In plain words
Counterpressure is firm, steady pressure pushed into the lower back, hips, or sacrum during a contraction. A partner, , or other companion usually gives it with their hands or the heel of the palm. Many laboring mothers describe it as easing back pain, which is a common feeling in labor. It is one of several non-medical comfort measures, along with position changes, movement, warm water, and breathing. It is often described as most useful when steady and matched to what the mother wants, and it can be adjusted or stopped at any time. A doula can show different ways to use it.
The deeper version
Counterpressure is a manual comfort measure applied to the sacrum or lumbar region during contractions, often alongside position change, upright posture, hydrotherapy, and breathing support. Trial evidence for counterpressure on its own is limited and small, with some reports of reduced back pain during labor and wide variation in technique and outcomes. It is often described as part of the non-pharmacologic toolkit in ACOG guidance on labor support. Evidence for an effect on the duration of labor is less consistent than for pain relief.
Where it comes up
- What your partner does in laborGetting Ready for Birth
- What a doula does, and how to find oneGetting Ready for Birth
What mothers here say about counterpressure
No one has posted under this term yet.
Sources
- Hodnett ED et al. — Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Committee Opinion No. 766: Approaches to limit intervention during labor and birth, 2019