Beneficial Measures
1. Continuous Labor Support (Doula)
  1. Decreases obstetric interventions
2. Warm water baths
  1. Mixed results on efficacy in studies
  2. Safe option for limited period (<1-2 hours)
  3. Wait until active labor (cervical dilation >5 cm)
  4. Keep water temperature less than body temperature
Unclear efficacy (small or inconclusive studies)
1. Intradermal sterile-water injections in sacral area
  1. Causes local burning (counterirritation)
2. Position changes, massage or touch
References
1. Leeman (2003) Am Fam Physician 68(6):1109-12
2. Simkin (2002) Am J Obstet Gynecol 186:S131-59

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 10/21/2007 and last published on 2/5/2012.

This is one of 5663 pages in the Family Practice Notebook