Posterior/back to back baby and home birth - any experiences?

[QueenOfFlamingEverything]

I know I've already started one thread along these lines but I really need some reassurance. I am terrified of hospital/instrumental delivery and really really upset and worried now.

I am currently 40+5 with DC2. Have a DD already who was born at home on her due date with no problems - 12 hours established labour, 2 hours pushing (but I was not in a great position in hindsight). This baby however has been back to back at most (but not all) appointments since 28 weeks, and today was still completely posterior. Midwife said she couldn't feel the back at all, only tightly folded limbs. Head is still high and free.

Midwife tried a sweep but no joy, cervix is still long/thick/closed.

I have been doing lots of walking/kneeling/leaning forwards/rocking on birth ball for weeks now but it seems to be making no difference. I've been reading spinningbabies too, and taking it all in, and trying it all out, but no joy. I'm so worried, I feel (irrationally I know) like maybe this is what I get for having it so easy last time round.

Is home birth still a realistic prospect? Please be honest, I need all the time possible to get my head round this if not. I feel panicky and rather hopeless tbh, have spent most of the afternoon in tears.

Woohoooooo! About time! Bet you feel elated!

yay!!!

have only read op and a few of the v latest posts, but

DD posterior, lots of fuss about whether she was breech/transverse.

Born at home after incredibly quick labour, midwives only just in time (less than 5 mins), she came out face upwards, staring around her with wide open eyes. Absolutely magical (especially as they'd not been able to find a hb in that 5 mins and dh on phone to ambulance...). You can do it!

OMFG You might have a baby soon, LOL

I never thought one could be so glad to see some bodily secretions... be nice if it was accompanied by regular contractions but I won't ask for too much at once. This baby evidently likes to do things slo-o-o-o-o-owly.

Well hopefully you get loads of sleep tonight and you'll wake up tomorrow in established labour

I didn't wake up in established labour

Off for monitoring this morning so I will compare notes with you later - good luck and don't let them pressure you into anything you don't feel is for the best. These are some of, if not the hardest decisions I have ever had to make so I know how scary it is and reaally feel for you x

Best of luck, QOFE :)

We are off in 30 minutes ourselves, going to arrive a little early at the hospital in the hope of getting out this morning. :)

Talk to you later.

Good luck to you both

Haven't read the whole thread but GOOD LUCK Queen. I had a back to back labour (didn't realise it was that at the time as was my first) at home, and although it took a long time, the actual birth was amazing. DH had to do a million massages over the space of 4 days and nights, but we did it together, and DD popped out no problems in the end (no tear or anything). Had my second DD at home as well a few weeks ago, and that was a fabulous experience as well.

Will look for the announcement soon - post if you can since you are at home!

Ooh, sounds like things are afoot. Good luck!

Still no baby in the QOFE house.

Monitoring was fine, no problems with baby or me at all - CTG very good, BP etc all normal, baby now ROA and very active. They wanted me to see the consultant but couldn't tell me why or what she could do for me/tell me beyond what the midwives had said so I said I'd rather not thank you. Which went down like a shite sandwich but hey ho.

Midwife did yet another sweep, has written 'dilated 1-2 cm and cevix thinned' on my notes. Have been having vaguely painful feelings all day since - they come every 5 mins for an hour or so and then go again, then come back. Plus had some more show, bloodstreaked this time [sorry TMI] and have dragging ache in my lower back, so am trying to be hopeful.

Glad your monitoring went alright. Hoping your sweep makes a difference. :)

Good news. Odd about the consultant, think they were hoping to talk you into staying in?

Great news about the dilation, keep us posted please!

And yep you guessed it, still no baby here. Weak and on/off pains since yesterday but nothing is actually happening.

I am miserable as fuck this morning and extremely weepy again. DD has been staying with GPs all week and is coming back today, I feel completely not up to coping with her which makes me feel very guilty as I do miss her a lot. But I just have no emotional or physical energy at all, I feel like I am putting so much strain on everyone concerned - DD, DP, my parents, the people I am having to get to drive me in for the bloody monitoring.

I am now seriously considering going in for induction tomorrow or monday, its getting to the point where I don't feel confident that birthing at home so far from the hospital is the right choice any longer. I feel gutted , I've never heard of anyone else who has had a straightforward HB for their first and then just not gone into labour the second time round.

How many days are you over QOFE?

16 today (going by scan at 14 weeks).

from your op I think you are 40+17? Are you being monitored daily?

If you have been having pains for the last week then hopefully that will be getting the baby into a good position and preparing the baby for labour. Hopefully this means that if you are induced, then it will be relatively easy and quick.

What had the consultant said about an induction?

x-posts

oh and don't worry about putting a strain on everyone - they will want what is best for you and the baby.

I am meant to be monitored daily but in reality thats simply not possible as I cannot get there every day. I went for CTG on tuesday, scan wednesday, CTG yesterday, and am going for another CTG tomorrow. So far everything has shown no problem whatsoever, the baby seems to be settling OA though still switching from LOA to ROA.

No idea what the consultant said as I chose not to see her. The midwives said they 'have to recommend induction at this stage' but at the same time they agreed there is nothing actually wrong atm, and they are still prepared to support me if I want to try HB.

Thank you btw I try not to think I am being a big fat weeping pregnant nuisance but sometimes (like right now) its difficult to think of myself as anything else!

I know everyone wants whats best, I just wish I knew what that actually was....

That's good that the midwives are still supporting you, and good that nothing is actually wrong. I'm sure you understand that while some women give birth at 42/43 weeks without a problem, for other women there could be a problem.

I had two homebirths, and both were past 40 weeks, but I had regular monitoring - fortunately in Belgium I could pay for the midwife to come to my house and monitor the baby - and I had my own personal limit of 40+12 days to have an induction if necessary. This helped me feel safe.

How do you feel about waiting longer?

oh and just to say no-one would think you have 'failed' if you do decide to have a hospital induction rather then a homebirth.

You have to do what you think is right for you and this baby.

I feel ok about waiting a couple of days longer, but am thinking no more than that now. I don't really know though tbh. I never ever thought this would happen, I assumed that having had one 'easy' HB that would set the precedent for any future births. I do think there are very real risks associated with induction, especially when there is no medical need for it - but then when does 'overdue' become 'dangerous'?

I just am taking it day-by-day, every day trying to convince myself that It Will Happen, going for long walks and all that malarkey. And every morning waking up for a wee at 5am and still nothing and its getting a bit too much now.

I am reassured by the fact the baby is clearly fine where s/he is right now but starting to lose hope it will ever happen naturally, and thinking I should just get this over with so we can get on with actually owning a new baby!