What does OP actually mean?

[dejags]

Mears, or any of you in the know professionally can you help?

My midwife tells me that DB (2nd pregnancy) is OP (37+2 today). I have heard a lot of horror stories about how this causes long and exceedingly painful labours. Is this true? If so, why?

I am trying not to worry but I am terrified of having to have a caesarian and my very subjective memory can only recall friends whose babies were OP ending up with a CS.

Is there anything that can be done to get the baby to move round?

Do a search on "Optimal foetal positioning" and you should get some info. Lean forward and don't slouch. Sit backwards on a chair so you have to lean forwar over the back and can't slouch, do stuff on all fours, lean over a big ball (like a birthing ball)...

FWIW, DS1 was OP and he wasn't a CS.

It means that the baby is lying with its spine against yours. Ideally you want it facing your spine. Mine was and I turned him round using some of the techniques described. Lie on your left side whenever possible, do not lean back in chairs as this cradles the baby in the OP position, lean forward instead. Positions on all fours are also said to be good (scrubbing kitchen floor etc!). Basically you want to make it uncomfortable for the baby to stay as he/she is. Don't worry too much, a lot of them do turn round and you've got time.

I delivered a 9lb12oz OP baby vaginally with ventouse and she was my first. It can be done!!

Hi all,

Had my 1st without any stitches or intervention (i.e. ventouse/forceps) and was really hoping to have that this time round.

I'll be spending as much time with my bum in the air as possible from now on

Is there any verified evidence that this actually makes a difference?

my dd kept changing position to op in the last couple of months of my pg
it was agonising cause i already had a bad back
i moved her several times by cawling around-ie-clean floor on hands and knees gently swinging my huge preggers belly about!! this worked-the first time she took a day or so to move but just persevere slowly with it!!
she did go back to lying op or sideways(no one was sure which) in the very last stage of labour(the last hour) but she was still born the right way up(not face to pubes-as the midwifes call it!!)
just keep trying to turn her-imagine it happening inside-ie-imagine way she is lying and how your movements can turn her-another way is to lean forwards over table and support yourself with your arms for a while just do these sort of things whenever you can
good luck -im sureit'll be fine

left side is good to as someone has allready said -ideally everyone when pg should always lie on left side in bed as baby has more room( i spent nine months on my left side!!)

Don't worry too much, there are a few threads about this and I think you'll find there are more people who had good births than bad!

Incidently, all three of mine were OP and apart from DS2 having to be induced in the first place, I had no intervention, no epidurals, epistomies or stitches.

The exercises are worth doing, although I have to say mine were all stubborn and didn't shift at all! I often wonder though whether their lateness was connected to their OP?! Anyone know?

dont worry. dd was op until the last few minutes when she turned! the labour was long but as my first could have been anyway. she was born fine with ventuose. i did spend ages beforehand on hands and knees and lying on left side the whole time in bed (very annoying) but she would not budge. a few weeks before this, she was breech and these positions did turn her from that though. she went to op 4 weeks before birth. dont worry.

My dd (1st child) was OP. I had a relatively quick and easy birth with no intervention.

Here is a link optimalfetalpos

Dejags - worth being careful about your posture. OP means Occipito -posterior (back of baby's head facing mum's spine)

Baby's usuually turn around during labour so try not to worry. It is very unlikely that you would need a C/S. Definately worth encouraging baby to line up properly before labour starts though.

Totally agree with Mears... also usually your contractions and labour will be more efficient this time and your contractions may well turn the baby before you get to the 2nd stage. OP is a "bigger" issue with 1st vaginal births than 2nd in my (professional) opinion/experience.
I had an OP labour (many of us did) and I didn't even have ventouse or forceps and it was my 1st.
If it was me... I would not be unduly worried.... try to do what's best for turning him/her but don't loose sleep over it.

BTW OP can also be called "back to back"...

I delivered my first who was op with an epidural (I like epidurals, so I don't know the other options ) It did take a while and I tore and had an episiotomy.

My second I asked for the ventouse as I wasn't afraid of stitches and he popped right out. I did have stitches and we're not sure if he cut me or not. (Neither of us can remember)

The stitches weren't bad at all. I had an easier postnatal time than a lot of people without them. My one suggestion is that if you get stitches or tear at all, don't get in a bath. Always clean them with fresh water. And clean them regularly. (Handheld showers are great for this, as are bidets or anything like that, cat me for specific recommendations.)

I hope this sounds a little bit reassuring. It was "I am terrified of having to have a caesarian" in your first post that prompted me to reply. I really understand that. I was absolutely terrified of a CS. No good reason, but I was.

Just to let you know that I had two boys who both started labour as OP. One was delivered that way, one was not. Both weren't CS and I am happy about the births.

Dejags - ds2 was OP until the day before I went into labour. Like you I was very worried about the labour but for the 3 weeks before I gave birth I lid on my left side where possible, leant over a birthing ball, scrubbed floors on hands and knees, and sat on chairs facing and leaning over the back. It was hard work but I do feel it helped. I did feel like giving up many times but glad I percevered as I had an intervention free 8 hour total home birth with a tiny tear.

If there is anything you wany to know give me a shout and good luck.

Dd1 was transverse OP and delivered vaginally so it can be done (but not very nice at all although transverse 'worse' than OP I believe).

Second ones twiddle around, I was told when scared of this myself. DD2 still wasn't in ideal position when I went into labour, but she shifted herself and got out without any problems.

My birth story with ds being OP is exactly what you DON'T want to hear...HOWEVER, I was made to have an epidural, and he did come out eventually. I had no pain, so was relaxed all the way through. Ironically, he did turn during labour, but then turned back again!

Do all the things suggested, but just remember not to scare yourself.

hiya dejags, just wanted to post a quick positive OP birth story. My ds (baby no.3) turned OP at the end of the first stage. Yes the second stage was harder and took 20 minutes as opposed to 5 with baby no.2, but he did come out eventually with some encouragement from the midwife who manipulated his head. I was in a squatting position with dh supporting me from behind (no whalesongs or scented candles though! )
He was born at home and I didn't tear. I know there is a very good chance that your baby will sort him/herself out beforehand, but even if it doesn't happen it's not the end of the world. Good luck and don't get too stressed out about it.