Back Baby

[LauraJane86]

Hi All,

So for the last 2 weeks i have been suffering from a really bad back and hip pain but at 16 weeks this seemed to be a little odd.

I have now been told that i could be carrying a 'back baby' which is often the cause. I have never heard of this before but apparently the baby can get comfy and lay down at the very bottom of your womb near your back and between the hips.

Unfortunately there isn't anything that the MW or hospital can do as its up to baby to move their butt forward and get comfy nearer the front. If it doesn't and it likes where it is i am likely to experience back and hip pain throughout the pregnancy and a very hard labor.

I am now worried about this as its my first baby and although i know labor is horrendous i quite hoped it would be a fairly quick process with minimal drug assistance!

Has anyone else had this experience and do you have any tips for making baby get a wiggle on?

Thanks xx

[babesinbrum]

Hi Laurajane86,

Depending on far along in the pregnancy you are I wouldn't worry too much about the baby's position as he/she may have plenty more time to turn around into a side/transverse position.

Labour is without a doubt going to painful no matter what the baby's position will be but if your MV has any other concerns about where the baby is lying she may be able to book you in for an appointment at your local hospital to try turning the baby via a tummy massage.

In the meantime there is some ways you could try to turn the baby at home by doing a few things on the floor with your knees and hands on the ground or if you dont really fancy doing that you could purchase a excerise/gym ball and have a good roll/bounce around your living room floor.

[Hidden]

At 16 weeks, baby still has plenty of room and time to move about, but I can understand why you'd like him/her to move!

I don't know how helpful it will be, but have a look at spinningbabies.com/ - it was suggested by me during the ante natal classes X

[Hidden]

I'd have thought that baby is still very little at 16 weeks. There is plenty of time to turn! My lo was in the right position most of pregnancy then suddenly flipped to breechat about 31 weeks. I looked at spinning babies and did a few of their moves but she flipped back on her own accord a week or so later! If you are worried more generally about labour I recommend yoga classes and / or Hypnobirthing for the relaxation and breathing techniques. Although not for everyone they helped me avoid too much intervention (gas&air). Good luck and hope your pregnancy gets easier!

[Mummy_Pandaa]

I had that, but he moved away when I was 18 weeks. Okay, he did go back to back for my labour, but I was only on gas and air for the entire thing. It wasn't that bad for me, it's when he moved and hit my sciatic nerve that the pain got really bad. I did need assistance in the end, but I have a spinal implant and he was 9lb 15oz! They say if he was smaller or had my implant not been in my spine, I would have delivered him naturally.

Don't worry, there is still plenty of time for your lo to move

[Hopeful15]

acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-o...

Hi Laura, I'm seeing a consultant Obs today to check out my pain too. I've been reading up loads on accupuncture too as it has helped me to date - apparently there is an 80% success rate in turning breech babies by using an accupuncture method plus chinese herbs that is being researched with a view to sanction by BMC. I've attached a general link about accu and childbirth above for info in case you're willing to give alternative therapies a try. Good luck. Let us know if the little one decides to start dancing xx

[rozat1]

At 16 weeks I would doubt that the pain is caused by a back to back baby. It would be worth consulting with an osteopath as this sounds more like a pelvic joint problem. Spinning babies website as has been suggested is also great for realigning and relaxing ligaments and joints if needed. Hope it feels better soon.

[LauraJane86]

Quick update - got stuck in the bath this morning after a nerve went in my back after about 10 minutes I managed to move but now i'm in agony! Waiting for GP to call me with some advice!

[Hidden in reply to LauraJane86]

Oh god, that sounds awful! Did you get any helpful advice from the GP? Hope you're feeling better? X

[Highlandlass22]

You should ask to be referred to a physiotherapist they will help find out what's happening and might give you a support belt if things are out of alignment. A gym/birthing ball is comfortable to use and might help too

[Viclet_terrier]

I was in similar pains with both my babies. I have a 'dodgy' back and hip issues and my saving grace was my chiropractor. In fact they were the ones that told me I was pregnant first time around when I had no idea!!!!!. I don't know what area you live but the lady that looked after me has spent several years dedicating her training to specialise in pregnant women and children, and without her I wouldn't have been able to function let alone work right up until the end I would say do some research and look out for a good one with specialism. I can't have rated mine more highly. X

[LauraJane86]

Morning guys, GP called yesterday but wasnt able to offer any help unfortunately. I called MW about physio again but got no reply.

Something strange has happened though - I was sitting up with OH and came over very tired so decided to get in bed. As I stood up I came over all dizzy and spaced out but thought maybe I had got up a bit quickly. Came through to bed but despite laying down the dizzy feeling was still there. Took some paracetamol as it was killing my head but woke up this morning exactly the same. I cant seem to get my legs to work with my brain and my eyes go all blurry when i turn my head. I also still have the bad pain in my back which hasnt eased at all.

I really dont know whats going on and to be honest I am quite scared because so far this pregnant has been really hard.

[Hidden]

I really think you should go to A&E. It may be nothing but you need to get checked out for your peace of mind. Can your OH take you? Also call the midwife again. And again. Until they answer!!

It's not the same but may be relevant - I had a problem with my nerve later in pregnancy where the bump was squashing my nerve. It made the skin on the right hand side of my thigh go numb. It's still a bit numb now although lo is 9 months old! Anyway I went to a really good physio practice in London which specialises in women's health. I don't know where you live but perhaps you have something similar near you. I paid I'm afraid rather than wait for the NHS referral. sixphysio.com/services/wome...

I do hope you feel better later and you get some answers. Xx

[LauraJane86]

I spoke with maternity ward at the hospital and the nurse advised me to eat some breakfast, drink a sweet tea and put my feet up. She will deal with my MW and get a blood test arranged to check my iron levels. Physio referral has been made but my mum is calling her guy that she sees about a slipped disk to see if he can help in the meantime.

I'm so tired and emotional i just want to feel well again!

[mummy32015]

im 21 weeks, and iv had back, hip and groin ache since i was 10 weeks, my child too is quite far back. ihave had a back to back labour previous and baby then turned at delivery, back contractions were not that bad compaired to the front ones in my second pregnancy. Typically 1st time babies and labour take longer. I wouldnt worry about it, just try and find things that work for you, ie hot water bottles, positions, pillows between legs ect. It could possibly be the start of spd , pelvis problems. the best you can do is insist on having it investigated, relax and take each day as it comes x

[mummy32015]

im 21 weeks, and iv had back, hip and groin ache since i was 10 weeks, my child too is quite far back. ihave had a back to back labour previous and baby then turned at delivery, back contractions were not that bad compaired to the front ones in my second pregnancy. Typically 1st time babies and labour take longer. I wouldnt worry about it, just try and find things that work for you, ie hot water bottles, positions, pillows between legs ect. It could possibly be the start of spd , pelvis problems. the best you can do is insist on having it investigated, relax and take each day as it comes x

[Hopeful15]

Hi Laura, thinking of you all the time. Only just seen dizzy bit. When you lie on your back, esp if baby is at back you may easily be compressing nerves in your spine - my MW warned me about this at beginning - saying lots of mummy's have this and to try to get used to lying on left hand side. The blurry eyes can also be hormones and I've noticed my eyesight worsening too. This is apparently temporary. I've experienced awful headaches and was told that it could be caused by multiple reasons - nerve compression, not eating enough for two due to general waves of nausea caused by pain and changes to my eyesight as brain tries to overcompensate. I have cured the headaches - by eating much smaller meals and healthy snacks every 3 hours throughout day and just drinking water and decaf tea rather than carbonated and sugary drinks; being prescribed zantac anti acid pills to be taken twice a day which helps with appetite; and my good old favourite: accupuncture!! My practitioner turned half my head and neck into a veritable pinhead but within 12 hours I was completely cured. The headache started again only once but I was able to follow the pin pricks with my fingers, push the pressure points for 30 seconds and voila - a miracle!! I'm seriously not an alternative therapy flake but cannot sing loud enough about how wonderful this has been for me. Hope this helps. How're you getting on?