Birth comb

[BambiBooBoo]

Has anyone used a birth comb for when in labour? Im really curious

• looking for experiences of people who have used one

If you have nothing nice to say then please don't comment

I did. It's not magic but I could definitely tell a difference between before the comb and with the comb. I'd use one again. Did not pay for an expensive 'birth' comb either.

I've never seen this. What does it do?

It's an acupressure thing - you hold the comb tight during a contraction and it presses on acupressure points in your hand. It doesn't reduce pain so much as distract you from the pain - same principle as TENS machine.

I bought one for my second labour but didn't have time to use it unfortunately.

It looks like an aid to distract you during contractions. I'm sure it may help a bit, the same a squeezing someone's hand, grasping a sheet or blanket or using a stress ball.

I didn't but my friend did and found it really helpful.

We'll, it's a whole lot cheaper than renting a TENS machine. I've never heard of them before, but I'd say it's worth a try.

If it does work like a TENS machine, I did use TENS for my first 3 births and only used gas and air apart from this, but decided for no.4 I'd rather spend the money on something nice. Birth experience, exactly the same.

I think anything that creates a noticeable different sensation can help with distraction. I found TENS really good for that. I don't know if I got much from the gas and air but I definitely did from biting down on the tube so similar to squeezing a comb I reckon.

So, in theory, you could buy basically any sort of spiky object and grasp it in your hand, causing pain, to distract you from the contraction. I think the “acupressure” thing is a red herring and it’s a gimmick.

I used a TENS machine and the principle does work.

Yes definitely helped earlier on, started with tens machine, then used the comb, then used gas and air - kept me going longer before starting Gas and air. Gave me something to focus on. Would use again.

I had gas and air that they took away from me at the pushing stage. At least they tried to. I got them to disconnect the mouthpiece because I did not want to let go of it. I just held it. So I can imagine this could be very useful.

I did and.quite.liked it in early labour, although the TENS machine was a bit better and more useful as labour progressed.

@Esssa did you use it in both hands?

I used a couple of regular combs in labour and they helped a bit ... if only to change things up for a few contractions.

I did at times. It's not always practical though.

I absolutely loved mine!! Used it from the first contraction right through to baby being born. She was 9lb and I didn't take any pain relief. She was my third baby and the most enjoyable (if I can say that) labour yet. Using the comb and focusing on breathing really got me through