RaMa Mama - Doula Share of the Month: What is "Back Labor" & How Can It Be Supported During Birth?

Back labor is intense lower back pain that begins during labor itself. During labor, women are all experiencing discomfort with contractions, labor pains, and the intensity of the delivery itself, however, back labor takes that pain to an even higher level. This intense lower back pain can come from a few different situations. Every baby, every mother, and every pregnancy is different, therefore, one child may come with an entirely different birthing playbook than another in the same family. The one consistency is the mother and the size and shape of her pelvis and upper torso, or the curvature of her spine, her muscular strengths or weaknesses, and even her posture. All of these can be factors that cause more strain or pain during labor and delivery. More times than not, the reason women experience back labor is because the baby is positioned with the head facing the mother's abdomen, or "sunny side up". This can cause excess pressure on the lower spine and coccyx. It is good to note that some babies in this posture do not cause any back pain at all for their mothers. Also, doctors suggest that women who have lower back pain during menstruation may also have a higher chance of experience it in labor as well.

If a mother is experiencing back labor, she can take a few measures to try and help herself through it. The first step is to try different postures. If one position doesn't feel right, how does a different posture feel? Perhaps this means moving versus sitting in one place, using a prop like a birthing ball, or getting into a squat, a lunge, or on her hands and knees. If this doesn't help, the next thing to try is temperature. Hot or cold packs can be used to help regulate pain levels, depending on what feels better to the mother. If there is a tub or shower available, warm baths or showers are great tools to help manage pain. Essential oils, massage therapy, or using pressure points can also greatly help reduce pain levels. In a more subtle way, breathing techniques, meditation, soothing music, or other mind-altering techniques are always welcome when the mother is open to them. Also, staying positive, helpful, reassuring, and compassionate around the mother experiencing back labor pains is the very best mental attitude to have in the room. In a hospital setting, there is an option to receive pain medication to get through labor as long as it is administered "on time" according to the hospital rules. This is usually the last and final tool to help with extreme pain.

The big question that most families worry about with back labor is if the baby is suffering as much as the mother is. If the mother is exhausted from such a challenging birth, it can sometimes result in the need for more interventions like pain medication, forceps, vaccuum assistance, an episiotomy, or even a cesarean delivery. Pain is part of the labor and delivery process, but back labor can take that pain to an even higher level. Most babies will rotate themselves to their proper birthing posture on their own when the time comes. However, if assistance is needed, yoga poses, acupuncture, acupressure, essential oils, and many other techniques can be used to help get baby into the right positioning to be delivered. As long as the mother and baby are healthy throughout the birthing experience, there is no perfect answer to the back labor topic. Every mother can find the way that works best for her with the support of her birthing team.