Baby positioned back to back

[Lola19]

Hi there, I’ve just had my appointment with the midwife , I’m currently 38 weeks. She said babies head is pointing down which is good although baby is positioned back to back with me instead of with his back to my tummy. She’s giving me some positions to try on my yoga ball etc to encourage baby to turn. Anyone else has experiences with this? Trying not to worry that if he doesn’t turn the birth will be more painful/difficult. Thanks

Yes!

But he turned when I was being induced at 38 weeks 🤣.

They didn't actually realise until I was giving birth. Most of my contractions were in my back. I think him being back to back is what took some time for me pushing. He got a bit stressed in there and I was hooked up to the monitors and a doctor was watching the monitor outside and wanted to check what was going on. He asked if he could check so I said yes and he said your baby is back to back can I turn him around? Erm yes. Thank you 🤣. I had to rest for an hour after that and then he came out after that.

I didn't even feel the doctor turn him around!

Back to back is not fun. I didn't find out until I was in labour .

I've had 2 back to back labours and 2 the right way round. I personally didn't find the back to back more painful, so it's not a definite that it will be worse.
My 2 back to back labours started with lots of period type back pain and it took a while for me to realise that my contractions had started properly as they were mainly in my back and not showing fully on the monitor.
Hope all goes well for you.

Back to back can cause a more painful and longer labour. However, many babies turn before or during labour. Try the exercises given to you by the midwife but don't stress too much if you can - sometimes these things just can't be helped and its just the way they are.

@whoknew23

Back to back is not fun. I didn't find out until I was in labour .

Yes same here, I wondered why all of my contractions were in my back! Personally I found it absolute agony and had to have intervention in the end, I wish I'd known beforehand so I could have had pain relief a lot earlier on! Lots of babies do turn though, so fingers crossed.

I used the ball and did the exercises and he turned, only for him to turn back again once I was in labour. I was told that being B2B meant his head was at the wrong angle for my cervix, my contractions weren't productive and his heart rate was concerning.
I had an epidural and a monitor. Although it was painful to begin with it was quickly sorted with the epidural. Labour took a while longer than anticipated due to all the faffing about but DS is still like that now!

My first was, my second wasn't. Both labours I had so much back pain, it was horrendous.

Sterile water injections were magic with my first baby, not so effective with my second. They do hurt like hell but the pain is worth it if they work for you without a doubt and the pain is only very momentary so even if they don't provide you pain relief it's worth giving it a go.

www.qld.gov.au/health/children/pregnancy/antenatal-information/pain-relief-options/sterile-water-injections-swis

Please can I ask what you were advised to do on your ball to help baby? Iv just found out today that my baby is back to back but wasn't told there was anything I could do to help!