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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

back to back labour = constant pain?

16 replies

growingweeble · 04/04/2012 22:17

I'm 37 weeks into my second pregnancy so the impending labour is starting to play on my mind! My first labour was not great! The most disconcerting thing about it was that I never really felt a contraction. It was just one constant pain and I was not prepared for that.

As is so common, my birth plan went out the window immediately and after 10 hours finally got an epidural... which was incredible and I will love that anesthetist forever.

But, I've only just realised that the weird constant pain might have been because my DD was back to back and maybe maybe maybe (please please please!) things might not be the same this time and I might have normal contractions that come and go.

Anyone else not really feel contractions and have constant pain instead?

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RockChick1984 · 05/04/2012 08:58

My labour was exactly like that - it felt like the worst tummy upset of my life rather than labour! I was told by the midwife that it was a combination of baby's position (no idea what that was!) and I was having more frequent contractions than average, so as 1 was easing off the next was building! She said the speed of the contractions was why I had a short labour, but I definitely think the position affected it. Hopefully you won't have the same experience this time, I am hoping that next time even if it happens again at least I know what to expect, the worst thing for me was that it wasn't what I'd expected and I was terrified! Good luck

Original poster

growingweeble · 05/04/2012 10:06

I am wondering whether it will be as bad this time even if the same thing happens as I think I dealt with it badly as I wasn't expecting it to be like that.

Funny you should say about the worst tummy upset ever as I did feel really ill. I've just had flu and it felt so similar. My bones hurt really badly in my hips and I was weak, shaky just like in labour. I had bad D&V in labour last time and that threw me too.

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Midgetm · 05/04/2012 10:46

I also had back to back and also threw plan out of the window and would have taken crack if they had offered it to me (insert joking emoticon just in case anyone thinks I actually mean that). Subsequently I have heard changing position and going on all fours would have helped ease the pain. Alas at the time I did t know that. I really don't think (or in total denial) that we have to have a repeat of that, I think it's the luck of the draw. Good luck x

Original poster

growingweeble · 05/04/2012 10:49

I'd have probably taken anything they'd offered me... no joking emoticon!
We only found out she was back to back when she came out so didn't do as much positioning as I should have done. Her head was really swollen so the midwife couldn't tell.

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Midgetm · 05/04/2012 11:37

Me too but didn't want the PC brigade to have come after me....

Tildabewildered · 05/04/2012 11:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dippywhentired · 05/04/2012 12:25

Me too! DD1 was back to back and it was constant agony. Ended up having an epidural. DD2 was right way round, contractions came and went and had no pain relief (was also much quicker, so was able to cope better). Hope you have a better labour this time!

Original poster

growingweeble · 05/04/2012 14:03

This is so reassuring. I know nothing is certain, but I feel much more positive about this birth now.
I do hope I follow in your footsteps dippywhentired and you do too tildabewildered!

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MissPenteuth · 05/04/2012 15:17

DD was back to back but I had contractions with gaps inbetween. The only difference (I'm guessing, as I've no other labour experience to compare it to) was that I had a lot of back pain with the contractions, which was worse than the pain in the front. I'm hoping DC2 (due in Oct) will be in a better position and the pain will be more manageable. I only had gas & air with DD, although I did ask for an epidural when I felt it was getting too much, but it was too late by that point.

maydaychild · 05/04/2012 17:05

Yes back to back with dd constant endless pain in my bum and back
I too loved The guy who put my epidural in.
I was terrified 2nd time around of it happening again.

Turned out DS was breech and I got booked a section. I was relieved!

BUT

I went into spontaneous labour with him anyway.
The contractions were of the 'make a cup of tea inbetween' type I had seen and read about and were nothing like dd.
Also gas and air was amazing as pain relief, I told all and sundry that surely it had been broken last time because it didn't do this!!! Midwife told me that gas doesn't work on back to back !!

Obviously I didnt deliver, they got me to theatre but I got to 8 cm and it was a breeze!!!!

Midgetm · 05/04/2012 19:57

They also told me it was too late for an epidural. I was 8cm's by the time I got a midwife so I turned into a bitch from hell and they managed to find a small enough gap to slip one in. I went a bit crazy along the lines of 'you induce me, then there is no midwife, no pain relief, why am I even here...) I think when they saw 'potential law suit flashing in my pain riddled eyes and they knew I meant business they managed to give me an epidural PDQ. I have never been so glad for pain relief in my entire life. I am hoping that I won't need it this time round but will make sure if it is the same that I ask for an epidural as soon as I walk in the door!

citiesofgold · 06/04/2012 09:28

I had a 4.5 day back to back labour - every contraction felt like my lower back was being crushed, and I never felt contractions in my bump. Had an epidural after 4 days as was dangerously exhausted due to no sleep/barely any food. Unfortunately that meant I couldn't feel the right muscles to push, but I could feel awful shooting pains down my legs. They were literally unbearable and the worst pain I have ever had. Ended up with ventouse delivery and massive episiotomy in the end.

Midgetm · 06/04/2012 09:47

4.5 days? For the love of god woman you deserve a bravery medal for that. I salute you.

citiesofgold · 06/04/2012 10:46

Thanks Midgetm! Didn't have a lot of choice though (and have PTSD). It has definitely had a hugely negative impact on my mental health. It makes me really angry when I hear women criticising others for 'making a fuss' during labour though - no one knows exactly what that individual is experiencing. (I know no one here was saying that, but once i start talking about it all, it's difficult to stop from ranting!)

Midgetm · 06/04/2012 11:01

Seriously, I am not surprised. I am surprised though that in this day and age people Are allowed to go through that. Similar happened to a friend and in the end still had a c section. I was furious on her behalf (baby was huge, she was tiny, it wasn't rocket science but they still let her labour for days on end...). That is a mammoth amount of pain to go through, even if not back to back the exhaustion alone for that long would do anyone in. I am still saluting you x

ahhhhhpushit · 06/04/2012 11:37

Yes I have back to back labour with DS. He was also coming out eyebrows first as he had his head tipped back. Oh and he was 9lbs and my first....

It was hideous. I did have contractions but the next one started before the previous one had finished.

I managed on gas and air.

If this baby is b2b I'll be pre-booking the epidural... NO WAY I'll be doing that again!!!

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