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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 36 weeks

15 replies

Huncamuncaa · 02/08/2019 15:43

Considering asking for a section...

Bad birth last time. Emergency ventouse delivery. Came out with arms next to his face. Literally could not sit down for 4 days thanks to huge haematoma. Scar took weeks to heal.

I wasnt too worried about this second birth until I learnt the baby is back to back. I just assumed it would all be easier second time round and have been practising my hypnobirthing...

I know there's still a chance the baby could move. I'm just scared of birthing another baby in a weird position and needing an episiotomy. Also back to back labours dont sound fun. Any advice?

OP posts:

imtheonlyupsieone · 02/08/2019 16:35

No advice but just offering support and also wondering what others say. I had a back to back last time and it was brutal. I would also be thinking about a section this time if I was in your situation so I am interested in any advice you get x

Original poster

Huncamuncaa · 02/08/2019 16:55

I know that if I want one I'm going to have to really push my case which I hate having to do. Still trying to turn this baby but its stressing me out!

OP posts:

boymum9 · 02/08/2019 20:02

My first ds was back to back, awful long painful birth, couldn't walk without pain for 6+ weeks after. My second wasn't back to back and went into labour and 1.5 hours later he was born, all v straight forward, but I was so worried about it and multiple midwifes etc told me that if second one was also back to back, as it wasn't my first labour it would be a lot easier and people don't tend to have that difficult labours if back to back and not first pregnancy... I don't know how much that is true or whether they were trying to make me feel better!

LuckyKitty13 · 02/08/2019 20:21

You might be able to turn him? Look at spinning babies website. On all fours several times a day, no sitting on the sofa, only the ball or laying on your side etc

LoisLittsLover · 02/08/2019 20:23

Back to back isn't that unusual or always 'brutal' - dd was back to back and yes it was a long labour but fine with water/gas and air

Original poster

Huncamuncaa · 02/08/2019 21:20

Thanks for the replies. I'm trying really hard to turn him but it just isn't happening! Thanks for the positives. I'm just desperate for it to be straight forward this time!

OP posts:

MollysMummy2010 · 02/08/2019 21:49

I had back to back and ventouse delivery. Thought I might die but I was up and walking within an hour or two so you may be ok. Good thoughts going to you x

MollysMummy2010 · 02/08/2019 21:52

Should clarify I thought I might die from the pain - doctors nit worried for me. Not sure that is entirely helpful but I arrived at hospital too dilated for them to give me any drugs except gas.

gothicsprout · 02/08/2019 22:00

DS (2nd DC) turned out to be back to back, having apparently been perfectly aligned at every scan/check up until labour... had a relatively quick labour and he was born just with water and hypnobirthing, so it doesn’t have to be awful. Fingers crossed he turns for you though!

GraceH24 · 02/08/2019 23:03

My boy was back to back but only found out after 30 hours of labour. Just as the midwives were talking about transferring me to a non midwife led hospital little man decided to make an appearance.
He's my first and only baby so hard to say if back to back is harder or not but I managed on just g&a. I had a minor graze that stung for a few weeks but again was manageable with paracetamol.

DC3dilemma · 02/08/2019 23:12

I had a back to back birth first time. It was tough. DC2 and DC3 favoured the back to back position so I worked hard to shift them and sure enough had really straight forward and quick labours...

Go to spinningbabies.com where there are loads of exercises etc for moving back to back babies. You can also download an exercise video for about £16.

At night always lie on your left side. Try to lay the left side of your body on a pillow so that your belly button is pointing down and the weight of the baby swings forward. Whenever you are sitting try think about your position and where the heaviest part of the baby will be (due to gravity). The skull and spine will always lay toward your back if you are slouched back on the sofa.

When walking around allow your belly to fall forward and your lower back curve forward. Again you are letting the heaviest part of the baby find it’s way forward.

Good luck!

DC3dilemma · 02/08/2019 23:13

(Also try to avoid being on your back in labour; kneeling and leaning forward is best).

FlightofAV · 02/08/2019 23:18

Mine was also back to back, it was brutal too - sorry.

It was a pretty fast/intense labour, about 2 hours and without boring you with all the details I had no pain relief, apart from a bit of gas and air which did cock all.

But then the baby got stuck at the final hurdle and was delivered via forceps. It honestly felt like my back was about to snap in half.

So, my advice would be, have an epidural as soon as possible. DON'T put yourself through it with gas and air, it's too bloody painful and be prepared that you may need further intervention at the end.

I'm sorry for being so graphic but it's best to go into these things prepared.

tihsho · 02/08/2019 23:22

My first birth was back to back. Was a pretty normal (?) length of labour (10 hours from very first contraction to baby being born). No pain relief but mainly because my midwife didn't check me for hours, I would have happily taken all the drugs offered. It was fine. Painful as fuck, obviously. But having since done it again with non back to back babies, I realise that the first wasn't any more painful than it is normally. Stay positive if you can, back to back seems to be described online as the worst thing ever, but that doesn't seem to be true for many women.

tihsho · 02/08/2019 23:24

Forgot to add, I was walking for almost all of labour until I started pushing, then I was on my hands and knees most of time. As PP said, that seems to be helpful

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