There are many things doulas do to help mothers to feel more comfortable during intensive labor contractions. However, massage tends to be the most pleasant and effective way to bring up those endorphins at the right place and time. Relaxation is achieved most pleasantly.
If the mother tenses up during labor, lactic acid builds up in her muscles. It can cause more pain during labor as well as the first few days after birth. Firm Massage to the lower back region, arms, legs, or neck is a great comfort measure to relieve tension. As well as, aches and pain from contractions and long hours of labor.
Light massage on the mother’s back or abdomen may be preferable over deep massage for some women. It stimulates nerve endings which travel faster across the body than the signal of pain, resulting in “blocking” signals of pain from reaching the brain so quickly. According to researchers, the brain is concentrating on that pleasant stimulus rather than pain.
Researchers found that massage works to decrease Cortisol, stress hormones, and to increase levels of serotonin and dopamine in your brain. Findings also showed that massage is beneficial in decreasing pain and anxiety, and increasing satisfaction with the birth.
As a Doula I find that my clients value massage as the most important birth ritual that takes them from the discomfort of laboring to the satisfaction of having a good birth experience.
My name is Adriana, and I have been a Birth Doula for more than eight years and also a Massage Therapist for 21 years.
