The most recent study regarding breech babies  states that cesarean birth  is best for breech. I disagree.

When I presented in labor with my daughter, I was told that I should have a cesarean. The doctor assessed this without placing his hands on my belly to feel the size of my daughter. His assessment came from placing some cold goo on my belly and then placing an ultrasound wand on it. There was no human contact other than the vaginal exam.

Instinctively I had also refused to have an external version. In my heart I knew this was not a choice. I gave my baby the time and opportunity to turn on her own. If she didn't turn then I knew there was some reason she needed to be born breech vaginally.

I choose to birth my baby vaginally (See Breech of Faith). 

Upon birthing my daughter (completely un-medicated) the doctor stood between my legs awaiting the placenta. I don't know if he pulled on it at all. I do know that he removed his hands promptly. He mentioned something about the cord. He then asked if I could push the placenta out. I did.

The cord had a velamentous insertion. This means that the cord does not connect (insert) into the placenta, as it should. The cord attaches to the membranes. The blood vessels leave the protection of the cord's Warton's Jelly, and course between the membranes to join the placenta. This can not be detected through the average ultrasound. This condition is uncommon, but not rare.

If I had been influenced by this doctor and accepted the cesarean, those precious vessels could have been severed when the uterus was cut into. My daughter's blood would have started to seep and mingle with the blood of my severed uterus and the birth fluids. How long would it have been before it was realized that my daughter was losing the small amount of life fluid her body holds. It does not take very long for a baby to lose enough blood to cause death.

Assessing my daughter afterwards we saw that she had torticollis. This can be caused by manipulations done to her during "delivery", though her head was shaped in such a way that we could see that the condition was something that had developed inutero.  Had I had a successful EVC it is very apparent that my daughter's head would have been malpositioned and possibly not been able to mold appropriately to navigate the birth canal. In my heart I know that this could have lead to dystocia and ultimately a surgical birth. Which would have again increased the risk of the bleed out had the blood vessels been severed during the cutting of the uterus.

My daughter knew how she needed to be born in order to live.

the medical community's lack of faith in birth and women's bodies could have ended my daughter's life.

My faith and my choices ensured she had life.