Could this common household item help ease labor pain?

You might want to pack a comb in your hospital bag if you're preparing for labor. Apparently, some women find that gripping a comb during the labor process can ease the pain of giving birth.

The unusual tip, posted on Facebook by Wisconsin-area birth photography and doula services company Fox Valley Birth and Baby, has garnered more than 22,000 comments since it appeared last week. According to the post, gripping a comb hits acupuncture points in your hands. It also distracts you from the pain of the contractions, the company says.

It "plays into the gate control pain theory," the post says. "This theory states that the brain can only focus on a select number of sensations. Because the nerve endings are closer on your hands they reach your brain faster. Helping your body forget about the contractions."
For best results, hold the comb across the palm of your hand so that the spikes of the comb hit the base of your fingers, Fox Valley Birth and Baby recommends.

In the comments section, some moms and doulas swore by the technique.

"It totally worked with me! I had my second baby completely naturally just by breathing evenly, moving, and gripping a comb throughout my labor," wrote Karuna Vahteri.

"Yes! My doula gave me a little plastic hedgehog with sharp spikes to squeeze ... It was the most helpful thing during the whole labor!" wrote Justyna Stachowicz.

"This is true. Lots of doulas use this. I am training to be a doula now, and I hear many doulas using it as counterpressure," posted Tori Lynn Oles.

A few commenters offered other natural labor-pain-relieving suggestions, including holding ice cubes in your hand, squeezing a water bottle, and having someone comb your hair.

Other women shared that they wished they had heard of the comb tip before giving birth, or that they planned to use it during an upcoming delivery.

Not convinced a comb can help dull your labor pain? There are plenty of other labor pain management techniques you can try, including pregnancy and labor massage, labor relaxation tips, and certain labor positions.