| Complementary therapies
Many women choose to use complementary therapies such as acupuncture, hypnosis and aromatherapy to help them cope with labour. For some women these therapies are very useful, and they need no other form of pain relief. For other women these therapies work best alongside mainstream medical forms of pain relief. Your own midwife, or another midwife in her team or at your hospital, might be trained as an aromatherapist, reflexologist, hypnotherapist or acupuncturist. If you are interested in using complementary therapies during labour, ask whether your midwife is qualified to provide any of these therapies or whether she can recommend someone to you. It is very important that whoever you go to for advice is properly qualified and affiliated to one of the recognised bodies that monitor the delivery of complementary therapies. For more information, contact the Institute of Complementary Medicine*. Aromatherapy Aromatherapy oils can be incorporated into massage to help you relax. However, the essential oils used by aromatherapists are very powerful and you shouldn’t select any oil for labour (or to use in pregnancy) without having consulted an aromatherapist first. For help with choosing a qualified practitioner, contact the International Society of Professional Aromatherapists. AcupunctureThis is an ancient therapy, originating in China. Acupuncturists undergo a long and rigorous training before qualifying. Fine needles are used to stimulate the energy channels of the body and the release of natural painkillers or endorphins. Acupressure, which involves using pressure on key points of the body, rather than needles, may be more acceptable to women who are wary of needles. If you are interested in using acupuncture during your labour, you will probably have to make private arrangements with a therapist to attend you at home or come into hospital with you. For help with choosing a qualified practitioner, contact the British Acupuncture Council. HypnosisHypnotherapists can teach you self-hypnosis for labour. The aim is to enable you to modify your perception of contractions so that the pain becomes manageable, or to superimpose images of pleasant situations and places on top of the pain in order to minimise it. You will have to practise the techniques during your pregnancy to be able to use them effectively during labour. For help with choosing a qualified practitioner, contact The General Hypnotherapy Register Find out about hypnosis for childbirth and read Marianne's story of using hypnotherapy for labour. ReflexologyThis therapy is related to acupuncture and involves massaging various areas or zones of the feet in order to stimulate channels of energy which connect with other parts of the body. Reflexology can be used during labour to increase the strength of contractions, to calm down contractions if they are extremely painful, or to regulate them if the muscles of the womb are not working harmoniously. It needs to be carried out by a trained therapist. For help with choosing a qualified practitioner, contact the International Federation of Reflexologists*. Remember:
There is very little research as yet into the safety or effectiveness of complementary therapies. It could be argued, however, that such therapies have been in use for thousands of years and have survived precisely because of their beneficial effects. |
