How can you tell if baby is back to back?

[bleachblondemom]

I’m 30 weeks, nearly 31. My belly button hasn’t popped yet and that area is a bit flat, which are signs of baby facing forwards. I also have an anterior placenta so would expect it to be in that position. I am really dreading a back to back baby 😂

Well in my case it was when the obstetrician put his hand up my chuff to see why the baby wasn't coming out.

@Disappointedkoala 😂😂 I’d like to find out sooner than that! All my midwife can tell me is that it’s head down, I’ve got no idea how they can tell which way it’s facing unless they physically stick their hand in there for a feel!

I had awful backache in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. As above, in labour obstetrician confirmed.

I had no indication with mine until the labour itself, when progress slowed.

My first choice is to give birth at the midwife led unit, which I can because I’m low risk. But if they then found that the baby was back to back when I was already in labour, surely then the risk would go up, but it’ll be too late and I’ll already be at the MLU not the hospital? I don’t fully understand how ‘risky’ back to back is. I always thought it was more painful but still fine to deliver- I was back to back and my mom had a normal labour as far as I’m aware. But then I’ve also read that it can be dangerous.

You won't be able to know until labour, alot of times it isn't picked up until baby is literally coming out, a scan may be able to tell you but they can flip last minute so its not a guarantee- back to back isn't that much higher risk, and even at a midwife led unit they will be very equipped to deal with that......

Mine are always back to back. You can kinda tell from the shape of the bump, it is t so pronounce and sometimes has that ‘flat’ appearance you describe. In most cases they do shift in labour (not mine I must say!) or so I was led to believe!

You'll know when you're in horrendous pain during labour.... Sorry!

Same as @Disappointedkoala

Also agree with @SpunBodgeSquarepants! I had an epidural which was fine for regular contractions but did not touch the back contractions... I was also in agony at only 2cm. They advised me that baby would likely turn as my labour progressed. She didn't and I ended up in an emcs.

@EllieJai44 ah ok that’s reassuring to know that it’s not necessarily that big of a deal. I’ve googled ways to help turn the baby so I’ll keep doing then, no harm in trying!

@Kodiak83 yeah my bump kinda fits the description at the moment. Will try to encourage baby to turn round and hope it works!

Didn’t know until 12+ hours into labour when things stalled, dr had a feel and realised. Why are you worried at 30 weeks about this? Babies often turn in labour anyway. I didn’t even know it was a thing until after it happened, my daughter came out back to back too. Made it long and I had the drip because labour basically stopped but I got her out on my own, no tears. I found my second birth worse and he was the right way around. It’s not something I’d worry about personally, it hurts whichever way they are 😆!

@NoGinNotComingIn I guess I’d just rather it came out the standard way than the slightly more awkward way 😂 with my placenta being at the front it’s more like that the baby will be facing the front, plus my mom had 3 kids back to back so I just feel like it’s my destiny 😆