Anyone had a back to back (OP position) Labour/Birth for first baby?

[catholicatheist]

Hi ladies..I really need to hear some experiences. I am currently 36 weeks pregnant and my little boy decided he wanted a change of view and turned and is now in a back to back position. I have tried everything to turn him (all fours birth ball etc) and he isnt budging. Can people tell me their experiences as I feel I may need to rethink my birth plan (had hoped for just gas and air) but now considering epidural if it is going to be really really painful and long.

catholic, see this thread to remind yourself of just how innacurate weight guesses can be :)

Thanks for that..yes it all seems a rather haphazard way of determining size..I mean it is a tape measure and a midwife. I am sure it can give a 'vague' idea but I told my DH and he said ' I wouldnt trust that as accurate love'. I guess I just have to wait and see.

catholic- still following this thread!

dd1 7lb 15
ds2 8lb 11

this baby estimated between 9-10 lb by midwife, brought down slightly by a scan at 34 weeks to 8lb 7 at term.

she was 7lb 8 !!

really really don't panic about size - the midwife who delivered me said she never ever guesses because that is all it is - a guess!

sorry for lack of punctuation, typing one handed while bf!

Thanks Sarahlou..to be honest I think by and large you body gives you a baby you can handle delivering. If this was going to be a biggy then I think he will just come earlier. My husband and I are not big people so I cant see it to be honest.

Iif it reassures you I am also 5ft2, size 8, was 8st6 when I got pregnant and that was slightly above my normal weight. DS was 8lb7 and back to back, and the labour was fine. I had G&A for a bit but ditched it for pushing as I found it a bit distracting.

I did have a ventouse in the end as becuase of his position he got a bit stuck, but the birth was a totally positive experience. Good luck!

Oh cosmosis thanks so much. That is reassuring to hear!

come back and let us know how you get on! My gorgeous boy is currently curled up asleep on my chest, and i'm resting my chin on his head. It's worth it, i promise!!

I will do. x

Don't listen to MW predictions - I don't know anyone who was given an accurate measurement.

My MW told me that the reason DD's head was engaged at 36 weeks was probably because she was 'so big she wouldn't fit into the pelvis and would need a CS' - .

DD was 7lb 15oz at 41+4, I am nearly 6 foot so she was totally not a whopper.

Ignore them - really like your theory that you get a baby your body can take.

Tiokiko This baby has been engaged since 34 weeks and she was surprised I hadnt had him by my 36 week appointment. I take a lot of what they say with a bucket of salt to be honest. Most of it is supposition on their part rather than hard facts. :-)

Yeah, my mw told me at my 38 week appointment that I wouldn't be at my 40 week one. I had him at 42 weeks exactly

My DD was back to back. But I had the most sraight forward birth. I had a home birth. Coped fine on just gas and air. The pain in my back was unreal but my mum and the midwife were really good rubbing my back. Keeping active helped aswell. In the last hour or so I was screaming the place down - I could have done with some pethedine but i didn't want to make baby drowsy as I heard it can interfere with breast feeding. I pushed for 40 mins. She came out fine. Had a teeny tear that didn't even need a stitch. Alot of it is to do with mind set. Stay positive. And good luck :)
P.S. she didn't turn at all during labour, until obviously when I pushed her out.

Thanks Charl2503..that is a nice positive story. Did your baby come out looking more bruised or squashed as a few posters have mentioned this can also happen with back to back.

Hi! As I mentioned to you in the email, I had a back to back baby with the cord around the neck twice. We had a home water birth and I laboured for 45 hours before finding that I was still only 4cm dilated. My midwife wanted me to transfer in to hospital for a c-section as I was absolutely shattered, but my mum, (a midwife in Australia) told me to lie on my left side with a pillow between my legs.

I went from 4 - 8 cm in 1.5 hours lying on my left side with a pillow between my legs, and at 8 cm returned to the birth pool. Less than an hour later my little girl shot out with the cord wrapped around her neck twice, still back to back, but the birth was beautiful, peaceful, intense and awesome. I'd love to go through all 48 hours again, just for the incredible days that followed a natural pain meds free birth.

Wishing you all the very very best - and remember. Fear increases pain, so take deep breaths and remember that your body was made for this.

Try this!

Selina x