- With Mayo Clinic obstetrician and medical editor-in-chief
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
"Nothing helps people stay healthy more than the power of real knowledge about health." — Dr. Roger Harms
As medical editor-in-chief, Dr. Roger Harms is excited about the potential for MayoClinic.com to help educate people about their health and provide them the tools and information to live healthier lives.
The Auburn, Neb., native has been with Mayo Clinic since 1981 and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Harms is a consultant and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and his specialty areas include office gynecology, high-risk obstetrics and obstetrical ultrasound.
From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Harms was director for education for Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Harms was the 1988 Mayo Medical School Teacher of the Year and served as associate dean for student affairs and academic affairs before taking this leadership role. He is the co-author of the "Mayo Clinic Model of Education." In 2008, Dr. Harms was presented the Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Dr. Harms is vice chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and medical editor of the Pregnancy section on this Web site. In addition, Dr. Harms is editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book, a month-by-month guide to everything a woman needs to know about having a baby.
"My medical education experience has grown out of a love of teaching, and that is what this site is about," Dr. Harms says. "If any visitor to this site makes a more informed and thus more comfortable decision about his or her health because of the information we provide, we are successful."
Labor and delivery (3)
- Cord blood banking: Should I consider it?
- Back labor: What are the symptoms?
- Lower back tattoo: Can it prevent an epidural for labor pain?
Postpartum care (4)
- Postpartum preeclampsia: What causes it?
- Lactation suppression: Can medication help?
- Postpartum thyroiditis: What are the signs and symptoms?
- see all in Postpartum care
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Question
Back labor: What are the symptoms?
What is back labor?
Answer
from Roger W. Harms, M.D.
The term "back labor" is often used to describe labor in which the woman feels the most discomfort in her lower back, just above her tailbone.
Often, back labor occurs when the baby is in an awkward position as it enters the birth canal — such as when the baby's head is pressing against the mother's tailbone (sacrum). But that isn't always the case. During labor and delivery, some women simply feel more tension in their backs than others do.
Although you can't prevent back labor, you may be able to relieve it by:
- Changing positions
- Back rubs, using a tennis ball or other round objects
- Directing the warm-water spray of a shower onto the lower back
- Applying hot or cold packs to your lower back
- Epidural or spinal anesthesia
