Skip to main content

Non-pharmacological Methods for Relief of Labor Pain

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

Although systemic medications and regional anesthetics have become popular in recent years, other techniques that do not involve medication have also been tried in different centers with varying success. There are instances where a mother may not wish to use medications or regional analgesia for childbirth, or pharmacological options may not be available in some parts of the world.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Enkin M. A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth. 3rd ed. USA: Oxford Medical Publications; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Eappen S, Robbins D. Nonpharmacological means of pain relief for labor and delivery. Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2002;40(4):103–114.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Freeman RM, Macaulay AJ, Eve L, Chamberlain GV, Bhat AV. Randomised trial of self hypnosis for analgesia in labour. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1986;292(6521):657–658.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Dick-Read G. Childbirth Without Fear. New York: Harper & Row Publishers Inc; 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Scott JR, Rose NB. Effect of psychoprophylaxis (Lamaze preparation) on labor and delivery in primiparas. N Engl J Med. 1976;294(22):1205–1207.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Leboyer F. Birth Without Violence. London: Wildwood House; 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ramnero A, Hanson U, Kihlgren M. Acupuncture treatment during labour – a randomised controlled trial. BJOG. 2002;109(6):637–644.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Hantoushzadeh S, Alhusseini N, Lebaschi AH. The effects of acupuncture during labour on nulliparous women: a randomised controlled trial. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2007;47(1):26–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Selmer-Olsen T, Lydersen S, Morkved S. Does acupuncture used in nulliparous women reduce time from prelabour rupture of membranes at term to active phase of labour? A randomised controlled trial. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007;86(12):1447–1452.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Allen TK, Habib AS. P6 stimulation for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Anesth Analg. 2008;107(4):1308–1312.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Bundsen P, Peterson LE, Selstam U. Pain relief in labor by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. A prospective matched study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1981;60(5):459–468.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Solomon RA, Viernstein MC, Long DM. Reduction of postoperative pain and narcotic use by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Surgery. 1980;87(2):142–146.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Tsen LC, Thomas J, Segal S, Datta S, Bader AM. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation does not augment epidural labor analgesia. J Clin Anesth. 2001;13(8):571–575.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Simkin PP, O‘Hara M. Nonpharmacologic relief of pain during labor: systematic reviews of five methods. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;186(5 Suppl Nature):S131–S159.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sanjay Datta .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Datta, S., Kodali, B.S., Segal, S. (2010). Non-pharmacological Methods for Relief of Labor Pain. In: Obstetric Anesthesia Handbook. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88602-2_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88602-2_7

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-88601-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-88602-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics