I browsed these pages in trepidation during my pregnancy and after having DS1 - I was often grossed out / terrified in equal measure.
DS1 birth was v straightforward but from early on in my second PG I knew the baby was back to back (placenta was at the front, muffled movements, far more back ache). And she stayed back to back, so I was v anxious about the possibility of intervention - or a worse labour, certainly.
But I want to let you know that B2B doesnt equal a hideous experience - I had just over 3 hours of active labour before DD arrived and was in labour for 5 hours in total. Early contractions were the same as I remembered - they reached their crescendo then faded and I could chat, move etc quite normally. I was even allowed to stay in the MLU (I had been worried about that - so don't be!).
Some things I hadn't expected though:
- contractions coming in pairs (called 'coupling' apparently) - one moves the baby down and one tries to turn it. But you dont get a break between them.
- pain in the lower back, especially during pushing.
- Gas & air didnt help the back pain but did ease the contraction pain.
- shoulders got a bit stuck once the head was out, but one extra push got them clear (apparently this is fairly common in B2B babies, but I didn't know).
- gravity helps! Standing, swaying, kneeling - whatever makes you comfortable.
So there you go - don't be terrified or expect the worst - I did and was pleasantly surprised. I had a v supportive midwife and medical student who were both ace. If you're having a back to back baby, good luck!