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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

37 weeks- baby is back to back :(

22 replies

NewMamaToBee · 22/08/2023 06:24

Hi all,

So during my CM appointment this week, she noted baby is head down but back to back which could explain the excruciating back pain I’ve had on one side of my lower back.

I know that back to back babies can be delivered vaginally but I’ve also read it can cause more pain. Anyone with similar baby position and anything that I could do to help baby turn?

Ive been walking at least 30 mins every day this trimester, in hope baby would get into position

OP posts:

DustyLee123 · 22/08/2023 06:25

Get on all fours and wash the floor.

Philandbill · 22/08/2023 06:32

Get a birth ball and lean forwards / rock against it whilst on your knees with you arms on the top of the ball. Easy to watch TV in this position too 😀This website might help. www.spinningbabies.com/about/maternal-positioning/

Setyoufree · 22/08/2023 06:35

Honestly, don't panic! Two back to back babies here, vaginal birth for both without needing any more pain relief than the pool.

Stay active, both now and in labour. All fours, walking, don't sit on the sofa - bounce on a ball to watch TV.

Don't labour on your back, keep moving and find a position that works for you. All fours was great for me.

You'll be fine honest!

PinkPlantCase · 22/08/2023 06:49

There’s lots of time for baby to move around still. Lots of them change from back to back during labour too.

If they are still back to back when you go into labour then just be aware that baby may take a bit more time to come out whilst your body and baby works together. This shouldn’t be a problem but be careful of interventions being recommended because of clock watching that may not be necessary.

niclw · 22/08/2023 07:06

I was in this position exactly 5 years ago and my ds turned at some point. I took the advice of my midwife and got on the birthing ball. I spent most of the time I watched tv on all fours rocking on the ball. It worked for me. Good luck x

Lwrenagain · 22/08/2023 07:13

My back to back baby was my easiest delivery, was 10lb14 and no pain relief given (too quick!)
I had no idea "back to back" was a thing prior, so that was useful.

Phos · 22/08/2023 07:25

Baby could still move. I had a scan a few days before I gave birth and baby was right occiput anterior. She moved at some point because after a few hours of labour a senior midwife suddenly said she ”those are knees!” so she’d gone back to back by then. She probably would have been born ok if her head had engaged properly. That had nothing to do with her being back to back though.

Spottypineapple · 22/08/2023 07:31

Be really conscious of your posture/position.

Imagine a torch light shining out of your belly button, it should always be pointing towards the ground.

So no slumping on the sofa, get an exercise ball, sit on it or lean over it on all fours to watch telly, or turn a dining chair around and sit leaning over the back of it.

Also plenty of walking and dancing :)

LadyofLansallos · 22/08/2023 07:33

Keep moving & look up exercises for optimal positioning.

but as someone else said, don’t panic. My 3rd was back to back, never turned (often they turn in labour), he was born at home with just gas & air.

crumblylancs · 22/08/2023 07:47

I was talking to a consultant about this and they told me the baby often turns as it's coming down in to the birth canal

headcheffer · 22/08/2023 07:49

Don't let it scare you - easier said than done I know. Loads of time for baby to turn, and plenty turn in labour. Often there's a long early labour phase in back to back cases as your body encourages baby to turn. Keep moving as much as you can, even if that's just hanging out in some upright forward and open positions or sitting on your ball wiggling around watching TV. My first baby was back to back and turned in early labour.

peonyjam · 22/08/2023 08:02

Bouncing on a ball on getting down on all fours like others have said. But I also wanted to say please don't worry! I was so panicked as my DS kept turning back to back. I went to great lengths to get him to turn and at one midwife appointment he'd be in the optimum position, then back again etc.

In the end he actually turned back to back in labour. He came incredibly quickly and I managed with only gas and air. I was induced but stayed upright until the pushing stage and I believe this helped.

BarbaraGordon · 22/08/2023 14:37

Another one saying to try not to worry - by coincidence I had a growth scan the morning of the day I went into labour and my son was back to back, he must have turned either just before or during labour as he was facing the other way when he came out

Soubriquet · 22/08/2023 14:39

Ds was born back to back. Wasn’t discovered till he came out sunny side up.

I birthed ok. Hurt like hell but childbirth isn’t exactly the most painless thing is it

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/08/2023 14:56

All fours.

I ended up with a C-Section because there was no way she was coming out. The surgeon said she was the most perfectly posterior baby he'd ever seen, looking up at him. I heard 'perfect'.

shelbaby · 22/08/2023 15:34

I wouldn't do anything. They aren't always right either and baby can turn before and during labour. I'd be more scared that I'd end up making it flip wrongly and be coming out breach 😂

I get the panic though I'd have been the same in ur shoes coz I've heard it's more painful.

My first was back to back. Not sure if she always was it was never mentioned just that head was down. Then during labour when nothing was happening and I heard midwife mention she was back to back and I was like 😭 Not sure if it was anymore painful as I was already being induced with the drip which is supposed to make it more painful too 🤷🏻‍♀️

Redpanda21 · 22/08/2023 22:10

I’ve birthed 2 back to back babies and I didn’t have back pain. Both labours start to finish were under 3 hours with 15 mins pushing. Only on gas and air.

I bounced for hours and went on all fours as baby was in a side on position but baby went back to back during labour.

justanothermanicmonday1 · 22/08/2023 22:11

I was in at 35 weeks I believe for reduced movement and baby was B2B. By the time I went to my next appointment she had turned. Try getting on all fours and on the ball! Good luck x

PepeParapluie · 22/08/2023 22:21

Don’t panic! My baby was back to back throughout labour, it wasn’t that painful and I was fine with a tens machine and the pool. Baby flipped round just before the pushing stage, by then I’d done 45 hours of back to back labour. Your body is made for this and you can do it! Try not to worry and focus on the things you can make a difference to e.g positive mindset, things to help your birth environment etc. Good luck!

Curseofthenation · 23/08/2023 03:37

I had a back to back labour with my first. Apparently having an anterior plancenta can increase the odds - which I also had. My labour was long but I only had gas and air. I did have forceps though.

Curseofthenation · 23/08/2023 03:38

*placenta

newmama311 · 23/08/2023 04:10

Labour on your side with a peanut ball worked for me 20 mins of pushing for first time baby no interventions

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