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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Anyone had a natural birth or just gas and air with a back to back baby?

67 replies

HumunaHey · 10/04/2021 19:20

I have an anterior placenta and it seems this will make it more likely baby could be in back to back position when I go into labour.

I really want a natural birth. I had just gas and air with my first and a birthing pool. After delivery I felt great and there didn't feel like there was a recovery as such as I honestly felt I didn't have much to recover from.

Am I being naive in thinking I could manage a back to back delivery with little support/intervention?

OP posts:

HelloDulling · 10/04/2021 20:40

Both of mine. Honestly, it was bloody awful both times. 3rd degree tear with first, episiotomy with 2nd. With both I was being prepped for a CS when they finally came.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 10/04/2021 20:41

I did it with my first. I didn't know any different! It was tiring more than anything because btb meant contractions were very close together very early on it did mean it went on and on, and it was through the night. But it is absolutely doable, I didn't know he was back to back until afterwards so I would try not to focus on that and just focus on dealing with the labour you get. Congratulations and best of luck!

Soontobe60 · 10/04/2021 20:42

This was my first. It was hell on earth! 36 hour delivery, hours pushing, massive episiotomy and PND!

MangosteenSoda · 10/04/2021 20:42

I had a back to back delivery with only gas and air. I found it manageable, but difficult and with hindsight would probably have chosen pain relief.

I don’t think it aided recovery because I was completely exhausted and had a lot of stitches. However, I also had back to back contractions (literally no pause between contractions for hours). I don’t know how common this is, but I wasn’t mentally prepared for that as I had never heard of it before. I also found the pushing stage hard. After all those contractions, they stopped and it was hard to get DS out (hence the stitches).

Foxglovesandlilacs · 10/04/2021 20:44

I’ve had 8 and 3 were back to back, I didn’t find it much different to the others tbh. I moved around a lot (like you I had water births and found that helped lots) I only had gas and air but if I’d needed more I would’ve had it.

MyNameForToday1980 · 10/04/2021 20:46

Almost.

B2B baby, had and air only, very long labour but, a suddenly csection at the last moment (I had an unrelated allergic reaction to something and went into shock, so they did a prompt sunroof exit).

So the labour itself, with a B2B baby on G&A was fine, but the actual crowning to birth bit, I was asleep for.

Parkerwhereareyou · 10/04/2021 20:51

The issue with back to back, as I understand, is that the two spines can grate/get stuck (as with mine and my son's). There's way more chance of forceps etc.

If you haven't had an epidural, you'll have to have gas and air (which is bollocks for some people - including me) or do it with nothing (which I did).

I wouldn't recommend it. With hindsight I'd have an epidural and be ready for anything. If you don't because you are holding out for the birthing pool, you may end up with episiotomy and mid-cavity forceps with no anaesthetic. ...

Or not. So hard to tell. Loads of different/easier experiences here. And this is your second baby so easier anyhow (mine was my first delivery).

Soggybiscuits17 · 10/04/2021 20:54

Yes & it was incredibly intense! She actually managed to rotate throughout my labour into the correct position. I had no gas & air but felt like I was tripping from the pain. So incredibly proud of myself after, there were no complications and I was high as a kite on my own hormones holding her after. Interesting about the placenta positioning - mine was also anterior..I didn't realise they could be linked..

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 10/04/2021 20:56

I would do it again, for sure. Definitely keep moving if possible, child's pose I found massively relieving and plenty of cold face cloths etc.

Soggybiscuits17 · 10/04/2021 21:00

Oh and just like others have mentioned, the contractions were back to back, which I was in no way prepared for! I gave birth to my second last year (also anterior placenta), but he was in the correct position & the difference in the two births was huge! I actually did a lot of prep in the weeks/ months leading up to 2nd birth to encourage optimal fetal positioning & I really think it helped!

doubleshotespresso · 10/04/2021 21:04

Yes I did. Was terrifying and the pain incredible. It was very touch and go at a few points whether or not my baby and myself would both make it.
I lost a lot of blood and still haven't resolved the injuries I was left with.
Severely traumatic, I'd take any pain relief you possibly can

BakewellGin1 · 10/04/2021 21:10

Ds1 was b2b but turned mid way - managed on gas and air but he was forceps delivery and the pain was horrific and I blacked out for 5 minutes after he was literally pulled out. I tore slightly but recovered quickly.

DS2 was b2b and I also had anterior placenta (no idea if that makes a difference) I had gas and air again, pain was horrific and I went into shock and literally gave up. I begged for a section but midwives put it off for 4 more hours, consultant came in had a look and told them to prep for theatre ASAP.
I had a spinal before three failed vountousse efforts and he came out finally with third forceps attempt. He was literally stuck, came out black and blue, and I tore up to my anal spinchter. Recovery was awful and I've been told if I want any more they must be delivered by section as the damage is well and truly done. Consultant said no way would he have came out naturally.

However on the flip side... Friend popped out her b2b baby as if it was literally a walk in the park. No pain relief and a three hour labour. So it can be done.

I didn't birth plan as I'm a firm believer that things change quickly and I don't care what the plan is or how it goes as long as babies arrive safely.

Hardbackwriter · 10/04/2021 21:14

I had two anterior placentas and - I think fortunately, as it would have been worried me too! - no idea there was an increased chance they'd be back-to-back; neither were (both births very straightforward, the second very easy) so it definitely isn't some sort of done deal with an anterior placenta.

ConnieDobbs · 10/04/2021 21:22

Both of my babies had an anterior placenta. Dc1 was definitely back to back and my labour was very long and difficult.

Dc2 I think was also back to back as the midwife mentioned the baby turning during the pushing stage? He also came out with his hand by his face. However the birth was fine, pretty quick and straightforward, and I only needed gas and air during the pushing stage. Crowning hurt but it was over in a few seconds.

Wallywobbles · 10/04/2021 21:40

My first was. I'm permanently damaged. I wouldn't recommend anything less than everything.

LdnReno · 10/04/2021 22:17

I had a back-to-back labour with ds1. My placenta was anterior. The contractions were manageable (felt in lower back and arse!). Water and gas and air provided a nice combination of pain relief. Unfortunately 2hrs of pushing and it was obvious he was stuck, so ended up with episiotomy and ventuse following epidural (definitely recommend if you need assistance). Honestly I am positive about the whole thing though. The worst bit was the sheer exhaustion of long labour plus hours of pushing. Recovered well and quickly. Expecting dc2 any day now and would have same birth again (although shorter would be nice!).

cakeallday · 10/04/2021 22:23

I had my second son back-to-back with just gas and air. He was 9lb 9oz.
They didn't know he was the wrong way round until his head came out (helpful!). It was very painful and intense but all went smoothly. Quite a bad tear, but we heal up don't we! Good luck!

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