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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Back to Back Baby - Can I Avoid Instrumental Delivery

32 replies

glastochick · 19/04/2010 14:59

I'm absolutely petrified of a forceps delivery, so much so that I would rather go through a c-section.

I have it in my birth plan that should an instrumental delivery look likely, rather than continue to try and deliver I want to be whisked away for a c-section than get to a stage where it's too late for one and there's no other choice.

DH has been fine with this all along, but at my 34 week check up Midwife confirmed my suspicions that DS1 has shifted from ROA to OP. DH told his Mum (retired midwife), and also about my views on instrumental deliveries, and now he's trying to get me to think about agreeing to it.

I really really don't want to get to that stage at all, and that's part of my reason for opting for a home water birth so I know I'll have constant attention and hopefully won't end up progressing past the point of no return.

I've tried getting DS1 to shift position, think I've done it, and then it feels as though he's swung back round.

Not all back to back labours / deliveries require intervention, do they?

OP posts:

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rubyslippers · 19/04/2010 15:02

both my children have been back to back and i haven't had any intervention with either

DS - no1 was a natural, vaginal delivery with gas and air. He didn't turn in labour so was delivered star gazing.

DD - no2 was a waterbirth - she was back to back the morning i went into labour but she turned and shot out with 2 pushes

it is absolutely possible to deliver back to back babies without intervention

stay mobile and active - i am convinced the water helped DD to turn as i was able to move positions very easily

ruddynorah · 19/04/2010 15:05

dd was back to back. no instrumental intervention. i did have a bit of sytocin towards the end though as her position meant my contractions weren't effective enough. that took me from 8cms to fully dilated. no epidural. no big tear. all fine

Original poster

glastochick · 19/04/2010 15:20

Thanks both, that's reassuring

Will continue to push for a home birth (ideally in water), and keep as active as possible during it. Just need to get DH on side now!

OP posts:

slushy06 · 19/04/2010 15:38

I had two back to back babies
Ds delivered star gazing with his hand up by his ear no tear no epi all fine they didn't even know he was op till he was born.

DD op turned in labor.

katechristie · 19/04/2010 17:02

both mine have been OP. with my first they insisted on monitoring DS so I was stuck on bed, resulting in ventouse delivery but managed to get DD out no problem with no help (all 9lb 9oz of her). - I stayed mobile with DD, walked around, but mainly rocking on all fours, then was on bed as they were trying to listen to heart rate and out she came.

I think being informed is the main point - which you obviously are. Despite being well-read on pregnancy, I didn't know back about back-to-back with my first. My second, was a much more positive experience. I'd read a few threads on here about similar, and there are lots of experiences of good straight-forward labours in this position.

FWIW - I'd go for ventouse anyday over c-section.

Lulumaam · 19/04/2010 17:04

i had an OP baby and she was a VBAC. had a long latent stage, but the established labour was quick, second stage 30 minutes, no intervention

beinf at home and being able to work with your body, move and stay mobile etc will really work in your favour with an OP baby

Marne · 19/04/2010 17:06

I had dd1 back to back with no drugs and no help (i did think i was going to die but all was ok).

mama2moo · 19/04/2010 18:13

DD2 was back to back. I only found out when in labour (it explained the back ache I had been getting!)

She turned during labour and I didnt notice any difference. 1hr 50 min labour, no stitches.

Good luck.

MillyMollyMoo · 19/04/2010 19:39

DD3 was back to back, they didn't know until she came out face first, it was longer but no more painful and you're right in that staying home and in the water with a midwife to hand at all times can only benefit you and the baby.
FWIW I would rather have a section too and know somebody who was in exactly that position, asked for and got a caesarian.

blindhorse1 · 19/04/2010 20:56

DD2 was back to back and we only found out when she came out facing the wrong way. I had no intervention - delivered her in the birthing pool, all fine just slightly longer (1hr longer) delivery than DD1. It felt more frustrating as pushing was longer and harder but being able to get into different positions in the water more easily definitely helped me. Good luck.

Esme01 · 19/04/2010 21:44

I had back to back. Went on 40 hours, Had every drug going. Epidural, which I never thought I could face, was the best thing ever. Spent probably an housr pushing but still no intruments required. All was completely fine.

MarionCole · 19/04/2010 21:46

DS was back to back and turned during labour. No intervention at all.

Horton · 19/04/2010 21:51

DD was back to back. No instruments required and she turned in labour, no idea when but after it started as I still had fists and feet poking me from inside early on. I actually had one of the least complicated and easiest births of anyone I know (and she was my first and I was oldish at nearly 38). Please don't be scared! Back to back doesn't necessarily mean you'll have a horrible time, nor that you will need instruments to deliver your baby. With us it took 17 hours from start (less painful than a period) to finish (and I had a very long pushing stage), with gas and air, no forceps or ventouse. And I am not at all stoic. I promise I would say if it had been awful.

runnybottom · 19/04/2010 22:00

All three of mine have been OP. First 2 were ventouse but the third was in water until right near the end and totally natural, no bother.
The first 2 were a bitch though, sorry.

EggyAllenPoe · 19/04/2010 22:02

i had back-to-back baby at home. it was fine, and faster than my non-back-to-back baby (who was larger) - she was still back-to back when the MW got here abut 45 mins before delivery - i think she wa face fowards when born but i was in no position to be sure!.
slight tear but then i think the trick is to cool it a bit on the last contraction (ask your midwife about this, my MW with ds told me to 'take it easy on this one'...obviously you don't want to ease off too soon)

well, fine as labour goes anyway. staying at home increasses the chance you won't have instrumental delivery of any kind- staying active should help baby turn (so i believe anyway).

EggyAllenPoe · 19/04/2010 22:07

i think also if you are worried, talk to your midwife throughout your delivery to assure yourself about what is happening, i found DS (who was ROA)harder to labour because it didn't progress as quickly - talking to the midwife helped me believe me things were moving along.

swissmiss · 19/04/2010 22:29

DS was back to back but after a slow start, 19hrs to get into established labour, went on to deliver without any assistance. Tried to move around and stay upright as much as possible, spent much of latter stage kneeling on bed leaning forward over a bean bag, was much more comfy than lying down. Good Luck.

Wholelottalove · 20/04/2010 09:08

DD was back to back and I did find it tough (sorry, everyone's experience is different) but after a very long latent stage the active stage was 4 hours, 1 hour pushing. She turned right at the end, born with hand strapped up to ear, I had tiny tear, no stitches. I had pethidine and gas and air.

I was advised to move around and spent two hours walking round the hospital to move her down and get contractions regular. I spent most of time knelt leaning over the back of the bed, although actually delivered on my back because the mw thought she may have to do episiotomy (she didn't, wouldn't recommend being on your back for back to back labour at all if it can be helped).

confusedfirsttimemum · 20/04/2010 11:20

DD was back to back and I had a hideous three day labour, with synotocinon, epidurdual and forceps (actually, the forceps was the least bad bit!). (Sorry, not meant to be scary, just background for what I'm about to say!)

I think you are doing exactly what I wish I had done. I have written before about the shockingly unsupportive midwifery care I received at my local hospital. By going for a homebirth you get someone committed to and focused on helping you. That is exactly what i think might have made the difference with DD, and what I'll be going for next time. I want someone who will say "ooh, have you tried squatting?" "what about getting you in the shower?" etc, not "well, you're only in early labour" (said with face at the possibility it might be quite painful)

I'd also think about a doula who would come out and support you if the initial stage is long. That's another thing I'll be doing next time.

lumpasmelly · 21/04/2010 12:51

Does your hospital do mobile epidurals - I had one with DS2 and they really are the business - you feel no pain, but you can still walk about, go to the loo etc. DS2 was back to back (like DS1) but because I got pain relief early (try like before I felt any real pain at all)I was able to do all the right things to turn him, and also be a lot more assertive as i had the energy to do so.....bounce on birthing ball, walk the wards, get on all fours etc. I was also able to deliver him hanging over the bed so upright. It made all the difference and I can honestly say that his birth was pain free and very easy (I think Dh and I were watching TV during the pushing phase - I kid you not!)....shame that phase 3 of that labour turned into a nightmare, but that's another story!!!

EldonAve · 21/04/2010 12:55

I have had 2 OP babies - both without intervention

ohnelly · 22/04/2010 16:14

Hi both my sons were back to back & turned before coming out with no intervention, no cuts and no stitches yay!!

thelennox · 22/04/2010 16:19

Hi. My 2nd and 3rd were both back to back. 2nd was born with no fuss, and very quick labour - although really painful. My 3rd though ended up completely stuck, rushed to theatre and kiellands rotation. Combination of back to back, wrong part of his head pushing down and size - he was 9lbs9. They gave me a spinal though, so didn't feel a thing. Was very glad I was near a theatre though, otherwise it could all have really gone down hill quickly!!

carrielou2007 · 23/04/2010 22:30

Both my dc were back to back and born face up. Dd was forceps as she had her hand up to her face (think superman flying) and 9lb6 bad tear. Everyone told me second baby boys will be bigger so was expecting a monster, ds was 8lb13 also face up but no forceps.

I would love to be someone who breathed my babies out as I did think I was going to die (sorry) and with ds only got gas and air for stiches afterwards both were induced.

Totally worth the pain though

Lovethesea · 24/04/2010 14:10

DD was OT, occipito transverse - so head stuck sideways and engaged and impossible to birth normally. She was kind of curved around inside me longways.

Emergency Forceps in theatre while prepped for c-section if that failed.

Just mentioning it in case you get someone examining you who mutters about the position being more OT than OP .....

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