Transverse lie and back to back - are symptoms of labour different ?

[CantThinkofFunnyName]

I'm only 36 wks but was having contractions a couple of nights ago which led me to delivery unit because baby was breech up to that point. I have a c/s booked for 29/12 for medical reasons too. Anyway, contractions stopped and scan showed that baby had moved to transverse but was also back to back. If I have more contractions, waters go etc, the usual story of go straight back in. This is DC3.

But I was wondering, are the symptoms of labour different with this type of lie? I seem to recall stories of people just having severe back ache or pains in tops of legs etc rather than the usual contractions across the stomach.

I've had the most awful back ache today, hence my asking!

TIA...

bump

Both my babies were back-to-back throughout the entire labour, so I don't have a "normal" labour to compare them to ... Yes, the labours were painful, I'm not going to lie to you! But labour is painful, generally speaking, regardless of how the baby is lying ... I had an epidural & ventouse with the first, who came out facing forwards, but just G&A with the second and she was born naturally, and very easily - no tearing. (She actually turned just prior to the pushing stage - I actually felt it - and it was the hugest relief in the world as the contractions changed instantly and I didn't feel them in my back any more).

As far as the pain - well, it was in my stomach and back, but the backache came and went with the contractions - it wasn't constant. So if you're having backache and it isn't coming and going, it is probably because the baby is lying against your spinal cord (ugh!) rather than that you're having contractions ...

Contractions in your back are incredibly intense, and you will need someone there with you to rub your back extremely hard for the duration of each contraction, but it is manageable and if I can get through it the second time without an epidural, belive me, anyone can - I am the biggest wimp in the world! And because the contractions are so intense, the relief in between contractions is also huge and wonderful!

You might want to have a chat with your midwife about labour/delivery positions, as if you're having back labour some of the more traditional positions might be more painful or impractical.

Good luck - and have just noticed that you posted this yesterday, so hope I'm not too late!

Thank you MummyDragon. Have just returned from the Day Unit actually where they confirm that baby is still back to back, has changed to an oblique/breech lie and I was having tightenings 1:10 which was coinciding with intense pain in my back. BUT... not in labour, not dilating etc.

I have a c/s booked for 2 wks 3 days time for medical reasons so they want to keep a close eye on me now to make sure I don't go into labour naturally, particularly with the lie of the baby.

For now, the diagnosis is Braxton Hicks complicated by severe SPD, oblique lie and back to back. What a joy this pregnancy has been!

Thanks again for posting.

As you have a section booked I won't bore you with the details of how labour was different, however the symnptoms of going in to Labour were the same for me for all my babies although the first was breach other than that the right way (slight bum and head confusion) and the other two were transverse but head down so labour started as expected cramps and drawing pains in theighs

Is your baby still oblique? Are they going to keep checking between now and your section day? DD2 was persistently transverse so I was admitted to hosp at 37 weeks in case my waters broke, as apparently theres a risk of cord prolapse with that lie. I was told if my waters go, get on all fours and press the red button! (they did, I did, and had emergency c section almost immediately..)

I've just got out of hospital after 3 days in actually. Was having lots of contractions, found to be caused by a UTI! Baby still pivoting between breech and transverse and back to back. I have the same "all fours, dial 999" instruction!!