Posterior babies « Back to Group Discussions

[azohri]

Anyone else have a previous posterior labor experience they are really hoping to avoid repeating?  I was in labor for 3 days with DS before we finally transferred to the hospital and ended up with a c-section.  I had a great midwife and very good hospital care, we just couldn't get him to turn.  The last few days this baby was definitely ROA which is how DS was for the last part of my pregnancy as well (ROA babies have to rotate through posterior before they can get out).  I've felt really good about my VBAC chances, but with each day the baby stayed ROA I could feel myself getting more and more discouraged (even though I know 30 weeks is way too soon to freak out over positioning).  The thing is that I did spinning babies and everything else I could last time, so it's hard not to feel like there's not much I can do about positioning.  Most midwives seem to say that all you can do is pelvic rocks, sit up straight, etc. 

I did find one great resource today that made me feel a lot better though, that there are things to DO if the baby is persistently ROA or posterior late in pregnancy: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/paininback.asp

And the best is that it ends with this: "A word of caution: Women who have had caesareans due to posterior labors, or who have had vaginal delivery after long posterior labors, often are in advanced labor before they realize they are in labor with a subsequent baby that is not in a posterior position. This has led to many interesting and amusing situations!"

Here's hoping! :)  I'm planning a hospital birth with midwives this time, but have a midwife doula as well just in case I go super fast at home.

[pregnova]

lol LOVED that quote at the end! I had a long prodromal labor thanks to posterior positioning. The thing was, I had no idea about back labor, no idea that he'd been in posterior position for WEEKS and that there were things I could have done to try to move him around. And no idea that certain labor positions would have been better than others! Sigh. My midwives SERIOUSLY dropped the ball on that one, and the end result was a near 48 hour labor with a transfer to the hospital for pitocin augmentation at the end. We did end up with a vaginal, epidural-free delivery, so I know we lucked out, but I'd do ANYTHING to avoid being in that position again. 

This go around, I've been watching baby's position like a hawk, and have been perusing spinning babies for suggestions of what to do should it turn posterior again. DS was posterior until the end...in fact, he rotated only after he'd crowned which the midwife found amusing as she said it would be an indication of his stubborn nature. Sigh. 

I have a feeling this time around if baby's not posterior, that I'll be in line with that quote. I feel like I almost don't know what real labor feels like because I never felt even a single contraction in my front...I pretty much felt like my back was being hit by a baseball bat every few minutes until pushing! 

I hope that baby stays in good position for you!!!!

[Vegan Princess]

Thankfully I don't have any experience myself. But my mom's first baby, my sister, was posterior. Only my mom never knew that until I told her. She had a horrible back labor and said the brand new doc was amazed when she came out bc she was turning and not face down. Apparently that brand new Navy doc had never even heard of that happening. 

Anyway, my mom had 2 births after my sister. My brother was next and she had a 6 hour labor (her first was 12 hours), 3 of which she mostly slept through. I was last. I think her water broke well before labor started that time and she ended up with pitocin to get labor going. I can't remember how long that labor was - I think fairly quick once the pit started working. 

I hope you both have better births this time!! My babe has been LOA for a while now - I just hope she stays that way! I remember my midwife stressing heavily last time not slouching when you sit, especially in big couches. Also I think cat/cow is supposed to help with proper positioning. 

Cindy

[forumyonly1]

My first baby was posterior when I went I'm to labor.. I stayed at 4cm for about 19 hours.. Then he finally turned and I was at a10 within a half hour. My second baby had so much water I had no idea how he was positioned but considering he was my shortest labor, I assume he was Loa. My third was roa and moved a crap ton while I was in labor.. It was special... He ended up bring born with both hands on to of his head. My fourth was stubbornly roa but finally came out after 26 hours. This baby is also roa and she seems extremely comfortable there... thank you for posting links! I'd like a but shorter labor this time!! Lol

[Amanda1]

I had a pretty perfect labor with DS but as I've been thinking back on my labor with him latley and talking with my SIL who is a midwife,

I have realized that he was likley posterior for most of my labor. I ended up being induced 3 times with the gel on my cervix at 42 weeks. I also feel that I do not know what a real contraction really feels like because the I only felt bad back pain ( being hit with a baseball bat is perfect wording) until my water broke about 5 hrs into it and at 8.5 cms. He must have turned when my water broke because I suddenly got a break between contractions and it was great!

After hearing other peoples long labors I feel so lucky because mine was quick at about 7.5 hours...makes me wonder how fast this one will come :s