Back-to-back baby at 38+4

[Yankunian]

Oy, just had a scan to check the cord etc. and have been informed that my baby, who was in an ideal position for birth, has turned and is now back-to-back. At this late stage I'm nervous that she won't turn back - any ideas/advice beyond "get down on all fours"?

And if she doesn't turn how bad is back labour really? Could it make it more likely for me to have to transfer to hopsital? I am booked in for a home water birth and was hoping that gas and air and the pool would be enough, though I will have pethidine on hand too. Just remember that my mom had back labour with me and she always spoke so fondly of the experience...

All is not lost, your baby may turn before hand. If you have a look on the homebirth.org site they have info on optimum fetal positioning (ofp).

Have you got an exercise ball? These are highly recommended for sitting on before and during labour to get the baby in a good position.

Laying in bed on your left side.

When sitting, make sure your hips are higher than your knees.

There are ladies on here who have had poterior babies. I'm sure Lulumama's 2nd was - keep an eye out for her.

My back-to-back labour wasn't one I could have managed at home (I did have dd2 at home, she was anterior presentation though), but it was very slow so it's not as though that would have been a rush-transfer in or anything - had three days of not terribly productive contractions and had to go onto a drip. Not the labour I'd have wanted, but it still came to an end and dd1 was none the worse for it.

Is this your first or not? Much more likely it can turn back round if not, there'll be more space. I would try avoiding sitting back in armchairs/settee's, try all fours, Only person that can really decide though is your baby.

Fingers crossed for you.

Your baby may turn before you go into labour so try not to worry too much about it now.

While I was in labour with DS, he was in the back-to-back position and it was very painful but I did manage to turn him around before delivery.

Thanks for the advice. I have had a look at the homebirth site and it is excellent. This will be my first baby - keep your fingers crossed!

I had back to back and I could have done it all at home except the delivery. Maybe gear yourself up for a home labour and a hospital birth. I think the delivery part is only an issue if they don't turn which most do apparently.

Both of mine were 'right way round' until I went into labour. Then they tried to make it a little more difficult for themselves and went 'back to back'.

dd1 - horrible midwives, horrible birth, used gas and pethadine, but out within 6 hours of going into hospital.

dd2 - fantastic midwives, fantastic birth, gas only, out within 30 minutes of going into hospital, a 'walk in the park'

It doesn't necessarily mean it will be a bad birth. For me the midwife had a greater effect on the birth than the position.

DD1 was back to back and it was fine - laboured at home which was totally bearable - when we got into hospital I was already 8cms and the pain suddenly escalated to me being out of control - that's when the epidural went in . No problems after that - I would almost go as far as to say easy!

DD1,DD2, and DD3 were all back to back. No amount of birth balls, exercises or praying helped to turn the babies.

First was a very long labour and ended in a GA caesarian, second was forceps and third was fantastic and relatively quick. I couldn't sit or lay down because of the pressure in my back, so I hung off the backrest on the bed.

Definately agree with WriggleJiggle, the midwives play a big part in giving you self belief as opposed to the poor positioning of the baby.

DS1 was back to back but labour was okay (no complications apart from a long pushing stage). I had a fantastic midwife who used all sorts of odd positions - had me pushing on my side with DH holding my leg up at one point! I'm trying some of the tricks on spinningbabies.com this time

Good luck!