Non-pharmacological

methods to relive pain

during labor
Undersupervision of/ Dr.Sahar Ali
Prepared by:-
1 Ahmed Nabil zaglol
Eman Mohamed Abdo 2
Eman Mohamed Foda 3
Aya Houssin Mahmoud 4
Out lines:
1-Definition.
2-Signs of labor.
3-Causes of pain in labor.
4-Factors affecting mother's response to pain in labor.
5-Non-pharmacological method to relive pain.
Definition:
Comfort measures that provide natural pain relief can be very
effective during labor and child birth such as hydrotherapy,
patterned breathing, ETC…..

Signs of labor:
1-Lightening.
2-Passing of mucus plug.
3-Contractions.
4-Water breaking.
5-Effacment and dilation of the cervix.

Causes of pain in labor:

First stage: 1-Streching of the cervix during dilatation.
2-Uterine anoxia.
3-Streching of the uterine ligaments.
Second stage: 1-Tracing and starching of the perineum.
2-Distention of the vagina and perineum.
3-Compression in cervix.
4-Pressure during fetal descent.

Factors affecting mother's response to pain in labor:

1-Previous experience with pain.
2-Preparation-knowledge and confidence gained through
childbirth classes.
3-Support.
4-Maternal fatigue and anxiety.
5-Culture influences on expression of pain.

Non-pharmacological methods to relive pain:

1-Birthing ball.
2-Patterned breathing.
3-Beverages.
4-Movment and position changes.
5-Superficial heat and cold.
6-Counter-pressure.
7-Touch and massage.
8-Aromatherapy.
9-Hydrotherapy.
10-Focus and distraction.
11-Acupuncture.
12-TENS.
13-Sterile water injection.
1-Birthing ball:
Use of the birthing ball is becoming much more common. Because
it's one of the newest pieces of birthing equipment. we can use the
birthing ball for keeping the baby in proper aligned in the pelvis,
encouraging pelvis mobility also encouraging the baby to drop
down in to pelvis by allowing gravity to work with laboring
woman, it can decrease back pain.

2-Patterned breathing:
Breathing techniques provide comfort and focus while enhancing
labor progress, enhances oxygen flow to your baby and is vital to
contracting uterus.

3-Beverages:
You should stay well hydrated while laboring. Laboring women
may have clear liquids such as water, juice, ice.

4-Movment and position changes:

You may experience less pain in some positions than in others.
You may try sitting, kneeling, standing, lying down, walking, and
getting on your hand and knees.
5-Superficial heat and cold:
Heat can be effective when applied by using hot water bottle, hot
moist towels or warm blankets, superficial cold can come from an
ice bag, wash clothes soaked in ice water, or a bag of frozen peas.
Hot compresses applied to the lower abdomen or perineum, a
warm blanket over entire body and ice packs to the lower back or
perineum. Using heat or cold on separated parts of body at same
time can provide effective pain relive. Touch hand can convey
pain-reducing massage . a hand placed on painful spot. Massage
takes the form of light or firm, stroking, vibrations, deep circular
pressure and continual steady pressure or rubbing the neck,
shoulders, back, thighs, feet or hands is an effective pain reliever.

6-Counter pressure:
Counter-pressure consists of steady, strong force applied to one
spot on the lower back during contractions using the heel of the
hand, or pressure on the side of each hip using both hands.
Counter-pressure helps alleviate back pain during labor, especially
in those women experiencing “back labor.”
7- Touch and Massage:
Touch can convey pain-reducing messages. A hand placed on a
painful spot, a pat of reassurance, stroking the cheek in an
affectionate gesture, or a tight embrace can communicate a
message of caring to the laboring woman.

8-Abdominal therapy:
Is the use of essential oils such as lavender, rose. These can be
administrated in a variety of ways including oil in massage, in hot
water as a bath or footbath.

9-Hydrotherapy:
Techniques using water can be emotionally soothing and can also
help with pain relief. Jacuzzi can be used by sitting on a shower to
use the hand-held shower massage during active labor.
10-Focus and distraction:
Use mind-diverting activities, fear and anxiety cause the release of
stress hormones. Focusing on one's attention is deliberate activity
and is aid by verbal coaching, visualization, self hypnosis.
Distraction is more passive form of focusing attention by using
stimuli from the environment that will draw attention away from
your pain. These techniques help you to reduce fear, anxiety and
pain.

11-Acupuncture:
Acupuncture can reduce pain in labor and reduce the need to use
forceps. It isn't clear how it works, there are no known side effect
of acupuncture for mother or baby. Only trained person should
perform acupuncture.

12-TENS:
ATENS machine uses two electrodes stuck to your skin. They are
usually attached to your lower back. The machine sends a small
electric current through. Your body .It is generally safe for mother
and baby.

13-Sterile water injections

Sterile water with no medicine in it can be injected under the skin
of your lower back.

Reference:
https://www.nwh.org/patient-guides-and-forms/maternity-
guide/maternity-chapter-3/comfort-measures-during-labor-and-
delivery-non-pharmacological-methods