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Childbirth

Back to back baby- very worried

41 replies

hairylegsdontcare · 04/09/2017 19:06

I am due my first baby tomorrow! I saw my midwife 2 weeks ago and she said my baby was probably back to back. Although I'm not certain about this.

I can't stop worrying. I really would like an intervention-free birth if I possibly can, and I've heard back to back can make this very difficult to achieve.

Caesarian birth is one of my biggest fears in life.

Can anyone put my mind at rest? Need a hand-hold 🙁

OP posts:

Report

VioletCharlotte · 10/09/2017 16:21

Try not to worry OP. My first baby was back to back and everything was fine, albeit the labour was quite long. I experienced most of the labour pains in my back and found a TENs machine really helped during the early stages.

Someone told me back to back babies are known as being born star gazing, which I thought was quite nice

Ohyesiam · 10/09/2017 16:13

I has a spine to spine no intervention birth, it's possible!

RP23 · 10/09/2017 15:37

My baby was back to back, turned at the last minute. I can't promise you you won't need intervention obviously, but we were fine. It made for a very long labour but my contractions turned him back around. Almost needed foreceps to rotate his head due to his head being sideways still when it was crowning however I managed to push him out enough that he could be turned using the doctors hand and then delivered naturally.
Please try not to worry. Your baby may turn themselves anyway and even if they don't there's a good chance you will have an intervention free birth.

If you're still worried I have heard that swimming or bouncing on a birth ball can help

43percentburnt · 08/09/2017 21:00

Bounced even!

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 08/09/2017 20:59

Write "no forceps" with huge letters on your notes.

A CS is a very common, controlled and safe operation. Please don't fear it. I have had a VB and an ELCS and the recovery from the section was a walk in the park compared with the recovery from the vaginal birth.

43percentburnt · 08/09/2017 20:58

I bounded on a yoga ball (for hours) in labour and my back to back baby turned round. My contractions were very close together yet erratic. I hypnobirthed in water but felt the contractions in my thighs!
Gas and air last 10 minutes.

No need to panic, stay calm and breathe! Oh and I recovered much quicker from a c section. It took 45 mins of stitching post natural birth, the midwives were keen to save me from having to go theatre to be repaired! Had to sit on a rubber ring for weeks!

CPtart · 08/09/2017 20:56

My first DS was back to back. 24 hour labour with over two hours of pushing, an episiotomy ad a second degree tear. I had an epidural which didn't seem to do much tbh, all the pain in my lower back. I thought it was awful but then he was my first and I had nothing to compare it to. With hindsight I would have tried to stay upright much longer.

museumum · 08/09/2017 20:53

Mine was b2b when labour started about 3pm on a Friday. It really hurt but tens was a lifesaver. With tens I bounced on a ball through all night.

About 8am contractions stopped for an hour, then restarted, I think then he'd turned. Went into hospital at 4pm and was 8cm and he was born in the pool at 8pm after literally two pushes.

Hire a tens is my absolute no.1 piece of advice.

Yellowmaiden · 08/09/2017 20:50

I had a baby two days ago. Was told it was back to back and I stressed about this for the last few weeks of the pregnancy which was just daft in hindsight. Baby turned side on (after some bouncing on birth ball etc) and when I was in labour the midwives advised me on some positions and exercises to help her to turn completely and it worked. I had a straight fwd homebirth with just gas and air. Really, don't stress about this and good luck!! X

Princesspinkgirl · 07/09/2017 22:06

Mine was back to back it did hurt more in my back more of a constant pain thing is my labour only lasted 4 hours and pushing was 2 mins my dd just refused to turn before birth lol

BringMeTea123 · 07/09/2017 13:21

My baby was back to back but didn't find out until I was induced at the hospital! I had to have an episiotomy (but because he cooked an extra 10 days he was a huge 8lbs 9oz - I'm only a size 6 and 5ft 5 lol... ouch) anyway the doctor was gong to use forceps however once I'd have my episiotomy I managed to push him out without the intervention! I had just pethadine no gas and air and can honestly say even though no lying it hurt and was hard work it was the best day of my entire life! Being back to back isn't always a cause for concern, I think it's quite common. I'm glad baby had turned a little for you though. Hopefully they'll turn completely before they arrive

PolkaDotFlamingo · 07/09/2017 10:01

Mine was back to back but I didn't know until she was born. No intervention needed! Try not to overthink it because they can turn all over the place anyway. Just try to go with the flow.

hairylegsdontcare · 07/09/2017 09:57

bluebell thanks for sharing your story of CS birth. I don't know exactly what it is that frightens me so much, but recovery time is certainly a part of it. It is good to hear you had a smooth recovery that wasn't too bad. Maybe I'll try to think more about CS and identify my feelings, rather than just running scared and hoping it doesn't happen- then I might not be so frightened if i do need one

OP posts:

hairylegsdontcare · 07/09/2017 09:53

Thanks so much, everyone- this has been really reassuring. I saw midwife yesterday and she says he has turned a bit and is now 'Side on', so it looks like all the sitting bolt upright, leaning over chair backs and all-fours is working! 40+2, still babyless though!

OP posts:

Aebj · 05/09/2017 10:21

Both mine were back to back. Only had gas and air for them both.
Both births were fine ( I had a retained placenta with ds 1 but generally everything was ok)

HappyLollipop · 05/09/2017 10:15

My son was back to back all throughout my pregnancy and he turned during labour coming out the right way so I wouldn't worry to much about it!

Littleraincloud · 05/09/2017 10:04

Both my babies were back to back. Forceps with the first one a, emergency c section with second. However the pain came from Labour rather than procedure as once I knew I needed help I took all the pain relief I could as I saw no point in suffering. They give you good pain relief after too so basically don't be afraid. No I intervention = great. Intervention = fine, just take the meds and don't feel guilty. Pain is temporary no matter how bad and for how long

Josieannathe2nd · 05/09/2017 10:00

Don't panic! Mine turned during labour. Keep as active and upright as possible. Balance rest with walking. I found a TENS machine really helped too

Sallywiththegoodhurrr · 05/09/2017 09:58

My first and third babies were back to back.

Both straight forward births, No intervention needed for either

Bluebellwoods123 · 05/09/2017 09:57

Just to add don't fear a CS, I've just had one and it was very straight forward, recovery has been fine and I was in less pain than some who hadn't had a CS. My baby was perfectly positioned but couldn't come out, I did try. I know the stats show that a lot of births end in CS but loads of people I know have just had babies, very few required any intervention and I'm the only CS. The majority of mothers I know have had labours of less than 12 hours. Good luck

Twelvty · 05/09/2017 09:51

I've had two very big babies, both back to back. I needed intervention with both, first was forceps, as he turned last minute, and second emcs. Not the ideal, drug free water births id hoped for but ultimately we all survived and thrived. I'm 36 weeks with another whopper, and am having elective c section.

As you can see from the responses everyone is different (as with non back to backs really!)and it is entirely possible to deliver vaginally but also others need help (again, as with all births). Please don't go into it petrified of a c section, talk to your midwife, read up on sections so it isn't an unknown fear. It's very likely you'll be fine and get the birth you want.

For what it's worth I laboured to fully dilated at home with my first and then only had a late epidural with my second when they realised his mahooosive head was going nowhere, so the pain can be manageable, everyone and every birth is different. Good luck and remember, whatever the delivery, you'll soon get to meet your baby!

MenorcaSunrise · 05/09/2017 06:48

My baby was back to back - we didn't know until we had to have an emergency cesarean and the consultant told us after the op.

I was not keen on any intervention either, but the cesarean was actually really great. It was so professional and efficient, 45 mins from when we were told we needed the cesarean to the baby. There were a dozen medical staff and the were all so nice and chatty, especially the anaesthetist, smiling and all excited for me. They made me feel as if it was a big event (even though they had already done 2 or 3 that day). The surgery itself was absolutely fine, chatted to my husband and the anaesthetist. We got a lion king presentation of the baby when it came out! Afterwards everyone congratulated me. It was a surprisingly wonderful experience. The recovery is slower of course, but I was so full of painkillers, I felt quite normal afterwards, if a bit cautious and very slow.

So as the others say, the baby will probably turn during labour. But if it doesn't then caesareans can be very straightforward, are contrallable and even preferred by doctors (according to a relative who is an o&g doctor).

All the best with your baby!

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AcrossTheLoch · 05/09/2017 00:04

Most back to back babies turn before or during labour (yours may have turned already!). But if it hasn't this still doesn't mean you will need an intervention. You might find this article helps, it's a bit technical but is written by a midwife and is based on what we know from research:

midwifethinking.com/2016/06/08/in-celebration-of-the-op-baby/

travis45 · 04/09/2017 22:36

My 2nd was back to back, midwifes didn't notice. Labour was straightforward, different pain from my 1st but managed on gas &a air.

TheLegendOfBeans · 04/09/2017 22:29

Why why why is a CS your biggest fear?

I am squeamish, fear needles, am scared of dying more so than a person should normally be and I ended up with an EMCS.

I was scared...a bit, but from anaesthetic to baby being in my arms was about 30mins and so joyous and happy.

You have to speak to your MW about this. An intervention free birth is a magic thing but only happens for about 1 in 5. Information and knowledge are the best tools you have for a labour that you feel in control of.

Your fears are normal and you're right, b2b babies are more tricky to vaginally deliver than non b2b.

But do speak to your midwife; they're there for reasons just like this. Good luck xx

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