The laboring person has many options for nonpharmacologic methods to control pain, fear, and anxiety in labor. When the laboring person is relaxed, fewer stress hormones are released into the body, and the person experiences less pain.

Some of these relaxation techniques, such as biofeedback and hypnosis, should be practiced during pregnancy to prepare for labor. Other techniques, such as massage, position changes, and acupressure, can be used for the first time in labor.

laboring person — relaxed, fewer stress hormones are released into the body, and the person experiences less pain. biofeedback — mind-body practice where a sensor monitors different pain reactions in the body while the person uses techniques to control those reactions. acupressure — practice of stimulating or putting pressure on specific areas of the body. epidural anesthesia — regional anesthesia produced by injection and infusion of a local anesthetic (bupivacaine [Marcaine]) and a narcotic (fentanyl) around the spinal nerves to block pain from T10 to….