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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Back to back at 35 weeks

27 replies

FolkSongSweet · 03/10/2020 20:36

I’m 35 weeks with baby 2. I have an anterior placenta so have been worried about a back to back baby, and pretty sure she is back to back at the moment as my bump feels quite soft at the front. Baby 1 was in the perfect position for birth and I had a smooth and fast labour, which I was hoping to repeat this time. Has anyone got any tips to encourage baby to move? And/or positive stories about giving birth back to back?

I’ve been planning a homebirth but wondering if that’s a bad idea if she hasn’t turned.

OP posts:
onlyreadingneverposting8 · 03/10/2020 20:42

Does your area offer a 36 week scan or could you book a private scan to check position?

Original poster
FolkSongSweet · 03/10/2020 20:43

They used to do 36 week scans but cancelled due to Covid ☹️. I’m fairly certain she is back to back now, but she still moves a fair bit so not sure a scan would be too helpful unless right before labour?

OP posts:
theresaplaceforus · 03/10/2020 20:45

Hi @FolkSongSweet I also have an anterior placenta and I was told at a scan (for growth) at 35 weeks that baby was back to back. Since then, at 38 weeks now, midwives have told me she is no longer back to back, I’m not sure how accurate it can be with just feeling but it’s very possible that baby will still move to a better position.

mineallmine · 03/10/2020 20:48

My back to back baby is nearly 20 now but just to reassure you, he was born vaginally. The labour was long and exhausting but he was born safe and sound with no instruments (after 2 hours and 20 minutes of pushing), but I did have an episiotomy. I couldn't have done it without the epidural though and I have a high pain threshold. It had worn off 4 hours before he was born but it gave me some respite during the labour.

Original poster
FolkSongSweet · 03/10/2020 20:53

Thank you! Epidural etc not available at home (only gas and air)...really hope she turns! My first labour was 2.5hrs from first contraction to birth which is why I’ve planned a home birth - don’t want to give birth on the way to hospital! But perhaps will be a lot slower this time if she stays in this position.

OP posts:
NoUsername873 · 03/10/2020 21:00

Don’t worry she will probably turn, I was so worried about this and did EVERYTHING to make my baby turn but she stayed back to back and then finally turned in labour! It was a long time in labour before she turned but once she turned she flew out! Haha

backinthebox · 03/10/2020 21:02

Have a look on Facebook for Nightingale Birth Friend. She has a lot of tips for natural positioning exercises. She’s a very wise woman.

backinthebox · 03/10/2020 21:05

Baby 1 was B2B for me and a 40hr labour ending in crash c section. Baby 2 tried several times to go B2B but thanks to her advice he turned and was born in under an hour of established labour.

perfumeistooexpensive · 03/10/2020 21:14

Baby 1 was 2 hours and also baby 2. 3 was back to back. I went very overdue. I'd never been over my due date before. I had all of Monday in labour. She didn't arrive until Tuesday. Natural birth with some gas and air. It was a completely different experience and not one I wanted to repeat.

Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons · 03/10/2020 21:24

I had two back to back babies at home (no gas & air) very long labours but we were fine.

Look at spinning babies for suggestions on positions & exercises to encourage baby to turn (I tried EVERYTHING each time but my body seems to be built for b2b babies!)

babigailgabble · 03/10/2020 21:28

i had a b2b baby, undiagnosed. he was 2.5lbs heavier than his brother too. anyway i got him out, no pain relief, I'm still waiting for my medal, but just so you know -- I'm a total wetty, did no kegels, screamed the fucking place down, but i did it, and it's all a distant memory now. you absolutely can do it.

motherofsnortpigs · 03/10/2020 21:38

I pushed out a b2b baby at home with gas and air. It was hard work and every single muscle in my body hurt afterwards (even my eyelids). Nightingale Birth Friend was my midwife. She is indeed the wisest of the wise women. Call her! She will freely admit that she has learned much about turning babies and women labouring with b2b babies since mine popped out 9 and a half years ago.

Gerdticker · 03/10/2020 21:59

I second @Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons suggestion of taking a look at spinning babies

With my last baby I did many of their exercise severL times a day for the last 3 weeks and had a great labour x

Happy2be · 03/10/2020 22:22

My wee girl was back to back too. They didnt fully know what position she was in but a few scans before i went in to labour had showed. She was my first so not much to compare too but it was fine. I had gas and air during labour. My labour was long though but that couls have been the case anyways

MasksGlovesSoapScrubs · 03/10/2020 23:04

DS was back to back. I remember having a massive movement and realised he probably went back to back this was at 38 weeks. Had him at 38+3 and it was only when I was pushing and nothing was happening DS was getting stressed and a doctor outside saw DS HB on the monitor outside and came in and realised he was back to back so kindly turned him back to the right position. Had to have a break for an hour before I could attempt to push again to help DS. He came out soon after. It was harder work trying to push a baby out that was back to back that's for sure.

MasksGlovesSoapScrubs · 03/10/2020 23:06

Not sure if my long labour was down to him being back to back though but I was in labour for 3 days

HelloRose · 03/10/2020 23:12

Another b2b baby here. Long labour that ended in ventuse delivery. He just wouldn't come out. Hours of pushing!
My midwife thought he was turning in the week before I went into labour and had me on all fours & doing various exercises. Obviously made no difference! Labour was fine though despite being lengthy and bloody tiring.

Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons · 03/10/2020 23:41

Just to add as I notice people others posting about long pushing phases with B2B babies - mine were short pushing but very long labour. I didn’t consciously push mine at all it was involuntary & closest I can compare physically is vomiting Confused

Sophie2309 · 04/10/2020 00:12

Make a point of asking your midwife at your next appointment on babies position.... I'm 36 weeks with baby no.1 and my belly often fees squidgy but she tends to lay facing the side. So head down, but facing either one of my hips rather than facing my back. I have a high posterior placenta but my belly will still feel squidgy with her laying the way she does. Half the time if I lay on my back you can see which side she is laying. Your baby may be doing the same?

Definitely speak to midwife about your options though, pros and cons of home birth with a back-to-back baby (if that's definitely what baby position is) and see how you feel x

SassyPants87 · 04/10/2020 01:16

Hey @FolkSongSweet do you do pregnancy yoga? I've heard the cat/cow position is good for turning back to back babies x

Fifilafrog · 04/10/2020 01:53

My b2b baby was eventually born by c-section. I believe the being on all fours thing is meant to work. I did try that but she was such a lump (11lb) that I truly believe that she just didn't have room to spin round! I did labour for 24 hrs prior to the c-section (which was only because she was too big to even engage into my pelvis and got distressed) on only gas and air. Yes, it hurt and was pretty relentless but I'm convinced it would have got through it on only that if she had been small enough to fit through the normal exit. There's no reason why you shouldn't be able to have baby at home unless there are additional complications. Hope she turns for you though as I'm told it's not (quite) as intense. 🤞🏼

notangelinajolie · 04/10/2020 02:07

No one had any idea my baby was b2b. Including me who only managed to work it out 25 years later from reading Mumsnet.
Gruesome birth, yes it was vaginal but there was nothing natural about it. Every intervention was needed to deliver her including keilands rotation forceps to turn her and the trauma of it all is still with me. Good news is that DD was fine. Without doubt that would not have been the case if I'd opted for a home birth
Knowing just how close we came to loosing her and me I would not recommend a home birth.

Original poster
FolkSongSweet · 04/10/2020 05:36

Thanks so much for all the replies. My midwife is checking the baby’s position next week at my 36 week appointment so I guess il know more then, and will try all the exercises in the meantime.

For people who had a hard time (eg @notangelinajolie) would be good to know if it was your first labour or not? Spinning babies website says that b2b is less likely to be an issue if you’ve had a baby before and pushing went well (pushed for 15 mins with DC1), which I would love to be the case.

OP posts:
user19990 · 04/10/2020 06:14

My 2nd baby was back to back and 11lb. Labour was quick though.

Was much more painful then my first who was not b2b

Flora20 · 04/10/2020 11:01

@FolkSongSweet I had a homebirth with my first who was back to back. It was a great birth, had some gas and air but was almost fully dilated before I realised I was in active labour and mostly used breathing and my tens machine. Second stage was recorded as 10 minutes, but I didn't actually push - entirely involuntary! It was an incredible experience. I'm due my second any time now, another homebirth, another back to back at the moment. Try not to let it worry you!