posterior babies

Submitted by cararosesmum on October 21, 2010 - 1:11am
Body: 

I'm 33 weeks pregnant with number 2 (and it's a biggie- eek!) found out from my MW yesterday that at the moment he's posterior. I was mighty surprised as I've barely been out of the posture for over a year, I've kept fit and I never recline backwards on the sofa etc.
I'm hopeful bubs will swing back- but his sister was posterior too, so maybe it's the shape of my pelvis? Anyway, does anyone have any advice about getting him to turn (he's well head down) before D-Day?
And, has anyone had a natural, posterior birth with prolapse? I'm hoping not to push and to birth on all fours like the mammal I am.
I should add that, unlike the first, overly medically managed and botched birthing experience that this time, although still in a hospital I have the most amazing, supportive midwife and doula. Happy days!

alemama

October 21, 2010 - 7:06am

If I haven't said it already :)
Yes, I had a posterior baby- our fourth. I don't know why either- our 3rd was transverse up until the last minute and the fourth kept his head in my hip bone up until the day or two before when he finally went head down.
The labor was intense. I said a few times to my dh that something was not right, that it felt like my first labor with our daughter- she was born with her fist by her head (nuchal arm). So I knew he was out of place. But he came out- got stuck for a bit with his shoulder on my pubic bone and hung out there- I was sort of shocked to feel his face and then when he got stuck I was a little worried. But then I felt a deep pop in the front of my pelvis (that I knew was me not him) and out he came.
It was an unmedicated birth at home in our hot tub.
You can do it. You must have room or your baby wouldn't even think of presenting that way.
My good friend had a posterior birth with her second. The midwives didn't even know- it was unmedicated and the baby came right out- and everyone was so surprised, the mom showed no sign of being bothered by the labor or presentation. They were in the hospital. So I know it can be done easily. Oh ya and 33 weeks is so early- you can definitely work with your baby- talk to your baby- set your intention and let your baby know what it is.
and have an adjustment- that sometimes shifts things.

louiseds

October 21, 2010 - 9:09am

I had one too, our third baby. I had a real back-ache labour and just spent the contractions kneeling on the floor with my belly hanging and my shoulders draped over DH's lap and arms around his back, with my butt sticking up in the air. I reached transition, threw up, and he flipped over quite suddenly. What a relief! I stayed on hands and knees for second stage. He came out quite normally, but had obviously been doing some tossing and turning in there, as the cord was around his neck three times. He was fine, and so was I. My spine had been so extended (as opposed to flexed) that there was no way he could have stayed posterior.

Louise

squeak

October 21, 2010 - 12:13pm

My midwife swears by having the mom spend time on all fours to give baby most chance to turn, and also belly-dance type circles counter-clockwisen(while standing). If nothing shifts it, then maybe just meant to be. Good luck !

granolamom

October 21, 2010 - 6:41pm

my second and third were posterior
second labor was a quickie, five hours start to finish with the last two hrs of me 'not' pushing because he was stuck on a cervical lip. I was in the hospital with a mw and obgyn, but no meds or epi. labor was intense, and probably would've been a bit easier had I had the good sense to stay home.
which is what I did the next time. baby number three was posterior too, but he turned during labor (all 23 hours of it) and ended up with a nuchal hand (I think thats what they call it, he had his hand on his head). but really, labor was fairly gentle, he was born with intact sac too. I spent a lot of time on hands/knees and doing that hula-hooping type motion squeak mentioned (maybe we have the same mw? my second mw recommended that). third birth was awesome, totally natural and at home. really fabulous.
agree also with alemama, talk to your baby, I believe they are listening.
and don't worry about it too much. shouldn't prevent you from having a glorious birth.

aza

November 4, 2010 - 4:54pm

Posterior at 33 weeks is not really a cause for alarm ;) Is your baby even engaged in your pelvis yet? If so, then that speaks volumes about the capacity of your inlet and if not, s/he will probably go anterior when the noggin nestles down. Babies who do engage posterior will often go anterior once they have something to rotate against (the midpelvis and pelvic musculature). It is so common to hear of women getting sectioned for not getting past 6 cms, a posterior baby, and a high head. Give it some time and that head will come down, have something to pivot against, and probably turn anterior.

cararosesmum

November 4, 2010 - 10:55pm

Thanks for all your replies ladies! I'm 36 weeks now, and as far as I can tell bubs is still back to back and he's quite far down in my pelvis- so I don't know if there's much chance he'll change now.... But, I'm really not that bothered anymore. So, it's not 'optimal' or 'the normal' position- but, so what? if he needs to move he will, if he needs to come out sunnyside up- he will. I'm sick of being told what's best or normal, my POP isn't 'normal' either, but it's normal for me and I deal with that daily. So, I'm sure i can deal with this too! At least this time I know I don't need any medical intervention ( vacuum and episiotomy last time- hello prolapse!) just coz it might take a bit longer or hurt more. I've got an amazing midwife and doula who will happily spill blood for me in my quest to keep it drug and medication free this time! So, I'm in a pretty good place really. I'd like to have bubs at home, but DH looks like he's gonna faint everytime that's mentioned- wouldn't it be a shame if we didn't make it to the hospital!?
Thanks again- will let you all know how it goes!

aza

November 5, 2010 - 12:58am

Wow, I snorted my tea when I read that your midwife and doula 'will happily spill blood for me in my quest to keep it drug and medication free this time' That statement speaks volumes ;) I think I would like your midwife and doula!
So it sounds like you have a spacious inlet and perhaps you are right, your babies need to be posterior for some reason. Babies are pretty smart; they do not want to be uncomfortable and it sounds like you have given your baby every opportunity to find his or her place in your pelvis.
Keep it simple, stay home and push out your baby ;) Your husband will thank you for the experience later!