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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Why won't my baby shift from ROA?

14 replies

MintTeaForMe · 27/10/2011 15:30

So, I'm now 36 weeks pregnant with my first. He's proving to be stubborn because despite doing everything I can to help him swing to a left anterior position (weeks spent sitting up straight or crawling around on hands and knees, hanging over a birthball, sleeping on my left hand side) he won't! This baby definitely has a mind of his own. The problem is I'd love a homebirth but I'm worried about the length of a labour from an ROA position (midwife said it would be about double the length of a birth from the LOA position) and the type of labour it will be (slowing in the middle apparently when baby turns posterior). I'm also wondering whether there's a reason why he just won't go on my left hand side which would be better dealt with in a hospital birth than at home (fibroid on left hand side? Issues with the cord?). Any experiences from first-time ladies in a similar position?

OP posts:

Yorky · 27/10/2011 15:49

Don't hate me for telling you to relax - but I've had 3 HBs with never a clue as to whther baby was facing left or right. Not much use I know, but hope all goes well for you

Matronalia · 27/10/2011 16:21

Its been a while since I had my two, but I thought it was T and P presentations that were the ones that were slightly more awkward.

FWIW I had two resolutely posterior babies, nothing would shift them. Labours were long, yes, but they weren't awful and DS's was really rather pleasant tbh. I just assumed it was the shape of my womb/pelvis and the fact I lounged on the sofa eating cream cakes and watching crap tv

At the end of the day you can always stay at home as long as you feel comfortable and go to hospital, but its trickier to decide you actually do want a homebirth at the last minute (you can, but you might have to argue your case in labour which is harder). If you are nervous or worried you should be where you feel happiest and most relaxed.

mumblejumble · 27/10/2011 16:38

Hi there, I have had two children who were both on the left, and both labours took two days of pre-labour and then a few hours of active labour.
Many babies turn during pre-labour, and it is not definite that labour for you will be protracted or more painful. The only times when homebirth may not be suitable would be if baby was breech, or transverse.
You would definitely be better off with a homebirth, feeling relaxed, being able to move with the contractions to help your baby move during labour.
Do you have a pool, the water will make it alot better for you.

fuckityfuckfuckfuck · 27/10/2011 16:44

Both my babies have been posterior, and I've been told it's most likely the shape of my pelvis that's to blame. Found out early in this pregnancy that I also have a tilted womb so I think that's probably a factor too. Ime, NOTHING will turn them before labour. WIth dd, I was induced and thanks to lying flat with an epidural she didn;t turn and took 2 hours of pushing, and she came out face up. Ds was posterior but I had an active birth and he turned naturally at the end of the first stage. In a way I think it's good your midwife has prepared you for the possibility of a longer birth, with my first I really was clueless, but I don't think you need worry about it. My advice to anyone, but especially those with an OP presentation, is to keep upright and active. There's no reason you can;t have a homebirth imo, I wish I'd stayed at home with my second, which was a fabulous labout and birth.

HarderToKidnap · 27/10/2011 18:47

What??

I am an experienced midwife, doing lots of homebirths. I have never heard this about ROA babies. They are as (or much more) likely to do the short swing round to direct OA as to swing round the long way. Lots and lots and lots and lots of women go into labour with ROA babies, it is NOT considered an unusual or undesirable position in any way.

Original poster

MintTeaForMe · 27/10/2011 18:48

Thanks all for your replies - we do have a pool at home and I really want to use it! And I take your point mumblejumble about moving around during labour: luckily there are loads of stairs in our house. I knew they would come in useful one day! Think I just have to prepare myself mentally for the fact that I can't control what's going to happen in labour, I just have to do the best I can on the day(s) and go with the flow.

OP posts:

Original poster

MintTeaForMe · 27/10/2011 18:53

Hi HarderToKidnap, sorry I posted before I saw your last message. Am really pleased to hear that in your experience ROA babies don't pose addition problems (bit shocked my midwife seems to think they DO). Are there good positions that i should adopt in labour to help the baby do the short swing to OA? Leaning forwards (as usual!) maybe?

OP posts:

ShowOfHands · 27/10/2011 18:53

Nowt wrong with roa at all. There are no rules really. Some loa labours are long and arduous, some op labours are quick and easy. But roa isn't a point of concern at all. Try not to worry about controlling variables which you can't influence. That way madness lies.

Good luck for your homebirth. Take each bit as it comes.

HarderToKidnap · 27/10/2011 18:57

Yup all the leaning forwards, knees lower than hips, optimal fetal positioning stuff, which should also be done if the baby swings to LOA! I wonder if you would feel brave enough to ask her what evidence she is basing this claim on? I would be really interested to know. I wonder why she is panicking and worrying the 30-40% of women who go into labour with baby in an ROA position?

maxbear · 27/10/2011 19:46

I'm a midwife too and would not be in the slightest bit worried about an ROA postition. Are you sure it is not ROP? Even if it were ROP (otherwise known as back to back) I would not be that concerned about you going for a homebirth as about 25% of babies start labour off like that and the majority of them turn during the labour, if anything it is more likely to get in to a good position at home where you are more likely to be more active. Go for it and don't worry!

Normaprice · 27/10/2011 19:58

I'm another one - midwife that is! May be your midwife meant to say ROP - as there is absolutely nothing wrong with an ROA position.

MummyMellie · 28/10/2011 11:27

Hey Mintfortea, don't worry yourself about it at all.

DC1 - LOA and three day labour! DC2 - ROA and eight hour labour. Felt her turn around towards the end of the first stage.
Am 40wks today with DC3 and the little monster has just turned from LOA (where he has been happily for weeks and weeks) to ROA! Am crawling around on hands and knees but don't expect it to make much difference.
If it helps you decide, I had DC2 in a pool, was upright and leaning forward so she had plenty of space to move when she did decide to, and all was absolutely fine.

Your body and your baby know how to do this bit for you so go with the flow. Let us know how you get on.

laluna · 28/10/2011 21:16

Another mw here! ROA is nothing to worry about! I was always taught that first time mums are much more likely to present with an ROA because of the obliquity of the uterus. Because of the descending colon the uterus shifts to the right and influences the position of the baby. I must admit I have never understood this but it does seem that lots of people present with an ROA. Don't worry!

Original poster

MintTeaForMe · 01/11/2011 10:58

Thanks for all your replies. I had another midwife appointment yesterday and was told that the babe has moved into an ROL/ROT position, despite all the OFP stuff I've been doing. I guess he's slowly making his way to LOA the long way round but I'm not feeling too worried now, seeing as I'm not sure there's anything I can do to change the situation! Will let you know how I get on....

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