Hello!

15 Comments

A simple tip to ease pain has taken Facebook by storm after an American birth photography and videography company, Fox Valley Birth and Baby, shared it  last week.

The page claims a simple hair comb could be used during labour to ease the pains associated with childbirth.

“When gripped in your hands, a comb can help hit acupuncture points in your hands helping your body forget about the contractions,” the post said.

The comb  is said to “play into the gate control pain theory”.

“This theory states that the brain can only focus on a select number of sensations at once,” it said.

“Because the nerve ending on your hands are closer to your brain, they reach your brain faster.”

According to the company, the best way to hold the comb is to ensure it hits the base of your fingers, with the teeth pressing into the palm of your hand.

comb comb 2

Their post has gone viral after it attracted over 20,000 shares and 23,000 comments.

Comments include:

“This is true lots of doulas use this. I am training to be a doula now and I hear many doulas using it as counter-pressure.”

“I do this when I get a tattoo! Totally works.”

“Yes! My doula have me little plastic hedgehog with sharp spikes to squeeze … it was the most helpful thing during the whole labor!”

“I used combs!!”

“I didn’t know that! Would have also probably helped me relax my hands instead of squeezing so hard.”

“They taught us to hold ice cubes in our hands the cold pain helped to forget about labor pains!”

“It totally worked with me! I had my second baby completely naturally just by breathing evenly, moving and gripping a comb through out my labor”

One mum also added, “Combs are also great for when your breast are engorged with milk. Comb towards the nipple , it feels very relieving and helps get milk out and lumps etc”

Were you already aware of this little trick? Share your comments below

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • My friend is about to have another baby and is so scared about labour. Ill let her know this trick. Hopefully it works for her.

    Reply

  • I hadn’t heard of it but worth a try, although too late for me.

    Reply

  • Applying pressure to pressure points to relieve pain has been a technique used for a long time.
    I use this technique but not with a comb.

    Reply

  • Well, acupuncture functions. I’ve tried it different times. Not so strange thus that the comb could helps pressing the right point. I would definitely try it.


    • Pressure point application and technique is such an interesting area to research.

    Reply

  • interesting idea wonder if it works or placebo, but if it helps why not

    Reply

  • No, I’ve never heard of this trick. Wonder if it works for other pains as well.

    Reply

  • Interesting! I’ll be giving it a go

    Reply

  • I love the comment about someone who uses this trick for tattoos. Cos that is totally the same thing as childbirth!

    Reply

  • No I’ve never heard of this little trick but I did have a bath during contractions and that helped a lot for me.

    Reply

  • I’ve never heard of this pain relief but worth a try :)

    Reply

  • I didn’t know this but I feel like I’d have holes in my hands afterwards. lol

    Reply

  • That’s an interesting read..

    Reply

  • I’d love to have known this when I had my three. Won’t be able to test it for myself but it’s very interesting! I can imagine my comb being embedded into my hand and getting stitches there too, though. haha

    Reply

  • Acupuncture without the needles. I hope the comb is sterilised before use though.

    Reply

Post a comment

To post a review/comment please join us or login so we can allocate your points.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join