Benefits of Massage During Labor
Using Loving Touch & Massage Techniques to Decrease Childbirth Pain
Using massage to comfort a mother during her labor has been proven to help in many ways. See the benefits of touch for a birthing woman.
Why Support a Pregnant Woman During Labor
Many women, and their partners, may feel that a nurse will be there to comfort and help the laboring mother throughout her delivery process. Several studies have shown that nurses are present only sporadically and, on average, less than 14 minutes out of every hour is spent even inside the laboring woman's room. Another study showed that comforting touch was almost non-existent from the nursing staff. Is it really so important for a mother to have comforting touch and massage during her labor?
Gate Control Theory of Pain
As scientists study the perception of pain they developed the Gate Control theory which explains that the brain only processes so many signals at one time - that's why when you stub your toe you suddenly forget about the headache you used to have. By giving a laboring woman a positive, loving touch a birth partner can help decrease her perception of pain. Her labor still progresses, and she still has contractions but she doesn't feel them as strongly. Massage is a great form of natural pain relief for labor.
Massage Decreases Anxiety During Labor
A study in 1993 by Klaus, Kennel and Klaus showed that therapeutic touch (massage and loving touch) during labor relieved over-anxious mothers and decreased their perceived pain levels. Massage during labor can also help a mother feel a greater sense of emotional support and overall control as the levels of stress hormones in her body are lessened (Ferrel-Torry and Glick, 1993). When a woman feels more secure and less stressed during labor the childbirth process goes smoother, with fewer interventions needed and higher levels of satisfaction postpartum.
Why A Doula Uses Nurturing Touch
A doula, or professional labor support person, uses nurturing touch and massage on a frequent basis during labor. Several studies have shown that this constant support and hands-on attention leads to better obstetric outcomes for mother and baby as well as a more efficient laboring process in general. The need for risky and expensive medical interventions is also decreased. Even an untrained birth support person can provide many of these benefits through the use of constant, loving touch during a woman's labor.
Benefits of Massage in General
Massage in general has many benefits for anyone, and what better time to apply these benefits than during the stressful and exhausting process of childbirth. Natural endorphins are released during massage which provides a laboring mother with natural pain-relieving agents from within her own body. Circulation is enhanced by massage which means less muscle fatigue for the mother and better blood flow to the baby. Stress hormone levels are also decreased during massage which can help a mother relax and lessen her overall pain levels as well.
