How to Survive Back Labor

Labor is perhaps the most worrisome and uncomfortable part of bringing a baby into the world. Although most women tend to feel pain and contractions in their abdomen, some women also experience something called back labor. Mild discomfort in the lower back area during labor is common, but about 25 percent of all women will experience a more severe type of pain, which is referred to as back labor, according to the American Pregnancy Association. If you're worried about back labor or are already experiencing it, there are several things you can do to help ease your pain.

Things You'll Need

  • Hot or cold pack
  • Tennis ball

Instructions

    • 1

      Change positions. If it's more painful to sit, try reclining. Or get down on your hands and knees, as recommended by the BabyCenter website, as getting down on all fours can take some pressure off of your spine, which can help relieve your pain. Lying down on your side in the fetal position is another way to help ease the pain.

    • 2

      Do pelvic tilts. Lie down on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Slowly raise your pelvis off the floor and hold the position for a few seconds. According to the BabyCenter website, raising your pelvis off the floor takes some pressure off of your spine and can reduce the amount of pain you're feeling.

    • 3

      Take a warm shower or bath. The warmth of the water can help reduce your discomfort and ease the pain you're feeling. It might help even more to aim the shower head and spray of warm water directly at your lower back, which can feel like a massage.

    • 4

      Apply a hot or cold pack. Experiment with both -- some women experience relief from heat while others experience more relief from cold.

    • 5

      Ask your partner to massage your lower back. Firm pressure can help ease your pain, so ask your partner to use his fists or a tennis ball, especially during contractions, the BabyCenter website recommends. You might experience even more relief if your partner gives you a massage while you're lying down on your side or sitting in a comfortable position, according to Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel, authors of "What to Expect When You're Expecting."

    • 6

      Ask your obstetrician about movements that might change the position of your unborn baby. Many women experience back labor because of the position the baby is in, according to the American Pregnancy Association, and getting your baby to move can help relieve your pain. Walking, squatting, lunging, using a hula hoop or sitting backward on a chair can all encourage your baby to shift positions, but don't try anything without consulting your doctor first.

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