Physiotherapy options for coping with labour (2)

PHYSIOTHERAPY OPTIONS FOR
COPING WITH LABOUR

• Labor – Uterine contractions that result in effacement and
dilatation of the cervix.
• Braxton-Hicks – Uterine contractions NOT associated with
cervical change.
– Shorter in duration
– Less intense
– Over lower abdomen and groin
– Resolve with ambulation
• Lightening – Descent of the fetal head into the pelvis

DEFINITIONS
• Preterm labor – Prior to 37
weeks
• Term – 37 to 42 weeks
• Post dates – After 40 weeks

There are 3 stages of labour:
• The First Stage begins with the onset of contractions
and ends when the cervix is fully dilated.
Duration: primigravida = 8-12 h , multigravida = 6-8 h
• The Second Stage begins after the cervix has fully
dilated and the baby’s head has moved down into the
birth canal. It ends when the baby is born.
Duration: primigravida =1 -2h, multigravida = ½ h
• The Third Stage involves the expulsion of the
placenta from the body
Duration: up to 30 minutes, however the average
length of the third stage of labour is 10 minutes.

Role of physiotherapist during labour
• Relaxation
• Breathing techniques
• Positioning
• Pain relief
• Massage
• Other coping strategies
(hypnosis, warm water
Bath, accupuncture)

RELAXATION
• Breathing - Essential to most methods of relaxation;
taught concurrently
• Physiological- Laura Mitchell Method (1963),jacobsons
• Touch/massage- Kitzinger (1987)
• Dissociation and unblocking -Noble (1996)
Passive relaxation practised within pregnancy is
replaced by an alert but “non-striving” state of
relaxation in labour [selective dissociation](releasing
excess tension)
• Imagery
• Hot water bath

Relaxation is an active, purposeful activity in which
you consciously release tension. Relaxing your
muscles helps to reduce physical tension and pain.
It also provides a feeling of emotional well being
which reduces anxiety and in turn reduces your
sensitivity to pain.
Benefits for the mother-
• During pregnancy- relaxation helps her to cope with the
physical, psychological and emotional discomfort of
pregnancy.
• During labour –it allows body to function efficiently with
the minimum of effort, energy is conserve and pain thresh
hold issaidtobeincreased.

two reasons for teaching relaxation to use in labour
• 1. To prevent the mother becoming unduly tired,
thereby causing nervous ‘fatigue’
• 2. To help the mother control her thoughts and feelings
or emotions
• Jacobson used a tense–release approach that activates
both antagonists and agonists maximally. This approach
is often used where rest is prescribed, the maximal
contraction gaining maximal release. Concerns with
regard to use of this approach during labour might be:
• the initiation of cramp
• risks of hyperventilation
• it has been known to induce anxiety/anger
• it can exacerbate pain, especially back pain.

• The Mitchell method-Mitchell’s method activates only
antagonists, and moderately; therefore there are not the
same concerns as with Jacobson if using during labour
Movements, once learnt, are performed in such a way that
‘trigger’ areas are put into positions of ease and comfort in
a matter of seconds.
• Dissociation and unblocking-Noble says that relaxation is
more than rest or stillness; it involves recognising and
releasing excess tension – whatever the cause. The passive
relaxation practised in pregnancy should be replaced by an
alert, but ‘non-striving’, state of relaxation in labour. She
describes a sequence of ‘dissociation’ – selective relaxation
which develops the body’s ability to maintain a state of
general release when one part of it (the uterus) is working
hard. ‘Unblocking’ the muscular system and breathing freely
can be a blissful release when tension has developed.

• Touch relaxation-Kitzinger discusses the concept of
‘touch relaxation’, where a woman relaxes towards
the touch of her partner. However many women
cannot bear to be touched during labour
contractions, it can also increase tension if
inappropriately applied or, if the person
administering is tense, this may be relayed through
to the woman.
• Whatever the approach chosen for use during
labour it is essential that it ‘fits’ the woman’s needs.
It is not advantageous to induce sleep when the
woman is required to be alert and prepare for
second stage, but sleep may conserve energy if
there is a delay in progression.

• ASSESSMENT-So far as the physiotherapist is
concerned, there must be an assessment of
appropriateness of the approach used in order
that it be advantageous to the woman.
• TEACHING TECHNIQUES-When teaching
relaxation techniques consider the following:
• enablement – by choice of approach; reduced
tension, ease and comfort, coping with the
stress and pain of labour
• understanding – reasons behind the approach,
the basic principles, and their effects

• beware – conflicting effects as a result of using a combination
of techniques.
• the ‘whole’ – combination of different coping strategies,
(positioning, breathing, massage, etc.); relaxation alone is not
generally enough to cope with the intensity of the ‘wave’.
• flexibility – venue, positioning, noise, pillows and blankets for
comfort
• practice – to enable learning to take place,
• motivation – ‘breeds’ success; feedback – encouragement,
praise
• confidence – physiotherapist, and mother-to-be; the freedom
to change position if not at ease
• long term – once acquired, a skill for ‘life’
• safety – the ‘emotional reaction’; recovery must be slow and
gradual; inhale, stretch. Return to standing must be staged:
lying to side lying, to prone kneeling, to kneeling (with
support), to standing. Discussion should take place with
regard to the ‘experience’.

BREATHING TECHNIQUES
Benefits/Purpose of Breathing Techniques
• Provides Oxygen- to mother, baby, and hard
working uterus. Well oxygenated muscles function
more effectively and efficiently.
• Reduces Pain.
• Relaxation- Rhythmic breathing promotes physical
relaxation by reducing muscle tension, and
promotes emotional relaxation by reducing anxiety.
• Distraction- by helping the mother concentrate
and focus on breathing instead of her contractions.

• During labour there is considerable increase in
oxygen requirement. more alveolar ventilation is
necessary that will lead to hyperventilation. due to
hyperventilation, level of carbon dioxide falls.
• This cause respiratory alkalosis, leading to decrease
in calcium ionization, which can affect nerve
conductivity.

EFFECT OF HYPERVENTILATION
SIGN AND SYMPTOM
• Dizziness, eventual
uncounciousness
• Numbness and tingling
in the lips and
extremities.
CAUSES
• Cerebral hypoxia due to
constriction of cerebral
vessels and reduced
blood pressure.
• Changed in ionized
calcium caused by
alkalosis which affect
nerve conduction.

With Every Breathing Technique…
• Take a cleansing breath at the beginning and end of
the technique.
• Release all muscle tension. Melt into your position.
• Think positive, peaceful, calming, and strengthening
thoughts and/or visualizations.
• Focus on releasing physical and emotional tension
with every out breath.
• If wanted use movement- walk, sway, rock, bounce.
• If wanted make low noises- chant, sing, or moan on
exhale.

Cleansing Breath (Organizing Breath)
• The Purpose- To give a boost of oxygen, focus you
on the breathing technique, promote physical/
emotional relaxation, and acts as signal to your
therapist that your contraction is
beginning/ending.
• When- Use this technique at the beginning of a
contraction, before you start a breathing pattern
and at the end of a contraction, after your
breathing pattern.
• How- Take in a deep inhale filling your lungs as
full as you can, and release/exhale with a yawn.

BREATHING AND CONTRACTIONS-There are
three phases:
• preparatory phase – the time between
contractions, the start of a new contraction, and
the gradual build up
• action phase – the build up in strength and
intensity, reaching a ‘peak’
• recovery phase – receding from the peak, and
recovering ready to prepare again for the next
one.

• First stage-Deep, slow, easy breathing – pausing between
expiration and inspiration – may be all that some women use
in the first stage. Most, however, will be unable to maintain
this and a modification will be needed. Untrained women
may either hold their breath or uncontrollably hyperventilate
when contractions progressively become stronger and more
painful. The respiratory response to exercise and effort is for
breathing to become faster.
• This can be introduced as gentle ‘feather’ or ‘candle’
breathing. They could imagine that an ostrich feather or a
candle is in front of their faces, and that they are very gently
breathing in and out so that the feather or candle flame
would barely move on the outward breath.
• Each contraction will still start with the outward, relaxing,
welcoming breath and continue with slow, deep, calm
breathing; There should still be a momentary ‘pause’
between the outward and inward breath and respiration
should be as slow and deep as is comfortable

Breathing Techniques for First Stage Labor
Slow Breathing (Relaxed Chest Breathing, Abdominal
Breathing)
Begin by doing one cleansing breath. Inhale slowly
and comfortably. Exhale slowly and comfortably
through your mouth with slightly pursed lips. This
breathing is very comfortable, relaxed and similar to
the breathing you do when you sleep. End your
breathing technique with a cleansing breath.

Light Breathing (Hee Hee Breathing)
Begin by doing one cleansing breath. Start your
breathing like slow breathing and as the contraction
intensifies your breathing becomes quicker and
shallower. Let your contraction guide the rate of your
breathing. Making noise during the exhale helps relieve
tension and creates more focus. If you choose to make
noise, keep it a low noise like ‘heeee’ or ‘hooo’. As your
contraction subsides, return breathing back to the slow
breathing technique. End your breathing technique
with a cleansing breath.

Patterned Breathing (Hee-Blow
Breathing, Lamaze Breathing)
• Begin by doing one cleansing breath. Breath in
quick and shallow breathes. For three exhales
make a quick ‘hee’ noise, one exhale make a
slow “hoo’ noise. Repeat three quick, shallow
‘hees’ and one slower “hoo’ until contraction
subsides. End your breathing technique with a
cleansing breath.

Variable Breathing ( Transitional
Breathing, Take Charge Routine)
• Begin by doing a cleansing breath. This is just
like patterned breathing except that you vary
anywhere from one to four ‘hee’ exhales with
one ‘hoo’ exhale. For the take charge routine
the therapist tells you how many ‘hee’
breathes to take per ‘hoo’ by holding up a
finger for a ‘hee; breath and fist for a ‘hoo’
breath. End your breathing technique with a
cleansing breath.

• It can be helpful to think in terms of each
contraction as a mountain – as the contraction is
building in intensity you climbing up one side of the
mountain, as the contraction peaks you are at the
top of the mountain, and as the contraction
disappears you are coming down the other side of
the mountain.

• As you feel each contraction coming and building in
intensity, try to maintain your awareness of the breath.
Don’t stop breathing and don’t hyperventilate. Your
breathing will become faster and more shallow as the
contraction becomes more painful and you come closer
to the peak, but stay with it, breathing in, breathing
out. Know that the contraction will peak and end. Take
it one contraction at a time, once a contraction is gone
it’s gone forever and you are one step closer to meeting
your baby.
• As soon as you aware that the contraction has peaked
and the pain is fading away, Relax, Release and Let Go.
Focus your awareness on the out breath – long steady,
sighing out breaths as you come down the other side of
the contraction. Slow it down. Follow the out breath
down into the cervix and pelvic floor.

Second stage
• The length of time that a women is actively
‘pushing’ should be monitored and the
physiotherapist must be aware of local
procedures with regard to this phase so that
she can communicate this accurately to the
women she is preparing.

Prolonged ‘pushing’ will have the following
physiological effects:
1. There is an initial large rise in blood pressure.
2. Venous compression in the chest and abdomen
will increase intrathoracic and intra-abdominal
pressure and therefore blood flow back to the
heart is reduced.
3. A fall in cardiac output and blood pressure
follows.
4. Dizziness results, the Valsalva manoeuvre is
released, and cardiac output returns to normal.
5. Placental blood flow is reduced, which can be
reflected in foetal heart decelerations.

• BREATHING AND ‘PUSHING’-Breathing awareness
can be used to facilitate pushing. The woman can be
trained to breathe in, then slowly out on exertion
(e.g. during defaecation) so that it will become
instinctive to ‘breathe’ out as she pushes, and to
maintain the push at the same time as she breathes
in. Each push should last about 5 to 10 seconds, and
each contraction may demand three to four pushes.
The deep inhalation provides mother and foetus
with a good supply of oxygen. Exhalation on exertion
works with the muscular contraction of the uterus to
best effect. It is absolutely essential that the push is
‘felt’ through the perineum.

BREATHING & PUSHING
• ask the mother to place her index finger over
epigastrium, take a breath in & feel the expansion in this
area.
• fix the ribs & increase the intrathoracic pressure,
with inspiration bear down & diaphragm will then act as a
piston directed downwards towards the fundus.
• place the other hand on the waist feel it expand
sideways & become aware of the forward bulging of the
lower abd.muscle & the relaxation of the pelvic
floor.”open the door for the birth of baby”

• Relaxation of the jaws should explain to the patient.
• The direction of the push is downward under the
pubic bone.
• Breath hold for only 6-7sec. To minimize any adverse
effect on the fetus due to a prolonged pushing
maneuver.
• several pushes may be necessary during contraction.
b/w contraction sigh out, rest & relax.

Breathing Techniques for Second
Stage Labor
Pant-Blow
• This breathing technique is used when it is
necessary to keep from pushing. This may happen
if you get a strong urge to push before full
dilation, as your baby’s head is crowning, or
when your caregiver feels it is needed.
• This is the only breathing technique that you do
not do a cleansing breath at the start.
• Breathe as if blowing out a candle over and over
again, use quick shallow blows until urge to push
subsides. End with a cleansing breath.

With Every Push…
• Curl around your baby by tucking your chin and
curling your shoulders forward.
• Release tension in your bottom, perineum, and
thighs.
• Visualize baby easily moving down and out.
• Completely relax your body in-between pushing
efforts.
• Breath normal in-between pushing efforts

Spontaneous Bearing Down
(Expulsion Breathing)
• Breath comfortably until the urge to push
becomes irresistible. Next take a deep breath and
hold it or slowly release it while bearing down for
5-7 seconds. After bearing down, release any
remaining oxygen and breath comfortably until
the next strong urge- then repeat. You may bear
down 2-4 times in one contraction. End with a
cleansing breath. Some women find it helpful to
grunt, moan, or make low noises while bearing
down.

Directed Pushing ( Hospital Pushing)
• This breathing technique is common if the
mother has no or low urge to push. Breath
comfortably until your caregiver asks you to
push. Next take a deep breath and hold it or
slowly release it while bearing down for 5-7
seconds. After bearing down, release any
remaining oxygen. Take a breath or two and
repeat until caregiver asks you to rest. End with
a cleansing breath.

BREATHING DURING LABOUR
• according to Williams & Booth (1985)
1st stage
Easy breathing- a
little slower &
deeper then usual.
Transitional
stage
Breathing to
prevent
pushing “fairly
deep
breathing” to
move the
diaphragm up
&down
together with a
sharp blow
out through
relaxed lip
2nd stage
1 or 2 deep breaths in
& out, then hold
making the diaphragm
“piston go down”
repeat when breath
runs out, after a gulp of
air.

POSITIONING
• Because of the anteversion of the uterus during
first stage contraction, many women find that
they instinctively need to lean forward on same
sort of support, some like to rotate or rock their
pelvis.
• Leaning forward facilitates ante version.
• Women should be encouraged to change position
during first stage of labour
• The knee chest position is sometimes helpful in
assisting the elimination of the anterior lip of
cervix.

Moving during contractions or changing positions
between contractions often adds to your comfort
and improves labor progress. Walking, rocking,
swaying, and other movements can be part of your
rhythmic ritual for handling contractions.

• Positions attended during 1st
stage are
• Sitting with head &shoulder
resting on a table.
• Standing leaning against a
wall either facing or with
back support.
• Stride sitting across a chair
resting the head & arms on
the back.
• On all four on floor
supported by partner,
standing, resting head on his
shoulder.

2. POSITIONING DURING 2ND
STAGE OF LABOUR.
Commonly used positions are
• Lithotomy
• Dorsal (recumbent)
• Lateral & semirecument

Massage in labour
• It is probable that the soothing sensory inputs
from stroking, effleurage and kneading activates
the gate closing mechanism at spinal level.
• Area of massage back,(deep kneading over
painful area, double handed kneeding over SI
joint., effleurage from sacro coccygeal area, up
and over the illiac creast, slow, rhythmical
longitudinal stroking, from occiput to coccyx can
relieve tension.
• Perineal massage

Pain relief in labour
Comfort Measures
• Having a support person at your side helps keep you
focused
• Relaxation and breathing techniques help control
anxiety and pain throughout labor and are best learned
in childbirth education classes
• Distraction such as music or TV in early labor
• Imagery is picturing yourself in a peaceful place
• Massage and use of cold packs ease muscle tension
• Your labor nurse will suggest other methods of easing
your early labor pain
• When contractions are closer together and stronger,
rest in between, taking slow deep breaths

• Touch and massage including the use of creams and
oils, heat and cold, and counter pressure.
• Being active during labour rather than staying in bed.
Position changes like walking, squatting, sitting, the
hands and knees position and using a birthing ball can
all be helpful.
• Pleasing surroundings with the use of music, dim lights
and aromatherapy.
• Use of a warm water bath or shower may help reduce
labour pain.
• Sterile water injections: involves injecting small
amounts of sterile water into the skin in the lower part
of the back. This can help women in early labour who
have back pain.
• Hypnosis and acupuncture may be helpful in some
women during labour.

Types of Pain Relief
• There are two types of pain relieving drugs, analgesics
and anesthetics.
• An anesthesiologist will work with you and your
health care team to select the best method for you.
• Analgesia is the relief of pain without total loss of
feeling or muscle movement. These drugs do not
always stop pain completely, but do lessen it.
• Anesthesia is blockage of all feeling, including pain.
General anesthesia causes you to lose consciousness.
Regional anesthesia removes all feeling of pain from
specific parts of the body while you remain conscious.

Systemic Analgesics
• These medications are often given as injections
into a muscle or vein to lessen pain without
causing you to lose consciousness. They act on
the entire nervous system rather than a specific
area. Epidurals may be given for additional pain
relief. Side effects of systemic analgesics are
mostly minor in nature, and may cause nausea
(can be treated with another medication),
drowsiness, or trouble concentrating. Systemic
analgesics are not given right before delivery
because they may slow the baby’s reflexes and
breathing at birth.

Local Anesthesia
• Local anesthesia provides numbness or loss of
sensation to a limited area such as when an
episiotomy is performed to widen the vaginal
opening. It does not lessen the pain of contractions.
Local anesthesia rarely affects the baby and has no
side effects once the numbness wears off.
Regional Analgesia
• Epidural analgesia, spinal block and combined
spinal-epidural block are all types of regional
analgesia used to decrease labor pain. They are
popular for childbirth as they provide excellent pain
relief, while allowing you to remain alert and awake.
Very little medication reaches the baby.

EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA
• commonly called an epidural block,
causes some loss of feeling in the
lower part of your body.
• An epidural block is given in the
lower back into a small area called
the epidural space. It contains
nerve fibers, some of which carry
pain sensations to the brain. You
will be asked to sit or lie very still
with your back curved outward and
to stay in this position until the
procedure is completed. You can
move when it’s done but you will
not be able to walk around.

• Pain relief usually begins within 10-20 minutes after
the medication has been injected through the
epidural catheter. Although an epidural will make
you more comfortable, you may still be aware of
your contractions. You may notice temporary
numbness, heaviness or weakness in your legs. Your
anesthesiologist can adjust the degree of numbness
for your comfort and to assist in labor and delivery.
These sensations will subside during the first few
hours after delivery

Side Effects and Risks of an Epidural
• A drop in your blood pressure can occur. This may
slow your baby’s heartbeat. Your baby’s heart rate
will be monitored closely. To decrease this risk, you
will first be given fluids through an intravenous line,
instructed to lie on your left side, medications
administered as needed, and some oxygen by mask
may be given to you.
• Shivering may be associated with an epidural,
although this can occur without one. Warm
blankets will help.
• After delivery your back may be sore for a few days.

• Some women (1-2 in 100) may experience a
“spinal” headache after an epidural. You can reduce
the risk of this happening by holding very still
during insertion of the epidural needle. If a
headache does occur, it usually subsides within a
few days. If the headache does not stop or if it
becomes severe, an epidural blood patch may be
needed to help the headache to go away. The blood
patch involves taking blood from the arm and
injecting this into the epidural space with quick
relief in many cases.
• Mild itching is a side effect of narcotic medications
and is easily treated.

• When an epidural is given late in labor or a lot of anesthetic is
used, it may be hard to bear down and push your baby
through the birth canal. Adjusting the dose can help with this.
• A small percent of women will develop a fever during labor,
especially women having their first baby, long labor, and with
epidural anesthesia. The reason is unknown, but very unlikely
reflects true infection in mother or baby. In some cases, the
pediatrician may do some tests on the baby to rule out any
possibility of infection.
• Serious complications are very rare. If the anesthetic
medication enters a vein in the epidural space you may
experience dizziness, rapid heartbeat, a funny taste and
numbness around the mouth. If the medication enters the
spinal fluid, it can affect your chest muscles and make
breathing difficult. As with any needle placement, rare
significant risks include infection or bleeding in the epidural
space or nerve injury

• Spinal Block, like an epidural, is an injection in the
lower back. Once the drug is injected, pain relief
occurs right away. A spinal usually is given only once
during labor, so it is best suited for a time close to
delivery. A spinal block can be used for a cesarean
delivery or a vaginal birth where forceps or vacuum
extraction is indicated. Spinal blocks can cause the
same side effects as an epidural block and are
treated in the same way.

• General Anesthesia puts you to sleep (makes you lose
consciousness) so you do not feel pain. General
anesthesia is used when a regional block is not possible
or is not the best choice for medical or other reasons. It
can be started quickly and is often used for emergency
cesarean delivery. Food or liquids in the woman’s
stomach cause a major risk during general anesthesia.
Labor usually causes undigested food to stay in the
stomach. During unconsciousness, this food can come
back into the mouth and go into the lungs causing
damage. To avoid this, you may be told not to eat or
drink once labor has started. After you are asleep, your
anesthesia provider will place a breathing tube into
your mouth and windpipe for the duration of surgery,
which is removed as you waken.

MEDICATIONS (PHARMACOLOGIC
TECHNIQUES)
• Nitrous Oxide is an anesthetic gas. It is given
together with oxygen through a facemask. You
hold the mask and start inhaling the gas
mixture just before a contraction begins.
• Pain relief occurs within two or three breaths
but will disappear 3 to 5 minutes after you
stop breathing the gas. Because its effect
disappears so rapidly, nitrous oxide is very safe
and does not make your baby sleepy.

• Narcotics are drugs used to ease the pain
associated with labour contractions. They
promote sleep, help to reduce the intensity of
painful contractions and lessen anxiety. Narcotics
can cause side effects such as nausea and
vomiting, excessive sleepiness, and slower
breathing. In addition, narcotics given during
labour can affect the baby’s breathing in the first
few hours of life. Although rarely needed, a drug
called Narcan can be given to your baby to
reverse the effects of narcotics.

• Narcotics used for labour:
• 1. Morphine (more-feen) is given through an
intravenous (IV) infusion or it can be injected under the
skin or into muscle. Pain relief takes effect within 5 - 30
minutes and lasts 4 - 6 hours.
• 2. Fentanyl (fen-ta-nyl) is a shorter acting narcotic,
given as a single dose. Pain relief takes effect within 2 -
3 minutes and lasts 30 - 60 minutes.
• 3. Remifentanil (rem-e-fen-tan-nil) is a very short acting
narcotic. It is always given via Patient Controlled
Analgesia (PCA) into your IV. This medication is rapidly
effective within 1 - 2 minutes but only lasts 5 minutes.
For this reason, in addition to self-administration, the
PCA will be programmed to provide a continuous
background infusion of remifentanil. Because this drug
lasts only a short time, it is less likely to affect the
baby’s breathing at birth.

The Use of TENS in Labour
Benefits of using TENS in labour
• TENS is a form of non-invasive pain relief
• TENS has no harmful effects on either the mother
or baby
• TENS does not restrict your ability to move about in
labour
• TENS can be applied at home during early labour
• Other pain relief options can still be used if TENS
does not provide you with adequate pain relief

Modes of stimulation
• Two of the TENS parameters are used for
labour.These are burst train TENS and brief intense
TENS.
• Burst Train TENS-This is characterised by low-
frequency bursts (4 Hz) of higher-frequency
stimulation. This type of stimulation has the
properties of both conventional TENS and
acupuncture-like TENS. Conventional TENS has its
effects by the stimulation of the A and A fibres to
inhibit the C-fibre-mediated pain sensations
presynaptically at spinal segmental level.

• Conventional TENS may take 5–10 minutes
before pain relief is experienced. Acupuncture-
like TENS will produce analgesia that is long
lasting but may take about 30 minutes of
stimulation before the effects are noted. This
latency before onset of analgesia is due to the
theorised mechanism of effect. It is thought that
the stimulation affects the descending control
mechanisms at both spinal and supraspinal
levels by the production of opiate-mediated
systems activated by the stimulation of A nerve
fibres.

• Brief Intense TENS This is characterised by a
high frequency (100 Hz),a long pulse duration
(150s) and the highest intensity that can be
tolerated by the patient. It is best used for
short periods of time (i.e. 10–15 minutes)
owing to the fatigue generated in the nerves
from this intense type of stimulation. The
effect can be almost instantaneous owing to
the localised blocking of nerve conduction

• These two modes of stimulation are used for the
specific instance of labour because they suit the
specific nature of labour pain.
• Labour pain consists of dull, aching period-type
pains that are due to stretching of and pressure on
the abdominal and pelvic viscera; these include the
structure of the uterus, cervix, walls of the vagina
and the pelvic floor muscles and fascia.
• Visceral pain is conducted to the spinal segment via
C fibers and this type of pain is best tolerated by the
use of endorphin mechanisms and closing the pain
gate. This is why burst train TENS is used all the
time during labour.

• Brief intense TENS is also used as it acts quickly and
has a strong counterirritant and nerve-blocking
effect; this makes it suitable for the increased pain
experienced during contractions
• Most TENS units that are used specifically for labour
have these two types of stimulation. The burst train
mode is the type of stimulation used all the time
during labour and the brief intense mode is
activated by the use of a press button mechanism
when the woman experiences the beginnings of a
contraction. The brief intense mode is then de-
activated by pressing the same boost button so that
the burst train mode is resumed

Placement of the electrodes
• The electrodes can be placed either over the relevant
vertebral segments that receive nociceptive
information from the painful areas or over the area
that is giving pain.
• During the first stage, labour pain information, when
pain is at its most intense, will be entering segments
T10–L1. The information from the parasympathetic
nerves and the pudendal nerve arrives at the spinal
segments S2–S4. When choosing electrodes these
will need to be long enough to cover these spinal
segments. Each pair of electrodes will be placed on
either side of the spinal column, one pair covering
either side of the spinous processes of T10–L1 and
the other pair covering either side of the spinous
processes of S2–S4.

How is TENS used
In order to manage your pain more effectively it is
important to use TENS as early in labour as
possible. TENS is more effective if you use it in
combination with other coping strategies such as
relaxation, positioning and massage.
The TENS electrodes need to be positioned over
the nerve pathways which transmit pain messages
from the uterus and cervix during labour.
Electrodes should be positioned on mother back,
paravertebrally over dermatomes T10-L1, for
second stage additional electrodes over the S2-S4.

• Initially, you may wish to start
with the Channel 2 electrodes
placed either side of the spine
just above the waist.
• As your labour progresses or if
you are experiencing lower
back or pelvic pain you can start
using the Channel 1 electrodes
which are placed either side of
the lower spine below the waist
• The Channel 1 and Channel 2
electrodes can be used at the
same time if needed.

Once the electrodes are in position, check that the booster
switch is turned off or set to minimum before turning the
machine on. Slowly increase the intensity until you feel a
tingling sensation under the electrodes - it should feel
strong but comfortable. During contractions you can
increase the intensity further by using the booster control
on the TENS unit. As labour progresses, the intensity may
need to be increased because your body gets used to the
sensation of TENS.

Safety limits
foetus was most at risk if:
• the electrodes were placed abdominally
• the woman was thin, having only 1 inch of
abdominal fat
• the foetus was occipitoposterior

Practical considerations in the use of TENS
• Ideally women should be introduced to the TENS
unit during a class with a health professional,
preferably a physiotherapist. It should be clearly
stated that
• the unit should not be placed over the carotid sinus
(the anterior neck)
• the unit should not be placed over the area where a
pacemaker has been fitted
• the electrodes and the TENS unit should be
removed before going into the bath or birthing pool
• the unit should only be used for the woman herself,
and for her labour, unless she has been given
instructions otherwise by a health professional

• Specific precautions include:
• TENS should not be used in the bath or in the
shower
• Women who have metallic implants or an
implanted electronic device, (e.g. a cardiac
pacemaker) should not use TENS
• TENS should not be used whilst driving a car
• TENS should not be used prior to the 37th week of
your pregnancy unless advised by your doctor or
physiotherapist
• TENS must be turned off before applying or
removing the electrodes

VARIATIONS IN LABOUR
• FIRST STAGE-The powers
• Hypotonic contractions Weak, infrequent
hypotonic contractions with slow progress may
necessitate oxytocin infusion.
• Hypertonic contractions Very powerful, frequent
hypertonic contractions can lead to precipitate
labour and delivery, and possible foetal distress.
The mother should try to remain calm and
relaxed, and will probably need to use lighter,
quicker breathing.

• Induction of labour If the cervix is unripe,
prostaglandins in one form or another will be
administered. This may be followed by artificial
rupture of the membranes (ARM) and
intravenous oxytocin. Mothers must be warned
that prostaglandins can give rise to unpleasant,
‘colicky’ contractions (TENS may be helpful), and
that induced or accelerated contractions will be
stronger, possibly more painful, and with shorter
resting intervals than those of normal labour. In
addition the woman may be immobilised by
drips and monitoring equipment. She will need
extra support and may require additional
analgesia

The passages
• Cephalopelvic disproportion The pelvis is too
small for the foetus. Squatting may help
overcome this in the second stage.
• Cervical dystocia There is failure of the cervix
to dilate.
• Placenta praevia This can obstruct descent.

The passenger
• Occipitoposterior presentations These account for
approximately 30% of labours. An aching, ‘boring’
backache will be apparent; it may persist between
contractions. The first stage of labour can be long-
drawn-out, with irregular contractions. The mother will
be more comfortable in positions that take the weight
of her uterus away from her back (e.g. prone kneeling);
between contractions, pelvic rocking and circling may
help alter pressure within the pelvis. Deep back
massage or pressure, heat or ice packs and resting in a
warm bath may relieve discomfort. The foetus may
rotate or be delivered face to pubes. An epidural
anaesthetic may be necessary

• Breech birth Labour may be no different to a
vertex presentation, but is likely to be actively
managed with epidural anaesthetic in most
hospitals. Pelvimetry and an ultrasound scan
at 38 weeks will attempt to identify women
whose babies will need delivery by elective
caesarean section.
• Malpositions or malpresentation These may
be associated with an obstruction, such as
disproportion or placenta praevia

SECOND STAGE
• Episiotomy
• Ventouse delivery This is the method of
choice for assisted delivery as there is thought
to be less risk of damage to mother and baby.
A cap, attached to a suction pump, is fitted on
to the baby’s head whilst in the birth canal,
and held in place by suction.
• Forceps delivery
• Caesarean delivery

THIRD STAGE
• Lacerations and tears
• Retained placenta
• Post partum Hemorrhage

Physiotherapy options for coping with labour (2)

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