From the article: Managing Back Labor
Sometimes in labor, you experience back labor. This can make labor harder and or longer. What did you do for back labor? Did you have a baby who was in the occiput posterior or OP position? Did you use special labor positions? A birth ball? How did you get through your back labor? What advice do you have for others?
Share Your Experience
Coping w/ Back labor
- I've had back labor with all 7 babies. With baby #1, the nurses insisted I be on my back. They did incline the bed so I was semi sitting, but it didn't decrease the pain. They instructed me to push against a towel wrapped tennis ball placed behind the small of my back. It was impossible to move my back muscles through the pain. Baby #2, I labored at home as long as possible. I was on my hands & knees, with a pile of pillows supporting my chest. My husband pushed against my back where it hurt during contractions. I felt much more in control and coped w/ the pain better. I try to be active in early labor and only go to this position when I need the counter pressure to cope w/ the pain. Hubby's arms are worn out after labor, but I would probably have C-sections if I didn't have his help. Baby #8 is due in 8 weeks and I will use the same coping method.
- —Guest Penny
Back pain is hell
- I had a very long and painful labor it was my first labor. I had such bad back pain it was unbearable and on top of that I was so tired I just wanted it to be over with. at the time I did not know anyway to relive the pain so I just pushed through it and with every contraction it got worse and after I had my son I was told he came out "sunny side up" and I was told that was why the labor was so painful. he was my first child and I was young so I did not know much about what was going to happen and for my next child I will be more in tune with all that goes on and what could happen. To all you out there it pays to know all the facts.
- —renea2011
1st hand Experience with 4 Back labors
- All 4 of my children were all back labors without medication. It is the most excruciating and agonizing pain. The 1st and 2nd I was limited to what I could do, so I went through it without knowing anything. When walking and a contraction came I could not stand. So the 3rd I never walked. I sat straight up, it seemed to help a little. With the 4th, I decided I was going to try squatting. Best decision I made. It took a lot of the pressure off. I continued to do that until I delivered. Hot water on the back help a little, but it was not comfortable. I was on all 4s so I was cold and hot. They say squatting also opens the pelvis up about an inch more.
- —Guest Bobbi Kraft
Circulated Warm Water
- When my daughter had her second son the hospital where she birthed had a heating pad (very large - covered from upper thigh to shoulders) that had hot water circulating through it - she said it was the best thing she ever encountered. I"ve also found that many hospitals have heated shelving units that hold warmed blankets that any support person can access - they feel wonderful both while in labor and postpartum.
- —Guest DJ
