Sometimes when baby is posterior you get a long pre-labour, up to 2-3 days of niggly contractions, or ones that get closer together and stronger but then fade off again when you rest.
Eventually active labour kicks off, but the biggest problems people have are getting tired out. Not eating or sleeping for 2-3 days before strong labour kicks in leaves them exhausted and worried.
If this happens, you can get through it, and often when labour picks up it is fast and fdurious.
Make sure you stay fed, rested and distracted as long as possible.
I give a posterior handout in my homebirth group, will copy it here for you-
IF?
You?re waters break as the first sign of labour
OR
You?re contractions are all in you?re back
OR,
You?re contractions are irregular
5 mins, 10, 7, 5, 4, 15, 20, 3, 3,10 etc
Take 200cc of homeopathic pulsatilla remedy
If you are not having contractions then try-
Massage with clary sage oil
Nipple stimulation, preferably with an electric breast pump and both breasts at once for 10 mins
Acupressure- See-
acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupressure/induce.aspx
Also usefull for posterior position, descent, pain relief, nasusea, failure to progress and cervical lip.
Do inversions in between contractions for 2-3 mins (3- in a row)
Be prepared for a possible long labour, eat, drink and sleep if you can.
Try different positions and movement, then have rest periods.
Try ?sifting? with a rebozo/cloth for 2-3 mins between contractions
Try sitting on the birth ball doing fast circles
Try a deep warm bath
Try a pelvic floor release
(For techniques see www.spinningbabies.com)
Go for a walk
Relax,
Go up and down stairs sideways
Most of these techniques can also be used in active labour.
Put on TENS.
AS things get more intense (contractions at least every 5 mins, lasting 1 min, cannot be talked through or ignored) try hot towels over the back.
Keep moving around. Do 2-3 contractions in one position, then move, on birth ball, hands and knees, stand, swaying, rocking, go sit on the loo, dance, march on the spot, rest on your side
If labour is long and not progressing, keep trying the acupressure
Try pelvic lift
Try lunge, do both sides!
PUSHING
If baby is malpositioned you may get a long lull when contractions die down, REST and don?t panic, don?t try to push until the urge is overwhelming.
IF pushing is not going well try-
Lunge (on both sides)
Walk to toilet
Walk up stairs (if at home)
2 Contractions on hands and knees, 2C on left side, 2C on right, 2C knee chest, 2C standing/squatting, repeat
Try Dangle or pulling down on cloth
Try pelvic release
Try double hip squeeze
Good luck!
Selina x