Massage for Pain during Labor

Massge away

Massage is a very helpful technique for reducing pain during labor. In scientific studies, between 80 and 90 percent of women who were massaged during labor pains reported that the massage reduced or relieved their pains, made them feel psychologically supported, and reduced their anxiety about labor and delivery. It’s known that thoughts and emotions can play a role in making pain worse or helping to alleviate it. By relieving anxiety and conveying reassurance, the act of touching and massaging a person who is in pain can cause the pain to lessen. Studies show that women who are massaged during labor pain relax more and report a reduction of pain or a reduction in the intensity of pain.

Doctors and midwives recommend that women in labor be massaged because massage not only eases pain and reduces anxiety, but shortens labors and lowers new mothers’ risk of experiencing postpartum depression.

Using Massage to Treat Pain during Labor

Method

• A shoulder massage can help a laboring woman to breathe more rhythmically. Stroke from the shoulders to the elbows, and use your thumbs to massage in small firm circles behind the shoulder blades to relieve knots of tension. You can use a similar technique on the lower back during early labor, before contractions become very intense.
• A foot massage, with strong firm strokes from ankles to toes, or using thumbs to make circles on the soles of the feet, can help to relieve anxiety and tension during early labor.
• A lower back massage can help to counteract the pain of strong contractions. Use the heel of the hand to massage very firmly over the base of the spine and the surrounding muscles.
• A woman who has had an epidural and is lying in bed may still appreciate a hand massage. Stroke each hand in turn, sweeping both sides of the hand from the wrist to the fingertips. Make small circles all over the palms, and gently pull each finger.

Why It Works

Touch can be helpful in relieving many kinds of pain, not just labor pain, because when the body is touched in a kind and gentle way, the brain is stimulated to release endorphins, neurotransmitters that reduce pain and improve a person’s mood.

Precautions

Using massage to relieve labor pain has no side effects or drawbacks. Massage can be used simultaneously with other forms of pain relief, does not have to be provided by someone who is an expert, and does not cause any negative effects for mother or baby. A few women, however, do not like massage, and some women who normally like massage very much may prefer not to be touched when they are having strong contractions. Others find massage so helpful that they want to be massaged nonstop throughout labor.

More Remedies

• Click here for all Labor Pain remedies