Posterior Babies

[Simplicity]

Any mama's birthed a posterior babe? I know it can be done but I'm also wondering all the thing I might be able to try now to get her to turn. I know she could turn in labor so I'm not going to worry about it too much but any tips would be awesome!

Stories of birthing a posterior babe would be awesome too!!

Thanks!

[ckhagen]

Same advice needed here! I'm trying everything... all fours, arching my back, etc... But I think it's my bad posture that's sabatoging me

[grace's voice]

Chiropractic care is the best thing I know of to get babies in the best position, if you're not already, getting serveral adjustments a weeks is best.

[amydidit]

DD2 was posterior... there was a HUGE difference in the labors between her and DD1 who was in the optimal position. DD1 was a 7hr labor, DD2 was 21 hours, most of which was with no dilation since she wasn't pressing on my cervix enough due to her position.

DD2's birth story is HERE.

I would highly recommend trying to get her to move before going into labor. Everyone talks about back labor with a posterior baby, and it's true... but what I wasn't prepared for was the thigh labor... I seriously felt more in the tops of my legs... I couldn't walk or even move through a contraction. And the combination of contractions and a baby wiggling through them trying to turn was brutal. I made it through though, so it's possible... but I will definitely be doing everything possible prior to labor next time to make sure the baby isn't posterior.

ETA: Wanted to add, for those who don't read my birth story... DD was born at home with no meds... so it's definitely possible, even though it does hurt more.

[NCjen]

I have been trying to keep my babe from going posterior as well, she is half and half right now. I only sit on the birthing ball, NO sitting back on the couch with feet up or anything. I also try to spend time each day all fours..but one thing a friend recently told me is if you put a cold pack on your back, near your tail bone and a heating pad on your front the baby will turn toward the heat not wanting the cold on it's face. I plan on trying this if she slips any further over.

[chinacat]

Ds#2 turned posterior the day before i went into labor with him, and he stayed that way. He was 9lbs 2oz with a 14' head!!! (big boy!!lol) I tried lots of hanging forward during labour..leaning on counters, he just liked to be posterior i guess!!! His labor and birth were more intense than my first, but not terrible! Back labour definatly! What i found helped the back labour pain was to sit on the birthing stool during contractions leaning forward onto DH with the midwife pushing hard on my lower back!
Hope your little bean turns for you !!

[paschallraschalls]

Hi mamas, I am not a June 2006 mama, but I wanted to pipe in. My DD #3 was born in March and she had been posterior for weeks. I did everything I could find to try (like ball and all fours) finally I tried the chiropractor. My sacrum was out of allignment. She adjusted me and with in 24 hrs baby had flipped to OA and stayed that way!! Hope this helps!! Good luck!!

[cyncyn]

I wish I'd had some chiropractic to turn my posterior dd (03/03). She was huge (10 lb. 6 oz., 22" and 14.5" head) and I couldn't get past 6cm dilation. The back labor was very very intense. I ended up with pitocin, epidural and a c-section

Try the chiro!

[ckhagen]

I've been doing the chiro, but I just can't afford to go more than once a week, so although it makes me temporarily feel better, I'm not getting lasting results. I have a horrible habit of sitting leaning to one side (putting all my weight on my left side) and I'm trying desperately to stop, thinking that will change something, but I don't even realize I'm doing it!

[grace's voice]

Originally Posted by ckhagen

I've been doing the chiro, but I just can't afford to go more than once a week, so although it makes me temporarily feel better, I'm not getting lasting results. I have a horrible habit of sitting leaning to one side (putting all my weight on my left side) and I'm trying desperately to stop, thinking that will change something, but I don't even realize I'm doing it!

I know what you mean. I have to lean. I also CANNOT sit with both feet on the floor. I always have to have a foot up on the chair, or under me, or legs crossed. I'm always all crooked and even though it hurts my side and hip, I just can't do it right. :

[PGNPORTLAND]

my daughter was posterior. I was able to deliver her vaginally but I chose to have an epidural at around 6 centimeters because the pain of the back labor was unbearable for me. I was not able to be in any kind of sitting postion during active labor, mostly I was on all fours or bent over the bed or in the bath with dh spraying my back with the shower nozzle. heat on my back helped some. I hope you can get your baby to turn. If not and you end up with back labor I know you will find the strength and wisdom to get through it in whatever way feels right to you. good luck!

[A&A]

I birthed an 8 lb. 6 oz. posterior boy, without any meds at all. (In the hospital, which isn't the most comfortable place to do anything!)

My doula and dh were incredible........with every contraction, my doula would put heat on my back and my dh would put counterpressure on my back with his hands. I was on my hands and knees (on the hospital bed) through every contraction, and in between contractions I rested and put an oxygen mask on my face...that seemed to give me extra strength.

Also remember to EAT! and drink during labor.

[AdinaL]

My posterior baby is currently sleeping on me. Crashing your DDC!

I was kind of a weird one tho-she turned posterior after my water broke. I did most of my pushing on hands and knees and/or squatting, which helped with the back labor, which i didn't notice until i turned over into a reclining position. Then YEOUCH! I had a home waterbirth...the water helped a ton.

DD also never turned as she came out...she came out fully face up.

I pushed for roughly three hours.

[StacyL]

I birthed my first, a posterior babe, and my back labor was horrific. I just birthed a ten pounder positioned correctly that was MUCH MUCH less painful.

[mcimom]

I just birthed Mikey on Saturday morning - he was sunny side up. I had a homebirth - and a birth tub - and he was 9lbs even (and obviously no drugs). My other three were "regular" position but also hospital births with drugs so I can't draw a straight comparison, but my back labor wasn't as bad - it was there but it was lower pelvic pain that got me. I felt like I was being torn in two at points b/c of how he was hitting my pelvis. I did enjoy the pressure on my back from my dh and friend who helped me labor, but it was front and down low that made it very painful for me to birth a posterior babe.

The only comfortable position for me was standing up. A couple times hands and knees with belly in the birth pool helped, but squatting made it worse for me personally. I also ended up delivering flat on my back "hospital style" on my couch with my knees drawn back and MW massaging me to help the head out. I don't think I really pushed for that long, but I can't remember for sure.

It was definitely more painful than my other births, but it was also at home with no drugs (or possibility thereof) so again, it's hard to compare exactly.

As for trying to get him out of that position - I did the same things - squatted on the birth ball every night, didn't recline, sat forward, did the hula hoop thing with my hips, etc. It did not seem to make a difference in his position ultimately. Ah well...ultimately I'll just say it DID hurt, I won't lie, but I was able to birth him at home with no drugs and I don't feel his labor/birth was any better or worse (pain wise) than were my other three who were hospital births with epis.

[Miss Juice]

Originally Posted by NCjen

one thing a friend recently told me is if you put a cold pack on your back, near your tail bone and a heating pad on your front the baby will turn toward the heat not wanting the cold on it's face. I plan on trying this if she slips any further over.

I am confused. Wouldn't this CAUSE the baby to become posterior?

[NCjen]

yes, reverse that! sorry..pregnancy brain is killing me!

[jr'smom]

Seek out a chiropractor who does the Webster Method. That technique is designed specifically for pregnant women and turning babies for an easier delivery. If you currently see or know a chiro ask him/her how to find someone who knows this method in your area. You can go back to your regular ochiro after delivery so don't hesitate to ask them for a referral for this specific need. I hear it is highly successful in turning the baby and making mom more comfortable. Good luck!

[ckhagen]

I thought Webster was for breech though right? Not posterior?

[jr'smom]

My impression was that Webster could help for posterior too. I'm not sure, but worth asking about.