Tell me about your back to back labour?

[Mybabygirl2018]

Hello,

I am very lucky to have a lovely 4 month old baby girl. When I look back though I just want to understand what happened during labour a bit more. As with how intense it was I’m not sure I could go through it again.

I often hear that gas and air is enough (it is great) and that labour was bearable. For me, I don’t think I could have handled it without an epidural. Although I suppose looking back, my midwife didn’t reassure me much so I was panicking a fair bit.

I don’t feel like I have a low pain threshold but obviously I have nothing to compare it to.

So, basically I started contractions and spent a lot of time at home. It was painful and I was unable to sit down or sleep. It was very stressful.

Got to hospital after 24 hours, 1cm dilated. Had pethidine and managed to get to 3/4cm. Had no sleep at this point.

They broke my waters as nothing much was happening and DD heart was kept dropping.

After this I lost control and the pain became unbearable. I got an epidural and it was all fine, although I had to go on the drip for ages but luckily no intervention.

My midwife never explained that the baby was OP or what that meant, she didn’t want to keep examining me (fair enough) and I was kicking off so much she thought I was going to have the baby soon! But I was no where near.

Did anyone have a similar experience? I know birth is different for everyone, but I really didn’t expect it to turn out the way it did.

[mellongoose]

I have self diagnosed my first labour as back to back having read lots of accounts of it after the birth. I still don't know for sure.

DD came out face up. All my labour pain was in my bottom and lower back. The MW described my contractions as "powerful and expulsive". I had no break between contractions.

I did it with gas and air and in the pool. I didn't know what to expect so just went with it knowing that it would all end at some point!! Quick labour in the end.

Pregnant again so don't know what to expect next time!

[Willow1992]

My DS turned back to back and semi transverse (diagonal) during labour. I stopped dilating and was just stuck at 5-6cm or so for hours so when they checked me expecting me to be fully dilated I was still there! I can attest that around the time he moved position the pain was a lot worse. When everything was going well the pain was bearable and went hand in hand with the labour progressing. When he was back to back it was a lot more painful, and mentally much more upsetting when I knew things weren't progressing so it was all for nothing if that makes sense? The labour ended up being so long I was exhausted and ended up properly losing my head over the pain and I had an epidural.

I had been so sold on natural birth but having the epidural put in and the pain just stopping after such an ordeal was an amazing feeling! I would be happy to have one again if needed.

In the end I had signed the papers for an EMCS because I couldn't push him out while he was in that position but they got him out using rotational forceps, with an episiotomy under local anesthetic (healed fine).

[Girlwiththearabstrap]

Both of mine have been back to back induced labours, and stayed that way during delivery. I don't really know whether it's worth knowing that they're in that position because I think it can panic people and most babies do turn during labour.

With my first baby I took 6 hours to get to 4cm and had an epidural at that point. I was only 34 weeks, had pre eclampsia and was on the hormone drip plus magnesium sulphate so I didn't feel very mobile. An hour later I was 10cm and pushing. Second baby I recognised the back/tailbone pain when they put the drip in and asked for pain relief but there was no time.
Back to back is a hard push, and is just the way some babies grow! So don't feel like it's you, or your pain tolerance. It's intense, especially with the added pain of induction.

[stickytoffeepuddingandicecream]

Your birth sounds similar to my first. I was in slow labour for weeks so I was knackered before I started. The day I went into actual labour it started about 4pm and I went to hospital just after midnight. I’d been having regular contractions every few minutes for hours so I was anticipating 5cm maybe, I was 1cm!! They monitored me for a while then said I could stay but without my husband, I didn’t want that so I went home. After 2 hours at home I was in total agony and couldn’t cope so went back, I was 7cm by 4am and everything seemed to be going great. I was in agony but I assumed that was normal. After another 4 hours nothing else had happened, was still 7cm and my contractions stopped. They waited another 4 hours before telling me I needed the drip to restart labour. It started again but then after another 3hours I got stuck at 9cm. My baby’s heart rate wasn’t happy so it was a bit worrying. I eventually got to 10cm and started to push but the baby wasn’t coming. An anaesthetist came in and said I needed help, an epidural and forceps. I didn’t want either so carried on pushing all the time she was trying to explain what was going to happen. With the help of the very kind doctor who managed to reach in and twist my babies head slightly my daughter came shooting out in 1 go facing up, much to the surprise of a packed room, the doctor nearly didn’t catch!

No one really said what op position meant, it was mentioned vaguely but they didn’t really say anything about it. Overall I had a good experience, I didn’t even tear and recovered very quickly. I felt like I escaped a nasty birth (rotational forceps shudder) by the skin of my teeth! I went on to have another baby 18 months later so it hadn’t put me off having another in any way.

[Mybabygirl2018]

Limp congratulations!

Our labour’s sound almost identical. I think I had the epi from 7pm- 3am when she was born, and loved it. Requested it at 2pm- longest wait of my life!

I hope anyone reading this thread will feel better about their births if they had back to back labour’s it’s been really helpful for me to read.

[LimpLettice]

I had DS on Friday following a horrific b2b labour of 20 hours, 12 with no pain relief and the last 8 with the epi, and my god I would recommend the epidural.

My waters went Wednesday, contractions started Thursday lunchtime but by midnight I'd only reached 3cm despite contractions on top of each other for the duration. A mix of stomach, legs and back, and much more painful than contractions with not back to back DD previously, which had been a 6 hour labour and easy peasy. Delivery were too busy and I was left in triage in an open bay, shrieking in pain by the end, surrounded by pregnant women but no one else in labour and was getting very upset at the lack of pain relief and privacy. I was so out of it, thought the end was nigh and all I could do was sob and pant.

A lovely m/w took pity on me and found an unused room on delivery at about midnight and said she'd stay on shift so I could leave triage. Got me an epidural and it all went from a horror movie to a wonderful experience. Dilated really quickly from 3-10, kept mobile, breathed him out with no tearing a couple of hours later. Epidural is not for everyone, but saved my sanity this time.

[Mybabygirl2018]

Thank you so much everyone.

Sandy, I am so glad I had the epidural after 24 hours of contractions 5 mins apart as it would only have got worse. I was 3/4cm for hours and hours thinking I was progressing but I wasn’t.

I think the scariest thing was, being 1cm and knowing it was going to get a lot worse. I panicked. I just don’t understand how anyone can manage it without epi (I know I’m lucky I had the choice!) and well done if you did- I think that’s amazing and very brave. I remember being in the bath at home trying to manage contractions and I just couldn’t lie on my side so had to get out.

Once I dilated to 10cm I pushed her out in 20 minutes, luckily she was 7lb 3 so not very big. No serious tearing. I know it could have been a lot worse!

[SandysMam]

26 hours, felt like I had been ripped apart by wolves!! Wish i’d been brave enough to insist on an epidural but thought this would make me not a real mum WTF!!! Insanity and I wish I could go back in time and give my head a wobble!!
Back to back labour is something else, anyone reading who’s baby is B2B, take the god damn epidural!!xx

[Armchairanarchist]

I also needed an episiotomy.

[Quiet13]

DS 37h b2b labour. Gas and air. Thought I was going to die.

DS2 1h labour no pain relief. Not back to back.

Totally and utterly different!

[JessicaJonesJacket]

I was induced, given first gel and within half an hour had back ache. By another half hour, I asked for pain relief and was given paracetamol Another twenty mins and I buzzed for the midwife because I couldn't believe how painful it was. She was very dismissive but agreed to check to see how far along I was. I was 5cms. Cue massive panic to try to find me a side ward to give birth. They gave me gas and air and DS was born an hour later after thry had broken my waters and given me an episiotomy because his heart rate was falling.

[Armchairanarchist]

DD2 was back to back. I have precipitous labours so no pain relief. It was absolute agony but only 45 minutes from my first twinge.

[rosy71]

Both mine were back to back. With both my waters broke first & both labours progressed in exactly the same way. However, with ds1, I was pushing for 2 hours with nothing happening & ended up with a spinal and forceps. This didn't happen with ds2. He was born with just gas and air but came out the wrong way round. Lots of stitches tho. Labour with ds1 was 11 hours & ds2 6 hours.

[Dandybelle]

Yeah it's goddamn hard work.

I remember screaming in agony AFTER pushing as DD's head rocked back against my spine because I couldn't get her round the bend. Absolutely unreal pain. So much worse than the actual contractions.

From start to finish labour only took 10.5 hours though and I think had she been facing the right way it would have been much quicker. 37+5 with DC2 so could be wishful thinking that it's gonna be a doddle this time 

[BiscuitMachine]

This is bringing it all back for me...DD1 was back to back, but it was never explained to me that it could be more painful/longer labour. Four days it took. I was in absolute agony and they kept sending me home because the contractions weren’t close enough together and I wasn’t dilated enough. I got the distinct impression they thought I was being dramatic. I was exhausted and completely out of it by the end, and had emergency c section as her heart rate dropped. It took me months to get over it, looking back.
Try not to worry about doing it again DD2 was a quick, natural birth, a complete breeze in comparison.

[ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs]

I had two the right way round first! Dd1 my labour was 4 hours, start to finish (sorry, not boasting!) Dd2 took 3.5 hours. So when I went into labour with my third I was expecting a 2-3 hour labour!

Firstly the contractions weren't as regular. I complained to the Mw that they "weren't sore enpugh" which amused her! But then they got really sore and I couldn't understand why I couldn't push him out! At one point I decided I wasn't doing it any more, told DH he could bloody do it and sat with my arms folded in defiance!

Of course, I had to do it. It was painful and I only realised he was back to back afterwards, which explained a lot. I still cast it up to him......

[FoxgloveStar]

Back to back labour is insane.

My first turned the wrong way so went from being face down to face up. All the pain was in my back - like a chainsaw to the spine for 30 seconds every 2 mins, for 36hrs. Had waters broken for me then the cascade of interventions - hormone drip, epidural, forceps.

You are not a failure. You had a hard labour. It is not comparable.

I’m pregnant with second now and really hoping things will be different a second time around.

[Littlemissdaredevil]

When I went in to be induced I was told DD was back to back. Contractions were strong and regular immediately. There was no gradual build up and they were excruitaying. Unfortunately, the midwives would believe I was in labour even when I told them the pain was so bad I felt like I was dying so I was denied any pain relief. By the time the examines me I was 10cm and in a highly distressed state. I ended up in theatre with forceps. The spinal was amazing after hours of feeling like I was going to snap in half.

If I had another baby and they were back to back I would insist on an epidural before I let them touch me!

[MrsT1983]

My son started out back to back. I’d had a sweep 2 days before and he was right way round so must have turned in between. I had low back pain right from the start- managed about 7hours at home then went into hospital, but contractions kept stopping so they wouldn’t give me any pain relief other than paracetamol. It was mad busy and no beds available so I ended up labouring in the corridor for another 6 hours til they transferred me to antenatal ward. I was begging for an epidural all day but they told me I wasn’t in established labour so couldn’t have one, but the pain in my back was so awful, I felt like my spine was breaking. About 6 hours later I felt him turn and all the pain in my back just disappeared, but then my contractions were just concentrated really low down on one side of my tummy which was almost as bad. He was born 4 hours later with just gas and air and came out facing sideways. Interestingly, they only mentioned him being back to back once during my labour, it’s not recorded in my notes anywhere and they’ve written that I was complaining of “mild” back pain! I’m pregnant with no2 and will ask for a debrief before this one is born as I didn’t feel they took me seriously at all.

[weegiemum]

My first dd was op - 19 years ago nearly but it has stuck in my mind more than my ds and dd2 subsequent labours.

I went into labour ok at home at just after 39 weeks. Managed about 12 hours at home but it was sore so went to hospital. Was only 2cm so given a bed and I tried to sleep, managed it a bit after I gott diamorphine. Next morning they moved me to delivery, broke my waters and started me in the drip. I was in agony (more opiates) but the gas was good and I really really didn't want an epidural (had had bad side effects in the past from a lumbar puncture). Used the birthing ball and tried to walk around but for a long time I just lay in my side and cried - I felt awful.
When I finally got to 10cm I'd no urge to push at all - they kept telling me to push and I thought I was but it was really inefficient. Doctor was called and decided to try ventouse, and if that didn't work cs.
She came out face up at the third pull/push. The doc called her "face to pubes", the midwives called her a "stargazer". I had a second degree tear, and she weighed 9lb12oz!
37 hours it took, but we did it, dd1 and me, with a little help. And now she's all grown up and a gorgeous art student. I've never been more proud of myself!

[Dinosauratemydaffodils]

I labour in my back regardless of baby position because I have a rubbish pelvis.

Dc1 I thought I was dying, I've never felt pain like it. His giant head was pressing against my sciatic nerve and with every contraction, my legs would go under me. By hour 65, I would have sold my soul for pain relief. He was eventually born after 75 hours of contractions by emergency section as he was well and truly stuck, couldn't be pushed or pulled out. He was back to back but turned during labour (which didn't change my contractions at all).

Dc2 wasn't anywhere near as painful but still hurt a lot. I went into labour before my planned section date and the trip to hospital was agony as I was contracting every 2/3 minutes in my back and pelvis although she was apparently in an "optimal" position.

Both of them ended up as emergency sections and I didn't need any pain relief once the anesthetic for the surgery wore off. My labours were a 1000x more painful than recovery from the sections.

[Sipperskipper]

mybaby I did everything to try and make sure DD was in a good position for birth - I didn’t sit on a chair for 6 weeks beforehand, only used my birthing ball! Every excercise in the book and she was still back to back. So please don’t beat yourself up - sometimes things really are out of our control.

[chickywoo]

All 4 of mine were back to back first was in labour from 6am born at 11pm all the pain in my back, no pain relief only gas and air, they kept showing me this stupid model of the stages of dilation - like “ your almost there” but in reality was in unbearable agony for hours needed to push while they were having handover, they fobbed me off then feelings had gone was pushing for ages but nothing happening - in hindsight I know it’s because I should of started pushing when I felt it anyway ended up with episiotomy and forceps the worst pain ever in my life.
2nd back to back also a few hours shorter labour but just as painful - this time was sensible and had diamorphine was determined to push the baby out myself this time - which I did - and with no stitches!
Number 3 was overdue, on the day I was due to be induced labour slowly started - they insisted I still come in for induction anyway was in established labour by the time I got there but they didn’t take me to delivery suite they Fannied about for ages, I was in labour on a maternity ward with the curtains round while other people had visitors no gas and air as it’s not plumbed in on the ward (although they could have brought me portable one) when my waters broke and they realised time was of the essence they wizzed me in agony in a wheelchair to delivery suite - when I got there I finally got the gas and air and was ready to push.
Number 4 also back to back! Shorter again but the most painful of all! Just gas and air delivery suite tried to send me home when I arrived at 6am but they gave me an hour to see if it progressed and it really did!! Dc4 born at 9am!

[RiojaHaze]

I've had 2 back to backs and 1 not.

The b2bs were awful: long hard labours, blue lighted to hospitals rather than midwife led units, epidurals, failed forceps and ventouse.

The first one I didn't know about her being b2b, and no one explained it could make things harder. With the third I kind of knew what to expect.

In contrast, DS1 wasn't b2b and almost literally flew out in one big push.

[MumUndone]

DS2 was born 6 weeks ago, he was back to back. Very painful and intense contractions and could feel them in my lower back much more than first labour. Made it to fully dilated without pain relief (couldn't bear the taste of the gas and air even though used it loads during first labour) but was only about 2 hours from when labour first started, it all happened very quickly. But, DS2 got stuck so I had to be prepped for C section, though managed to get him out with ventouse. Annoyed I didn't get to have a natural birth, as DS1 was delivered by ventouse also.