Question about anterior placenta/posterior baby

[mamatogirls]

Is it true that if you have an anterior placenta that babies tend to be posterior? My last pregnancy was an attempted HBA2C that failed b/c I really never went into labor. Looking through my medical records my first 2 pregnancies had posterior placentas and both babies were in the correct postiion. I noticed after I had my last baby that my records said I had an anterior placenta which I never paid attention to while pregnant. I am 10 weeks pregnant now and will have an ultrasound mid-pregnancy but am planning another homebirth. I am worried that I will not go into labor again but just trying to get some facts.

It seems some women have no problem with having posterior babies. My sister had 2 posterior babies in the hospital with no problems and went into labor on her own. I had so many signs at 41 weeks that labor was coming: lost mucous plug, bloody show, lots of contractions that hurt but did nothing. Castor oil taken 2 different times caused (back)labor for 8 hours, then 12 hours with no change in cervix that ended up just stopping. Cervix never went past 80%/1 cm. I had horrible pelvic and nerve pain b/c of where her head was resting which went away the second she was out. I made it to 42 1/2 weeks and a non-stress test showed baby's heart rate not doing well so another c-section. She came out nuchal cord x2, meconium and wrinkly/peely skin at 8 lb 8 oz so she wasn't big for her gestational age.

Do you think she just could not get in the right position for labor to progress? If I have another anterior placenta am I doomed again? Any other thoughts why labor didn't work for me? Thanks ladies

[kathan12904]

An anterior placenta will make it more likely for your baby to be in a posterior postion, but like most things in childbirth, there are no guarantees. I'd guess that your baby's poor positioning was a factor in your labor not starting or building. Castor oil really only gets labor going if you're 99% ready already. Check out the website www.spinningbabies.com for good advice on helping to get baby in a good position. Also, as you mentioned, posterior babies can come out that way, its just much more work and discomfort for mom. Being able to move around during labor is a must to turn an op baby/get relief for the laboring mother, so make sure you stay at home as long as possible during labor and that your care provider is supportive of you moving a lot. Good luck.

[turnquia]

I had two anterior placentas and both regularly positioned babies.... my DS was nuchal hands though... (YEOUCH!) That was more trouble some than the placenta... but I have heard there is a correlation.

[callieollie]

I have heard there is a connection because when the placenta is anterior, there isn't enough room for the baby to be positioned anterior as well. With my first, I had an anterior placenta and my ds was posterior. My second was a posterior placenta and baby was positioned well.

[WindyCityMom]

This happened to me with DD and with this pregnancy as well. I think it varies because of anatomical differences among different women, but here is the way I see it.

When a baby is posterior, a mom is encouraged to try an "all fours" position to try and get baby anterior. The idea is to make the belly a nice comfy "hammock" for baby, for which baby will lay their back into (anterior). BUT.. if you've got an anterior placenta, it's kind of like laying on a mattress with a big lump in it where your back would be. I suppose that this is what makes babies not favor that position when their placenta is anterior. I have tried everything in my might to flip this baby, and she doesn't want to. She will occasionally go anterior when I do hands and knees for awhile, but as soon as I resume an upright position or even lay on my left side, she goes back to posterior.

[ShwarmaQueen]

1st baby- induced at 39 wks, anterior placenta, c/s for failure to progress, surgery records indicated DD was posterior.

2nd baby- HBAC, anterior placenta. DS spent most of the pregnancy with his spine to my left side, however he rotated perfectly during labor and came out 'right'.

[at_the_hip]

I have had half of my four birthed babies come out posterior. However, my baby with an anterior placenta was born anterior. So it definitely isn't a given! I do know that while hands and knees positions are good to help turn baby, with an anterior placenta it can compress blood flow so shouldnt' be done for more than a few minutes at a time.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by at_the_hip

I do know that while hands and knees positions are good to help turn baby, with an anterior placenta it can compress blood flow so shouldnt' be done for more than a few minutes at a time.

I had HR issues w/ DS (and an anterior placenta) and used all-4 quite frequently, interesting concept!