Oh, the dreaded back labor that everyone talks about in horror. Yes, we have heard of it, but what is it actually like to experience it? Back labor is unlike other labor experiences in most ways; some individuals will find themselves utterly unaware that they are in labor if they have never experienced it. Back labor only occurs in about 25% of labors, but when it does, individuals have described it as intense and circulating pain in the lower back, pain that does not come and go with contractions but is instead constant, or even what feels like spasms through the back.
What Causes Back Labor?
The most typical cause of back labor is having a baby that is positioned with its back to your back, otherwise called a posterior position. However, this is not the only cause of back labor; in some circumstances, we do not know why someone experiences it. That said, certain risk factors can be more likely to cause back labor. Some of these include your baby's size in relation to your abdomen. If you have a short torso versus a long torso, or you have a baby who is more prominent in size, it could put you at a higher risk for back labor. Another preexisting risk factor would be experiencing back pain during your period cycles. Two other causes of back labor are one's posture during pregnancy and if someone has a preexisting issue with ligament or muscle pains.
What You Can Do During Pregnancy
In most cases, back labor is not preventable, but there are some things that you can try during pregnancy that may just make the difference during your birthing time. Going on daily walks is a great way to help with your baby's positioning as well as your posture and ligaments. Avoiding laid-back positions on the couch or sleeping on your back are two other ways to avoid getting your baby comfy in a posterior position.
Different exercises can be done: pelvic tilts, hula hooping, and spending most of your time on a birth ball. As I stated above, there are cases where nothing can be done to avoid getting back labor, but here is the good news. If all you have ever experienced in labor is back labor, you likely will not know the difference. I had back labor during each of my three births and, quite frankly, had no idea that there was a different way things could be done.
What You Can Do During Labor
Don't stress if your baby's body heads in the direction of back labor; trust that they know what to do. Most of the time, back labor will not last during the entire birth. If it is lasting or you need relief while it occurs, there are some great tips to help relieve some discomfort. One of my favorite things to try first is giving hip squeezes or counter-pressure on the sacrum of the birthing parent. These alone can be the difference between getting your unmedicated birth and getting an epidural. A heating pad is another great thing to try. I know that for me, heat pads always ease my discomfort while I'm on my period. Another great suggestion is to try hydrotherapy. Whether you use the water in the shower or a tub, both can impact your ability to work through the back labor.
I personally liked starting in my earlier phases of labor using the shower head on my lower back, and once I was truly in the throws, the tub felt wonderful; no wonder it is called nature's epidural. Massage is another great tool that partners or doulas can use to provide comfort to someone who is going through back labor. I personally have given some hearty back massages when nothing else is cutting it. One of my client's favorite activities during labor is utilizing a tens unit to interrupt pain receptors. These are typically less than $100 and make for a powerful labor tool. Lastly, don't forget that epidurals have their purpose, and there is no need to suffer. Sometimes, we need to move locations to utilize all of the tools available to us, and if that is the point you are at, then go for it.
Does Baby Feel Back Labor?
Whether your back labor is for fifteen minutes while your baby rotates their way through your pelvis or for your entire labor, note that your back labor is less harmful to your baby than it is to you, although back labor is the worst for most birthing parents, babies do not get impacted directly by back labor itself. With that being said, some interventions frequently come into play with individuals who experience back labor that can be harmful to a baby, so it is essential to do your research when deciding on what interventions could be most beneficial. Some of the most common interventions include the need for pain relief, prolonged labor, forceps or vacuum delivery, episiotomy, and cesarean sections.
Like with any type of birth, you are in charge and get to say "No" to anything that does not feel right. As new options are brought to you, remember to weigh out the risks and benefits of each before heading in one specific direction.
