Labor Support Massage

What is Labor Support Massage?

Labor support massage involves having a specially trained massage therapist attend a woman's labor (at hospital, home or birth center) and use a variety of massage techniques throughout the labor in order to help reduce pain and discomfort, reduce the length of the labor, and help the mother (and by extension the father/partner) remain calm and more able to have a joyful birthing experience.

Benefits

  • Shorter labor
  • Less painful labor
  • Less likely to need pain medication
  • Fewer complications during labor
  • Less anxiety during labor
  • Shorter hospital stay following birth
  • Better mood following birth

To read more information about each of these benefits (including citations of the scientific studies) you can read my Guide to the Benefits of Massage.

Testimonials

From a mother:

“I first learned about labor support massage during a prenatal massage at Lena's. My first labor had been long and traumatic. I took two anesthesia treatments that reduced the pain, but also prolonged the labor for hours. I wanted a better experience and decided to try labor support massage. To my delight, I was much more relaxed and comfortable with the massage and was able to deliver without any pain medication at all. Three reasons account for this success. First, Lena's advice on breathing, positioning, and relaxing aided and encouraged me. Second, a pre-labor workshop with Lena gave my husband and me confidence in what to expect and how my husband could help. The workshop also strengthened the relationship with my husband. Third, Lena's intense massages during the labor calmed me, reduced the pain, and hastened the delivery. I am grateful that Lena was with us and I wish we had met her before the birth of our first child.”

- Kaori Blalock, Mother, Ithaca, NY
From a father:

“After being a partner in my wife's labor both with and without labor support massage, I am convinced that massage therapy should be in the standard operating procedure for any birth. The improvement in my wife's comfort with massage was dramatic. The first labor was traumatic. Calm and focus best characterized the second labor with Lena. Because Lena was focused on my wife's physical needs (and far more capably than I could with my fumbling attempts), I could concentrate on emotional support and I was more clear-headed when making decisions (e.g., should we call the anesthesiologist? We didn't). I have enthusiastically recommended Lena to my friends with expecting wives.”

- Garrick Blalock, Professor, Ithaca, NY

Logistics

Hiring me to attend your labor is logistically similar to hiring a doula to attend your labor. We will meet sometime before your due date to discuss your birth plan and exactly what role you want me to play during your labor. This meeting may involve your husband/partner and/or your doula (if you have one). Then, I will be on call 24 hours per day starting 2 weeks before your due date until your baby is born. You can call me once you are in labor at whatever point you feel I would be most helpful and I will come meet you either at your home, birth center, or hospital. I will stay with you throughout the rest of your labor and birth.

Techniques & Effects

There are a variety of massage therapy techniques (including specific acupressure points) that I use during labor in order to do the following:

  • Soothe and relax in early labor and between contractions
  • Reduce low-back pain (particularly helpful in cases of “back labor”)
  • Reduce the pain of contractions by blocking pain pathways of the nervous system
  • Relieve muscle cramps
  • Reduce the risk of perineal tears (a pre-labor self-massage technique that I can teach)
  • Help induce labor if you are overdue
  • Speed up a slowed labor
  • Help the pelvic bones spread and open to make more room for the baby to descend
  • Assist in turning the baby if s/he is in an unfavorable position
  • Help to bring the baby down during pushing

Rates

My rates are on a sliding scale in order to accommodate a variety of income levels. Please contact me for more information.

Please contact me if you have any questions or if you would like me to attend your labor.