Back to Back Baby - AWFUL PAINS??? DEVASTATED!!

[AwwABaby]

Hi,

I'm 36 weeks and have just been told my baby is head down but back to back this is after I went into hospital with an awful pain that I've had a while now but has got worse.

PAIN - The pain is at the front just slightly off the middle to the left and is very tender and very painful - They think it's muscular. Anyone had this??

BACK TO BACK - I have had a complicated p/g all the way through I am under consultant care with two different doc's so to be told this as well was awful. I have read that back to back is more painful and longer in labour is this true??

Anyone have not so horrific back to back labour stories - Looking for reassurance??

Also I cannot have an epidural or pethadine or diomorphine due to my Chronic ITP, so please don't recommend this.

Any not too bad news would be lovely to hear right now as I am devastated.

Two back to backs here and labour for both was exactly 4 hours 50 mins 1st stage and 11 and 6 mins respectively for 2nd stage (pushing bit).

Like misslinnet I wasn't convinced I was in labour as I had intermittent back ache with DS1 and thought it was because I was in the bed with continuous monitoring due to pre eclampsia and induction. I think if I had remained active I would barely have noticed.

DS2 I did notice the contractions but remained pain relief free until very near the end of 1st stage, then I had a little gas and air-wonder stuff!

Lots of good advice on this thread :)

my second baby was back to back, and unlike many he did not turn in labour, so was born the wrong way round too

my labour was 6 hours from first contraction to him being born. I pushed for an hour and a half, so a relatively long time.
he also had a giant head and weighed 9lb 5! lol

I had him at home, with no pain relief at all. and the labour was great! best out of all 3 of mine and I'd do it again any day.

best advice I can give is to stay active during labour, and listen to your body. I gave birth kneeling up and bending over the sofa slightly.
After he was born the midwife said that it's an excellent position for birthing an OP baby, I didn't know that though, it just felt "right"

there is, IMO, no reason to feel your labour will be especially painful or more prolonged just because baby is back to back.

I had two large (over 9lb) back-to-back babies who didn't turn. Managed both labours with no pain relief whatsoever (not even gas and air).

Maiziemonkey - Unfortunately no I really wish I could as I believe its a great form of pain relief. Because I have ITP I basically have to be monitored all the way through they said no to birthing pool as if I need to be given blood it wouldn't be fast enough if I was in the water. Total bummer x

Some lovely stories and links on here. Thankyou I am starting to relax with it and what will be will be. I am super determined to stay as calm as possible, as active as possible & hoping just to rely on g&a. Keep them coming. Thanks to all xx

you should ask them again about that.

i can't imagine it would take that long for you to get out of the pool and be given blood would it??

AwwABaby - are they going to have blood on standby in the room? Because I'm really not sure that I see that it would delay much you being in the pool? Or is it about staffing levels to physically haul you out of the pool quickly if you can't easily climb out?

Both mine were back to back. 1st labour 8 hours from 1st contraction. 2nd 1hr 45 from 1st contraction.

I was about to recommend a water birth, both for pain relief and for supporting your body as you move about to be comfortable (as much as you can anyway!) but I see this isn't an option. Is it a complete no-no?, only it made the world of difference to me.

DS was unexpectedly back to back, very fast labour (contractions started 9.30am, went to hospital by about 10.30, he was born - still back to back, face up - at 12.15!) I was in serious discomfort on arrival at the hospital (9cm dilated) and was literally writhing on the bed while they filled the pool. The midwives were urging me to get up onto my knees but I couldn't physically do it, such was the pain. Between contractions I made it to the pool and the relief was immediate. I also had gas and air. No tearing or stitches.

I'm afraid I have no experience of a more 'normal' labour to compare it to as DD (DC1) was induced and fast and furious too. Please don't worry - there's still time for baby to turn and if he doesn't at least you are forewarned. The pain is forgotten moments after birth anyway ;)

Hi i was inducd with ds and was in labour for 13 1/2 hours (not back to back) with dd (back to back) but did not know until in labour and only cos of my constant feeling like i need a poo and that labout was 3 1/2 hours. Got to admit was in less pain with dd but maybe cos i wasnt hooked up to a drip and could move. Both labours i had gas and air and pethidine. Good luck xxx

Hi both my DD were b2b. 1st labour was with an epidural with forcepts 12 hours, second labour was under 1 hour (spontaneous) and was the most excrutiating pain ever as had no time for pain relief but I did it and lived to tell the tale! Once they're out the pain pretty much vanishes. You can do it - goodluck!

Your probably right I bet it is staffing levels my hospital is Pinderfields Wakefield they are mega over run as they take another hospitals load bcos they close at 5. Staffing levels sounds about right. I asked two different doctors & they screwed there face up & said 'hmm I dont think its a good idea' something to do with speed etc. So i never asked again. Midwife says best just to do what the doctor orders..... FAB!!! They have blood on standby so im told just incase.

McPhee - I know it's only the day after but any news????? Hoping all is well for you x

McPhee - You have now got me super worried, come back and spill all.... I don't have long left :) x

I'm still in hospital.

See my thread in childbirth about induction