Is this the beginning of labor?

[bluelikejazz]

I was awake every 45-60 min last night because my back hurt SO BAD. Tylenol did nothing, no position helped, and a heating pad around 2 am let me finally get some sleep.

Since this morning, my back is still hurting pretty much all the time. I'll get some stabbing back pains along with what feels like a BH (my stomach doesn't hurt though). That's happened maybe 4 times total.

And some mild menstrual like cramping on and off.

The heating pad is the only thing that gives me any relief.

1) Is this the beginning of labor?

2) Does this mean I'm destined for back labor?

[mlvmd]

I had terrible back pain with DS1 and yes, it was the start of labor. When the menstrual-like cramps kicked up a notch that's when I could actually start timing stuff.

[MrsAggie]

Sounds like it. And I've seen most people say if they had back labor, it stayed that way Does walking help ease the labor pains?

[miss.colorado]

No idea but good luck!!!

[meltoine]

Back labor is usually the result of a baby who isn't in the best position. The exercise at spinning abides.com or the miles circuit can help get baby into the optimal position, which will help the back pain and speed up labor.

[FoxInFiji]

Could be. My back labor was pretty defined. I could tell when the contraction was on vs. off (ie. shooting lower back pain that went down my spine and felt like my tailbone was splitting in two). Sitting on an exercise ball or leaning over a counter/on all fours was the only thing that helped. She was sunnyside up so her skull was hitting my tailbone hence the back labor. She did turn in the last hour or so when I was sitting on a ball in L&D but that was after 43 hrs of back labor...sorry I'm probably not helping here but the point is they can turn on their own.