Malpresentations in labour

[Rachey1969]

Has anyone had experience of a 'good' delivery after having had malpresentations in labour?

DS1 was a big baby and I had to have forceps to deliver. Subsequently, ds2 was posterior ie 'back to my back' and born 'face to pubes' although it felt more like sideways, after hours in labour I was prepped for a section and in the course of being manoeuvred into a gown he descended and left me a 2nd degree tear and a significant blood loss - no pain relief! 22 months later, dd would have been born quite quickly but she was a face presentation (with the cord in front!). Hospital staff saw it as a personal challenge to get her out vaginally (and actually after an epidural, it wasn't too bad although her face was navy blue!).

I am now due again in January and medical opinion seems to be divided about whether this kind of malpresentation will happen again (ie I don't have child bearing hips at all!) or whether it is unlikely to happen again. I really don';t want to suffer like I have done and wonder whether just to go for an epidural straight off while I can - this just seems so wussy for no.4!

Oh Rahcey I can understand your concern after two births like those. I also had a back to back labour and delivery with no drugs and it's not funny is it?
There are things you can do about presentation.
have a look at this.

or this.

Actually, just do a google on Optimal Foetal Positioning and loads of helpful sites come up.

Good luck.

Me DS1 was a 10lb 1oz "stargazer" and was delivered by ventouse which resulted in a 3rd degree tear because he came out all at once( rather unfortunately, the pull on the ventouse co-incided with me working out just how you were meant to push after all!) And yes, just good old G&A,

DS2 was a perfect "normal" delivery I did the OFP stuff like leaning forward over a ball for the last month or so. Also helped that he was 2 weeks early and 2lbd lighter than DS1!

Thanks for this, I shall have a proper look - what worries me is that ds2 started off anterior and turned in labour! Also my placenta is anterior and although I'm only 25 weeks my bump is flat fronted - babies tend to face the placenta don't they? which means he is back to back. Dd was different again, she was anterior and seemed in a good position until my waters were broken and the midwife felt her chin coming first! (her neck was completely flexed back)

bump!

Bump again. Mears the Midwife may be along sometime.

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bump again!