The comb technique would gradually reduce the pain felt when childbirth is imminent. How it works ? What is the opinion of health professionals? Lighting with Anh-Chi Ton, midwife.
To reduce the pain of contractions during childbirth, there would be an effective and simple method to use: the comb techniquealso known as acupressure comb. She is intended for all future mothers, those who decide to give birth with an epidural and those who prefer a natural birth. What is the comb technique? Is it really effective? Answers and advice from Anh-Chi Ton, liberal midwife in Paris.
What is the comb technique for childbirth?
“The comb technique is a pain modulation techniquebased on the CIDN principle (Diffuse inhibitory controls of nociception, editor’s note). Clearly, it consists of creating in parallel with the pain that we feel a second pain in another part of the body so that the brain focuses on the second pain that it does not know. explains the midwife.
This method is easy to reproduce: just squeeze a comb in one hand as soon as a contraction is felt. Concretely, when the pregnant woman feels an intense contraction during childbirth, she firmly grips a comb in one hand and she release it little by little when the contraction relaxes. As a result, this instantly creates another pain in the palm of the hand, which diverts the pain neurotransmitters to another painful area.
Is the comb technique really effective?
As with other tips, the comb technique is not 100% effective for all births. It can be useful in addition to other solutions. “This is a good technique to modulate the pain at the start of labor with the first contractions.. If you’re about to give birth, that’s not what will make you no longer feel the contractions. It is to be varied with other techniques, such as breathing, taking a hot bath before going to the maternity ward or even changing position“, shades the caregiver.
“It’s a good technique to modulate the pain at the start of labor with the first contractions.”
Which comb to use during childbirth?
For the comb technique, you can use a special acupressure comb for wooden childbirth. They are easily found on the Internet at low prices. Some comb models are fine-toothed or wide-toothed. You can also very well use your hair comb if you have one at home. In any case, favor wooden combs which are more resistant if they are handled with force.
Other tips to reduce the pain of childbirth
Other tricks or objects can be used to ease the pain of contractions. The mother-to-be can for example:
- Make acupressure points (between the thumb and index finger, pinch the V-point formed by the bones of the thumb and index finger on the hand).
- makeacupuncture with a professional.
- Hold an ice cube in your palm.
Thanks to Anh-Chi Ton, midwife at Pairs.