How Do You Use The Pain Gate Control Theory During Labor?
The Pain Gate Control Theory is about flooding your brain with positive stimulus while using your five senses. When you do this, your brain accepts the more positive stimulus and minimizes the negative stimulus such as pain. Using all of your senses won’t take the pain completely away, but it will help to minimize the discomfort of labor. Here is how to do it. Engage your sense of touch. Have your partner use a lavender lotion or oil and give you a nice, relaxing hand massage. He can also massage your back, neck or hips. Relaxing touch in these areas can really help send positive messages to your brain which releases endorphins, your body’ s natural pain medicine. Engage your sense of smell. If your partner massaged your hand with lavender lotion, bring it to your nose during the next contraction. Inhale softly. You can also use any type of oil, perfume, fruit–anything that provides a scent that you like. Engage your sense of hearing. Bring music to play during your labor. If you don’
