Compound Presentation more painful?

[Spring Sun]

As I really start to prepare for the baby coming this summer, I am reflecting back to my last birth a lot.

It was great-9 hours, home, water, perfect baby, no tears, everything wonderful. But-it was so incredibly painful that I almost think I have some trauma issues still relating back to it that I really want to work out.

I woke up with about 15 minutes of medium contractions that were six minutes apart, then jumped suddenly to really intense, strong contractions 3 min apart-and it stayed that way and only got more intense as labor progressed.

It just hurt so much. I know it is labor, but still...

Could it have added to it that the baby had his hand on the top of his head? His little fingers were the first thing to be born.

Just wondering. Thanks!

[MsBlack]

Yes, compound presentation can be more painful for many women. The thing about your labor that is astonishing in a positive way is that it was so short. Often, these compound babies tend to bring on a lot of prodromal labor over days/weeks, and/or early labor is fairly long--it's just harder, I think, for these babes to find their way down into the pelvis. So--your birth was very painful, and yet it might have been far longer!

[olive&pimiento]

I would definately say that the compound presentations I have seen have been more painful for the mom. In fact, it seems that certain types of very painful labors predict compound presentation, specifically pain right above and to either side of the pubic bone. Hopefully, the little one you are carrying will keep it's arms down!

[Veritaserum]

Hmm... My compound presentation baby (hand/arm up by her head) was my easiest, most straight-forward labor. I think, though, that variations from "normal" can definitely impact the intensity and quality of birth sensations.

[AugustLia23]

The speed of labor can also have a great affect on intensity, and/or pain, of labor. The presentation and position of baby can as well, just think of posterior babies. Posterior babies often, but not always, causes a much more intense, unending sensation in the lower back. The dreaded "back labor" is almost always associated with a posterior baby.

[Spring Sun]

Thank you for the feedback, everyone, that is such a relief! I am glad I had a short labor, then. I actually went and dug up my old records from my midwife after I posted this thread, and even though I felt like my labor was 9 hours, she recorded it as 5 hours of active labor.

I am glad I posted this, I already feel better.

What is funny, is that for years ds slept with his arm along his head and hand reaching for the top of his head. I wonder if that was just how he was most of the time in utero.

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by Spring Sun

What is funny, is that for years ds slept with his arm along his head and hand reaching for the top of his head. I wonder if that was just how he was most of the time in utero.

My dd did that, too. It was funny.

[seaheroine]

Originally Posted by Spring Sun

Thank you for the feedback, everyone, that is such a relief! I am glad I had a short labor, then. I actually went and dug up my old records from my midwife after I posted this thread, and even though I felt like my labor was 9 hours, she recorded it as 5 hours of active labor.

I am glad I posted this, I already feel better.

What is funny, is that for years ds slept with his arm along his head and hand reaching for the top of his head. I wonder if that was just how he was most of the time in utero.

My DD does this, too.

She was asynclitic and also had a compound presentation. Labor hurt...if it hurts less this time around, that would be really great.

Her compound presentation is what caused me to tear, though. I'm hoping that doesn't repeat as well...