HealthPartners - Preparing for childbirth

BACK LABOR If you’re feeling every contraction almost totally in your lower back, you may be having “ back labor .” This happens when the hard part of the baby’s head is pushing against your lower back. Although not everyone has back labor, if you do, the pain may be intense and interfere with your ability to relax. Changing your position (especially leaning forward) may help your baby change positions in the womb and relieve back labor. Ask your labor partner to press firmly against the small of your lower back with a closed fist or the heel of their hand during contractions. A heating pad or ice pack may also help. DOUBLE HIP SQUEEZE The double hip squeeze is a comfort measure that can help relieve lower back pain. During labor, the pressure of the baby’s head stretches your pelvis. The double hip squeeze maneuver pushes your pelvis back into a relaxed position, relieving pressure and pain.

TOUCH Did you know that someone’s touch can lower your pain level? Simply holding hands with another person and having them gently stroke your arms, legs, or belly can help your body release “feel-good” endorphins. When you’re tense, have your partner cuddle up close and gently touch you. It may help both of you relax. LIGHT MASSAGE Light massage in a circular motion can help you relax, ease feelings of pain, and even help you sleep. Ask your partner to relax their hands and lightly draw large circles with their palms on your back, arms, or legs. Also have them use just their fingertips to lightly glide over your belly during contractions. PRESSURE Applying pressure to certain parts of your body can lower stress, tension, and pain levels. You may have experienced this in the

How to do it • You can either stand up or bend forward over a bed or a birthing ball • Standing behind you, your birth partner gently places their palms on your hips, with one hand on each hip bone and their thumbs pointed toward the spine forming a “W” • Your partner then presses down and pushes your hip bones in and up toward your body • Swaying gently during the contraction while your partner is applying this pressure may help ease the pain Your partner can alternate between the hip squeeze and using “counter pressure.” To use counter pressure, your partner applies steady, strong force with the heel of their hand to one spot on your lower back during contractions. Because both the hip squeeze and counter pressure techniques can be hard work for your labor partner over time, it’s a good idea to have a backup labor partner available to step in.

past if you’ve ever pressed on your forehead to relieve headache pain. You can do the same thing with labor pains. If you’re having back labor (intense pain in your lower back caused by your baby’s position in the womb), ask your partner to push down on your lower back with a fist or the heel of their hand to help relieve some of your pain.

36 Your Guide to Labor and Birth