Anonymous wrote:I had 100% back labor but had a successful vaginal birth with no epidural. It helped that my transition phase was relatively fast for a FTM. I survived and had a really positive, euphoric experience. I'm pregnant again and will be trying to go epi-free again if possible because my experience was really great. I would not worry too much about back labor. THe key to a successful labor is to try and reduce your own stress and worries

I later learned that the main reason I had back labor was because I have a tilted uterus. Not much you can do about that.

I used a TENS unit and had DH pushing HARD into my lower back. This worked to keep me focused during labor.

Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to add a little reassurance/encouragement for the moms who had difficult back labors with their first births and are nervous to do it again. My son was OP (posterior) and I had a very challenging 50 hour first labor with lots of back labor (which continued even after he turned OA about 35 hours in). With my second I was terrified to have another posterior labor, and I did chiropractic visits all through my third trimester, acupuncture, never reclined or slouched, etc. I was devastated when my midwife told me my daughter was still posterior the week of my due date (I think that's just how my body carries). However, I had a MUCH easier labor with her (8 hours total, 4 hours active labor). She also flipped to OA during labor, and while it was still very intense I felt like I could keep on top of contractions in a way I couldn't with my first labor. So I know it's scary to go into it again, but don't despair that your second experience will be a repeat of the first, regardless of positioning at the onset of labor.

Anonymous wrote:

Choose a provider that will give you time and that offers sterile water injections (if you don’t want an epidural).

I did sterile water injections when I delivered with the GW midwives, and they did absolutely nothing other than burn like hell. Did they help anyone else? A meta-analysis seems to show a reduction in c-sections and reduction in pain between those who have the injections vs. a placebo, but interestingly, no difference in willingness to do it again.

I *did* want an epidural, but was told I couldn't have one even though I never got past 9 cm (they had me just push without ever getting to 10cm), but that's another story...

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2009.02221.x/full

I also used my prescribed TENS unit that I brought with me, but it didn't provide much relief once back labor got intense. (It did help though during the initial stage.)

Anonymous wrote:I’m a midwife and also a mom who’s had malpoisitoned babies every time (and therefore back labor). Spinning babies and the Miles Circuit are great suggestions. See a chiropractor and get accupuncture. Stay active and eat extremely well. But, sometimes there’s nothing we can do to change baby’s position. Going into labor on your own vs inducing gives them time rotate. If not, strong contractions and time in labor generally help with rotation. Choose a provider that will give you time and that offers sterile water injections (if you don’t want an epidural).

Choose a provider that will give you time and that offers sterile water injections (if you don’t want an epidural).

Anonymous wrote:I’m a midwife and also a mom who’s had malpoisitoned babies every time (and therefore back labor). Spinning babies and the Miles Circuit are great suggestions. See a chiropractor and get accupuncture. Stay active and eat extremely well. But, sometimes there’s nothing we can do to change baby’s position. Going into labor on your own vs inducing gives them time rotate. If not, strong contractions and time in labor generally help with rotation. Choose a provider that will give you time and that offers sterile water injections (if you don’t want an epidural).