Many women feel an intense lower-back pain during contractions while giving birth. Sometimes, the pain is there even in between contractions. This is because of the pressure of the baby’s head against the lower back.
However, sometimes, this is not the only reason. There are studies stating that the pain is more from the lower back of the uterus, which is derived from the fact that some women suffer from intense lower-back pain even when menstruating. This means that the “lower-back pain” cannot be only due to the baby’s descent.
What Causes Back Labor?
Apart from the position of the baby, these are some more reasons that can cause or affect back labor:
1. Short Torso
If the baby is long and the mother’s body is made up of a short torso, there might not be enough space for the baby to move and get into the pelvis properly. This, sadly, increases the chances of having back labor.
2. Bad Posture
During pregnancy, postures might become different for you as your body is accommodating to the growing baby. However, if you tend to stand with knees locked, your pelvis tipped forward, or butt tucked, there are increased chances of back pain.
Correct your posture already if you don’t want to add to the labor pain.
3. Weak Or Tight Muscles And Ligaments
If you have any of these, the baby can face difficulties in getting into a good position. Every change in the pelvis can further aggravate the back pain.
4. Back Injury
If you have had a back injury and you are now pregnant, chances are that the injury is going to annoy you more during labor. The best option is to talk to your healthcare providers about the pain and injury.
5. Pelvic Shape
There is something like the perfect pregnant woman body in which you not only have the perfect size of torso but your pelvic shape is also perfect. Some pelvic shapes are just better for birth.
Preventing Back Labor
In case of lower-back pain due to any of the reasons mentioned here, you can be proactive and keep your pelvis balanced and aligned throughout your pregnancy. This would help you in reducing pain and feeling better during labor.
Here are some things that you can do when pregnant:
- A chiropractor might help. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
- A belly map will help you understand the position of your baby in the belly.
- Exercise, of course, but only once you get the green signal from the doctor.
- Be careful of your body’s posture. Correct it as soon as you can. Sit upright and don’t slouch.
- Listen to birth affirmations and talk to other moms to stay positive.
How To Ease Back Labor
While all of these methods are preventative in nature, these are steps you can take to get some relief:
- Get up on all fours. This position reduces the pressure of the baby’s head on the spine.
- Do pelvic tilts. These also help in minimizing pressure on the spine.
- Your labor coach can rub your back between or during contractions.
- You might also find some form of counter pressure on the lower back to relieve some pain.
- Take a warm bath or shower. You can also apply some form of warm compress. Alternatively, if you prefer cold compress, you can apply that too.
Resulting Complications During Labor
Other than making labor excruciatingly painful, back labor by itself doesn’t harm the baby or the mother. But what you need to remember is that an undesirable position of the baby would mean difficulty in birthing and in the descent of the baby. This means that the healthcare providers might have to intervene or include medicines to aid in the labor.
- There might be an increased need for pain medications for the mother to cope with labor.
- Prolonged and painful labor can put you in the risk of labor fatigue.
- Vacuum or forceps might be needed.
- Episiotomy might be required.
- This can result in C-section.
You got this! Don’t get disheartened, for the medical world has advanced and healthcare providers always makes sure that the mother is most comfortable when she is in labor. After all, you are bringing a life to this world, so cheer up as everything will be okay.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the options available and the various preventative methods that you can use to prevent complications.
