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Childbirth

Anyone for a positive birth story? A back to back one?

8 replies

bigredtractor · 16/06/2014 21:39

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!
OP posts:
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ThursdayLast · 17/06/2014 21:06

Love this positivity Smile
The MWs thought DS was b2b during labour, but really only because the epidural stopped me feeling the contractions but didn't touch the weird back pain, just like you describe.

Congratulations! Thanks

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VisualiseAHorse · 19/06/2014 15:05

Lovely!

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chloecorey · 22/06/2014 21:26

I had a back to back labour but wasnt informed about the 'coupling'!! That was horrendous.

But all in all it wasnt so bad, ds is my first and i expected HELL in labour but i was the same as you really. Contraction came for a minute but then had 5 minutes of feeling absolutely normal and able to move. Gas an air did nothing for me an i could only stand up during a contraction, but ladies its not as bad as you think!

I defiantly cant wait to get pregnant and give birth again, loved every minute and it was worth it Smile

The only thing i would change is a shorter labour (if i could Grin) 16 hours isnt alot compared to others but sooo long for me Smile

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Hogwash · 22/06/2014 21:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AlwaysDancing1234 · 23/06/2014 08:01

Lovely to hear a positive story. Congratulations on your new baby

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littlehelp · 23/06/2014 08:15

Both mine were back to back and manageable,gas and air with both then a shot of pain relief towards end actually could snooze between contractions Smile
It's certainly not put me off as dc3 is due in October lol

Contractions are very strong which made pushing a pleasure in a werid way not as painful lol maybe as the end was in sight

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SunnyL · 23/06/2014 11:00

5 hours? That made me jealous. I had 65 hours with my back to back baby. It was tiring but totally manageable with the Tens machine for the first 2 days. even then the gas and air worked a treat when I finally started pushing.

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eepie · 23/06/2014 15:41

Really great to hear a positive story - thanks for posting ! Grin

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