39 weeks and baby is back-to-back - any advice?

[EmilyD2012]

Hi all,

I'm 38+5 and have just found out that the baby is back-to-back. The midwife warned that this could mean a longer and more painful labour. This is my first baby and I'm scared enough as it is! I just wondered if anyone here has been through this / has any tips to make it easier?

Thank you in advance!

Emily

Is the baby engaged or not?
Mine was still back to back at 38 weeks due to my lifestyle-sitting and leaning backwards.It turned.
Don't lean backwards when you're sitting up,turn the chair round and lean forward.Get yourself some jobs on all fours(scrubbing the floor,gardening)-this helps the gravity to bring the heaviest part of your baby (which is back) to your front.
When it comes to labour back to back-try on all fours.
Google ofp-optimal foetal position I think,look up some ideas on the internet.
And don't panic-back to back is not always a difficult one-that's what i was told.Good luck.

My honest advice is don't worry about it. I've had two back to back babies and nothing would shift them. A lot of women find back to back labours no harder or even easier than oa labours. In my case, there turned out to be a reason why my babies were in this position.

I had two very long labours, both ending in emcs, though this was nothing to do with them being back to back. One labour was extremely painful. One almost painfree. I had no drugs until the emcs both times. You just never know.

You can try ofp but don't obsess or worry unduly. Your baby might swing from oa to op to ot on a daily basis without you even knowing.

LimeFlower - thank you so much for your tips, really helpful! Baby is two fifths engaged but have been told this can change again at any moment, even this late in the day - fingers crossed. Will try to adjust my posture and hope it helps.

ShowOfHands - thank you also for sharing your experience, it's really good to hear from people who know. Will keep you posted!