This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages without signing in

Non-pharmacological

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Psychological support, relaxation, breathing exercises:

  • careful explanation of what to expect will reduce fear of the unknown and reassure the woman that all is progressing normally
  • a well-informed partner may provide emotional support
  • this approach is particularly useful in well-motivated women with an uncomplicated labour
  • unlikely to provide enough help for the whole labour, particularly in primips
  • women who choose to use breathing and relaxation techniques in labour should be supported in their choice (1)
  • women who choose to use massage techniques in labour that have been taught to birth partners should be supported in their choice (1)

Hypnosis and acupuncture:

  • these techniques may be of value
  • NICE note that "..acupuncture, acupressure and hypnosis should not be provided, but women who wish to use these techniques should not be prevented from doing so.."

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS)

  • non-invasive, cheap, simple to use and safe
  • the theory is that electrical stimulation provides a distraction while simultaneously gating the pain impulses at the level of the spinal cord
  • probably more effective in the multip.
  • NICE note that "..transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) should not be offered to women in established labour " (1)

Reference:

  1. NICE (September 2007).Intrapartum care.

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.