Optimum Foetal Positioning and how/when to do it

[MoosMa]

DD1 was OP and DD2 seems to be following suit - I woke up lying on my back this morning with a tangle of limbs poking out through my tummy button! I mentioned it to a consultant I saw today, who said that nothing I do will make a difference, the shape of my pelvis will determine the baby's position and that if DD1 was OP then that was obviously the best way for her to be. I really can't believe this to be true so I'm going to give OFP a try - I figure it may work and if it doesn't I haven't lost anything.

Sooooo, what have you found worked for turning your baby the right way, and when did you start doing it?

yay!! congratulations! and you didn;t go too past your date either ! great news, thrilled for you !

LOA! optimum position for birth ! get you !

welcome to babyMoosMa xxxxxx

love to you all at this special time xxx

Congrats Moosma

This thread is great for me- my last was OP and didn't know til he crowned - this one is OP and only comes round to the front once a week if that - I have a short gap between my ribs and hips and I have spd - and baby is BIG - off to see consultant on thurs to see whether going to have natural or section (have done both already!)

What I would like to know is the effect of epidurals on OP babies - I had ventouse last time to get DS2 out - if I avoid an epidural and remain active this will obviously help - but don't think spd is up to a back to back labour. Have been practising my positions, optimal foetal positioning, breathing etc.

Any thoughts before I check myself in? Think big, back to back and existing pain from plevis...

wondering if a water birth is an option for you?

or an active birth using TENS, G&A and pethidine rather than epi? and using birth ball?

tis late , am tired, no longer coherent xx

Thanks lulumama - bath does help now with the pelvic pain - it is such a difficult decision to make! My head is spinning!

pelvic partnership... might be some useful advice on there

That link was really good thanks - hadn't come across that one - very positive.

welcome x

I used the pool with DD1 who was OP and it helped the pain for about 5 hours, the mistake I made was to lie reclined in it though so it made things worse in the long run. I spent most of this labour leaning forward on the kitchen worktop or kneeling on the sofa leaning over the arm which certainly helped. I was kneeling on the floor leaning on the sofa as she was born. HTH and good luck!

7 weeks here! Thanks - I think when have my growth scan on thursday will have a better idea of how big he is going to be and whether the consultant thinks a 11lb back to back baby will come out!

Another stupid question: What does OP mean? And is it the same as back to back?

it is

occiput posterior

ie back to back

as opposed to LOA

left occiput anterior, which is meant ot be the optimum position for birth !

the occiput is the back part of the baby's head

thank you! Not due till early July but this is so useful!

Also as medium-build 5 foot tall person, do you think it's more likely I would have a difficult birth? Anything I can do to help that? (Apart from growing 6 inches). At the moment not sure how baby and my internal organs are going to fit. Ekk.

is this your first, i take it?

it is amazing how your body will adapt to accomodate the growing baby...rest assured, that you will grow the size of baby you can carry and birth !!

i think it is really important to have a positive, where possible, mindset...and not think in terms of , well, i am short, so i will have a bad time , or this will go wrong...best to trust in your body and believe that you can do this !

you will become uncomfortable as you reach the end of the pregnancy, as your organs do get squashed , but that does lessen a bit as the baby starts to engage..i think that is true whatever height you are ! and , once the baby i s here, you do tend to forget that you were breathless and had heartburn!

revel in the fact your body is growing, protecting and nourishing another person !

i always recommend that you should read about positive birth stories

Ina May Gaskin's Spiritual midwifery and Ina Mya;s Guide to childbirth are both excellent, as is pretty much anything by Sheila Kitzinger....

HTH x

Having read this thread and some of the links I'm now undecided about whether OFP is worth a shot or not

I'm 38 weeks, MW couldn't tell me exactly how baby is lying but all the movement is in the front
My 1st was OP and didn't turn during labour, he came out OP

it is worth a shot , IMO as it cannot hurt to try !!

TBH..if you have delivered one op baby then , you can do it again !

Thanks lulu, I'm just wondering how practical it is to attempt with a 2 year old who thinks the birthing ball is a toy for him

thanks lulumama, you are right - think postive and it will make a big difference. That's what I tell people with other issues so why should pregnancy be any different?

TheBlonde I was the same, I almost didn't bother but am so glad I did, DD1 was OP but DD2 turned as I started to go into labour and came out easily! I figured that if I tried and it didn't work then I hadn't lost anything, but if I didn't try and then had a difficult labour I would be kicking myself.