Discover how to manage and respond to pain during an unmedicated birth experience using unique comfort and sensory tools - Pregnancy & Postpartum ...
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Discover how to manage and respond to pain during an unmedicated birth experience using unique comfort and sensory tools. P RO G R A M Pregnancy & Postpartum TO P I C Labor & Birth MOD U L E Unmedicated Pain Relief Circuit The information contained in this guide is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. It also is not a substitute for regular medical care. Please consult with your care provider about your care options and for any medical advice. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking medical advice or care because of any content presented as part of this guide. Reliance on the information presented in this guide is solely at your own risk. 2021
PROGRAM PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM
TOPIC LABOR & BIRTH
MODULE UNMEDICATED PAIN RELIEF CIRCUIT
Insights
I’ve supported many people in moving through an
unmedicated birth, and I know it can be quite challenging.
If you choose to navigate the sensations without medicated
pain management, you and your care team can support your
labor process with some positions, comfort measures, and
sensory techniques.
Key Points To Remember
Takeaways
Moving through an unmedicated birth can be quite challenging. If you choose to navigate the
sensations without medicated pain management, you and your care team can support your labor
process with some positions, comfort measures, and sensory techniques.
You can experiment with different sensory and comfort tools before labor to find the ones that work
best for you.
For many positions and tools, it can be helpful to practice with a support person.
LOOMHQ.COM 2021 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11PROGRAM PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM
TOPIC LABOR & BIRTH
MODULE UNMEDICATED PAIN RELIEF CIRCUIT
Things To Try Out
And Integrate Skills & Strategies
Into Your Life
Many of these techniques can be done on your own, but I
encourage you to practice them with your support team
(partner, doula, or chosen family). Building up coping skills
requires practice for both you and your support person.
If your support person is not a trained professional like
a doula, moving through this guide with you can build
their confidence and clarity, as they understand which
techniques work best for your body.
Keep in mind that choosing a sensory tool is all about experimenting to find what works
for you. If you try something and it doesn’t work for you, feel free to cross it off the list and
move onto the next tool. While practicing, stay curious. Find 3–5 comfort measures that
work best and focus on those.
G ATH ER W H I CHE V ER C OMF ORT AND S ENS ORY TO OL S APPE AL TO YO U :
• Peanut Ball • Mouthguard • Acupressure Shoes
• Birth Ball • Balloons • Gua Sha
• Body Sock • Weighted Neck Pillow • Extra Pillows
• Sensory Brush • Stress Ball
LOOMHQ.COM 2021 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11PROGRAM PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM
TOPIC LABOR & BIRTH
MODULE UNMEDICATED PAIN RELIEF CIRCUIT
ACT IV E REST WIT H PE ANU T BAL L
• Lay on your side with your leg propped comfortably on
the peanut ball. Your other leg should be straight on the
bed or floor and your head and arms are supported by a
pillow. Spend 30 minutes on each side, for an hour total.
• This position allows you to rest while the peanut ball
supports a more mobile, open pelvis.
S O CK ST RE TCH
• Get comfortable in the body sock. Then, begin to
stretch your arms and legs within the sock.
• This sensory tool provides proprioceptive feedback,
allowing the joints and muscles to feel activated to
support sensory regulation.
S O CK REST
• Get comfortable in the body sock. Then, lay down in the
bed to rest.
• This sensory tool and position provides proprioceptive
feedback and rest during labor, supporting your
nervous system and sensory regulation.
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TOPIC LABOR & BIRTH
MODULE UNMEDICATED PAIN RELIEF CIRCUIT
SO CK BOUNCE
• Get comfortable in the bodysock. Then, sit on the birth
ball.
• This sensory tool and position provides proprioceptive
feedback and active rest during labor, supporting
nervous system and sensory regulation. The upright
position allows gravity to help with labor progression.
B LOW I T UP
• Take a balloon and blow it up.
• This sensory tool provides proprioceptive input that
can be either calming or alerting depending on how
you’re feeling and your environment.
THE S Q U E E Z E
• Put a stress ball in your hand and squeeze and hold, or
squeeze repeatedly as needed.
• This sensory tool provides proprioceptive input that can
be calming, by releasing tension during contractions.
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TOPIC LABOR & BIRTH
MODULE UNMEDICATED PAIN RELIEF CIRCUIT
SENS ORY B RUS H
• Use a brush with light, natural bristles (sensory brush or
dry brush) to gently stroke upwards on your body.
• This sensory tool provides touch input that can be
calming. You can do it on yourself or have a support
person do it for you.
T HE SWEEP D OWN
• Use a gua sha stone to gently apply short strokes in one
direction on your body.
• This sensory tool provides touch input that can be
calming. You can do it on yourself or have a support
person do it for you.
WAL K IT O U T WIT H ACU PRES S U RE S HOES
• Wear a pair of acupressure shoes while you walk around
your home or birth place.
• This sensory tool provides proprioceptive input
and uses gravity to release tension and aid labor
progression.
LOOMHQ.COM 2021 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11PROGRAM PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM
TOPIC LABOR & BIRTH
MODULE UNMEDICATED PAIN RELIEF CIRCUIT
L E AN & SWAY W I T H BA L L
• Place a birth ball on a sturdy surface (like a bed or
table). Lean over the ball and sway from side to side or
in a circular motion.
• This position and sensory tool provides vestibular
stimulation and uses gravity and movement to support
relaxation and labor progression.
HANDS & K N E ES
• Position yourself with your knees and hands placed
on a comfortable surface (like a bed or yoga mat with
pillows). Place your knees hip-width apart with your
spine in a neutral position.
• The hands and knees position provides vestibular
stimulation and uses gravity and movement to support
relaxation and labor progression. It can also relieve
back discomfort.
THE TI LT
• Position yourself with your knees and hands placed
on a comfortable surface (like a bed or yoga mat with
pillows). Place your knees hip-width apart. Slowly lift
your pelvis and chest towards the ceiling. Then, gently
transition your pelvis downwards, rounding your spine
gently. This position is like the “cat-cow” pose you may
have seen in a yoga practice.
• This position provides vestibular stimulation and uses
gravity and movement to support relaxation and labor
progression. It can also relieve back discomfort.
LOOMHQ.COM 2021 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11PROGRAM PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM
TOPIC LABOR & BIRTH
MODULE UNMEDICATED PAIN RELIEF CIRCUIT
D O U B L E HIP S Q U EEZE
• A support person places their palms onto your hip bones,
forming a “W” with their thumbs. During a contraction,
they can firmly squeeze your buttcheeks in and up. They
will hold this squeeze for the duration of the contraction.
Encourage them to check in with you about the amount
of pressure. The double hip squeeze can be done in any
position (hands & knees, standing, or sitting).
• This comfort and sensory tool can provide
proprioceptive input and release of tension in the pelvis
during a contraction.
T HE BAL L RO CK 1
• Sit on a birth ball with your hips higher than your knees.
Slowly sway side-to-side or in a circular motion. You can
add a weighted neck pillow for added support.
• This position and sensory tool provides proprioceptive
and vestibular stimulation, while using gravity and
movement to support relaxation and labor progression.
T HE MO U T HG UARD
• Insert the mouthguard and firmly bite down onto it.
• This sensory tool provides oral feedback to relieve jaw
tension and shorten the pushing stage.
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TOPIC LABOR & BIRTH
MODULE UNMEDICATED PAIN RELIEF CIRCUIT
O PE N K N E E & C H EST
• Position yourself with your knees and elbows placed
on a comfortable surface (like a bed or yoga mat with
pillows). Then, walk your arms forward, lengthening
through your torso while keeping your knees still. A
partner or support person can help stabilize your hips
with a yoga strap or rebozo.
• This position widens the pelvis, creating more space for
optimal fetal positioning and aiding labor progression.
WALC H E R ’S P OS I T I ON 2
• Lay off the edge of a bed, so that your legs are dangling.
The weight of your legs will gently pull the pelvis
open. Maintain this position through approximately 3
contractions. A support person should be nearby.
• This position can allow contractions to engage your
baby’s head in the pelvis if the pelvic station is high. It
can help open the pelvis to allow the baby in.
F O RWA R D L E A N I N G I NVE RSI ON 3
• Kneel on the edge of your bed or couch and walk your
hands off the side onto a lower surface (like a floor,
chair, or peanut ball). Comfortably hang your head
and rest onto your forearms, with your hips elevated
in the air. Maintain the inversion for one contraction.
Then, with the help of your support person, lift back up.
Repeat for 3–5 contractions.
• This position will allow more room for optimal fetal
positioning, decreased back discomfort, and support
with labor progression.
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TOPIC LABOR & BIRTH
MODULE UNMEDICATED PAIN RELIEF CIRCUIT
ACT IV E REST
• Lay on your side, with your leg and belly propped
comfortably onto pillows. Your other leg should be
straight on the bed or floor. Your head and arms can be
supported by another pillow. Switch sides after an hour.
• This position allows you to rest while the pillows support
your pelvis and belly.
LOOMHQ.COM 2021 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11PROGRAM PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM
TOPIC LABOR & BIRTH
MODULE UNMEDICATED PAIN RELIEF CIRCUIT
Where We Found Our Information
On This Experience
References
1
Delgado, A., Maia, T., Melo, R. S., & Lemos, A. (2019). Birth ball
use for women in labor: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Complementary Therapies In Clinical Practice, 35, 92–101.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.01.015
2
Walcher’s: Open the brim. (2020, December 22). Retrieved
February 17, 2021, from https://www.spinningbabies.com/
pregnancy-birth/techniques/other-techniques/walchers-open-
the-brim/
3
What is the forward-leaning inversion? (2020, November 04).
Retrieved February 17, 2021, from https://www.spinningbabies.
com/pregnancy-birth/techniques/forward-leaning-inversion/
Zwelling E. (2010). Overcoming the challenges: maternal
movement and positioning to facilitate labor progress. MCN.
The American journal of maternal child nursing, 35(2), 72–80.
https://doi.org/10.1097/NMC.0b013e3181caeab3
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