Labor contractions are very difficult to describe to people who have never experienced them before. Most women will experience contractions, but not all women will experience the pains of back labor.
Those nearing the end of their pregnancy might be wondering when labor will begin and they may even overthink every back pain. So, what does back labor feel like in the beginning?
What is Back Labor?
Back Labor is refers to the pain and contractions that may occur in your lower back during labor.
If you are experiencing back labor you will be feeling strong pain just above your tailbone. Many doctors have theorized why back labor might occur in some women and not in others.
The biggest theory that has been floating around the medical world for many generations has been the thought that possibly the baby’s position causes back labor in women.
It is theorized that if the baby is facing up during labor that the mom might experience more back labor. This is due to the baby’s head being pushed onto mother’s spine. Recently studies have shown this to not be the only cause.
Other theories include mother’s torso length, tight ligaments, or even the pelvic shape of the mother.
Most doctors just conclude that there isn’t really one reason that back labor might occur in a pregnant mom; just dumb luck.
What Does Back Labor Feel Like in the Beginning?
The first thing to note is that not every mother experiences labor the same and so it is to be assumed that not all women experience back labor the same.
I had back labor with my first pregnancy and my experience might be different than other women.
For me, I started feeling back labor as a simple (but noticeable pain) above my tailbone near my lower back. As I started into active labor my back turned from a noticeable pain to extremely uncomfortable.
The back pain began to develop as my contractions did. As my uterus contractions began getting stronger so did my back labor. My back labor then began to become consistent with my labor contractions.
Although my experience showed my back labor to become consistent with my contractions many women have other situations.
Some people have complained that they get no relief from their back pain during labor and the pain is constantly there throughout the entire labor (even in the middle of the normal uterus contractions).
Some women have complained that their back labor is even more painful then their uterus contraction.
I have even heard of women saying that they didn’t feel any pain in the front during their labor, but only in the back. Back labor can present itself differently in every single woman.
Is Back Labor Dangerous?
If you are experiencing back labor it doesn’t mean that you or your baby are in danger. Back labor might bring up issues of concern, because doctors might not know why your back labor is occuring.
You might be experiencing back labor that might cause your labor to be prolonged (longer than normal labor).
For example, if your baby is in deed facing up (and that is why you are having back labor) then baby is occiput posterior (OP). Mother’s who are birthing OP babies have a more difficult time during labor, because the heads of their baby don’t slide out of them as easily. This will cause a prolonged labor.
What Can I do to Ease the Pain?
Unfortunately there isn’t a way to completely take away the pain of back labor unless you are planning on getting an epidural.
An epidural is really the only chance that you might have to have a pain free birthing experience.
I understand that many mom’s want to have their baby naturally and it is important for them to find ways that they can deliver their baby without the help of artificial medicine.
Let me first say that if you do decided to have an epidural there is nothing shameful about not doing labor naturally. Labor and birth is not a competition and we all just want a healthy baby.
Besides an epidural there is no way to completely remove the pain, but there are ways to help make the pain more manageable.
You can sit on all fours, take a warm bath, or even have your partner (or coach) massage your lower back. Try to find a comfortable position and stick with it.
Conclusion
Back labor is when you experience mild to severe pain during labor in your lower back. Back labor may pose itself in different ways and every woman will feel back labor a little bit differently.
There is no one way to have back labor. If you are experiencing back labor you might want to consider getting an epidural to deal with the elevated pain and the possibly slower labor.
