Birth Comb for Pain Relief

No one knows for sure why the birth comb works as pain relief during labour, it just does, but there are a few theories…. It is possible that it is simply a distraction and something else for your brain to focus on besides your contractions. Acupressure is another theory. The birth comb supposedly hits acupressure points in your hands to help relieve pain. And lastly, there is the Gate Control Theory which we will discuss further in.

It is believed that your mind can only process so many things at one time, so by applying pressure to your birth comb and feeling sensations in your hand, your attention is turned away from your surges and to the sensations you’re now feeling in your hand. It’s that simple. Many birth combs (including the ones in my store) are now engraved with an affirmation that can also act as a new focal point to help ease the surges.

If you already have a birth comb that is not engraved, no worries! Simply set an affirmation or intention for your comb that is meaningful and helpful to you, for example “Each surge brings me closer to my baby”. Affirmations alone are a powerful form of natural pain relief. Paired with a birth comb, you’re on your way to an empowering birth experience.

When you hold your birth comb with the teeth of the comb at the base of your fingers and apply pressure, the teeth of the comb hit acupressure points here. This is said to help release endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain relieving hormones. Acupressure originated in China and has been around for centuries. It is often used in conjunction with reflexology and acupuncture. There a more acupoints throughout the body that can assist with comfort and pain relief during labour when pressure is applied. Contact me to learn more about acupressure in pregnancy, labour and birth and postpartum.

The Gate Control Theory is a little more complex. In layman terms, the Gate Control Theory proposes that there is a ‘gate’ in the spinal cord that controls pain signals sent to the brain and this ‘gate’ can close (and therefore stop pain signals going to the brain) when stimulated by non-painful input (such as pressure on your hand from a birth comb). It’s all about sensory input and just how much input the brain can process at once.

The birth comb may work due to a combination of all of these theories, who knows! But what we do know is that many women find using a birth comb during labour extremely helpful. The birth comb is an inexpensive, small, compact labour tool that is a must have for your birth kit.

I have birth combs available through my store and you can choose from 4 different affirmations:

• “I Birth With Ease”
• “I Breathe My Baby Down and Out”
• “I Surrender to my Body”
• “My Baby and I, We Work Together”

If none of these affirmations resonate with you, there are plenty of others available online. Pick one that works for you and birth like the warrior woman you are <3

STEVIE

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