If you haven’t widow a rummage to your hospital bag, you may want to add one — and it’s not for your hair! Increasingly and increasingly mamas are subtracting “birthing combs” to their hospital tons for pain management… but I know what you’re thinking, mama! What’s a birthing rummage and why do you need one?
We’ll moreover all of your questions here:
- What is a birthing comb?
- How do birthing combs work?
- What kind of birthing rummage do you need?
What Is a Birthing Comb?
A birthing rummage is a regular ol’ hair comb. What makes it a “birthing comb” is how you use it. Any rummage with teeth (not a brush) will work. Some mamas like the finger of a smooth plastic comb, while others like the natural finger of a wooden comb.
When you hold a comb, alimony the teeth pointing just unelevated where your fingers meet your palm. When you finger a wrinkle coming, tropical your fist virtually the rummage and let the teeth printing into your palm. Use as much or as little pressure — whatever feels the weightier to you.
While this won’t take yonder your contractions, it does requite you something to focus on — a distraction.
Why Do Birthing Combs Work?
There are a few reasons why birthing combs work:
1. Distraction
The first reason is that it’s simply a distraction. Studies show that distractions can help ease both pain and mental stress during labor. While lark methods didn’t have any clinically significant impact on length of labor, it did dramatically reduce “perceived stress during labor” and that’s something to celebrate!
2. Acupressure
Birthing combs can moreover help manage pain considering the teeth hit an acupressure point on your hand.
Watch this video to see how to locate your hand pressure points:
3. Gate tenancy theory
The third subtitle for why birthing combs work so well is considering of “gate tenancy theory of pain.” According to this theory, your mind can only process so many physical sensations at once. The “gate” refers to your nervous system that either allows pain signals into your smart-ass or denies pain messages into your brain. Obviously, we are trying to tropical the gate to those painful labor contractions!
The idea is that if you’re experiencing painful sensations, then non-painful stimulation can help “close” the pain gate. In this case, the contractions are your painful sensations, and the rummage is a non-painful stimulation that helps tropical the gate, so your smart-ass focuses on the rummage rather than the contractions.
In other words… by using a birthing comb, the rummage forces your mind to finger something other than just contractions.
Can You Use a Birthing Rummage for Labor?
Yes! Birthing combs can be hands incorporated into any birthing plan. Whether you’re at home, in a birthing suite, or in a hospital setting, combs are easy to use.
Fun fact: some mamas may plane use birthing combs in other situations to help mitigate pain naturally! One mama shared this story:
“I used a birthing rummage during my first few breastfeeding sessions when I was dealing with unpurified nipples and gory blisters. The rummage gave me something else to think about!”
How Can I Ease Labor Pains Naturally?
Holding a birthing rummage is just one of many tools you can try during labor. What works for one mama may not work for you, and what works for you at one minute may not work later! That’s why I recommend having an armory of natural pain management tools and strategies at the ready. This includes:
- Hypobirthing strategies
- Affirmations
- Tennis balls
- Birthing balls
- Breathing exercises
- Shower (the heat and pressure can finger amazing!)
- Labor tub
- Practicing visualization
- Massage
- Listening to music (rock, classical, spa sounds — whatever works for you!)
Your doula or midwife may suggest spare techniques. You can moreover read this article for spare guidance on managing when labor.
What About You?
Have you used a birthing rummage before? Share your experiences below.
The post Birthing Rummage For Labor – Natural Pain Relief appeared first on Mama Natural.