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

Original poster

Back to back baby experiences?

37 replies

GlitterSparkles17 · 14/09/2017 08:30

Hi All,

So my midwife told me this week that the baby is back to back which may cause problems in labour such as slow progress and cause more pain in my back etc. She also said baby could possibly get stuck and worst case scenario is a C-section. So im a bit scared now! She did also say that there's every chance the baby can move position before labour (im 36 weeks atm).

Does anyone have any experiences with a back to back baby in labour? Did you have complications or did everything go smoothly?

Also any techniques to try and get the baby to move positions?

OP posts:
glow1984 · 14/09/2017 08:33

I gave birth naturally under epidural. The only complication was nothing to do with DS - I was hyper stimulated by the induction drugs and had 8 contractions in 10 minutes. I was in labour for 20 hours but we think that’s cos DS is a lazy so and so :D

zzzzz · 14/09/2017 08:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lacystacie · 14/09/2017 08:36

I gave birth normally too, no problems it was a 6 hour labour and only needed gas & air. I didn't even know she was back to back until halfway through labour the midwife told me ☺

user1483000828 · 14/09/2017 08:37

sorry to tell you this but I had a back to back labour and it was harder. We knew from about 36 weeks as well but he didn't turn. I went two weeks over but went into labour naturally before being induced which was good, but it progressed v quickly (contractions every few minutes right away) but I hardly dilated. After about 30 hours (sorry!) me and my midwife decided to go for a c section. As it wasn't an emergency it went really smooth. So yes, back to back is a real pain.

However - my recovery form the c section was amazing. I even discharged myself the same day because I didn't want to stay in and had my husband at home. I was moving around ok afterwards and it really wasn't as bad as I had expected at all. Plus my scar is tiny!!!

Fingers crossed your LO does turn x

Original poster
GlitterSparkles17 · 14/09/2017 08:37

Thank you! These stories make me feel a lot better! I always imagine the worst case scenario!

OP posts:
Original poster
GlitterSparkles17 · 14/09/2017 08:38

Just read yours user sounds like you had quite an ordeal! This is what im afraid of! To go through all that and end up with a c section anyway!

OP posts:
MargaretCabbage · 14/09/2017 08:39

Both my babies were back to back at the start of labour, but turned themselves round during. The Spinning Babies website has good tips on how to try and turn them, but I spent weeks bouncing and being on all fours with my first and he didn't budge. I was really worried after reading horror stories, but I managed with a warm bath and gas and air and didn't need any interventions. I don't know how it would compare to a labour with a baby in an ideal position but I had a good experience anyway.

Meepmoop · 14/09/2017 08:40

I had a back to back birth, I only had gas and air. I had an episiotomy but it healed all okay. He is my first so I don't have anything to compare it to though.

HerRoyalFattyness · 14/09/2017 08:41

I had 2 born back to back (and face first, head tilted uP Hmm )

The first was a very long labour (38 hours of contractions every 3 minutes and not dilating). But I managed it on just gas and air.
The second was much faster and easier, but there were a lot of other complications not related to the back to back labour.
Again, just gas and air though.

HerRoyalFattyness · 14/09/2017 08:42

As for how it compares to baby in ideal position, obviously ideal is much much easier.
My only one that was in the ideal position was 10lb 10.5oz, yet he was the easiest to give birth to! (the two back to back ones weren't even 8lb)

ToElleWithIt · 14/09/2017 08:56

Back to Back 9lb-er. Labour was 10 hours which is not too bad, my first labour. All the pain in my back and contractions were irregular so it took a while for the midwives to recognise that I was in active labour. Got an epidural and an episiotomy, but otherwise an uncomplicated birth. The whole thing felt very under control. You can so it! My second was in an ideal position and it was an easier labour and delivery, but not shockingly so, don't worry too much about it.

KarateKitten · 14/09/2017 09:10

My 3rd was back to back. The pain was different, not necessarily worse but in a different location, my lower back rather than my bump. Midwife was sure she'd arrive within 20 mins but my pushing stage took 2.5hrs instead and I'm pretty experienced being my third. It was a very close call then intervening as they'd already called in support but I made a final big effort, changed position in the water and focused more than I've ever focused in my life and out she came, facing up to me in the water. Midwife said usually back to backs twist in the canal but she came the whole way out face up. Looked pretty weird! But b2b is very common OP. And with 4 weeks to go your baby is just as likely to turn for labour. Don't worry about it. We don't get to choose.

MrsEileithyia · 14/09/2017 09:21

Mine was b2b. I went into labour on the Friday morning and she finally popped out on the Monday at 6:47pm. It took me 3 days to dilate to 4cm and I was ready to murder someone by the time I was admitted. I didn't go into hospital until 4am on Monday morning as I felt it was just about manageable at home on my birthing ball. I had an epidural to reduce my blood pressure which was really high so my water birth went out of the window.
But on the whole it was a lovely experience and I would do it all again right now.

Original poster
GlitterSparkles17 · 14/09/2017 10:52

Thanks everyone, sounds like it could go either way then! Its helping hearing all your experiences though!

OP posts:
WindwardCircle · 14/09/2017 11:00

I had a back to back baby, she didn't turn in labour and was born by emcs. While it wasn't what I would have chosen it wasn't awful either, DD came into the world safe and sound and I was well looked in hospital.

Your little b2b might be a lefty. Apparently there's a correlation between b2b babies and being left handed. Mine is, and with no other lefties in the family so no genetic predisposition I put it down to her being b2b.

Suzi763 · 14/09/2017 11:40

My aunt had back to back babies. There may be complications in such case. She also had back pain. One baby's eye was effected due to the position. She didn't know it during her pregnancy. She gave birth them normal. But in most cases, doctor preferred to c-section. I also had a c-section. It is not a good thing. It has long term side effect like miserable back pain. I advised to do walk as much as you can. Do sit up exercises. It will help to move baby position and deliver it normal rather than c-section. During exercise always has a check for your baby heartbeat or movement. If it gets slow, go for emergency.

SunnyTunny · 14/09/2017 12:32

My DS (first born) was back to back. Nobody told me this could cause complications. I managed labour with just gas and air because I honestly thought the amount of pain I was experiencing was normal - it was solely in my lower back and honestly I thought I must be a total wimp because it was just so excruciating and didn't feel "natural" in the slightest!!
My labour was very slow. My contractions stopped and had to be artificially induced with some god awful drug which made them even worse. DS was very distressed by the end of labour when he was finally delivered via episiotomy (ouch). The cord was wrapped around him three times, including his neck, which is likely why he couldn't/didn't turn in the last few weeks.
In short, it was awful. If you can encourage your baby to turn somehow do it, for the love of God!!! And don't be a bloody martyr like I was. Take the drugs. All the drugs!!!! Very, very best to you Flowers
(If my post sounds too doom-mongery, I apologise - the take away really is that my DS was fine in the end, so was I, and he is now a gorgeous healthy 7 yo)

rememberpurpleronnie · 14/09/2017 12:36

I had a back to back and it was an induction so doubly bad. But honestly it was fine. I had an epidural when I got to 6cm which was only partially effective and had a forceps delivery in the end. No bad memories at all!

Senac32 · 14/09/2017 12:49

Never heard of this. I thought the thread would be about having 2 babies close together. Which I had.

Wolfiefan · 14/09/2017 12:51

My first was. He was born not more than a couple of hours after getting to hospital. Water birth. The pain was very much in my back. Got DH to pour water from a jug over my back. Great for pain relief!
Good luck.

Calmanglass · 14/09/2017 12:55

Both of mine were back to back. First was 30odd hours labour... every drug in the book plus epidural... ending in a very calm section. 2nd came shooting out after 2 hours with just a teeny tear and no pain relief.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 14/09/2017 12:55

First not back to back and second was. Ime the first part of labour is longer because the baby has to turn quite a long way round to be born. So more contractions to get through unfortunately. I did find the birthing ball helpful as a distraction if nothing else!

Second labour was actually easier than the first (because I knew what to expect and found giving birth a massive shock - including literally first time) although it did take so much longer. Both drug free labours and born at home.

Calmanglass · 14/09/2017 12:56

I found a tens very effective as almost all the pain was in my back

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 14/09/2017 12:56

Oh yes, TENS machine v v good with back to back baby. Fairly useless and pointless with first, but bloody brilliant with b2b labour.

rainbowpie · 14/09/2017 13:08

DD was back-to-back. Long, slow labour with only 2 mins between contractions from the start. No pain relief offered until 4cm but it took 24 hours to get that far. It was awful, sorry. She then got her chin stuck and had to pulled out with forceps (so I needed an episiotomy). Sorry!!!