Understanding Difficult Childbirth: Occiput Posterior & Delivery Positions

Question
My sons birth was difficult. His back was rubbing up against mine. I have been told that it was worse than breech but do not remember what it was called. Do you know?

Answer
This is called the occiput posterior position, and it is indeed the most difficult position to deliver.  Ideally, babies should be in the occiput anterior position, with the baby's back facing your front.  This allows the crown of the head (where the smaller soft spot is) to present at the cervix, so that the head can mold and change shape to squeeze through the pelvis.  When the baby is the posterior position, the crown of the head (where the larger soft spot is) presents instead.  This part of the head cannot mold and change shape like the crown does, so you are forced to push a much larger circumference through the birth canal.  The differences in pressure points can also cause more painful back labor for the mother.

If you want to prevent this for your next birth, check out www.spinningbabies.com for tips on how to encourage your baby into an anterior position for birth.