Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

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

Original poster

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:
Polpette · 04/09/2017 19:11

Every birth is different so not sure if this helps you or not but my first baby was back to back, all went smoothly and I had a water birth with just gas and air.

So it is possible to have a straightforward birth with a back to back baby - it doesn't automatically mean added complications.

TallulahBetty · 04/09/2017 19:12

Have a look at the Spinning Babies website.

PotteringAlong · 04/09/2017 19:14

My first baby was back to back. He was a ventouse delivery but that was more because, just to make matters more complicated, he was born with his hands on his cheeks too!

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 04/09/2017 19:17

I can't put your mind at rest - all births will be different and even a perfectly positioned baby can need intervention BUT... it really won't matter in the end. What will matter is that you and the baby will be safe and the birth will be dealt with in the safest and most appropriate way for you both.

I had to have intervention, but it's caused me no problems.

Good luck Flowers

LiDLrichardsPistachioSack · 04/09/2017 19:18

My 2nd baby was in a perfect position until just before he was due, and then turned back to back. I had a straightforward labour and a blissful homebirth! Don't give etc too hung up on it. I was obsessed with spinning babies and it kind of put a dampener on the last bit of my pregnancy tbh. Most babies turn in labour! Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine, just stay relaxed.

soundsystem · 04/09/2017 19:19

As Polpette rightly says, all births are different but I can offer another positive experience... my DS was back to back, and was delivered at home with no pain relief. I won't lie it was - briefly - excruciatingly painful - but I mean briefly, maybe 5-10 minutes of proper pain. And totally worth it!

Do give the Spinning Babies website a look.

glow1984 · 04/09/2017 19:20

My baby was back to back and I didn’t require any intervention.

Try not to stress yourself out, as that is more likely to cause you to need an intervention

YouCantArgueWithStupid · 04/09/2017 19:20

My DD was back to back. No intervention was needed

Soubriquet · 04/09/2017 19:20

My second born was back to back.

Wasn't picked up until I was in labour and getting close to crowning.

I had a natural birth and my son was born sunny side up as they call it

Bloody painful though

certainlynotsusan · 04/09/2017 19:22

My first was back to back but twisted partway through. No intervention. Try not to worry.

prettywhiteguitar · 04/09/2017 19:23

My first was back to back, I had him in water with gas and air. All births are different but don't fixate on this in particular, it might be best to just accept what will happen will be in the best interests of your baby and you and go with it

Original poster
hairylegsdontcare · 04/09/2017 19:23

Thank you so much for your replies, and so quickly. It's good to hear that things can go smoothly- I will try to focus on this 😊

Also, I'm heading off to Spinning Babies right now- thank you for the recommendation.

OP posts:
certainlynotsusan · 04/09/2017 19:25

My second had to be a CS (nothing to do with being back to back so nothing for you to worry about) and whilst I absolutely didn't want it and it was one of my massive fears, it wasn't the end of the world in the end. What will be will be. Try not to worry. The midwives will look after you.

PotteringAlong · 04/09/2017 19:25

Good stuff. You'll be upside down on the sofa before you know it Smile

StillaChocoholic · 04/09/2017 19:42

Both mine have been back to back. First was born at a birthing unit with gas and air for pain relief. Second was born at home in the birthing pool with no pain relief.
They both hurt a lot, second one was bloody intense. I found repeating hypnobirthing mantra very helpful and having a really good midwife who seemed to know the perfect times to remind me to breath.

Mummyh2016 · 04/09/2017 22:21

I had a back to back baby. No interventions but I was pushing for 4 hours on a MLU, if I'd been in a labour ward I'd have ended up with help.

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

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.

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/

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!

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!

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

Sallywiththegoodhurrr · 05/09/2017 09:58

My first and third babies were back to back.

Both straight forward births, No intervention needed for either

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

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

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.