It is easy to use different temperatures to provide labor comfort during birth! A cold washcloth on the face or neck, or a heating pad on the low back or belly can provide a ton of comfort!
In my own labors, I used both of these comfort techniques to find relief from labor pain. The heating pad on my lower abdomen, where I felt most of my contractions, helped tremendously with early active labor discomfort. While a cold washcloth on my neck and face helped calm me during active labor.
Let’s explore the use of hydrotherapy and understand the science of how they work to bring labor relief!
The Science of Hydrotherapy for Labor Comfort
The use of cold washcloths helps to calm the nervous system and bring relief from labor discomfort.
One of the physiologic responses may be associated with the mammalian dive reflex, which triggers a slowing of the heart rate, to conserve oxygen stores.
The mammalian dive reflex is triggered by water submersion when the face and nose become wet.
This reflex causes triggers the parasympathetic nervous system’s arousal, our rest and digest nervous system, causing the heart rate to slow and producing a relaxed state in an effort to conserve energy.
We are not submerging laboring people, but we can mimic this response with a cold washcloth that gets the face or neck wet, or even using hydrotherapy options such as the tub or shower!
Learn more about labor comfort techniques in our childbirth education courses and in our upcoming labor comfort measures webinar!
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1. Cold Washcloths
It may be helpful to pack a few washcloths in your labor bag, as some birthing locations may not have any readily available.
You can either run the washcloths under cold water, then swing it around in a rapid circle to cool it off; or ask for some ice to place in or next to the wet washcloths to help cool them.
If you are at home, you can place some wet washcloths in the fridge to get them cold. The freezer may be too much, so I usually find the fridge is a better spot to store the washcloths.
The key is to make sure the cloths are cold and wet!
2. Shower or Tub
Next, we can use the shower or tub! Usually, there is a shower in the labor room in your birth location. Sometimes there is also a tub!
It can be helpful to check in with your birth team on what is available at your birth location for planning purposes.
In the shower, you can stand in the running water, which also can release endorphins from stimulating fascia layers.
Your partner can hold the shower head and move it along your back, as well. I recommend partners bring some sort of swimwear to their birth location so they can easily jump into the shower or tub with their partner, if needed.
*Labor Comfort*
If using the tub, your partner can run water along your back or belly with a cup! This can help with labor relief, as well.
*Labor Comfort*
Find Relief During Labor
We can use temperature to find labor comfort! The use of cold washcloths on the face or neck can stimulate the mammalian dive reflex, which can help calm us down during labor.
We can also use the shower or tub for more hydrotherapy to find relief from labor discomforts.
Learn more labor comfort techniques and the science behind them in our childbirth education courses.
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References:
Godek D, Freeman AM. Physiology, Diving Reflex. 2020 Sep 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 30855833.