Back to Back/OP vaginal delivery - experiences?

[Flibbyjibby]

Baby No.2 and it has been an awkward little one throughout this pregnancy, always getting itself into strange positions!

I am 36+3 and was told by midwife today that baby is in OP position (back to back). Head isn’t engaged yet so I’m doing everything I can to try and get it to turn, but I am preparing myself for the reality that I might not be having the straightforward, unmedicated MLU water birth I was hoping for.

I have an anterior placenta this time so I always knew that back-to-back baby was a higher chance.

What experiences do people here have with back to back position and vaginal delivery? Do I need to rethink my birth plan and change to a hospital delivery?

My first birth was MLU dry land, unmedicated. Had an episiotomy.

My 8lb 13oz 3rd baby was back to back. Delivered vaginally with no tears or anything to me. Took Longer than I was expecting and the pain was different from my others - no real contractions as such more a non stop lower level pain which got worse in certain positions.

My 4th was posterior and born 'sunny side up' as well. I had a homebirth, he was born in my bath, and had the cone head shape on his forehead lol. Yeah, it was more painful than my others, mostly because the majority of it felt like 'transition' phase, felt like I was making no progress and the pain/tense muscles/worry feedback loop was not helpful. I'm not really a water birth person, but when my midwife suggested a bath it felt like heaven, the water allowed me to relax my muscles just enough to get through. He was over 9lb, didn't need stitches or anything - though he was my 4th. Good luck!

My midwife reckoned dd2 was back to back for at least part of my labour with her - but it was fine, a fantastic home birth. MW massaged my back (hard!) for ages while we waited for the pool to fill. So effective I didn't need any other pain relief.

I have precipitous labours so I won't lie and tell you it wasn't painful. It was 45 minutes from first twinge and I didn't have time for pain relief. He turned 18 last week.

I had back to back baby. Went into labour, very painful contractions but she turned naturally by herself when we were in hospital. Straightforward waterbirth with gas and air. Just some stitches.

I had four back to back births 😱All delivered vaginally. It was very painful OP, not gonna lie, my contractions were less productive, all in my back and went on for hours (over 24 hours even for number 4). But pushing stage very quick (just a few minutes) and all babies healthy and well worth it!! . I spent a lot of time while in labour walking sideways up and down the stairs as I was assured this would help! Moving definitely better staying still. I also necked down sports drinks to try and keep my energy levels up as I became completely exhausted with DC1. Good luck!

I forgot to mention I think DC1 was also back to back. I felt every one of her contractions in my back. No one mentioned anything before, during or after labour, and DH can't remember which way up she was. So I assume if she was initially sunny side up, she turned during labour. But I'll never know for sure.

I had a vaginal unmedicated home birth with my back to back baby. We didn't know she was back to back until her head popped out lol.

Looking back I definitely felt more pain in my back than with my other 3 births but the main difference was just feeling like I needed a poo during Labour. The pressure back there was Intense and I've only felt that with my back to back baby.

Recovery afterwards was also harder - might have been a coincidence I don't know. However I've had a bad back ever since and it took a while for me to feel strong after the birth.

Overall though I wouldn't opt for a section for a back to back baby.

Back to back labour was very painful, I was vomiting with the pain soon after waters broke (spontaneously). Had an epidural and DD was born via ventouse as things weren't progressing all that well.
I would not have wanted to go through it anywhere other than a hospital delivery suite with everything on hand, including theatres if necessary (other two children were EMCS).