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
2. Simkin (2002) Am J Obstet Gynecol 186:S131

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