Managing back pain in labor.Approximately 20--25% of women will experience back pain in labor, either during contractions or constantly. Back pain can occur when the baby's head is not well positioned in the pelvis pelvis, bony, basin-shaped structure that supports the organs of the lower abdomen. It receives the weight of the upper body and distributes it to the legs; it also forms the base for numerous muscle attachments. , when the baby's head is low in the pelvis, or as a woman's normal experience of labor. Often, back pain can make it more difficult to manage the sensations of labor without feeling the need for pain medication unless the woman has available to her the support and techniques that can make the back pain more manageable. The following information includes strategies for back pain relief that can work during pregnancy and labor. Positions for Relieving Back Pain: Many of these positions can either relieve some of the strain on the lower back, increase the diameter of the pelvis making more room for the baby's head and, if necessary, helping the baby into a better position. * Forward-Leaning Positions * Hands and Knees * Knee-Chest * Standing and leaning over something * Kneeling and leaning over something * Squatting Positions * True squat * Sitting on a birth ball * Squatting on the bed with a squatting bar * Sitting on the toilet * Sitting on a low stool or birthing stool * Asymmetric Positions * Standing with one foot elevated * Squatting with one knee up and the other knee down * Side-lying with the top leg in front of the bottom leg and mom angled more on her stomach. Movement: Labor is a "dance" between mother and baby. Through the process of labor and birth, the baby is constantly on the move, adjusting the position of his/her head to try to find a good fit for descent and birth. The more the mother can move and work with her body, the more opportunities the baby has to find a position that facilitates labor. * Rocking * Swaying * Lunging * with both feet on floor * with birth ball behind back * with one foot up on a chair/stool * Pelvic Tilts pelvic tilt, n rotation of the pelvis around either a horizontal or vertical axis. The former cases would be forward or backward tilt, whereas the latter would tilt to the left or right side. * Hands and knees position * Standing position * On the birth ball Touch and Massage: Touch and massage can help with relaxation (which can help with pain relief), increase a woman's endorphine release (endorphins endorphins (ĕndôr`fĭnz), neurotransmitters found in the brain that have pain-relieving properties similar to morphine. There are three major types of endorphins: beta endorpins, found primarily in the pituitary gland; and enkephalins and are chemicals in the body similar to opiates Opiates Analgesic, pain killing drugs, such as heroin and morphine that depress the central nervous system. Mentioned in: Withdrawal Syndromes and help minimize one's perception of pain), help her feel physically supported and nurtured, and it just feels good! * Counter Pressure * With Massage * Without Massage * With heat * With ice * With massage tool * Double Hip Squeeze * Pressure points * On sacrum sacrum: see spinal column. * Behind ankles * Between Trapezium trapezium /tra·pe·zi·um/ (-um) [L.] 1. an irregular, four-sided figure. 2. the most lateral bone of the distal row of carpal bones. tra·pe·zi·um n. pl. and Clavicle clavicle /clav·i·cle/ (klav´i-k'l) collar bone; a bone, curved like the letter f, that articulates with the sternum and scapula, forming the anterior portion of the shoulder girdle on either side. Hydrotherapy hydrotherapy, use of water in the treatment of illness or injury. Although the medicinal and hygienic value of water was recognized by the early Greeks, hydrotherapy attained its widest use in the 18th and 19th cent. : The use of warm water has long been recognized as a technique for enhancing comfort and relaxation, and relieving the pain of labor. The experience of warm water on one's skin helps with endorphine release, and being able to submerge sub·merge v. sub·merged, sub·merg·ing, sub·merg·es v.tr. 1. To place under water. 2. To cover with water; inundate. 3. To hide from view; obscure. v.intr. in a tub can help take the pressure off of some of the lower extremities lower extremity n. The hip, thigh, leg, ankle, or foot. Also called inferior limb, pelvic limb. . * Shower * Standing with spray on back * Kneeling, leaning forward with spray on back * Standing with spray on stomach and massage on back * Tub/Jacuzzi * Reclining on back * Side-lying with massage or jets on back * Kneeling and leaning forward Other Options: * Sterile Water Injections * Tens Unit |
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