Back to back baby, labour more painful

[AverageSnowflake01]

Did anyone with a baby back to their back have a really painful labour? I've been trying to get baby to face my back for weeks, but even now at 40+3 she's still not facing my back and I could go in to labour any minute.

Posterior + early epidural increases rates of instrumental births

In comparison to posterior without epidural or in general doctoranova? I presume the former as the latter wouldn't be very useful to us here. Stats? The problem with research on this matter is that women experiencing complications such as back to back, PROM (waters do often go early in a back to back labour) who ask for epidural and are denied it are not adequately studied. And the appropriate comparison group for women with posterior baby and epidural is women with posterior baby who want epidurals but don't get them, not those that don't have them per se.

That said, I agree OP would do well to think about techniques for managing pain without an epidural. Not necessarily because that's intrinsically positive in itself in a posterior labour. But because, as you say, such labours quite often involve a prolonged latent phase where epidural may not be available regardless of whether it would be beneficial or not. I found pressure had some effect and would also recommend considering a TENS unless you really can't stomach the idea of it. I know some people just don't like the idea!

Had my membrane sweep today. Baby is now in anterior position and I am 2cm dilated. I'm hoping my labour starts soon and is quick and isn't as painful now that she's facing my back, but I know less pain is not guaranteed when baby is in this position. Good luck to anyone else soon to deliver

Fab! Best of luck.

Best of luck snowflake