How to Ease Back Pain During Childbirth
The experience of childbirth is different for every woman. If you happen to be one of the many pregnant women who suffer back pain during childbirth, there are ways to ease this pain, often referred to as back labor. Back labor for some women is constant, intense and relentless pain. Usually this pain is caused by the baby's head resting on your spine or tailbone and can cause a slowed labor with irregular contractions. Some techniques may lessen the pain; it's up to you to decide which ones fit into your personal birthing plan.
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Instructions
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Exercise and maintain good health before you even become pregnant. Weight gain and weakening muscles during pregnancy can contribute to back pain.
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Visit a chiropractor familiar with pregnant patients. Proper pelvic alignment during childbirth can reduce back labor pain.
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Go on all fours. Rock back and forth while on your hands and knees to relieve pressure off your back. Inhale and gently arch your back as you lift your head and tailbone at the same time, gazing straight ahead. Exhale and tuck your head and tailbone, hunching your back like a cat.
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Use heat from a warm bath, shower or heating pad. Alternate use of hot and cold compresses if that works better for you.
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Sit on a birthing ball. Move your hips back and forth, which will promote fetal rotation and also encourage the baby's head to come down and relieve pressure in your back.
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Walk around and change positions as often as you can during all stages of your labor. Ask your doctor which positions will help rotate your baby if it is not in an optimal birthing presentation. Sit in a chair, rock and lie on your side with a rounded back.
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Get an epidural for complete pain relief. If you aren't opting for a natural labor, the epidural can quickly provide relief from back pain during childbirth.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep a positive attitude and remember labor pain will eventually end when you meet your beautiful newborn baby.
According to The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, "75% of pregnant patients who received chiropractic care during their pregnancies stated that they found relief from pain."
Never take any over the counter pain relieving medication while pregnant without discussing it with your doctor.
Don't go into the bathtub for a warm soak if you think your water bag has broken.
