Back pain is only one early sign of labor, but unfortunately for some women, this symptom can multiply the intensity of the birth. In fact, back labor forces the woman to endure most of the constant pain in her lower back until the child is born. There are several uncontrollable factors that can contribute to this painful condition.
Back pain is a normal precursor to birth. In fact, some lower back pain is almost always expected during this process. It is as normal as other signs of labor, such as contractions, water breaking and cramping. This is just the body’s natural way to put the expectant mother on alert and to ready itself for the forthcoming process of labor. It is when the birth process becomes a back labor that the pain drifts away from the pain normally associated with the process.
Because every woman’s body is unique, it is impossible to accurately predict the process for each individual with 100% accuracy. For example, some expectant mothers must endure the majority of the child birth pain solely in their backs. This is normally referred to as back labor. In this type of labor, the woman experiences most of the pain associated with contractions in the lower back. This pain can happen not only while the contractions occur, but also in between them. Basically, this means that the mother will feel a constant lower back pain throughout the entire process. The pain can vary from slight to excruciating.
As if the continuous lower back pain was not enough, back labor can also express itself through other symptoms. These symptoms can be exaggerated with the baby is in the occuput posterior position. The labor process can slow down with this type of pain. In fact, in some instances, a long break in the labor can occur. Another symptom is a later delivery date than initially planned.
Furthermore, contractions may hold off even after the woman’s water breaks. In these instances, the posterior baby (back labor) initiates the labor by breaking the water, with contractions to follow later. When the contractions do occur, it is not uncommon that they are in an irregular pattern. As an example, the contractions may group together with two of them coming relatively close together and then holding off for a longer period. It also may take a longer time for the pushing process to complete.
This atypical back pain may be caused by several factors. The size of the baby can play a major role in lower back pain. Even in a normal birth, the position of the baby’s head can cause additional back pain. In the majority of cases, back labor is caused by a baby in the posterior position (occiput posterior position). The bone at the back on the baby’s skull is aligned with the mother’s pelvis’ posterior section. When the baby is in the position, his head creates more pressure on the mother’s lower back.
Jesse is the co-founder and visionary CEO of The Healthy Back Institute®, the world-leading source of natural back pain solutions. His mission as a former back pain sufferer is to help others live pain free without surgery and pharmaceuticals.
