Pelvic shape - cause of back to back labour?

[cazzabazza]

My DS was delivered last year by EMCS after a long, painful and traumatic labour. I was only told recently that it was due to him presenting back to back during labour and not turning at the end, despite using ventouse and forceps.

I understand that some women have a different pelvic shape that encourages baby to lie back to back, and are likely to have the same problem for each pregnancy.

Does anyone know whether it is possible to find out what pelvic shape you have, and if so, how is this done?

I am now due with DD in a few months and have the option of a VBAC or ELCS. If I have a 'normal' pelvic shape and my previous labour was likely to be a one-off occurence then I would love to go for a VBAC. However if my pelvis is shaped so that it is likely for my next baby to present back to back, then I would like to opt for the ELCS and save myself from another traumatic labour which ends in a EMCS anyway!

I can't give you an exact answer, but will just tell you what my consultant said. I had a very difficult back to back birth with my first child, and the second stage was nearly 6 hours long. I was pushing for 6 hours.

When I was pregnant with my second baby, I told my consultant that I was worried about the birth, not just because of the pain, but because of the long second stage. She couldn't believe that it could have been 6 hours, but checked my notes and I was right. She told me that mothers who had a birth like mine very often had a similar second birth. She offered me a CS. I had that and it was wonderful.

Hope it all goes well for you.

all 3 of mine were b2b and last 2 born with no intervention + no pain relief except gas n air. Won't necessarily be a problem at all. Pg no.2 took 4 hours in labour!

FX yours is straightforward.

My sister had exactly the same happen to her, OP. She was told she probably had a "masculine" type pelvis so baby would never have turned. Spinningbabies website is good for showing different pelvis types and how to spot if your baby is facing the wrong way.

My third baby turned himself posterior during labour so all my hard work on hands and knees in the latter stages of pregnancy were pretty fruitless!

I had a terrible birth with DS1 which I'm sure him being b2b contributed to. I didn't investigate the pelvic shape issue but when pregnant with DS2 I thought if I knew he was definitely b2b I would prefer an ELCS. It turned out he was not completely b2b nor completely in the most preferable position so I went with an epidural & it was much better than the first birth despite him being nearly 10lbs (compared to 7lb DS1) so I think the position was more favourable. I wouldn't have said the epidural made everything pain-free as they allowed it wear off for the pushing stage but compared to the first birth it was a walk in the park, & subsequently I was much more relaxed knowing I wouldn't have to go through horrendous agony.