Terrified of having a third OP labour - any positive stories

[Calmomiletea]

The labours for DS1 and DS2 were horrendous. Both boys were OP.

I'm due in 8 weeks with DC3 and I'm so worried it'll go the same way as the other two...

Has anyone had a similar OP birth and then a Csection? I'm wondering if the csection recovery would be easier than going through that horror again - anyone had both and can advise?

Also, anyone have 2 OP births followed by a normal birth?

I've read lots of threads of people who tried to prevent an OP position but it happened anyway. Are there any success stories out there of women who have prevented it?

Ask for a section. I had forceps then a section, second time recovery was much quicker and easier.

what pain relief did you have with the first two? There may be different options available that you've not had before.

Did you have an op labour?
If so, do you mean a section recovery is easier than the pain of an op labour?

I had succesful epidurals. But the pain in experienced before the anethetist was able to give me the epidural, I can only liken to someone taking an angle grinder to the bottom of my back, I felt like I was being torn in two. There was no proper let up between contractions either. I was definitely traumatised by both births, and they were nearly identical.

No but just generally I think a section recovery is easier than any sort of complicated labour.

it may be worth asking if remifentanil's an option at the unit you've chosen? It's a rapid acting opioid painkiller given IV when you press a button (so you can time it to peak with contractions) and, if you were keen to attempt another vaginal delivery, it may help as a bridging pain relief that's a bit punchier than gas and air until an epidural's sited and working. It's not available at all units at the mo, but might be worth asking about unless your heart's set on a section.

Yes, I had two sections after an OP labour. I also had a successful epidural for that labour, and I had it very early too (at 1cm, because I wasn’t coping with the pain). I had the sections for other reasons (said OP labour resulted in a 3b tear, episiotomy, PPH, suspected placental abruption, malfunctioning bladder, and so on).

But hand on heart, at no point was the section recovery even a tenth as painful or difficult as back to back labour. It was exactly as you describe - hours of agony that is hard to describe, like being cut in half, and with absolutely no break. And that’s before I even got to 1cm! I was screaming the place down, hence the epidural.

I’m so sorry OP (and I’m in awe of you) that you went through that twice.

I only had one OP labour, one OA, and I don't blame you for wanting to avoid another OP! OP labour with an epidural was 10x harder than OA without in my albeit limited experience.

Just wanted to add something my GP mentioned to me when I was worried about it recurring - some women have anatomy that lends itself more to OP facing babies. It can be caused by the shape of the womb and pelvis. Could be worth asking at your next sonographer / midwife appt?

I followed an influencer Sarah's Day, who had all OP births and she documented everything she tried to avoid it as well for her third.