Dear Lois and Debby, Many thanks for your replies.
Both my babes have also been posterior. No. 1 turned with Keillands forceps (I was diagnosed in labour with PE and doc didn't want me to push). I had an epidural for this labour - doc insisted to help bring my BP down. Like Debby (and SIL) I also had no back labour (was un-epidural-ed until 6cm). No. 2 babe was also posterior - again, no back labour, but he turned and was born facing the usual way. I think 2nd babes are sometimes better at cooperating maybe?? I was induced as the medicos feared I was going to PE again, as my blood pressure was a little elevated. I was kicked out of the Birth Centre, but other than amniotomy and synto throughout (because they were busy in labour ward!!) I laboured without interference to a vaginal delivery (I was unbelievably thrilled to do this one without forceps and feel the whole labour and birth process - WHAT a boost to my self image and feeling of womanliness). However, in my SIL's recent labour I gathered at the time that the babe's head being back and to the side was a bigger problem than her being posterior? Would that be right? The babe's head had been so low it was unpalpable for over a week prior to induction. OB kept saying she'd have it any minute (of course that didn't happen). Yes, this was Cate's first baby. We have always joked, as Cate is tall (about 5' 9") and slim, but she really does have a very wide-looking pelvis - big hips - that this bub was just going to fall out. Especially as she was so low for so long before the induction. Could baby's head position have contributed to labour not beginning spontaneously? She was born with some major bumps in odd places - the front right quarter of her head was really quite bumpy and drawn-out looking. This was probably exacerbated as they tried to move her with vacuum, but could it also be caused by contractions squeezing into the pelvis canal with her head not facing the best way? How unpredictable childbirth can sometimes be. Jo -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
