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Coping
with Back Labor
From
Pregnancy Newsletter, Volume One
Written
by Carol Peterson, ICCE, CD(DONA)
Statistically, about 25% of women have back
labor, or a labor that is accompanied by back pain. While it is not
uncommon to have back pain during contractions, most women with back labor
have pain in between contractions as well. What causes back labor,
and what can be done?
In most cases, back labor is caused by the
position of the baby. A baby needs to find his way through mom's
pelvis, much like a key in a keyhole. When a baby enters the pelvis
and turns to face mom's belly, rather than face her back, mom
will experience back pain. This is called the occiput-posterior, or
OP, position. In an OP position, the back of the baby's head
presses against the bones of the sacrum, which causes pain.
Not only can this cause back labor, but it
may also result in a slower labor as the baby either tries to
rotate to find a better fit through the pelvis, or squeezes through the
pelvis in the "sunny side up" position. Also, it is not
uncommon for a baby that is born sunny side up to have bruising and
swelling caused from the baby's face bumping against the pubic arch
during delivery. This bruising and swelling is just temporary.
Here are some ways to deal with back labor:
 | Stay off your back. The worst
position for a mom with back labor is on her back. Sit, stand,
or try the pelvic rock, described below. |
| Try the pelvic rock. By
assuming a hands and knees position, and rocking the pelvis, the baby
may loosen from the pelvis and rotate. Using a birth ball, or
exercise ball, while doing the pelvic rock will help you to conserve
strength as the ball will support your weight. |
| Use counter-pressure. Pushing on
mom's lower back right where the pain is felt, using either an open
hand, closed fist, or tennis ball, often produces relief. |
| Try the shower, or better yet the tub.
A warm shower directed to the lower back will feel good, while
relaxing in a tub will provide counter-pressure, easing both the
contraction and the back pain. |
| Try lunging. Lunging from
side-to-side, or to one side using a stool, allows the pelvis to open
which may help with rotation. |
One very important point: An epidural
may not provide relief from backache caused by an OP position.
This is because the epidural is positioned to provide relief from
contractions, not from back pain, which involves other nerves.
While back pain may make labor
challenging, it can still be managed by trying the tips listed above.
With proper support, most women cope well with back labor, and you can
too. Remember that labor won't last forever, and soon you'll see
your little one.
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The material in this site is provided for personal,
non-commercial, educational and informational purposes only
and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement with
respect to any company or product. You should seek the advice
of a professional regarding your particular situation.
Copyright 2007, Carol Peterson, ICCE, CD(DONA)
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