Does water therapy reduce labour pain?
A warm bath or spa can help reduce pain, speed up your labour and relax your pelvic floor muscles — all the things you want in labour! The buoyancy of the water reduces your body weight by about 90 percent and relieves pressure on your joints and muscles, making labour more comfortable. Remember that if your waters have broken, you can’t take a bath. Soothe yourself in a warm shower instead. How can massage reduce labour pain? Massage can alleviate pain and relax tense muscles during labour. Tell your partner to keep a constant, soothing rhythm and use fine powder or slightly warmed oil or cream to help his hands slide on your skin. Lie on your side on the bed or sit on a stool, leaning forward on a table if necessary. Your partner should: • Lightly stroke your back on either side of (but never on) the spine, working from the shoulders down to your hips and back to your shoulders. • With his thumbs on either side of the base of your neck, stroke outward and back along your shoulders.
