You have nine months, give or take, to prepare yourself for labor.

Back labor can be unrelenting and very painful, especially when you’rehaving contractions.

The good news is, there are a lot of effective ways to relieve back labor pain.

woman in back labor pain

Here’s more on back labor and what to do to manage the pain.

What is back labor?

Back labor is intense pain and discomfort experienced in the lower backduring labor.

woman in back labor pain

The vast majority of babies turn to face backwards on their own before their moms are ready to deliver.

What causes back labor pains?

The main cause of back labor is a babys position during labor.

woman in back labor pain

For most women who experience back labor, their babies are positioned “sunny-side up.”

(Your doctor would more formally call this the “occiput posterior position”, by the way.)

This presses on spinal nerves, causing pain.

woman in back labor pain

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Fortunately, odds are good that your baby will flip all on his own.

It’s possible youll still experience back labor even if your baby is facing your back.

That may be because he was sunny-side up but recently flipped, leaving your back feeling extra sensitive.

woman in back labor pain

What does back labor feel like?

As delivery day approaches, your practitioner will take a stab at determine which way your baby is facing.

Signs of back labor

How will you know whether you’re experiencing back labor?

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Keep in mind, early labor can last for a few hours to a few days.

It often starts in the second to third trimester and gets worse as pregnancy progresses.

With normal pregnancy back pain, your lower back and upper hips feel constantly achy, stiff or sore.

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Regular contractions are only slightly felt in the back.

Back labor is much more intense pain in your lower back.

Are there risk factors for back labor?

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Back labor itself doesnt cause any more complications for your baby than regular labor.

However, back labor may be more uncomfortable and increase the chances of some complications for you.

They may also be more likely to be admitted to theneonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Signs of Labor

Is your baby still in the sunny-side up position as your due date approaches?

There’s no research-backed way to prevent back labor.

What can I do to relieve back labor pain?

Signs of Labor

And once you see your beautiful new baby, the pain will seem well worth it.

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Signs of Labor

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