Hot stone massage and labor?

[Nevaskard]

Does anyone have experience with doing this?

It just came to mind how nice that might feel during labor. I have the stones already, but can't think of a container I could take with me to the hospital to heat up the stones in (something small for only a few stones).

My doula has massage training so I am sure I could show her what to do, she could also use the techniques on her other clients.

 

[Dude]

A small pariffin bath (free of wax, obviously!) would be perfect for travel.

I think it sounds lovely, although I have not heard of anyone using it before. What does your midwife say?

 

[Here_comes_the_Sun]

Crock pot or mini crock pot?
For just one or 2 stones......those little mini coffee cup warmers? I got a massage a couple of times from a guy who heated up his stone massage tool with one of those. Worked great!

Noel

 

[Helicreature]

Both good ideas. I'll have to look around and see what I have.

I will check with my midwife about it, most likely she will say ok. She is pretty laid back with things.

 

[kempo_jujitsu77]

I'd recommend the paraffin heater over the crock pot - paraffin is heated to the same temp as required for stone massage, so it's really easy to just take the stones out of the heater and use them.
A crock pot heats to a higher temp, there is the effort of cooling them down to the right temp - possible, but not something you'd expect your doula to get right immediately.

Use a paraffin heater and it will be really easy for your doula to use the stones without having to worry about if they are too hot, the stones will be at the right temperature when you want them, not too hot because they've been sitting there for ages, not too cool because it's the right temp, and easy for you doula

 

[Josephine]

OK this may not work, but how about just putting them between a couple of heating pads? Not terribly efficient, but it would heat the stones, and it's unlikely to be ruled out by the hospital. (God knows they can get totally uptight.)

If you end up doing the first part of your labor at home, the rocks could help there too, and the crockpot/skillet/etc would be more convenient to deal with.

Oh I'm so excited for your baby's birth! It seems like we've been anticipating it for so long -- and it must seem double that time to you! Here's hoping the birth is gorgeous and strong, and that you're resting happy with your babe on the other side before you know it.

 

[brenda]

I do have a paraffin heater that I haven't used in a while. I will have to try it out and see what it does.

I am going to ask the midwife about having it there. Make sure it is ok, if not maybe they would let me use the heating pad instead. They seem pretty open to most things.

I do plan to stay home as long as possible, so I will definetly use them here, unless the midwife has some reason for me not to.

Thanks BJB, it has gone faster than I had expected. Still a very long time it seems - only a few more weeks left!