otherwise i need to go for a C-section and he would not try to turn the baby to head down position as he is not sure how the amniotic bands are and if it will affect the baby and doesnt want to take a chance.

last week when i went for a scan, baby heart beat was 184 and yesterday it was 134. can there be such a huge difference in the heart beat.doc said baby is growing so there is no problem. i'm worried about this too. can you please advice if it is fine

Regards,
Anitha Anitha replied. Dear Archie and Tweetie,

I'm very relieved after reading your replies regarding the heart beat. Thank you.Looks like its normal.
Archie - i agree with what you say about C-section. It's good to be prepared before. I'm relived after reading the replies. There are many cases we had read where they have had an emergency c-section.
I'm sure my baby is fine. I feel very good when i post a query and read the replies, but within a few days,i get some thought which makes me worried unnecessarily, though sometimes i know it is wrong or just a misconception.

Tweetie - howz yor son doing? Yesterday was my last working day.. am becoming too impatient :-) I still have 20 moooore days !!!!!!!

Thanks a lot for your help...
Love to your lil ones..
Anitha. Tweetie replied. Dear Anitha,

Even when I went for the last check up before delivery baby's heart beat was in the early 140's late 130's which was lower than usual...but doc said it was OK. I hope it is not something to be concerned about.

Tweetie Archie replied. Dear Anitha,

I am sure you must have been waiting yesterday but I could not access your message until now.

Usually baby turns down head before or around week 36-37. If the baby is breech then one's Dr. will try to head down baby in hospital but in your case that could lead to serious complications and I would suggest you to respect your Drs. opinion. It's almost difficult to turn your baby head down.
I have told to many girls on different board that head down means only allow you to think that vaginal birth is possible but look at different boards and you will amazed to note how many go through emergency C-section despite their baby was head down, engaged, they went in labor but something or otherthing comes in hospital while in labor like slow progress or fetal heart rate or cord wrapped around neck that leads to C-section. I know cases where baby switched position while in labor room and had to go through an emergency C-section. Therefore in general I suggest most of the girls around to keep their delivery options open. There are some girls who love to undergo C-section. I consider planned C-sections are better options than emergency at least there is plenty of time to prepare mind for, particularly those who have had hopes only for vaginal birth.

About heartrate, value of 184 was just crossing upper limit but that's not surprising or bad at all unless it did stay that much high for long time. Good news is current heart rate is great and is 134 just as one would want to. The huge difference might have been due to your baby moving and being so active. It's nothing to be worried about. Yes, I believe all is fine with your baby.

Keep your walking exercise continued, do not sleep on your back, only on sides -preferably on left side. Hope your baby will get his/her head down by itself.


Archie