When the Epidural Hides the Injury: A Tale of Two Very Different Hospital Births
Most of us have a mental picture of what “back labor” means. Usually, it’s intense pressure, a lot of counter-pressure on the hips, maybe some heat packs.
But for Ali, the guest on Episode 1037, back labor wasn’t just sensation—it was structural damage happening in real-time.
I’ve listened to hundreds of birth stories, and occasionally one stops me cold because the physical toll on the mother is just... gnarly. Ali’s story is a masterclass in how unpredictable birth physiology can be, and more importantly, how knowledge (specifically Pelvic Floor PT) can completely rewrite the script for a second time around.
If you’ve ever worried about your back giving out during labor, or if you’re curious how someone survives a Pitocin induction without an epidural, pull up a chair.
The “Perfect Storm” (And I Don’t Mean That in a Good Way)
Ali’s first birth in 2018 started with a classic movie trope: the water breaking with a pop, but zero contractions.
Because she was GBS negative and healthy, she had some time, but eventually, the hospital clock started ticking. Enter Pitocin.
Here’s where things went sideways. Her son was OP (sunny-side up), grinding against her tailbone. She had a pre-existing, dormant back injury. The epidural did its job of masking the pain, but it also masked the fact that her disc was literally blowing out—she used the analogy of a marshmallow squishing out the side of a s’more—while she was pushing.
She didn’t know until the next morning when she tried to walk to the bathroom and collapsed. Her legs just wouldn't work.
And because the universe sometimes has a dark sense of humor, she also developed Endometritis (an infection of the uterine lining) from a rare Strep G bacteria.
Note: Ali’s description of being dismissed by a nurse initially—told she was just sore because she "just had a baby"—is a frustratingly common thread. It took a 102-degree fever to get the blood work that likely saved her from sepsis. Trust your gut when your body feels wrong.
The Intermission: Fixing the Box
Between her first and second pregnancies, Ali dealt with chronic pain and a toddler (who was also diagnosed with autism, adding another layer of complexity to their family dynamic).
She eventually found a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Gina, who changed everything.
The lightbulb moment? Ali was holding her breath while lifting her son. She was creating a pressurized canister in her abdomen that was pushing her disc out.
The Golden Nugget
“Exhale on the exertion.”
It sounds simple, but Ali credits this single technique—blowing out as you lift—with saving her back. If you take nothing else from this review, take that.
The Redemption Arc: Pitocin, No Epidural, and... Water Noise?
Fast forward to the second baby. A planned induction at 40+6.
Ali wanted to go unmedicated this time, mostly because she needed to feel her body to protect her back. But she also needed Pitocin again.
If you know, you know—Pitocin contractions are often described as unrelenting waves with no break.
She brought in a doula (Brandy) this time, which she notes was the missing piece from her first experience. But the real MVP of her second labor was a running faucet.
She didn't even get in the tub. She just had the nurse turn the water on. The white noise of the rushing water allowed her to lock into "labor land" and ride out the waves of a Pitocin induction without pain meds. She stood up, swayed, held onto the porcelain, and let gravity do the work.
From 3cm to baby in arms took barely any time once she found her rhythm. No back injury. No infection. Just a healing, empowering finish.
Why This Episode Matters
It’s rare to hear a story where the physical mechanics of the mother’s spine play such a central role. Ali’s journey reminds us that "healthy mom, healthy baby" is the baseline, but we should be aiming for functional, un-traumatized mom, healthy baby.
Whether it’s advocating for a walker when your legs don't work, or demanding the faucet stays on because the noise is your lifeline, Ali proves that you are the expert on your own body.
Listen to The Birth Hour - A Birth Story Podcast: https://podranker.com/podcast/the-birth-hour-a-birth-story-podcast