I am pregnant with my second child and this time around I have occasional lower back pain. It usually acts up if I overdo it during the day, such as trying to get too much done or being on my feet too much. I think it may be my sciatic nerve. My question is, does this mean that I am going to have back labor?
The position of your baby dictates if you will have back labor or not.
If you are experiencing sciatic pain I would suggest seeking out a chiropractor with experience working with pregnant women. This will help keep everything in alignment and help prevent your sciatic nerve from getting pinched as your joints loosen as they prepare for labor. I saw a chiropractor for my entire last labor and loved it! I felt great.
I second what Heather said. I had NO issues during my pregnancy (except for some bleeding around 12 weeks that resolved itsself, thank goodness). Had no lower packpain and hardly any swelling anywhere - just grew boobs! No braxton hicks to speak of - but never 'dropped' when I was supposed to -it felt like I carried my daughter up in my lungs the whole time!
She was also sunny side up and wanted NOTHING to do with being born (jammed her hand on my pelvic bone requiring a c-section after 24 hours of labor, so my time was up and I had a c-section). However, I started labor with back labor - don't even recall EVER feeling any contractions in my belly - all across the small of my back. This was NOT the case for my mom, so I'm not even sure it's genetic.
I will say that counter pressure was the only thing that helped - my husband just pressed really hard on my back during each contraction (until I had the epidural).
I wouldn't worry too much about back labor - I don't think it's too common, I am the only one I know of who has had back labor (well, except now I know of Heather who replied before me!)
Good Luck :-)
Nope, doesn't mean that at all. It can be from the position the baby is laying in, or it could be from the fact that over time (with each pregnancy) your body will become more and more relaxed within the tissue and if you are not regularly walking or getting exercise you will more easily feel pulling from the weight that is hanging out in the front. You may want to ask your midwife/doctor about a support band if it gets too bad.
no. back labor is caused by the fetal position as it enters the birth canal.
No, I had sciatic nerve pain as well with my 1st DD and she had a normal presentation. I did want to write and say that I did see a physical therapist - which my insurance ended up not covering UGH - and it didn't really help. I mean the therapy sessions were nice because she would give me a massage, but it didn't lessen the sciatic nerve pain overall. Mine did go away by the 3rd trimester though, so here's hoping your's will too!
I had back labor because my daughter was born sunny side up and got stuck in the birth canal. I had no back pain or hip pain during my pregnancy. My sister had severe lower back pain with her second pregnancy and no back labor with that one so I don't think it corresponds, at least I hope not because I am having back pain and hip/butt pain during my current pregnancy (34 weeks) and would like to avoid back labor. LOL!
Good Luck!!
Not at all, I had increasing sciatic pain throughout my final pregnancy, but labor went completely normal. Something that helped ease this pain was sitting down and having my husband gently pull on one leg at a time. He would lift the leg out straight and just gently tug, slowly twisting at the ankle. It was never a permanent solution, but it did help. Also...try not to overdo it. You are not supermom, no one is. The pain is always your body's way of saying, "Chill."
