Relieving Back Labor Pain

One problem many women in labor face is back labor pains. Back labor can make delivering your baby much harder, unless you are prepared with tools to relieve the pain. One tool for managing back pain during childbirth is knowing which positions are best. Some can worsen pain, and should be avoided.

Back labor pain is caused by the baby's position in the pelvis. The back of baby's head is against the mothers back, pressing on her sacrum, causing back pain. This is called the occiput posterior (OP) position. About one in four women begin labor with a baby in the OP position. When the baby is in this position, labor can often be longer and harder, so you should encourage the baby to rotate by changing position.

Change Position Often

You should change position every 20-30 minutes to encourage your baby to rotate in the pelvis. Alternating will help you stay comfortable, and encourage labor to progress.

Get Up To Relieve Back Labor Pain

If you are able to stand up and walk around, this will help your baby align in your pelvis and may speed delivery. Depending on your pain, you may have difficulty walking around. Try leaning on your partner to walk around the room for a few minutes.

Standing up or standing and leaning forward will also be beneficial in moving the baby into the pelvis in the right position. You can lean on your support person or on the bed.

Hands And Knees To Relieve Back Labor Pain

Get on your hands and knees so gravity can help your baby rotate in the pelvis. This will also reduce the pain because baby will be pulled away from the sacrum by gravity.

Do pelvic tilt exercises while on your hands and knees. While on your hands and knees, round your back and tuck your butt toward your tummy. Then, let your tummy drop and lift your butt and head. Do this as many times as you feel comfortable, but avoid getting too tired. If doing pelvic tilts is painful do not do them. You should perform pelvic tilts throughout your pregnancy if possible.

Positions To Avoid With Back Labor

Positions to avoid include laying on your back and semi sitting. These will not help with relieving back labor pains, and may even make them worse. Your childbirth will be slower in these positions because you are not using gravity to help your baby descend, and your baby may have more difficulty passing through the pelvis if he doesn't rotate into an occiput anterior position (baby's face is facing mothers back).

Other reasons to avoid laying on your back while in late pregnancy or labor: it reduces blood flow causing distress to your unborn baby and contractions are longer and more painful.

Sources:

Personal experience

Simkin, Penny, P.T, Janet Whalley, R.N., B.S.N., Ann Kepler, R.N., M.N. Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn-The Complete Guide. Minnetonka, MN: Meadowbrook Press. pg 175