Posterior Baby & Natural Birth?

Question

My Baby is in what I believe is called "posterior" position, or "sunny-side-up" if you wish, so his back is facing my back.

I read about it online, & most people seem to suggest a c-section,

or at least an epidural. I really want a natural birth at home,

is that at all possible? Can you please tell me your stories or experiences with a posterior baby?

Thank you!

Answer 1

When I was in labour, my baby was in the posterior position and I panicked as I knew this would mean an even more painful birth.  The midwife told me to lie on my left side, which should make the baby turn, which she did, thankfully!  So I really wouldn't worry, it should all be fine!!

Good luck!!

Answer 2

My baby's always been on the right position during the pregnancy.

6 months ago ,I was induced for labour and at the early stage, the midwife looks at me to tell me the baby is now back to back!

I have nothing to compare with but it was painful and the contractions were irregular .

The midwives told me it was because of the position of the baby.Your back aches a lot.

It lasted all night long and most of the day and then the doctor told me I would need a C-section. whoop whoop...

But we managed to have a normal delivery! ( the forceps were compulsory though...)

How far are you now? You can do some special exercise to make the baby turn but as I've experienced, it can change at any time.

Best of luck!!

Answer 3

A lot of people still give birth with the baby in this position. The baby could turn before labour or even during labour. I wouldn't worry about it too much

Answer 4

My last bub, was the only one of 5 to be posterior, I never had a problem, I had all of my kids natural, no drugs etc. My baby was also breach till 36 weeks then turned around, posterior was never seen by any of my midwife team as an issue..alot of obstertritions are to quick to c-section over the slightest thing! It can make your backpain a bit worse during pregancy...mine was, but was really wasn't an issue, bub came out in one piece!! best wishes!!

Answer 5

I was born posterior... But my mum had to have an epidural because of her blood pressure, and a forcep delivery.. If I were you I wouldn't go for a home birth.. You can still have a natural birth in a hospital, at least that way if something goes wrong there are plenty of doctors around.. I had my daughter in a hospital and still had a completely natural birth with very little assistance..

Answer 6

How far along are you? When I approached 36 weeks and the baby was still posterior my midwife suggested that I do a couple of things to help the baby turn. These included

- Getting down on all fours, if able and comfortable doing so, for short periods of time

- Avoid squatting for whatever reason

- Avoid lounges/sofas/couches that tended to make me 'slump' inwards in that my pelvis was lower than my knees

Needless to say I tried these things but not religiously and by the time I went into labour the baby had only turned a little so that he was slightly sideways. Due to this I had a really long and drawn out labor , close to 2 days, because I was determined to have the baby naturally. My contractions were so irregular i was not sure what stage of labour I was in. I spent the last 24 hours of my labour at the hospital without much progress

In the end I opted for an epidural as I had to be injected to speed up the contractions and put in a position that would help the baby turn. The doctor on duty stated that if that didn't do it I would have to have a c-section. I managed to deliver naturally an hour after the injection and epidural with the aid of 2 very wonderful midwives.

I would suggest that you consult a health professional as this kind of birth may prove difficult for both you and your baby to have at home as the drawn out labour may stress you both and make the delivery harder if not impossible and this may be a danger

Answer 7

Mine was posterior and natural birth failed - I ended up with an emergency C-section (and the surgeon commented that baby's head was so large there was absolutely no WAY she'd have come out naturally - even though I'd got far enough through labour that they tried forceps, and they had to push her back up the birth canal to do the section.) If I were you I would see if they can do a late scan, because whether it's going to work for you will probably depend on baby's head size and shape.

It's great to want a natural birth at home - who wouldn't? - but believe me you would not want to be at home, and having to travel to hospital,  in the sort of pain I was in when it became obvious that it really was not going to work. But I'm 5'2 and my baby was well over 8 pounds with a head size off the top of the centile chart. If you're larger than me and your baby is smaller with a tiddly little head, you're much more likely to be OK.  

Answer 8

THe baby can still turn.  

Answer 9

Baby could still turn, my friend was told to crawl round the house a couple of times a day for 20 mins and he turned for her. Her other kids thought it was hilarious!

You should be able to have a natural birth, although it may be more painful so you might want to think about hospital so you can get pain relief.