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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

VBAC with back to back baby

76 replies

Carlyt93 · 26/02/2025 17:16

Hi all, hoping for a VBAC. My first was undiagnosed footling breech ending in emergency c-section. I’m 40 weeks and midwife told me yesterday baby is back to back. I don’t know now if this will change how I feel about a Vbac. Or have a planned c section. Has anyone got any advice? Or been in the same situation? Thank you

OP posts:
LilyFox · 26/02/2025 17:26

Mine was back to back. It wasn't for want of trying but I could not push him out, he was just stuck. It was also bloody painful.

So, forceps delivery for me which was shit and caused a lot of damage and I'd rather have had a c section!

So, c section all the way!

I guess the baby could turn but personally I wouldn't risk it.

Iheartmysmart · 26/02/2025 17:28

DS was back to back. I had a very long and very painful labour with him which ended in an emergency c-section. The epidural didn’t work properly either due to DS’s position. Personally I’d opt straight for the section if I were you.

Cloudyvibes · 26/02/2025 17:32

My baby was back to back, I had a very long labour and it was very painful but I honestly wouldn’t know if that was because baby was back to back or if it would have been the same if baby had been in a better position. I was close to having a c section but suddenly out of no where baby wanted to make an appearance. I ended up with a few stitches. Baby all fine.

MrsTerryPratchett · 26/02/2025 17:33

I was in labour for three days on and off and ended up with a c-section. The surgeon said she was the most perfectly posterior baby he'd ever seen. <proud>

No way was DD coming out if they didn't do in and get her. I'd pick a c-section if it repeated itself.

flamingoshoes · 26/02/2025 17:34

Yes another one regretting a VBAC, I had a planned section with my First as was breech. Second was back to back and ended up with a long labour and an awful forceps delivery which has left me with ongoing nerve damage and double incontinence issues still affecting me 9 years later. I had to leave hospital with a catheter for a few weeks after. I'm not trying to scare, I was fully into a vbac but in hindsight I think a planned section would have been less risky for damage.

Waymarked7 · 26/02/2025 17:34

Everyone's experience is different, most babies turn before or during labour. You could always try your VBAC, you can always change your mind at any point,e even in labour.

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 26/02/2025 17:35

Go straight for the C section.

I had a very long and traumatic birth with my back to back baby and wish I had.

Soontobe60 · 26/02/2025 17:37

I also had a back to back delivery - it was pretty horrendous I’m afraid. I was booked in for a section with my second if she ended same when I went into Labour. As it happened she wasn’t, had a normal but very fast deliver in the end.

Justgoingforaweeliedown · 26/02/2025 17:37

My son was back to back and agree with PP, it was bloody painful from the moment contractions started. I got to the point of pushing (midwives thought he might turn but didn't) and he just couldn't progress. Taken to theatre for a forceps delivery and he was in a position that made it impossible so ended in emergency section, which was also brutal. Baby became distressed in the process and wasn't breathing when delivered. Currently pregnant with number 2 and considering an elective section because I'm worried a VBAC will end the same way.

Supsupsup · 26/02/2025 17:51

“What does it mean if the baby is ‘back-to-back'?
Most babies who are ‘back-to-back’ (OP) at the start of labour turn into a better position during labour.

In a study of babies who were all OP at the start of labour:

  • 20 in 100 were born by caesarean before or during labour
  • 61 in 100 rotated to an OA or forwards position during labour
  • 19 in 100 were born OP
If your baby is OP, recent research suggests that the labour is likely to be longer as the baby has further to turn. This can be exhausting and may raise the likelihood of having a caesarean birth. However, in the past, having a baby in the OP position wasn’t thought to be a problem. Some specialists feel it is modern maternity practices and beliefs that have led to longer, slower labours. For example, back pain is common in labour, regardless of the baby’s position. There is no evidence that back pain is more severe when the baby is back-to-back. It might help to consider that labour might be different, rather than better or worse. Medical care will be available if needed. Can a baby’s position be changed? Research shows that a parent’s positions during pregnancy can change the space within the pelvis. However, there is no strong proof that this changes the baby’s position at the end of pregnancy. Rather than trying to move the baby, it can be beneficial for the pregnant woman or parent to try and ease tension in their body. This could increase symmetry and create space which allows the baby to move. People with previous injuries to their pelvis or legs may benefit from physical therapy or exercise to address any imbalance. Those with strong pelvic muscles or who are inactive might also find it helpful. Some ideas for helping to ease tension might be:
  • brisk walking for 30 mins each day
  • pregnancy yoga
  • sitting with hips higher than knees
  • swimming
  • wearing low shoes and calf stretching
  • getting up and moving every 30 mins
  • wearing the right size bra to help the diaphragm move
  • eating a healthy diet to avoid constipation
  • seeing a physical therapist, osteopath or chiropractor trained in pregnancy to address any old injuries”
Original poster
Carlyt93 · 26/02/2025 17:56

LilyFox · 26/02/2025 17:26

Mine was back to back. It wasn't for want of trying but I could not push him out, he was just stuck. It was also bloody painful.

So, forceps delivery for me which was shit and caused a lot of damage and I'd rather have had a c section!

So, c section all the way!

I guess the baby could turn but personally I wouldn't risk it.

was your baby back to back for a while? This was only noticed yesterday for me

OP posts:
Snoopysimaginaryfriend · 26/02/2025 17:57

LilyFox · 26/02/2025 17:26

Mine was back to back. It wasn't for want of trying but I could not push him out, he was just stuck. It was also bloody painful.

So, forceps delivery for me which was shit and caused a lot of damage and I'd rather have had a c section!

So, c section all the way!

I guess the baby could turn but personally I wouldn't risk it.

My first was back to back but I didn’t know until she came out sunny side up. She ended up being a ventouse delivery because she crowned and was then just stuck. They kept telling me push when you feel the contraction but it just hurt all the time. I didn’t realise until my second that the pain was supposed to come in waves.

Didimum · 26/02/2025 18:02

Both my twins were back to back. Forceps for both of them as they were both impossible to push out. Caused a lot of damage (3b degree tearing). I have healed very well from that (due to having a top consultant surgeon on the repair in theatre, which unfortunately is not the norm) with no lasting consequences but I know many other women who have permanent issue due to the same.

Roadtrip534 · 26/02/2025 18:03

My first was back to back. Wasn't too bad, labour was 3 hours and he was born without issue.

Twittable · 26/02/2025 18:05

I’ve had two natural births (including a back-to-back) and two elective C-sections. I was so traumatised by the back-to-back labour with my second child that I started saying goodbye to everyone as I thought I was dying! I had an elective C-section for my next birth as I was so terrified of it happening again (my first birth had been straightforward and calm so I knew it could go right but I was too scared).

Ask your midwife to talk you through your options, the most important thing is a healthy mum and baby so how you feel is really important. Take care, hope all goes well whichever you decide x

LilyFox · 26/02/2025 18:10

I'm not sure how long he was back to back for but I was stuck at 2cm for about a week before my waters broke and labour properly got going. I was told afterwards this is a sign of b2b but nobody said anything at the time.

The first time I heard it was after the doctor had heaved him out with forceps and said 'oh that's why he's stuck, he's sunny side up'.

Honestly OP don't risk it. It felt like my spine was going to snap in half. It was excruciating.

PylonFree · 26/02/2025 18:10

My 2nd was born OP, I was told he’d probably turn in labour, but he didn’t, he was born looking right up at me. It was a longer labour than my 1st and subsequent births, but was still only 3 hrs and I did it with just gas and air and nothing for the actual pushing stage as the midwives had me in all sorts of positions to try and get him out.

LilyFox · 26/02/2025 18:11

Twittable · 26/02/2025 18:05

I’ve had two natural births (including a back-to-back) and two elective C-sections. I was so traumatised by the back-to-back labour with my second child that I started saying goodbye to everyone as I thought I was dying! I had an elective C-section for my next birth as I was so terrified of it happening again (my first birth had been straightforward and calm so I knew it could go right but I was too scared).

Ask your midwife to talk you through your options, the most important thing is a healthy mum and baby so how you feel is really important. Take care, hope all goes well whichever you decide x

I also remember actively wanting to die in the final stages.

Sorry OP I don't say this to scare you but fuck I wouldn't even contemplate it if you're being offered a c section.

I was also left with injuries that took about a year to heal after the birth and a prolapse to boot.

NotVeryFunny · 26/02/2025 18:16

Have a c section.

Amba1998 · 26/02/2025 18:18

Back to back here
long painful labour 2 hours of pushing ended in forceps
i did all the spinning babies moves in the weeks leading up to turn her but in labour she kept spinning back to back again

Wowzel · 26/02/2025 18:20

Mine was back to back, it was brutal - i was grateful for the section I was eventually offered

DistantSkye · 26/02/2025 18:21

Not had a section so can't comment on vbac but just wanted to give an alternative view on back to back labours!
2 back to back straightforward vaginal deliveries here. No forceps or ventouse, not unusually long labours. Haven't experienced a non b2b labour so I can't compare it in terms of pain but second time round I had no pain relief at all (partly because it was so quick!).

I know everyone's experiences are different but back to back is a variation on normal and not always a horror story!

Sheeparemyfriends · 26/02/2025 18:23

I had back to back labour with my second, largest child. Midwife was a super hero and managed to get him to turn during labour, was very painful at the time but he appeared shortly afterwards. No drugs, no stitches. In labour for 7 hours. It can be done, but an experienced midwife will make a huge difference. Mine was probably old enough to have been working when I was born!

MrsTerryPratchett · 26/02/2025 18:23

Wowzel · 26/02/2025 18:20

Mine was back to back, it was brutal - i was grateful for the section I was eventually offered

I believe I offered to marry the anesthesiologist. I would have at that point. Lovely woman Grin

MixedBananas · 26/02/2025 18:24

Do the spinning babies exercises daily. You can encourage baby to turn with correct movement qmd posture. Exagerrated side laying etc.