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Back Labor

eliseandbabyeliseandbaby member
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months
Just wondering if anybody has had experience with back labour? My baby is positioned in such a way that it looks like I'll be dealing with this. Please no "back labor is horrible" comments/stories... I'm already nervous. I guess I'm just looking for tips on how to deal with it if anyone's experienced It? Thank you !
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Re: Back Labor

  • BigboobsmcgeeBigboobsmcgee member

    Did you doctor say it might happen? There's no way to know based off how your baby is positioned right now. You might be worrying for nothing!

    Get an epidural and hope for the best ;)

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  • eliseandbabyeliseandbaby member
    @Bigboobsmcgee first of all... Best screen name. Also I'm 37 weeks and my Dr did say babies current position will cause back labor. I was told at this point they don't usualy do any huge position changes. Haha I was trying to avoid an epidural but I may need to re think I guess!
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  • kaylerjeankaylerjean member
    If it makes you feel any better, my baby was in a great position at 36 weeks but had turned sunny side up by the time I was in labor causing back labor, so a position change is definitely possible! Bending over with my hands on my knees helped once the back pain got bad. Also, we had a small massage ball and every time I had a contraction my DH would roll it in circles on my lower back and it was great. Once my water broke the pain became really intense and the ball didn't do much but just having someone push really hard on my lower back helped a little. Once I got the epidural I had no back pain and the nurses had me turn from side to side every 30 minutes while waiting to push and that got baby girl to turn around. Overall though, back labor was not the horror story that people make it out to be. I also wanted to avoid an epidural but am SO glad I did get it. I was much more relaxed and that helped things move along much faster! Hope she turns around for you, and even if she doesn't you'll get through it!
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  • eliseandbabyeliseandbaby member
    @kaylerjean I got some pool noodles and tennis balls! Thank you for saying it's not a nightmare.. I will reconsider the epidural. Msybe (hopefully) baby will flip.
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  • kaylerjeankaylerjean member
    edited December 2015
    @eliseandbaby I think the best thing to do is just play it by ear! And really don't stress too much about things going how you planned them. When you're in the moment your body is going to tell you what you need to do, whether that's to get an epidural or not! Just follow your instincts and you'll be fine!
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  • meganraschkemeganraschke member
    edited December 2015
    Check out a website called spinning babies, it worked for me to turn my LO into LOA during labor. You can do it before labor too, but he spun back sunny side up
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  • SquirtgunSquirtgun member
    I've had two LOs: second one more back labor, first one not. Neither were great, obviously, but I'd say the pain level was equal between the two. Don't freak yourself out! Back labor isn't any worse or better than front labor (is there another term for that? I've never heard it called anything...) The best thing for my back labor was someone pressing/rubbing hard on the small of my back during contractions. The tennis ball thing someone else mentioned would probably do the same thing and be easier for the person rubbing your back!
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  • eliseandbabyeliseandbaby member
    I guess I should just stay off google. Just keep reading how it's a "excruciating nightmare" haha... Thanks for sharing your experiences I keep re reading them :)
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  • architoriarchitori member
    My baby was positioned perfectly, but I had back labor. For me it felt like intense period cramps in my lower back. As soon as I realized I was experiencing back labor, I thought for sure I would end up asking for an epidural, even though my goal was med-free, just because of all the horror stories I'd heard. Well I did end up going med-free! A shower helped a lot, the hot water on my back felt so good. As others said, pressure on my lower back helped too. I just had my husband push with the heel of his hand during the contractions. Good luck!
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  • delujm0delujm0 member

    My baby was positioned perfectly at a 38 week ultrasound i had due to slightly elevated blood pressure...by the time i went into labor at 39+6 she was sunny side up and stayed that way.  I was unable to get the epidural until i was 6cm (long story).  Basically, as it got worse, i just had to hit the ground and be on all fours while the contractions happened.  The drive to the hospital was very uncomfortable - being in a seated position was the worst for me.  i prefered to be standing, walking, or on my hands and knees.  Also, every time i had a contraction i felt like i desperately needed to pee.  I guess DD was hanging out on my bladder for a lot of it.  Once i got the epidural i felt fantastic.  i felt nothing from 6-9cm (i took a nap actually) and then when it was time to push i could feel pressure, so i knew when a contraction was starting and how hard i was pushing, but no pain.  Epidurals are the best thing ever.

     

    You know, in the moment i thought i twas a terrible nightmare.  But DD is 5 months old now, and i barely remember the pain.  And honestly, labor was reasonably fast (about 14 hours), which made it pretty tolerable.  Recovery was no problem.  Even though she was sunny side up, i didn't need to be cut or for them to use instruments to get her out.  She just got stuck in my pelvic bone for a while (i was pushing for 2.5 hours, about 2 of which where her head was stuck in my pelvis).  I basically forgot about the pain as soon as she came out.  You'll be fine!

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  • KatieSetlerKatieSetler member
    I had no idea LO's position (besides head-down) until the back labor began. The nurses had all kinds of positions and stretches for me to try, to get her to turn. Unfortunately for me, none worked-- BUT! There are many ways, and most of them DO work for mamas! I didn't plan on an epidural, or any kind of meds, but I personally decided to have Morphine, Fetanyl and an epidural. HOWEVER! Part of my problem was that I was induced at 39 weeks for heath concerns, and my body didn't progress. I was in labor for 32 hours before having a C-section. So please take my experience with a grain of salt-- it wasn't fun, but it wasn't the common experience. :)
    Baby number 1 on the way!
    image
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  • caitlinskowroncaitlinskowron member
    I had no idea what back labor was until I experienced it! I'm not going to lie, it wasn't enjoyable! Our nurse was awesome though and helped my husband and I through it! She gave us all sorts of tips to help ease the pain until I was able to get my epidural. What worked best for us was leaning over the counter with my husband behind me. We swayed back and forth and he dug his fists into my back during my contractions. It helped a lot!
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  • NicoletjNicoletj member
    A few things helped with my back labor. My hospital has jacuzzi tubs and the warm bath with the jets helped a little. The thing that helped the most was my husband putting pressure on my lower back with every contraction. The pressure helped make the pain less intense. I never ended up having any contractions in the front so I can't say if it was worse than regular contractions or not.
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  • BigboobsmcgeeBigboobsmcgee member
    eliseandbaby said:
    I guess I should just stay off google. Just keep reading how it's a "excruciating nightmare" haha... Thanks for sharing your experiences I keep re reading them :)

    YES! Stay off Google!

    I had an epidural with my first child and went med-free with my second, but NOT by choice. I didn't get to the hospital in time to get an epidural and I had DD 30 minutes after checking in.

    I have no idea if I had back labor with my second child but all I can say is that it was the worst thing I have ever felt in my life. I literally thought the pain would kill me and was sobbing to my husband that I was dying! I was NOT prepared to go med free. Perhaps if I had planned that all along and took some classes I would have handled it better but my daughter was 9 pounds and it was excruciating to push her out without pain medication.

    With all that being said, keep an open mind and let your body and the medical staff help you decide what to do.

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  • JessiHBJessiHB member
    I had a 22hr back labor, no meds, and since its my only birth experience I can't tell you if it's worse than normal labor. For me, it didn't seem all that bad. If you focus on your breathing and get in a good rhythm, the pressure in your lower back is very tolerable. Showers were also my best friend! I moved around a lot, and spent more time sitting on the ball than the bed. Being on my side was very, very uncomfortable during labor but then I ended up delivering mostly on my side, which took an hour! Listen to your body, try to stay "zen", and focus on your breathing. Labor and delivery are hard no matter how "normal" every thing is, and you will feel like Wonder Woman afterwords :)
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