For those that had back labor

WildRumpus

Yes, I'm being THAT person, but for those of you who experienced back labor, were your contractions still timeable? I've had a dull backache all day that at times is more of a radiating pain/wave, but they last for maybe 20-30 seconds, and aren't really making any sort of clear pattern. I've also had BH, but no more than my normal amount.

NiksMama

Yep. They are just like normal contractions but feel like you're baby is going to explode out of your tailbone.

CelticWife

NiksMama said:

Yep. They are just like normal contractions but feel like you're baby is going to explode out of your tailbone.

Very accurate description!

WildRumpus

Well hmm. I wouldn't say it feels like that, just crampy/achy. Oh well, hot bath and heating pad it is. Thanks ladies.

WildRumpus

Bump burp. What happened to not allowing double posts?

CoreW12

My SIL had back labor. The contractions could not be timed and once her back hurt extremely bad she went to the hospital and was 8cm dilated.

NiksMama

Sorry you're in pain, OP. hopefully the bath will work, but if you feel like something isn't right, call your OB.

BelhurstBride

Yes. Definitely had a clear starting- that drove me straight to being on all fours- and stopping point.

sfeebs13

I'm glad you asked this, cause I didn't want to. Lol.
The u/s tech has me a bit frightened about this whole back labor thing because LO is sunny side up she said I should expect it.. now every time I have serious back pain I wonder.. is this labor?

@Jill9288 taking a bath really helps.. it doesn't last forever but it does make a difference. At least you can get some relief.
Also, DF uses tennis balls to rub my back instead of his hands and this always gives me some relief.

vcabbyw

On my early labor symptoms sheet it says a having a back ache with contractions is a normal early labor sign. Can't speak from experience though. But from reading other birth stories it see a like they start out noticing a back she and then eventually go into labor with normal contractions.

MitsB707

I had back labor last week. I noticed it would hurt more and come in waves, but it was definitely confusing since I have a bad back as it is and had trouble telling what was a contraction and what was back pain. Dh uses counter pressure when they got bad, which really helped. They also said tennis balls help with counter pressure during our baby class, like pp mentioned. Supposedly pelvic tilts and squats can also help and may even assist with getting lo to face the right direction.

A37licia

Do you know which position LO is in? If you think he's posterior as per the belly mapping on spinningbabies.com, then doing the miles circuit during those possible contractions could help get him situated.

WildRumpus

As of Monday he was facing forward, but he's been moving A TON. I'll have to try mapping him out

WheeLinTheSky3

my back labor started as a bad dull constant back ache the night before. The next day the dull ache was still there but I started to get really intense sharp pains in my back that were in one spot. The pains would last about 20 seconds and come and go every 6 min. My son was born that night.

Apkmom23

Dealing with that right now too. & lots of pressure. I'm only 35 weeks so hoping this is just an uncomfortable stage I'm dealing with right now b/c I have no desire to go sit in L&D. Keep
Us updated!

MrsI

CoreW12 said:

My SIL had back labor. The contractions could not be timed and once her back hurt extremely bad she went to the hospital and was 8cm dilated.

This was me. My back killed but wasn't a constant pain. A coworker said it reflected her labor and I should get checked out. Headed over for a NST and they said while my contractions were very close and getting longer they weren't intense enough to be the real deal. I met with MFM about an hour later and he felt the contractions and sent me to L&D. I got checked in at a 4 and was at 7 an hour later. And 10 an hour after that, not one contraction got too intense for me to not talk through. While my back killed it was way different than I expected!

sfeebs13

Jill9288 said:

As of Monday he was facing forward, but he's been moving A TON. I'll have to try mapping him out

I keep trying to map her out, but I guess I just don't understand it.. or maybe because of my AP its harder to distinguish what might be what.. I'm pretty sure she's ROP (according to spinning babies) I'm always curious to what her body might look like in there all balled up. )

wifemomnurse

I have a friend who had complained of back pain with no definite pattern, just continuous pain at 38 weeks. She was miserable, couldn't get comfortable and finally after breaking down into tears called her doc. He told her to go in and get checked out. She ended up pulling over half way to the hospital and had her baby in a subway sandwich shop parking lot. Turns out they were contractions. That was 2 years ago. Just listen to your body and if something doesn't feel right get it checked.

WildRumpus

Well shoot. Mom (former OB nurse) is saying to call as well. We shall see I guess

BellaOso

Mine were not timeable and did not go away. The excruciating pain just got worse from time to time. Like, "Wow, I have horrible back pain." and the to, "The pain is so bad I can't breathe and want to eat the faces off of people in the room because they won't give me drugs."

I say at least call.

WildRumpus

I called. Dr says it sounds like it could be more SI joint pain since it's been a bit more off to the right of my tailbone and a constant ache, but that if it gets worse or to be something I can time to go ahead and get checked.

Thanks for all the responses ladies. Silly FTM nerves. I was really hoping to not have to use the after hours number until it was the real deal

krb03

Yes, definitely! Counter-pressure is really what helped me get through them. Hope you get some back relief soon.

BelhurstBride

Jill9288 said:

I called. Dr says it sounds like it could be more SI joint pain since it's been a bit more off to the right of my tailbone and a constant ache, but that if it gets worse or to be something I can time to go ahead and get checked.

Ugh, if it's the SI joint I am so sorry. I've been dealing with it for a month or two now and it's awful. There are some strengthening exercises you can do to help support the joint. I posted them here a few weeks again but can c&p them again if you're interested. 

If you can get your hands on a support belt- specifically one for the SI joint- it helps TONS. Like, literally immediate relief. There are some available on Amazon for around $30. You want to place it low on your hips, kind of in between the top of your hip bone and the bottom of your pelvic bone and position it rather tight. I've found it incredibly helpful, but rather uncomfortable to sit in. 

Once the strengthening exercises started to kick in I found I don't need to wear it anymore, but it's likely I'll need it again post baby. It can take up to 3 months post baby for the hormones that's causing the joint relaxation to fully leave your system.