Back Labor Symptoms
One thing that is not difficult to distinguish is back labor symptoms, simply because of the fact that this type of pain is something that is unmistakable.
What Does Back Labor Feel Like?
When a woman is going through labor, she will typically have sharp pains in her lower back while she is trying to push out the baby. This pain is caused by the head of the baby putting pressure on the mother’s spine. This pain is usually felt during contractions, but in some cases remains after the contraction is finished. This is why so many women dread back labor, but thankfully there are some methods you can use to help relieve this pain (see below).
The signs of back labor are thought to occur whenever the baby is facing up towards the mother’s pubic bone. It is believed that this causes more pain for the mother, because the harder part of the unborn child’s skull is pressing against her spine. However, studies have shown that women who deliver their babies in this manner, are no more likely to experience back labor than other women whose babies were facing down.
To help try and alleviate this intense back pain for mothers in labor, usually the doctor will try to change the position of the baby and also the position of the mother as well. However, there are some methods you can use on your own to help significantly reduce or avoid back labor.
How To Reduce Back Labor Pain
- the easiest way to reduce this pain is of course an epidural, which will numb the lower half of your body
- consider a water birth, as this helps to greatly reduce the pain of back labor
- have your partner apply a hot or cold compress to your lower back where you feel the pain the most
- try pushing your baby out on all fours as this position helps to reduce the pressure being put on the cervix and may reduce the pain felt during contractions
- have your partner apply counter pressure to your lower back during contractions
Keep in mind that in most cases your baby will generally rotate into the occiput anterior position, which is the ideal position for giving birth. It is important to remember that your movement during early labor such as walking, will help get your baby rotated into this ideal position. You may also find that the act of moving and staying off your back is preferable and helps to reduce the pain.
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