What is The Labor Loop you ask?
It is a birth tool I have “invented” so to speak that uses resistance to aid the woman in labor through her contractions, delivery, and can be used post partum for exercise. I am seeking out product testers for this project, anyone willing to try it and critique it to pregnant ladies who might use it for her birth.
My goal is to get The Labor Loop out into the world and test it out on real women who are willing to try something new during child birth.
I am very excited about The Labor Loop. My hope is that I receive some feed back by having awesome ladies like you test it out or even let me know what you think with or without trying it, pregnant or not. I will be using it for my own home birth in March 2014 and I can’t wait!
Where did this idea come from?
On April 19th, 2012, I gave birth to my second child, Stella. Her birth inspired me to create something I truly feel will help other Moms with the birth experience. It is something I wish I had during my labor.
While pushing, I was leaning over the tub, and with each contraction, grasping the plastic tub lining and pulling it apart. It helped me focus and release the tension I had. I remember the plastic lining being uncomfortable on my fingers and nails, but it helped me focus and deal with the pain, as well as help me with pushing.
When I stepped back a while after the birth, I saw the indents I had made in the plastic. It was then I realized there was a need for an object that would help women in labor with pushing – something to pull apart, something with resistance. I thought about it long and hard, I researched (still am!) and I concluded there was nothing on the market for laboring women that had resistance as its main purpose and was also comfortable and safe to hold. Towels were too bulky and cumbersome, plus had no stretch or give, they were also too large making it unsafe to pull hard. I wanted something that I could also control, so I made my own labor “tool” and named it The Labor Loop.
Description – What it does
The Labor Loop is a soft band that stretches, made with cotton baby loop terry cloth with a bit of stretch. It uses resistance for labor pain management and aids in effective pushing during every phase of labor and childbirth. It is recommended for a vaginal birth be it at home or with an epidural at the hospital. If you are pushing a baby out, The Labor Loop is meant for you. The goal of the tool is to help the Mom, better focus and get the job done without the intervention of forceps, a vacuum or an unplanned c-section. It helps the user control her pushes and direct her energy using a physical object.
Use alone or with a birth partner, use it during contractions only or just as a soothing object to hold. There are so many possible uses for The Labor Loop, I am confidant it will benefit every woman in some way during childbirth. Post partum, save the Labor Loop to use with an exercise routine.
Use solo to pull, stretch and grasp during contractions, using resistance as your birth helper. Use with a birth partner in methods such as the “tug-o-war”, or looped around a birthing bar to pull down. Wrap around your birth partners hand and use to give gentle back massages. Add essential oils for relaxation & aromatherapy. It is ideal for home or hospital use.
Features
- Soft, won’t hurt your hands when pulled to fullest extent. You can pull and stretch the Labor Loop comfortably for a long period of time.
- Latex free, naturally dyed, soft cotton bamboo fabric
- Absorbent cotton bamboo fabric – Wicks moisture so you can pull on it and it wont slip out of your hands.
- Machine washable, hang dry
- Medium resistance – use gently or pull hard
- Sturdy reinforced stitching
- Soft Terry cloth covering with Non-latex inner resistance band
- Soothing lavender color
- Multiple uses with birth partner, alone and post-partum
- Home or hospital use
Suggested Uses
Numerous uses, limited only by your imagination. The beauty of The Labor Loop is that it is so versatile; you can make it your very own. Use sitting, standing, kneeling, squatting, in hospital, in home, in a birth tub – anywhere you give birth!
The loop can be twisted and configured into many different ways:
- Loop as is
- Infinity loop twisted creating two loops
- Double loop (infinity, then folded over to make a “mini” Labor Loop)
- Threaded loop fold over birthing bar/pole or any sturdy similar object
“Tug-O-War” Both Mom and birth partner pull in opposite directions during contractions or while pushing, using resistance to get through contractions and help control the pain.
Pull Stretch apart pulling outward: The act of pulling using resistance allows for pain management by way of focusing energy on an object.
Looping Loop twice to create a shorter band with more resistance for the individual user.
Birth Bar Loop around birth bar in your hospital room Loop around a freestanding pole (or anything similar)
Wrap Wrap around torso, birth partner pulls upwards for gentle support to bring baby down birth canal, relieves back labor, takes pressure off of spine
Massage Tool Wrap around birth partners hand and use as a gentle massager
Soothing The lavender color alone is soothing to look at. It is important to have a designated object while laboring and The Labor Loop
Aromatherapy Add aromatherapy/essential oils and loop/hang loosely around neck
Sweat Band Use to wipe sweat from face, neck, hands and body. Baby terry material is extremely soft and absorbent, perfect for wicking away moisture
Breathing Circle Twist into infinity loop, place over face and breathe through – focus breaths through circle
Eye and face cover Use to cover face, block light
Face rest Rest your face comfortably when you twist the loop into a pillow-like configuration.
Exercise accessory Use as an exercise band, soft with medium resistance, it is safe to use in a gentle workout post baby or intense workout later on