posterior baby - what chances are there of it turning in labour?

[neena123]

Hi, I am 38 weeks today and have been told my baby is in a direct posterior position. I have been doing everything suggested to try and turn the baby for weeks now but to no avail.
I was wondering if there is anyone who has experienced this but found that once they went into labour the baby turned by itself? I keep hearing about posterior labours being longer, more painful and with more need for medical intervention so am starting to get worried! should I be worrying?

No don't worry! All three of my babies at 38 weeks were posterior; two turned during the labour. All three were natural deliveries, mainly spent with me on my hands and knees.

I had a posterior baby too. She didn't turn at any point.

My labour was pretty much average time-wise and I no intervention other than all the pain relief I could get

Don't worry you and the baby will be fine.

My dd was posterior and didn't turn. I had an epidural and was told afterwards that she probably would have turned if I'd laboured on all fours or polar bear position (all fours, head lowered onto floor IIRC). Your contractions may turn your dc and these positions should help (epidural meant I was on my back which is why dd didn't turn).

My best tip is to stand up during labour. Both of mine have been posterior and all the floor scrubbing in the world wouldn't turn them! Dd didn't turn and was born face up, but I had an epidural and was lying down. Ds turned during a very short labour that I spent entirely standing up, and was born facing the correct way. I know which birth I would rather have again

Ditto what Lulu said. DD1 didn't turn, probably because I was on my back. DD2 was OP on and off for the last few weeks but ended up coming out the right way round because I stayed in a good position during labour.

I had a posterior baby he didn't turn was delivered posterior No tear or intervention I was walking 20 mins after placenta was born ang felt great. I didn't even know it could be a problem till the next day when the mw came and told me about him being the wrong way. I wouldn't worry you will do fine.

My labour was long, I have no idea if it was more painful (dd is our first) but I lasted a long time without pain relief and I'm not that brave! I read a lot about posterior labour before dd was born and panicked but wish I hadn't now. I didn't experience the back pain I kept reading about. I did have intervention but that could have been the epidural as much as dd's position so don't panic. You and your lo will be fine.

A bit like lulululabelle I had long labour (32 hrs) with posterior baby. He didn't turn until labour and the midwife kept getting me to change position which she seems to think caused him to turn. I had a normal delivery with tens and gas and air and no other interventions.

neena I am not sure if my labor was long it was 24 hrs I had no pain relief though if you can I would stay in the house as long as you can I had to go straight in as my waters had broke. But all in all I didn't think my labor was that bad.

DS didn't turn, but he was induced, and a fairly quick birth.

With me it seems to be a family trait - according to my Mum I was also posterior (oldest child) as was my sisters' first. Subsequent babies did as they should, though.

My first dd was posterior - 24 hour labour, epidural, attempted ventouse and emergency c-section...

So I panicked when I realised dd2 was posterior as well.

BUT I had a long pre-labour (though thought it was just Braxton Hicks) and she turned in the lalst few hours. I then had a home birth with no pain relief at all.

So 2 posterior babies and 2 extremely different experiences. Try not to worry too much - you can only do your best and deal with what you are dealt.

Best of luck

thanks everyone, reassuring to read that it's not as bad as i keep reading about. fingers crossed it all goes ok!

My ds was posterior and turned after 7 hours on my hands and knees in the birth pool. Not bad considering he was 9lb 15oz, so it is possible.

Neither of mine turned despite me scrubbing floors etc, they didn't turn in labour either
I did have long labours but no intervention

I had a very long labour but he turned late in labour...hence the very fast final delivery. It can be done. I recommend a birthing ball.

My DS was either full postior or laying on his side on the right for most of my pregnancy.

In the end I was induced at 42 weeks, with an epidural, so was bed bound in semi-upright position, however DS managed to put himself into a more favourable position and from when the started induction to delivery was under 12 hours - good I think for 1st time mum & an induction!

I am now 39 weeks and this one is exactly the same!! Keep going from very worried to not bothered! although i keep bouncing on the ball every night.

"what will be will be...."

My DS was either full postior or laying on his side on the right for most of my pregnancy.

In the end I was induced at 42 weeks, with an epidural, so was bed bound in semi-upright position, however DS managed to put himself into a more favourable position and from when the started induction to delivery was under 12 hours - good I think for 1st time mum & an induction!

I am now 39 weeks and this one is exactly the same!! Keep going from very worried to not bothered! although i keep bouncing on the ball every night.

"what will be will be...."