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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Anterior placenta - likelihood of back labour?

14 replies

SpringTime2023 · 12/12/2022 21:11

Hi guys,

Google is not my friend, and I know I need to speak with my midwife instead… but anyone here have any knowledge or experiences with an anterior placenta and potential of back labour? I really would love a vaginal birth, but I’m anxious about the pain if it’s back to back & then added complications (which I’ve heard is more likely with anterior). If it’s a cert for back to back, then I’d want an ELCS - but not my preference.

I’m still second trimester, so is it something that can be identified nearer the time (eg a few weeks before), or is it discovered too late during actual labour to do much about?

I know, I know, I need to stop stressing. Just quite keen to hear experiences to help make some birth plan decisions! :)

OP posts:

Lj8893 · 12/12/2022 21:16

I’ve never heard of that in the 7 years I’ve been a midwife.
Back to back labours can be more painful but not always, plenty of women have successful positive vaginal births even with a back to back baby.

Unsureofitall · 12/12/2022 21:17

Im 7 months pregnant with an anterior placenta. Had my 28week check recently and nothing was mentioned about a having a back to back labour at all. Stop worrying and stop googling! Congratulations

dottyrobin · 12/12/2022 21:20

My first was anterior and back to back, I only found out after she came out though! I had a normal vaginal unassisted birth. I was induced but that was unrelated.
Second pregnancy now, also anterior. I'm not concerned at all.

Original poster

SpringTime2023 · 12/12/2022 21:24

Lj8893 · 12/12/2022 21:16

Thank you - I’ve just read lots of ‘posterior placenta makes it ideal’ articles, even though anterior placenta seems to be in about 50% of pregnancies.

OP posts:

Original poster

SpringTime2023 · 12/12/2022 21:25

Unsureofitall · 12/12/2022 21:17

Im 7 months pregnant with an anterior placenta. Had my 28week check recently and nothing was mentioned about a having a back to back labour at all. Stop worrying and stop googling! Congratulations

Congratulations to you too! :)

Thank you, I’m going to try and chill 😎

OP posts:

Dilbertian · 12/12/2022 21:25

Placenta position made no difference to any of my labours. One of mine was anterior. The only difference it made to my pregnancy was that I felt the movements later and not as strongly as with the other pregnancies. Labour was completely standard.

Another one was a low placenta. Extra scans to check the cervix was clear, but again, completely normal labour. No back to backs at all, regardless of the position of the placenta.

Hatscats · 12/12/2022 21:26

Mine was anterior and no issues with a normal vaginal birth. From what I read the babies position is more to do with sitting at a desk all day/driving etc. We’re meant to be on our feet or squatting really!

Original poster

SpringTime2023 · 12/12/2022 21:26

dottyrobin · 12/12/2022 21:20

That’s great to hear wow, thanks for sharing!

OP posts:

DiaDeLluvia · 12/12/2022 21:28

I had anterior placenta twice. No back to back labour, or if I did have it, I wasn’t aware.

LoveYouHoneybear · 12/12/2022 21:28

I've had two anterior placentas and no back-to-back labours. Both labours were very straightforward and relatively quick! (10 hours and 2.5 hours)

Mommabear20 · 12/12/2022 21:33

My second and third pregnancies I had anterior placentas. My DS (2nd pregnancy) was back to back, laboured and delivered with no pain meds. DD (3rd pregnancy) wasn't back to back, and I was screaming for pethadin at 3cm 😂 there's so many factors in labour and birth that I'd honestly say to ignore everything Google has to tell you and accept that what will be will be. If you want a vaginal delivery, go for it!

wishuponastar1988 · 12/12/2022 21:39

I had an anterior placenta with my baby, gave birth in august with no issues regarding baby being back to back. Midwife said there were no implications for an anterior placenta apart from potentially not feeling consistent movement.

Stephanie226 · 12/12/2022 21:47

My first was back to back and yea it defo wasn't very pleasant with the back pain and it was so much harder to push him out but that was with a posterior placenta. Im now 26 weeks pregnant and have an anterior and my midwife told me there will be things to try in third trimester to try prevent back to back like using the birthing ball and being on all 4s 😂 x

Dyra · 12/12/2022 21:56

Had a posterior placenta with DC1, and anterior with DC2. Both labours I felt every single contraction in my lower back.

I believe DC1 started back to back, but turned during labour, as no-one said anything afterwards. DC2 was definitely back to back going into labour. Unluckily, he had a deflexed head (looking up) and got stuck. He's an extremely nosy, determined creature on the outside, so I think he was trying to look where he was going. Just an unfortunate one of those things deals, as while labour was long, it was otherwise going really well. I was overall coping much better with the pain, and was moving around the room and trying different positions for ages.

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