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Childbirth

Back to back baby will i go into labour naturally

68 replies

lollipopz · 22/12/2006 11:40

Hiya, my due date is tomorrow, found out on tuesday that the baby is back to back, as he,s already 3/5 engaged it is probably unlikely he will move!
Have heard horror stories about back to back births and was wondering a few things:

First of all is it more likely i will need induced, or can labour still start naturally??

Is the birth really awful, or can you manage without an epidural? it is my third child and i have never had an epidural, and dont wish one, so want to know that the pain will be managable with out it!

thanks in advance!!

OP posts:

Report

lulumama · 22/12/2006 11:42

you'll be fine.......will do a link ....hang on!!

lulumama · 22/12/2006 11:42

OP labour

MerryBiglipsmas · 22/12/2006 11:42

it will be more painful on back to back birth

lulumama · 22/12/2006 11:43

here too !

lulumama · 22/12/2006 11:44

and here too!

Chandra · 22/12/2006 11:45

It may be a bit more caotic in terms of contractions (maybe more irregular than in a normal position birth). But I expect you will be fine, and having already other 2 children I expect it would be a fast birth.

lulumama · 22/12/2006 11:46

you can go into labour spontaneously ( i did!) but you might find that the pain is mainly in your back,,and you are slower to dilate than previously as the baby's head not exerting equal pressure on the cervix. might be a longer and slower labour BUT you can do it without an epidural......without a doubt........changing positions, water, gas & air, counter pressure on your back, pethidine.............

the pain will be manageable,,,especially as you have dine this twice before...

not a reason for induction IMHO......

lulumama · 22/12/2006 11:46

you can go into labour spontaneously ( i did!) but you might find that the pain is mainly in your back,,and you are slower to dilate than previously as the baby's head not exerting equal pressure on the cervix. might be a longer and slower labour BUT you can do it without an epidural......without a doubt........changing positions, water, gas & air, counter pressure on your back, pethidine.............

the pain will be manageable,,,especially as you have dine this twice before...

not a reason for induction IMHO......

lulumama · 22/12/2006 11:47

oops! posted twice!

Mincepiedermama · 22/12/2006 11:47

I had back to back with my fourth and had him with no pain relief or intervention. It was hard work but perfectly do-able. He came down and out OP which I gather is quite rare as normally they turn on the way down or before.

If I were you I'd keep as active as possible in early labour and 'dance' around, if that doesn't sound too mad, to give him/her plenty of room to turn on route.

The contractions may well turn your baby so you may find labour is longer, but don't worry, your body can sort it out.

Good luck.

Mincepiedermama · 22/12/2006 11:48

I agree it's easier with an OP in subsequent births. I think it's pretty tough if your first baby comes back to back.

iota · 22/12/2006 11:50

ds1 was back to back - no labour, failed induction, c-section

lulumama · 22/12/2006 11:51

absolutely mincepidermama...........as this a third baby...i imagine it will be absolutely fine

my OP baby was a VBAC too ....!!

serenitynightholynight · 22/12/2006 11:52

All three of mine were back to back. DS1 and DD came by themselves (well, had a sweep with DD) but were 8 and 11 days late respectively. 12 hrs labour with DS1, and G and A only. 5 hours with DD and G and A as well. DS2 was induced at 10 days over for no good reason, 4 hours labour - G and A for most of it, I had pethadine just before he was born because they though it would be another 4 or 5 hours (he came out 20 minutes later....asleep! )

Obviously I can't compare it with a 'normal' presentation as I've never had one, but it wasn't awful. Yes it hurt, but it was definitely copable. OP can mean a really crap labour, but then so can any other type

Hope it all goes well.

lulumama · 22/12/2006 11:53

wise words from serenity.....plenty of ROA babies can give you a long labour too !!

serenitynightholynight · 22/12/2006 11:58

Should have said - it hurts a lot worse if you let them make you lie flat. Squat, kneel do handstands, just avoid lying down (slows it down and bloody hurts) Having said that DD was born this way, but she was the third so fanj was pretty much the Blackwall tunnel by then

Mincepiedermama · 22/12/2006 12:00

LOL at Blackwall tunnel serenity. I know that feeling.

lollipopz · 22/12/2006 12:01

Hiya thank you all so much i am feeling better about doing this now!!
Loulou as ever you are the font of all knowledge thank you
midwives at the hospital didnt seem to interested in allaying my fears but knew i could rely on mnetters with experience, i'll let you know how i go
Don't know why i thought i would need induction guess i just thought baby wouldnt engage properly or something, blonde moment!!

OP posts:

lulumama · 22/12/2006 12:02

you'll be fine!!!!!!!!! please have the baby tomorrow. as i am busy XMas day so can;t do much online!!

serenitynightholynight · 22/12/2006 12:06

Not a blonde moment at all, OP babies are often late from what I've seen on here, but that doesn't have to mean induction.

lulumama · 22/12/2006 12:07

mine born on her due date!

lollipopz · 22/12/2006 12:11

thanks i feel a bit cleverer now!!

my due date is by dating scans at 5, 7, and 11 weeks so i was hoping in the back of my head that it would be really accurate and he would come then but just need to wait and see, had a sweep on wednesday which did nothing, i was only 1cm and uneffaced but cerfix was anterior and soft.
They gave me induction date of 2nd jan, so the worst possible is 11 more days which is nothing on the grand scale of things

OP posts:

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TheOriginalXENA · 22/12/2006 12:11

I went into labour with my 2nd baby (i have 4) she was the only one who came late

poppiesinalinewithbellson · 22/12/2006 12:28

My first was a back to back and was a terrible, really painful birth (sorry!) with lots of intervention and epidural but it is your 3rd so it may not be that bad, plus you will know what you are doing too so that will help.

I am sure you will be fine. First births are normally the worst and you are pro by now

lulumama · 22/12/2006 13:07

anterior and soft cervix is GOOD!! body is gearing up now...cervix needs to be anterior and soft..then it will efface & dilate simultaneously ...so all good..

you know what you need to do now, don;t you , to encourage things along.....??

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