Some mums have backed the advice while others suggest hospitals 'shove' the comb and provide adequate pain relief instead
Women giving birth at hospital are being offered a new form of pain relief – squeezing a hair comb. Surrey and Sussex NHS Healthcare Trust's maternity department posted details of the 'birth comb' on its Instagram page.
"When the comb is tightly gripped in the palm of your hand, this pressure distracts your brain and supports the body to release endorphins ." But the advice - first posted six days ago - hasn't gone down well with everyone, with some users questioning the need for it. Others claimed squeezing a comb proved to useful to distract from the pain while in labour. One said: "I did not believe a comb could help me through contractions... but to my surprise... it really did. Of course, along with the help of the amazing midwives, too."
Their advice read: "The nerve endings in your hands are close to the skin’s surface therefore the pressure signals they send to the brain can override the pain signals being sent to your brain from contractions or surges." The trust says that it is part of its support for individualised and personalised approaches to labour for families, ensuring all women’s preferences are supported.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Quarter of population now on the NHS waiting list, poll suggests in warning to Rishi SunakThe Prime Minister has promised to bring down waiting lists by the time of the next general election
Read more »
'I've lost control of my birth': Caesarean sections delayed due to NHS strikeOne woman says she feels she will be pushed to have an induction because her C-section was delayed for more than a week because of strike action. One charity has warned of the increased risk of trauma for pregnant patients.
Read more »
Second NHS trust failed to send thousands of patient and GP lettersAround 23,000 letters concerning risks to patients or containing actions for patients and GPs were not sent by the Nottingham University Hospitals Trust.
Read more »
People urged to get flu jabs to reduce NHS pressure this winterFlu led to more than 14,000 excess deaths in the winter of 2022/2023, according to data.
Read more »
People urged to get flu jabs to reduce NHS pressure this winterThe vaccine programme for flu and Covid-19 started earlier this year. | ITV National News
Read more »
Public blame record NHS waiting lists on Government as thousands hit by fresh strikesIn a BMA survey, 42 per cent of the public said ministers were the cause of growing delays and just 15 per cent of people blame medics as they prepare to walkout again this week.
Read more »