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acupressure
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practice of stimulating or putting pressure on specific areas of the body
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aromatherapy
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use of essential oils to aid in relaxation
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biofeedback
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mind-body practice where a sensor monitors different pain reactions in the body while the person uses techniques to control those reactions.
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counter pressure
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act of giving sustained pressure to the back, hips, sacrum, or other joints
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doulas
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trained support laypersons who provide emotional, physical, and social support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum
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effleurage
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light stroking massage using the tips of the fingers in slow, long strokes
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epidural anesthesia
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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 S5 during labor
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failed intubation
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difficult airway with lack of success on more than two attempts
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focal points
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used when the laboring person focuses on a picture or an object during the contraction to direct attention away from the contraction
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hydrotherapy
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process of the laboring person submerging in water for pain relief
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imagery
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uses the mind-body connection to focus the laboring person’s awareness on a positive image
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pelvic tilts
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rocking of the pelvis by moving the back up, then sinking the back down
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pudendal block
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local anesthetizing of the pudendal nerve that provides sensation to the perineum, anus, vulva, and clitoris