baby back to back at 40 weeks

[orangeshortbread]

Just been to my 40 week midwife appointment and she thinks that the baby is "a little bit back to back". The baby has been in a good position all the way through and now has turned back to back. She also said that the head is very well engaged.
Does back to back necessarily mean a horribly long labour or that the baby will be very late? Any stories (positive or negative) to share? Also how likely is it that the baby will turn when its head is fully engaged?

[TinkyPeet]

Both of mine were back to back, first labour 2 hours, second was a bit of a horror story but nothing to do with her being back to back and wasn't pushing for long x

[Rockchick1984]

I had in diagnosed back to back with DS - less than 10 hours from first twinge to birth although I was pushing for 2.5 hours and only narrowly avoided forceps. Wasn't any more painful than I'd expected labour to be, didn't have proper contractions that you could time though it was more a constant pain - have since learnt this is fairly common with b2b labour. I coped drug free though, despite having a very low pain threshold

[SchroSawMummyRidingSantaClaus]

DS was back to back. Was only told after syntocin drip was put up. Had drip put in in the morning, took a fair while for anything to happen dilation wise but once I got to 5cm DS was born just over an hour later. Had forceps in the end but that had nothing to do with him being back to back.

[beckie90]

They didn't know my baby was back to back till his head came out and he was facing wrong way I didn't go over too much though, I went into labour on my due date but it lasted 5 days so 40+5 was born, pushed for 2hrs before been intervined with vontouse (suction) but I don't believe that was just down to position he was quite big for me, I was still only size 6/8 when went into labour and he was 9ib while ds1 was only 6.8 2 weeks over. So the size didn't help. My labour was long though unfortunately xx

[Jamdoughnutfiend]

2 back to back babies - DD1 8hrs active labour, turned herself and natural birth, DD2 was crash c section but nothing to do with ring back to back!

[firawla]

is it your 1st or not? my 1st & 3rd were both back to back, 1st one was difficult (but i think due to combinsation of a few things not just that) with the 3rd one it didnt affect things that much

[crunchingicicles]

Check out //www.spinningbabies.com for suggestions & techniques to encourage your baby into a better position. Sorry, no experience of a back to back labour.

[priscilla101]

Both of my babies were back to back. DS 1 was born on his due date, 20 mins of pushing, no trauma at all. DS 2 was induced at 38 weeks, he was born in 3 pushes and turned during labour. Again, no trauma to me or him.

In my experience it made no difference at all, but for lots of women it does. My advice would be spinning babies as suggested above and a positive attitude...trust your bodyà.
A
Good luck OP!

[priscilla101]

Body....not sure where the spelling mistake came from?!

[SoYo]

Doesn't matter what position your baby is in (as long as head down) until you go into labour as they'll be constantly changing until then! Also for baby to go from start of labour to head being delivered it has to go through 2 90 degree turns and can turn either way! Best way to make sure baby is right way for pushing stage is being mobile and upright in labour as much as possible but good contractions will help turn baby into good position so don't worry too much if not possible. Hope that helps. X

[Springforward]

DS was back to back. First twinge to birth was about 30 hours, but I was only in established labour for about 7 hours and pain was manageable with TENS. His heartbeat slowed so he was ventouse delivery, but of course that might have been unrelated. Overall it wasn't so bad, and he was more than worth it, bless him.

[Springforward]

Sorry - meant pain in early stage was ok with TENS, in labour I used gas and air plus pethidine

[InNeedofSomeSleep]

My dd was back to back, she turned when 7 days late and was born 5 days later. Was in labour 7 hours and pushed for 20 minutes, the cord was wrapped around her neck so was either out quickly or would need help. I tore quite badly tho. I'm hoping that dd is good for me and stays the right way up.

[InNeedofSomeSleep]

*2nd dd

[sparkle101]

My dd was back to back, 32 hour from start to finish. I had every available drug going but that's because I'm a wimp! No problems with delivery and she's fine.