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.

It's very hard to say when overdue becomes 'dangerous' because the risks are different for every women. The biggest problem is that past a certain gestation, things can go wrong very quickly, which is why daily monitoring is important.

At some point the risks in being overdue outweigh the risks of being induced. Very many women are induced with no problem.

Oh you poor thing...I think as you are taking it day by day you're doing the right thing. And as Belgo said if you do decide to begin induction, it will probably set things off quickly and easily, as baby is preparing to go out. Can you go out for a long walk today and get a good sleep in afterwards? If you're are being checked agin tomorrow you can reasess then, so don't worry about these things today

Anyway good luck with whatever is decided and I look forward to the birth announcement.

QOFE, you're not putting a strain on everyone. You are 42 weeks plus pregnant and justifiably fed up!

If the MW considered a HB 'dangerous' at this point, they wouldn't continue to support it. If you trust your midwife (and they sound like a good, supportive team) take their lead. No-one is saying that you should go for an induction, just that they are bound by NICE guidelines to offer it.

So no guilty feelings necessary. Your cervix is ripe and your baby is getting into position so whether you have the baby at home or hospital I'm sure it will be quick and smooth. My sister was induced at 42 & 2 just with the lowest possible dose of prostaglandin pessary and had a completely natural, straightforward delivery. Just ask them to go slowly.

I'll be gutted if I don't get to have my baby at home again this time so I do sympathise. But I have to repeat that being in hospital need not be awful or even 'risky'. You are fully informed about what you want and therefore are unlikely to end up on some spiral of intervention.

Just take it one day at a time. And trust your instincts, as you have done so far- you'll know if you need to change your plans.

Thank you

My lovely parents brought DD here to see us today but after a lot of thought and discussion we decided she would go back to stay with them for the time being. The arrangements we had in place for her when I had the baby aren't still going to be possible - friends are going away now. The trips to hospital would be added difficulty with her as well, the only lift we now have available is with a friend with an elderly transit van that only has 3 seats.

DD cried and cried , it was awful, she didn't want to go away again and I didn't want her to either. I miss her so much.

Baby is still wriggling away, head is bumping on my bladder/cervix/hip and pelvic bones [ouch]

Avoiding Facebook as cannot face seeing the squishy photos of my friends' new baby, the one that was due a full 5 weeks after mine!

I am hoping that even if I do need to go into hospital they will be able to induce just by breaking my waters, as after the last sweep (yesterday) the midwife said she could feel the membranes bulging and the top of the baby's head.

Oh QOFE I 'm sure things must start moving soon if membranes are bulging etc! I do remember so well how frustrating it was though. I eventually said that if DS hadn't arrived by the Wednesday I would think about induction. I went into labour on the monday and he was born Tuesday morning (back in 2008 this was)

I also agree that a hospital birth doesn't have to be awful. I had a perfectly satisfactory hospital birth with DS. Kept moving about, got encouraged to bounce on a ball etc, so it's not necessarily something to fear

I have given up. Booked for induction first thing tomorrow morning. Terrified, DP not allowed to be with me until I am in established labour and moved to a delivery room. Will be alone on AN ward until then.

I just don't feel I am happy taking the risk of needing transfer in labour from our remote location at this stage. Plus I am very aware now that the midwives are not at all confident about attending HB this overdue and I do not want nervous midwives who would really rather I was in hospital.

Packing bag now - do labour wards have towels (the bath kind) or should I pack one???

All the best with your inducement, let it be as quick and comfortable as possible. :)

Look forward to hearing about your new arrival very soon.

Oh, good luck (if lo doesn't suprise us through the night finger's crossed)!! I'm sure it will be relatively quick at getting established - your body sounds vvvv ready! as to why your dh isn't allowed with you?? That's really odd? I would take some of your own towels as the hospital one's in my experience are very hard! Can't wait to hear that you've had an amazing birth whether at home or hospital...and well done for holding on so long

Take a nice big soft towel, hospital ones are like cardboard. And extra pillows for the same reason.

Don't understand why DH wouldn't be with you on AN ward- that sounds a bit archaic. See if you can't twist their arms about it...

I had to go to hospital last night for an hour and it did make me judder (as going to hospital always does) but the MW were so lovely, I nearly changed my mind about the planned HB!

Whatever happens, you will most likely be holding your new baby in less than 24 hours. I'm sorry it hasn't worked out as you'd hoped, but you really gave it a good go.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow, best of luck:)

Best of luck QOFE I look forward to hearing of the arrival of the gorgeous wee one x

very best of luck, hope it all goes well for you.

Hope it went well, QOFE!

Glad you posted, Privet, I've been sitting on my hands all day!

Hope you're now snuggling with your new baby :)

Me too! Hope it all went well and mummy and baby busy snuggling

Bumping for news

He is here

9lb 15oz!!!

Born at half two yesterday morning after 5hrs 40 minutes labour, following prostaglandin pessary and ARM. Was pretty traumatic in the end, his head is enormous and his shoulders got stuck necessitating McRoberts and a lot of tugging, then the placenta (also enormous) wouldn't detatch, and then I didn't stop bleeding for what seemed an eternity. Only one stitch though!

Back home the same afternoon, feel appalling tbh, way worse than after having DD (mind you she was 3lb smaller). Can hardly stand up, feel like I've been hit by a train. But getting better today.

Thanks for the thoughts and advice

Oh my goodness...what a whopper CONGRATULATIONS Sorry to hear it was traumatic, but both mummy and baby are well, so that's brilliant Makesure you're taking iron, floravital and Spatone.

congratulations :o

Very glad it all worked out in the end! (have been lurking for ages)

Take it easy and I hope you feel a lot better soon :)

Congratulations! I have also been lurking. Fabulous result, 9lb 15, what a corker!

Wishing you a speedy recovery

Congrats!!

Huge congratulations! What a big bouncing boy!

Hope you recover quickly x x

Congrats QOE and welcome to the little prince of everything! Sorry to hear it was traumatic but it must be a relief to have him safely in your arms ...so pleased for you

Congratulations! I'm so glad he is home with you now.

I bled loads after giving birth,, and you do need to give yourself time to recover - stay in bed with your baby and rest.

woo woo woo! thank goodness that's over! many congratulations. hope you get a chance to rest and fell better soon.