Pregnancy & Labor Questions!!

[mommyx3]

Just wanted to start a little thread about pregnancy and labor! I am currently
pleasantly plump with my 3rd little girl, and would love some feed back on back labor ( had it bad with my other two) and any suggestions on relieving it without an epidural!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I don't have any suggestions - I had horrible back pain WITH an epidural! Just wanted to wish you an easy delivery and a healthy baby! Congratulations!

 

[mommyx3]

Thank you and heres hoping someone has some suggestions for those of use who suffer from this!

 

[mcr5298]

First of all, congratulations and good luck!

I did not have back labor with either of my children. But then again, I didn't have an epidural during both labors either. Believe me, it wasn't by choice. My daughter was born 6 1/2 weeks early, and my labor was 7 hours. My Dr didn't think that I would go so quickly, so she took her time coming in. I wasn't allowed to get an epidural without my Dr being there. My son was a 2 hour labor! By the time they checked me when I got to the hospital, I was already 9 cm. The Dr (different Dr) didn't have much time to get to the hospital.

I have heard that back labor is the worst. I just know that gripping the side of the hospital bed helped during each contraction! :lol: The breathing was also a big help. I always thought that I was such a wimp. I fully intended to get an epidural with both children, but that didn't happen. I just got through each contraction one at a time. The thing that stunk the most was that I was told not to push for both babies, even though I was complete. Both times I was waiting for the Dr to arrive to make the catch. With my daughter I waited almost 45 minutes! That was the worst part of each labor.

Hopefully some other women can give you some good advice and helpful tips!

 

[mommyx3]

What! wait 45 minutes for the Dr. to get there no way! I would be asking for another Dr. to step in! I remember with my other two labors that it is hard enough to not push let alone for 45 minutes, whew you must be a strong woman!

 

[Maggi May]

Congrats on your pregnancy!

I eventually had an epidural, but had about 8 hours of strong back labor before deciding to have it. What really worked for me was standing during contractions, and also doing a sort of yoga position on hands and knees and arching my back.

I had a bit of sciatica during the third trimester, and back stretch exercises and yoga really seemed to help.

 

[FreshTressa]

Sitting on one of those big round balls seemed to help...leaning up against the bed.

One thing that did NOT work was walking.

For some reason, my second labor was much easier than my first.

Good luck on an easy labor.

 

[Jennasmomma]

I was induced so I was unable to walk, or use the labor balls. What worked for me was massage or pressing on where it hurt the most. Just beware doing that, can SOMETIMES cause the baby to move. So I could feel her move from my back to my stomach...ouch! haha but when she did it was easier.

 

[staci]

I had horrible back labor with ds, they said it was because he was laying face up, so his spine was on mine? In lamaze, they told us to do this thing for the weeks leading up to delivery called 'babydancing' which was basically the woman hanging around her husbands neck, swaying, kinda like a slow dance, with her butt kinda stuck out. Sorry, I know, kinda hard to explain.

Anyways, they said something about the posititioning was suppose to encourage the baby to turn so they were facing the right direction.

I couldnt get dh to do it, so I blame him for my back labor!!!

 

[amarberry]

I did not have an epidural when I had DD. Hardly anybody believes me when I tell them and those who do believe me think that I am crazy. Frankly, having something stuck into my spine scared me more than labor and childbirth . DH and I attended Bradley classes (natural childbirth). I don't know how far along you are (our class ran for 12 weeks), but they were EXTREMELY helpful...we were so prepared and felt very comfortable with our preferences re: DD's delivery.

As for suggestions for non-medicinal pain relief during pregnancy...if your hospital or birthing center has a labor tub (my hospital did not ), I have heard that it REALLY helps with back labor pain. If they don't have a tub, hanging out in the shower is an alternative. My best friend from college labored in a tub with both of her kids (actually, she had a water birth with her second child!) and her labors went very fast (in part because she was so relaxed in the tub) and the deliveries were pretty easy.

You never really know what is going to be comfortable for you until you are actually laboring. I thought that I would be doing a lot of walking and hanging out on the birthing ball when I was in labor and it just didn't work out that way . For some reason, I was most comfortable hanging out on the cold bathroom floor sitting straight up. In between contractions, I just really concentrated on my breathing and staying hydrated. It wasn't the most pleasant 14 hours of my life and I wouldn't want to do it everyday, but it was certainly something that I feel I can power through a couple of times in my life.

When I did start pushing, DD was delivered in under 20 minutes (my best friend from college had a similar experience). I attribute part of the quick delivery to not having an epidural. I really felt in control of my body during dthe birthing process. I definitely do not regret not having an epidural!

Good luck with the delivery of your daughter!

 

[amy4life]

Congrats! I really dont have many suggestions but maybe a massage. Sorry When are you due?

 

[amarberry]

I had horrible back labor with ds, they said it was because he was laying face up, so his spine was on mine? In lamaze, they told us to do this thing for the weeks leading up to delivery called 'babydancing' which was basically the woman hanging around her husbands neck, swaying, kinda like a slow dance, with her butt kinda stuck out. Sorry, I know, kinda hard to explain.

Anyways, they said something about the posititioning was suppose to encourage the baby to turn so they were facing the right direction.

I couldnt get dh to do it, so I blame him for my back labor!!!

Our Bradley instructor talked to us a bit about "baby mapping." The position of the baby has a lot to do with whether or not you end up with back labor. I guess that you can kind of figure out how the baby is laying based on where you feel movement. If the baby is laying in a less favorable position, there are exercises that you can do towards the end of your pregnancy to encourage the baby to get into a better position.

Here's a link that I found about it:

http://www.spinningbabies.com/BellyMapping.html

 

[irishbosoxfan]

I have been pregnant 5 times and given birth to 4 healthy children--I had no meds with any of them--I planned to with my last and let them know as soon as I walked in the door---I had placenta previa and a placental abruption w/her and was on bed rest for about 7 months----And I had the worst back labor imaginable with her(she was the only one I had it with).But they messed around for so long and when they finally gave me the epidural I was already at the pushing stage and had her about 3 mins later.

I found that getting on my hands and knees and rocking gave some relief as well as pushing on the area where it most hurt helped alot also-But mainly I was pushing down on a collapsible IV pole-It started as my IV pole but when I refused to let it go they had to get another for my IV while DH held the bag.

Oh and swearing helped ALOT---It got me my own room so I didnt have to be in the farm pen and gave me first crack at the next open birthing suite and made them put a rush on bloodwork and other stuff they had to get done but it wasnt like my DD was gonna wait for them.

With 2 of my others I found that hot showers did wonders I was in and out so many times they ran out of towels on the floor cart with my DD1.

DS1-nothing no showers no meds not allowed out of bed-

DS2-hot hot showers no meds walked around room-

DD1-no meds hot showers walking around room squats,hands and knees wherever I wanted:bed floor shower-

DD2-no meds(a 4 minute epidural DOES NOT count!LOL!)rocking on hands and knees pushing on back where it hurt the most

 

[Maude4Disney]

I had terrible back labor w/ 1st DS. I was not allowed out of bed, so I had DH push on the spot that was killing me. He laughs to this day because I kept telling him to push harder, and he thought he was going to end up pushing me out of the bed. I didn't get any relief until they ended up giving me an epidural (because they thought they were going to have to do a c-section after 21 hrs of labor). The little bugger was stuck, ended up having to be delivered w/ forceps. 2nd DS.... alot different. Dr. wouldn't let me have an epi and he was here w/in 4 hrs (after 5 days of contractions off and on).

Good luck to you. Hope you have a safe and quick delivery.

 

[GailT]

NO advice but well wishes for you and your new born , CONGRATULTION

 

[lunchmomd]

Please, just a question, and don't take this the wrong way, but what is wrong with having an epidural? I did not have one with my first and it was truly 16 hours of agony. Had one with my second (induced) and I literally slept right up till the last 5 minutes. What stayed in my mind the most was that after my first, I was too exhausted and too completely drained to fully enjoy the moment. I could barely hold him. With my second, I was fully involved, holding, cuddling, happy! Just my experience, but I often wonder why the reluctance to have an epidural?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

For me--when they let me use the hot tub--I was in heaven!!! Well as far into heaven as you can get while in labor.

(our hospital "had" a hot tub--they have since built a new wing and it is only in the VIP suite....wondering if by chance they would consider me a VIP!!)


I ended up on last pregnancy requiring pitocin to speed things along---was afraid of it so got an epidural. But if I could have labored in that tub, I would have.

A hot shower may have also worked.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Please, just a question, and don't take this the wrong way, but what is wrong with having an epidural? I did not have one with my first and it was truly 16 hours of agony. Had one with my second (induced) and I literally slept right up till the last 5 minutes. What stayed in my mind the most was that after my first, I was too exhausted and too completely drained to fully enjoy the moment. I could barely hold him. With my second, I was fully involved, holding, cuddling, happy! Just my experience, but I often wonder why the reluctance to have an epidural?

Some people for whatever reason just don't want them.

It is just personal preference.

My last epidural I was PARALYZED for TEN hours after the my L&D was all complete.

I could not move a muscle and I felt absolutely NOTHING while pushing. Luckily this was my second baby so I did know how to push--but that could all of a sudden spell c-section for someone who just can't get the pushing down b/c they cannot feel it.

My goal each pregnancy is to try and go without it. Again--personal preference.

Epidurals are not for everyone.

I was exhausted and drained despite having epidurals--so the image of a perky happy mommy...doesn't give the laboring process the respect it deservs--while that was the result for you....everyone is different. It is hard work whether you are drugged up or not.

 

[leighe]

I loved my epidural. Seriously, I was terrified to go into labor and it turned out to be one of the easiest things I have ever done in my life. I would never want to give birth without one but I understand not everyone feels that way.

 

[tar heel]

I had back labor with all three of my boys, especially the last two. I found a great position, but it won't work if you're confined to bed. I got on my knees or squatted and leaned forward almost like I was curling up in a ball -- made a HUGE difference in the back labor. I also took something like three hot showers with one my children.

The key to handling back labor is to refuse to be confined to bed. The absolute worst position for back labor is lying on your back in a bed. Of course, you'll have trouble winning this battle -- I was a 38-year-old woman who was not shy about letting the medical establishment know how I wanted MY birthing to go and who had had two natural childbirths and successfully fought being induced the day before. I still ended up in a bed hooked up to a fetal monitor.

I should add that, although this was my least satisfying labor and delivery by far, the end result -- a healthy baby -- is what was really important. If I had had another child, however, I would have sought a different OB practice.