Experiences with back to back labour anyone?

[Sunshine87]

Currently 36wks baby is back to back my poor back is killing me. Hes otherwise fully engaged and midwives dont think he will be too long. Wondered what peoples experiences were of back to back labour. Trying to get him to turn.

Baby number three was back to back, was my first VBAC. I was 9 days overdue had half a dose of prostin to kick start labour (hopefully) had an epidural in case I needed another CS. Midwife broke waters as soon as she was able, labour was straightforward didn't feel a thing, midwife told me I was ready to push,dd delivered face up after three pushes.I always say it was my favourite birth.

Baby number three was back to back, was my first VBAC. I was 9 days overdue had half a dose of prostin to kick start labour (hopefully) had an epidural in case I needed another CS. Midwife broke waters as soon as she was able, labour was straightforward didn't feel a thing, midwife told me I was ready to push,dd delivered face up after three pushes.I always say it was my favourite birth.

I had broken my ankle badly at 33 weeks so the sedentary part would fit with me as I'd spent seven weeks in plaster and on crutches.

I had broken my ankle badly at 33 weeks so the sedentary part would fit with me as I'd spent seven weeks in plaster and on crutches.

My b2b labour was painful, long and complicated. Take all pain relief going and don't bother with all this 'oh, I just wanted everything as natural as possible' nonsense. lighting an aromatherapy candle and eating a bar of chocolate probably won't turn your labour into a beautiful experience.
But ultimately, they get that baby out as safely as possible and thankfully we are lucky enough to live in a country where you don't have to suffer with intense pain in hospital. Don't make any birth plans, just go with the flow on the day. You've not got any other choice so try to relax and as I have said numerous times - just take the blessed pain relief!
Good luck 😄
And under no circumstances take any advice/pointers from your partner (if they are a man). No uterus, no opinion.

My second and fourth were back to back. Ds2 they had no idea he was until his head come out which had to be assisted after almost 2 hour pushing. The labour was long, started Sunday...took me Sunday to Friday to get to 4cm with regular contractions, once I got to 4cm it took 5 hour to get to 10. Pain was horrible and they wouldn't let me move from my back because of the monitor. However ds4 wasn't so bad. Again took ages to labour but I do anyway, went in Wednesday they couldn't examine me because I was preterm but a swab said my baby wouldn't be born in the next 2 weeks. Pains continued regular and increasing. Went back to hospital on the Saturday at 8am they could see I was in discomfort so finally agreed to examine me, I was 5cm he was born at 1.01pm and I only had tens machine and had to lay on my back the whole time due to the monitor again as every move affected it and he was only 34 week gestation. Pushing took around 10 mins and all was fine but he was smaller than ds2 so could be why. Ds2 was 9ib and ds4 (34wk) was 5ib 15.

I would agree not always about sedentary lifestyle - I think some women's bodies are just predisposed to it so don't get disheartened if the baby won't turn.

Both babies b2b, fully expecting this 3rd one to be too! With my 1st I had no idea what it meant and just got on with it, midwives realised the minute they looked at me!

1st was a Homebirth with tens (amazing for back pain!) G&A, birthed in the water, she never turned and came out sunny side up - 2nd degree tear and v v tender for wks. 4.5 hrs. 2nd was a planned hb, transferred but all fine and same as above; tens, G&A, water. Small tear, 2.5 hrs and pushing for only 20 mins.

I followed my body, instinctively had to get on all fours through each contraction. Pain radiated from back into hips and down thighs, never in front. For me the pain was manageable with the above, bit stop-start to begin with but once fully in active labour contractions were relentless. Stay mobile, positive and prepared for anything!

Both of mine were back to back so felt all the contractions in my back. Both straightforward homebirths with no pain relief needed. Nothing to be scared of. I did labour standing or on all 4s though, would have been beyond painful lying down.

Definitely not a sedentary lifestyle thing with me, I exercised and did yoga throughout both my pregnancies. A lot of it is down to luck, so don't be disheartened if your DC doesn't turn, OP.

I was very active in pregnancy with DS (running until 3rd trimester) but he was still back to back. I had a veeeery long time of it, 72 hours from first contraction until eventual Csection as I was so exhausted and had developed an infection. No prizes for endurance and wish I had spoken up and been pushier earlier on - the exhaustion really affected the first few weeks. DD perfectly positioned... You just can't predict these things! Fingers crossed for last minute turning, but if not my advice would be to take the drugs and speak up if you feel you're not coping.

My dd was back to back. She turned that way during labour (106 hours) because I didn't move too much once it started. For me the worst bit was that there was no break in the pain between contractions like everyone promised me! But my midwife managed to turn her as I started pushing. She was in distress and needed to come out asap. I only had g&a and didn't use this while pushing so we could get her out which we did fairly easily.

My first labour was back to back and honestly I don't think it was ery different to my second labour (not back to back). If anything the pushing stage took a bit longer but that could just be because it was my first.

3 dcs, all back to back. First was 14 hrs and fairly horrendous at times - in part due to position. But largely due to first labour I think.

Second was 7 hrs and third 1 hour. Both G&A only and a level of pain I could manage. Pain all in back and radiating down thighs too. Tricky to get in a position that eases rather than intensifies it. Both ds 1&2 came out looking upwards, Dd turned literally as she came out, but she was 9lb 9oz, so I think it helped to have gravity on our side with her.

Midwife friend told me some women are shaped inside to make OP position more likely, whereas others can just have it once for some reason.

By all means do as much now regarding positioning to encourage a change (if you can be bothered and have the energy ...) but definitely do what you can whilst in labour to encourage the move, stay as mobile as possible and find the best position for you. (I found on all fours worked, then on my knees holding onto bed in front helped - watched ds2 come out literally looking down at him, was magical!) best of luck x