Comfort Measures for Labor

Why comfort measures? Because they work!

Comfort measures are probably not going to eliminate all the pain you feel during labor. What they can do is to help you manage the pain, keep it at a level that you can continue without medication. But to use them effectively, you need to know what they are and how to best apply them to labor.

Comfort measures fall into a few categories:

Positions are vital because they change the location of pressure, help your baby to move speeding labor and determine what your support persons are able to do to help you.

Labor Tools can be as simple as a tennis ball or as elaborate as a TENS machine.

Relaxation is a key to natural childbirth because it helps to eliminate some of the unnecessary pain of childbirth. With so many techniques, you are sure to find one that works for you.

Massage works to not only eliminate pain and tension, but can also help give you energy during labor.

Natural remedies may be used to speed labor, slow labor or manage pain.

Other ways to increase your comfort during labor are often overlooked. They include setting the right environment and place to give birth, choosing the right labor support and having lots of encouragement.

What would you like next?

Learn comfort techniques for labor.

Find out how what you eat can impact how you give birth.

Learn ways to stay comfortable during pregnancy.

Read sample birth plans.

Get emotionally prepared to give birth.