back labor worries

jlovesky

Hi all,

I am wondering if anyone would have ideas of things to help prevent or ease back labor. Not sure that is something you can "prevent." With my first pregnancy, I went into labor thinking I would give natural a go if I could handle the pain but I was not completely opposed to epidural. I think I could have done it until back labor set in. Oh boyyyyyy did things change. I went with the epidural but with this pregnancy, I'd love to give natural birth a try again. I am going to research much more this time and feel confident but my only worry is enduring that spine-ripping back labor again as I worry that I won't be able to handle it and get through labor on my own.

Any ideas or thoughts here are appreciated! I've googled it but enjoy hearing first hand from other moms also! Thanks ladies!

JCWhitey

Try looking into Spinning Babies.  It's stretches/movements to try to get your baby into the optimal birth position.    No guarantees but I know many moms swear by it!  I plan to try a few this time around.

mandi195

I'm in the same boat. My plan with DS was to go with the flow, but with hopes of med-free. Back labor got the best of me, and I opted for the epidural. I have no regrets in doing so; that pain was unbearable. 

This time, I'm hoping to go natural, and have been told that stretching, and yoga can help? Not sure if that's accurate, and honestly I've been so exhausted I haven't started these things yet, but I intend to. FX for you!

SkateyC

Yep, I think the best shot you can give yourself is to get baby positioned well (back out) before labour starts. Spinning babies has good resources, with the basic idea you want to avoid positions that reduce the amount of room in the front of your pelvis. The basic rule is to keep your knees below your hips when you sit, recline, etc.

That, and in labour having someone push on your sacrum (back of your pelvis at your lower back) can help offset some of the back labour sensations.
Good luck!

CLLDLL

I had nothing but back labor pain with DS2's birth. What got me through it with no meds was DH applying counter-pressure on my lower back with a big hospital bag of ice. It was wonderful. It also really helped to labor on my hands and knees and sort of do that cat/cow yoga thing.

I obviously didn't get him turned pre-labor so I have no suggestions on how to do that. That being said, he did turn as he came down the birth canal. From what I've read a lot of babies that are sunny side up at the start of labor do turn before birth.

jlovesky

Thank you all! I will definitely look into finding some me-time for extra stretching or yoga. Can't hurt to give anything a shot!

bonnieokeefr

Hypnobirthing is what I did. I had awful back labor and the techniques from hypnobirthing truly work. There is a book and CD if you are interested. I would highly recommend!!!!

jennypolkadots

Back labor is usually felt with posterior positioned babies. I would look into spinning babies and the Bradley Method's exercise recommendations to get your baby in the best position for birth. You want their spine near your naval, not your spine so try to focus on keeping your belly forward and not laying on your back or sitting in big comfy chairs. So if you watch tv in the evenings, try sitting on an exercise ball and bouncing instead of laying on the couch, as an example. There's too much info to list here but check out those sources. I really liked the section in "Natural Birth the Bradley Way' that talks about Tailor Sitting and other positions to improve the baby's position.

Other than that, I've heard that having a strong husband do deep tissue massage can help a lot. And rolling a tennis ball over the area or even laying back on a tennis ball during labor. Also using the heat and pressure from a shower on your lower back, or a jetted tub can help too. And getting into the all fours position to get the baby off of your spine can give some relief. I have never been there, but these are all things I have read. 

iris427

This is why I think it's best not to get too set on medicated vs unmedicated before you're actually in labor.  I had awful back labor with kid #1 and got an epidural.  Had a much easier labor with #2 and had a great med-free birth.  I had more awful awful back labor with #3 but my labor went so fast that I didn't have time for an epidural, so that was med-free too.  But honestly, it was excruciating and it would have been a much better experience if I'd had an epidural.  

Hopefully you'll have an easier labor this time around and not need meds.  But if you have another difficult one, there is absolutely nothing wrong with deciding pain meds are the right choice for you.  Every labor is different, so see how it goes.

Bees Everywhere

Just FYI, I tried spinning babies in the days before labor and all during labor but still had back labor. I was VBAC so when I got to the hospital I had to lay on my back to be monitored but progressed fast . 

I had no breaks between contractions and couldn't keep just laying there so I bent over my belly (think child's pose from yoga) it helped quite a bit (but I guess pretty much everything is better than laying on your back) and when I started pushing it felt better too. 

I think if I had someone there telling me I was at a ten and my body was pushing I could have done it, I would have seen the light at the end of the tunnel, but I thought I still had hours of labor ahead of me. I think having a doula or someone there would have made it possible and if you aren't stuck laying in a bed you can find a position you can bear. 

I got an epidural, and I guess I don't regret it, I was absolutely suffering and nobody was helping me. I think labor without back labor must be a breeze!!, it was all I could feel, like my spine and pelvis were being ripped out.  I don't wish that on any woman.  

Here's hoping you never have back labor again!

amieeyoung

I have this fear as well.. awful back labor with the first and looking for my second to be born around the 18th. I've decided I will just take it as it comes and go from there... but I am still dreading the labor part a bit. I want my baby in as long as he should be, but I will be glad to have it done . Maybe we'll luck out and it will be a totally different experience this time.

tbarker14

I had terrible sciatica pains all throughout my pregnancy. Then giving birth was tough. I had back labour and nothing would help. It was brutal. On top of that I had my DD all natural because I was progressing so fast that even if I wanted an epidurial there was no time.
I originally wanted a natural birth so that part I'm happy about!
I had a hot shower at the hospital. (they didn't have a birthing tub). The hot water did help but it was not the best. Sitting on the exercising ball really helped ease the pain before and during labour.
When it got closer to the actual time to push it was a lot more comfortable for me to sit up propped on the bed with pillows.
You will find that different options work for different times. I was really thankful that from start to finish my whole labour took 4 hours.
Good luck and don't be afraid to try different positions and options to see what will work for you!