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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Birth comb

15 replies

BambiBooBoo · 04/08/2023 19:22

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

Birth comb
OP posts:
Esssa · 04/08/2023 19:24

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.

Eminybob · 04/08/2023 19:29

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

RainbowUtensils · 04/08/2023 19:32

Eminybob · 04/08/2023 19:29

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.

Stichintime · 04/08/2023 19:33

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.

bibbingo · 04/08/2023 19:34

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

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 04/08/2023 19:37

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.

DappledThings · 04/08/2023 19:42

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.

Jellycats4life · 04/08/2023 19:50

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.

toddlermum27 · 04/08/2023 20:33

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.

AnxiousShep · 04/08/2023 20:50

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.

bravotango · 04/08/2023 21:16

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

JoyApple · 12/08/2023 15:07

@Esssa did you use it in both hands?

Kgold · 12/08/2023 19:38

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

Esssa · 15/08/2023 10:14

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

Jade57 · 15/08/2023 14:34

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

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