Comfort Measures in labor:
(Henci Goer)
Environment: Create your birth space
-- dim lights, candles
-- peaceful surroundings, symbolic items
-- privacy
-- warmth
-- music – For different moods, not just enya! Make mixed CD’s.
Physical:
-- walking
-- pelvic rocking
-- positioning pillows for comfort
-- slow dancing with partner
-- sitting on birth ball and swaying
-- lifting up the abdomen
Touch:
-- massage
-- stroking
-- cuddling
-- counter pressure against lower back
-- acupressure
Heat:
-- deep tub bath
-- shower
-- heated rice sock on groin or back
Cold:
-- ice packs on lower back
-- cool cloth to wipe face
Cognitive:
-- visualization
-- affirmation
-- focusing on the breath
-- structured breathing patterns
-- non-focused awareness (paying attention to everything you see, hear, feel, smell without focusing on any)
-- prayer
Aromatherapy – smell different essential oils ahead of time
Vocalizing: moaning and groaning
Labor companion: The continuous presence of an experienced woman can reduce the use of pain medication in general and epidurals in particular.
How does this feel? Preparing the partner to offer different things, so that the mother doesn’t have to think. Likes and dislikes.
Not: What do you think about a bath? “I don’t know”.
Yes: I have a bath for you. Why don’t your get in for awhile if you want to.
Talk ahead of times and likes and wants so that you don’t offer something she dislikes.
