Is there anybody here who knows a lot about foetal positioning and may be able to help me?

[Belle100]

My first baby got into distress during the birth as she was stuck in an 'Occiput Posterior' position. I had a large episiotomy and a ventouse delivery.

Since then I have lost 5 babies in early pregnancy so that probably makes me a bit more anxious about the one I'm having now. Would appreciate amy more rational opinions on my current situation!

I am 39+1 today. A few days ago I had several episodes of quite strong contractions, but they kept on stopping and starting and have now disappeared altogether.

It turns out that this baby is in the 'Left Occiput Transverse' position and the midwives seem to think that this is making the labour stall.

I've had several scans and have been told to expect a big baby (97th percentile).

I've been doing everything I can (birthing ball etc...) to help this baby to budge but there is absolutely no sign of anything happenning. I'm worried that it is now too big to turn.

Would it be unreasonable to ask for a planned, calm caesarean? I'd love to give birth naturally, but would prefer a planned section than an emergency situation with a baby in distress and all the associated risks.

After all our losses, I'll do anything now just to get this baby here safely.

[3littlefrogs]

No - it wouldn't be at all unreasonable to ask for an appointment with your consultant to discuss all your options for your delivery.

[rubyslippers]

i think you need to do as 3littlefrogs says

OP - is back to back? My baby (39 weeks) is back to back and DS1 was as well and was born star gazing so never turned

i had a long, slow labour with him, but delivered him naturally so it is possible

can you ask for a presentation scan when you go into labour?

also, am planning on a water birth which i hope may help this time - my baby deffo not budging from OP this time either

HOWEVER, i do not have your history of losses which i think is an important factor for you

i think a discussion is really reasonable

[pooexplosions]

I had similar with my first, and sorry to tell you had the exact same with my second. Although I would class it as a much easier labour, the birth was again ventouse with a tear and fetal distress making it somewhat of an emergency.

I am 38 weeks with no3 and baby is also OP at the moment, so I'm anticipating another exactly the same. I was told by a consultant that they would not do an elect. section though, that although the births I had were not easy, neither did they justify a section this time, so I am with the MLU.

I certainly think its worth a discussion for you though, I had only one loss and no real problems after my 2 births, and a different consultant might hae a different opinion. No harm in talking about it at the least.

[reikizen]

Please don't panic! You are doing all you can to help this baby to turn, lots of birth ball, hands and knees to get the back round to the front. However, lots of babies turn themselves around during labour and as you are only 39+1 I wouldn't say labour is 'stalling', your body is in fact 'revving up' for the big show. Those contractions may well be helping get baby into a good position.
Please talk to whoever you need to to set your mind at rest but I think you have a good chance of birthing this baby yourself if you stay upright in labour and keep moving, swaying side to side with contractions to help move baby down. No lying on the bed! Take a really supportive partner and some music with you and believe in yourself. Babies can and do get born in a posterior position if it comes to that. Good luck and I am very sorry for the babies you have lost.

[daxibaby]

It is worth chatting to your consultant and I can totally see where you are coming from but babies can turn during labour.

Have you had a look at: www.spinningbabies.com/

www.homebirth.org.uk/ofp.htm

[Lulumama]

Dd was born in the OP positin, same as ruby.. we are twins and i wonder if we just carry babies this way !! also, DD was a VB after my first birth ended in an em c.s

after a long slow latent phase, my established labour was v quick, 3 hours 15 from 3 cm to baby out with no tearing or intervention.

OP in itself is not a reason to ask for a c.s IMO, but having said that you are clearly worried and anxious and that is being excacerbated by your previous losses.. for which i am very sorry.

39 + 1 is not late, it is not that you are stopping and starting in labour, you are gearing up for it , as reiki says

i would certainyl discuss all your optoins with a consultant

in the meantime, take some time out to relax and do some visualisations and connect with your baby

[Belle100]

Thanks to everyone for your kind responses

I'm sure that my own anxiety is fair part of the problem.

With regards to the positioning though, it is not really the OP position that is my biggest fear.

At the moment, this baby is kind of sideways on (like this) and as far as I am aware cannot be born like this. My midwife said that it needs to turn one way or the other.

Now apparently, it is reasonably common for babies like this to turn during labour, but I am not sure that I want to take that risk.

Especially seeing as it's quite a big baby and my labour has kind of tried to start already and come to nothing.

[Lulumama]

i would not put any kind of emphasis on the practice contractions you've been having , they are not the same as labour not starting or starting and failing to continue

with true labour, you contractions do not stop until the baby is delivered. you are having braxton hicks.. and for all you know , they are helping to turn the baby into a better position

i would certainly see your consultant and ask for antoher scan maybe to doubly check the lie of the baby

you can request a c.s, but bear in mind that the recovery can be difficult too , tehre are lots of pros and cons, and you need to look into them all and decide what the best course of action is for you

[Reallytired]

Lots of women experience "practice contractions" or braxon Hicks. There are plenty of second time mums who think they might be in labour. Although you are 39 weeks +1 many babies come more than a week after their offical date and are fine.

If you are concerned then its quite sensible to have a discussion with your consultant/ midwife. I am sorry to hear about your loses and its understandable that you are concerned.