Presenting twin is breech - any hope?

I'm sure this has been asked before, but a search for "breech" did not result in any posts. So - sorry for being redundant

At my u/s yesterday (20w 5d), I was thrilled to learn that twin B has flipped into vertex position (head-down). Unfortunately, twin A is still breech (footling breech - feet first, not booty). I'm only 21 weeks, so I know there's time for him/her to flip, but I am wondering a few things:

1. How late can a flip occur? (these are di/di twins, if that matters, and my third pregnancy, with two full-term vaginal births)

2. Do they ever try an external version on twins? I kind of figured not ... but thought I'd ask and see if anyone had any actual knowledge.

Thanks!

Ginny
Due 12/2/09 with di/di twins
Do not want to know their genders - have two boys at home already

 

there is still PLENTY of time for the babies to flip...they both may flip many many times before you have them..i would say somewhere around 32-34 weeks they would stop simply because with 2 of them, they'd run out of room...james, my 10 year old, kept flipping up until the day he was born, he was also a single...but it's not unheard of to have that happen...

 

Definitely plenty of time to flip - my DD (baby B) was breech until about 32-34 weeks when she flipped.

I don't think they do an external version with twins, but I can't recall where I heard that. Footling breech is also more dangerous, so I doubt they'd want to try vaginal delivery if she stays that way. But, I would very much not assume that she would stay that way.

 

Lots of time... My baby A was vertex for most of the ultrasounds only to flip to breech at 28 weeks, then back to vertex at 30. Baby B was vertex for quite awhile, but has been transverse since 26 weeks.

 

My Baby B was breech consistently until week 36 - then she flipped to vertex. I delivered at 37 weeks but she flipped back around to breech after Baby A was delivered. I did deliver vaginally and they did deliver B in a footling breech position - because she was smaller. Although apparently where I delivered it is not common practice to do that.

 

Oh yeah, there's time. My baby A didn't decided to turn vertex until 35 weeks. Baby B was flipping up until 38 weeks, so there is room (unbelievable as it is). I'm pretty sure they don't do an external version with twins. I've heard of them doing it with Baby B if he/she is breech, but only after A has been delivered.

 

Thanks so much for your posts, everyone! I am feeling better already. Of course I will do whatever the doctors recommend whenever the big moment comes, but would prefer a vaginal delivery if it's safe for all concerned.

 

Yes, there is still plenty of time!!! My twin A flipped just before my 26 week appt. and never flipped back. Babies can turn up to their due date though. Good luck.

 

Mine switched positions a lot. As a matter of fact, dd flipped from vertex to breech at 31wks OUCH!! Anyway, that was the deciding factor for my c-section. Up until that point, it was a go for vaginal..I guess it wasn't meant to be. But it all worked out well.

 

new guidelines for breech birth in Canada

just some more info for you. this is still quite new in Canada, but i think it's a positive thing. anyway, obviously there are many more considerations with twins & a lot depends on your doc's training & level of comfort, but i thought i'd pass on the link in case it could be of any use.

that being said, your LO still has plenty of time to flip...and flip...and flip. GL!