Comfort Measures

What are examples of comfort measures used for labor pain relief?

• creating a calm environment: dim lights, peaceful surroundings, privacy, warmth
• increasing physical comfort: walking, pelvic rocking, positioning pillows for comfort, slow dancing with partner, sitting and swaying on birth ball (a large physiotherapy ball), lifting up the abdomen, rocking in a rocking chair
• using touch: massage, stroking, cuddling, counter pressure against the lower back, acupressure
• applying heat: deep tub bath, shower, heating pad on groin or back, heated blanket
• applying cold: ice pack on lower back, cool cloth to wipe face
• using aromatherapy: "essential" oils, scented objects.

What are the effects of comfort measures on labor pain?

What is needed to use comfort measures?

What are the advantages of comfort measures?

• offer lots of possibilities for relieving labor pain and can be combined with each other and with other types of techniques to suit every need
• have short or no lag time between deciding to use one and doing so (with the possible exception of deep tub baths)
• do not interfere with labor progress and in some cases can enhance progress or the effectiveness of pushing
• promote a sense of accomplishment and capability, which can be more critical to a satisfying childbirth experience than pain relief in and of itself
• have no effect on your state of consciousness
• may enable you to avoid labor pain medications and their possible adverse effects
• may enable you to delay or limit the use of medications and limit adverse effects
• unlike pain medications, can be discontinued immediately if they don't help or in the unlikely event that they cause a problem.

What are the drawbacks of comfort measures?

• comfort measures may not provide adequate labor pain relief
• comfort measures may require equipment
• deep tub baths may slow labor if taken too early in labor
• deep tub baths may cause maternal fever if the water temperature exceeds body temperature.