I shaved 33 hours off my previous labor record with this technique!
By Contributing Writer, Virginia Miner
After the birth of my second son, I became a byword for long labors. “Over 24 hours!? That’s a Virginia labor!”
My first son was an emergency c-section due to fetal distress after 36 hours of labor. My second son was born (VBAC!) after fifty some odd hours of labor and most of the interventions possible.
Needless to say, when I conceived for the third time, I was very interested in doing anything reasonable to shorten my labor. I found a midwife who is also a naturopathic doctor and uses herbs to support pregnancy and labor, and I visited the chiropractor regularly.
I did a lot of things very intentionally to improve my chances of a home birth without interventions, but I was most intrigued by this thing called “rebozo technique” that my midwife kept mentioning. She swore that by using this traditional technique she was shaving hours off of her clients’ labors, which sounded pretty good to me!
So what is Rebozo technique?
A rebozo is a Mexican woven scarf, traditionally worn by women as a sort of all purpose useful garment. It can be used during pregnancy and delivery for various exercises, but the technique that we used is known as rebozo sifting.
To do this we used a twin sheet folded in half lengthwise (I don’t actually own a cool Mexican scarf). I got on my hands and knees with the sheet under my belly (like the first picture in this article) and my husband held both ends of the sheet, gently lifting my belly and rocking it very slightly from side to side. This sifting action helps the baby to get in a good position and encourages the head to engage.
When did I use it, and how did it work?
My husband and I began using rebozo sifting in my third trimester without much consistency until about 37 weeks when my baby turned breech. At that point we used rebozo sifting much more consistently in hopes that it would help the baby turn head down again. By 38 weeks she was head down, and we continued doing the sifting every night because I REALLY wanted baby to stay head down!
At 41 weeks and 5 days I finally went into labor, and started bracing myself for days and days of labor again. My active labor started at 1:00 pm and I spent about an hour on a yoga ball until it was just too uncomfortable, at which point I decided to try using rebozo sifting for relief.
We did it just how we had done during pregnancy, with me on my hands and knees. During each contraction my husband would lift and jiggle my belly which provided enormous relief, nearly as good as an epidural! I was hooked.
My husband lifted and sifted during nearly every contraction from then on, until my doula arrived around 3:45 and gave him a bit of a break. I was used to very slow labors and had no conception of how fast things were moving, so when my midwife ordered me into the birth tub at 4:20 I was dubious…
However, I immediately had the urge to push, and within 15 minutes gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.
Were you counting? That was three and a half hours of labor, shaving a good 33 hours off my best time. While there were several things I did to try to improve my labor time, I think rebozo sifting made the most difference, and my midwife agrees. One of the things that had contributed to my very slow labors in the past was that I carry a lot of tension in my hips, and being sifted was almost irresistibly relaxing.
A few notes are in order:
There ARE some contraindications to using rebozo sifting, including certain positions of the placenta. Definitely consult with your care provider before using this technique to make sure that it doesn’t pose undue risk to you or your baby.
Spinning Babies recommends using rebozo sifting in between contractions, which is not what we did. Using it during contractions worked great for me, but like I said before, check with your provider to be sure you are using it safely.
Over all, I would say that every pregnant woman should be aware of rebozo sifting and consider incorporating it into her pregnancy and labor regimen.
An Endorsement from Dr. Mark Miner
Hello. I am not a real doctor (PhD, Engineering), but I can tell you with absolute certainty that 100% of the sample population yelled at me when I stopped doing rebozo, and was very relieved when it resumed. Also, it provides a tangible action for the husband to do: instead of nervously buzzing around and offering tea all the time, he can roll up his sleeves, put his back into it, and help rock that baby out. This is a cathartic sort of thing, even if it tires the arms and back. It also places the husband well out of punching range. For all these reasons and more, I am pleased to offer a strong endorsement of the practice of rebozo during mid-to-late-stage labor.
Lisa
I’ve had 3 unmedicated vaginal births. I have a family history of long arduous labors so I was very interested in anything that could potentially shorten labor. I used rebozo technique every time and it was very helpful, although difficult for my husband to keep up. He switched on and off with my mom and midwife. My active labors were 6, 2 and 3 hours. I also used red raspberry leaf tea, hypnobirthing, 2 were water births, herbs and essential oils. Basically any natural non invasive thing I could find I used.
Ashleigh
can this be done anytime during pregancy or can it cause labor to start/progress?
Beth
I’m not qualified to give medical advice, so I’d definitely ask your midwife, but I’m wondering if it could be helpful in the third trimester to get baby into an optimal position for birth – like the Spinning Babies method, and things along those lines. It’s something to ask your doctor or midwife about to be sure.
Ann
As a skeptic, I’d like to point out that the author’s long vbac Labor was actually her first birth from her body’s standpoint, and thereby understandably long. The one she describes here was a typically shorter subsequent birth, not necessary attributable with this invasive thing she’s promoting. I’d be nervous about the placenta, the cord, impact on the heart rate and oxygen supply. Nature knows best.
Bridget
As a mother of 7, 2 of which are vbac babies… I can attest to this being very gentle comparative to the crazy interventions given during long labors. My labors have been 42.5 hrs, 21hrs, 12hrs, 5hrs, Cesarean (so no labor bc i didn’t know better), 36hrs, and 21hrs. The short labor is the only one where I did not have any interventions at all. I only labored in the delivery room at the hospital based birth center for 10minutes before baby arrived. Rebozo is very safe so long as you get the all clear with placental placement from your midwife or OB. If your OB doesn’t know what this is, ask them to consult a midwife. 😉
Hayley
I really wanted to do this rebozo sifting technique during labor. My hubby did it for me a few times during the end of my pregnancy, but he found it a bit too strenuous to keep doing during labor. I had 13 hours active labor (a day and a half all up if you count early labor). Oh well at least the birth pool helped me relax.
NaturallyBlossomingTaylor
It’s funny, I totally had plans to use this technique during labor but I completely forgot about it until now. My labor was 15 hours long- all natural! Wish I would have remembered this technique in the midst of it all.
Jenn @ Forgotten Lattes
I love this article (the endorsement at the end was hilarious!!) I’m about to attempt a VBA2C and anything to help me in labor/shorten labor I’ll try! The rebozo technique sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing.
Anon
How did you get your husband to do it for good amounts of time? I tried having mine do it and he gave up after 30 seconds claiming his arms hurt and he couldn’t do it
Betsy
Hey there! Doula here 🙂
I love that you had a great rebozo experience, but it would be remiss to leave out information on the culture. Rebozo technique and the use of a rebozo has huge cultural meaning and significance. While a hospital sheet or large scarf (or a cheaper purchased one on amazon or etsy) “works”, for rebozo the actual woven fabrics have great importance to the culture and people. Replacing or substituting them can actually communicate a lot of dishonor, even if totally unintentional! 🙂
Women who make traditional rebozo actually consider the robozo and the techniques themselves gifts to be handed down, and when using a rebozo you’re then supposed to gift it to the mother to use for a blanket, baby wearing, belly binding, etc. It’s holds huge meaning!
For these reasons I always strive to educate people to keep in line with cultural respect and honor. You can find lots of info at http://genakirby.com/.
Merry Christmas!
Ateolo
from my country we do the same thing and we use a white linen sheet and after labor we use the sheet to bury the dead. We get offended if it’s used for the baby after, because the baby gets a brand new colorful blanket. The white sheet is called a molang.
I think if it works for you don’t worry so much about what culture it could be from. It’s all vanity. if you like the idea of keeping the blanket keep it. If you’d rather throw it in the trash, do that. All traditions are man made and superficial. There are good traditions and downright bad ones and everything in between. take what you like and don’t worry about the rest.
Paige
24 hours is considered long? My first was 42 hours and I pushed for 4 hours before finally delivering vaginally.
Myrinda
Any tips to slow a labor down? My last one was 29 minutes and I would really like a little longer this time around. Ended up having her alone standing in my bedroom doorway because my husband was out of town and my midwife couldn’t make it in time.
Raene
Best way to labor on your hands and knees swaying your hips. It is soothing and makes the pain bareable. I have had 2 children 1st labor from start to finish was 4 hours 2nd was 3 hours 20 minutes. I am due in 5 weeks with baby #3 hoping the labor only last a short time due to this technique.
R&H Assistant
Here’s to fast labors and bundles of joy! 🙂
Molly
Hi!
I’m definitely gunna be talking with my provider tomorrow and hopefully trying this. First time mom (due 9/3) and I really don’t want a long labor. Any other tips for speeding up delivery/pain management? I do not want an epidural unless absolutely necessary!
Beth
I HIGHLY recommend having a doula! They are awesome at helping you manage your labour and get through it. If avoiding an epidural is a desire of yours, then get a doula and make a plan for how to do that. It’s ENTIRELY possible, and every woman is capable. (Outside of medical emergencies of course.)
Kishea
Hey Molly, a lot of moms swear by red raspberry leaf tea (RRLF) and dates to help speed up labor. You can read more about them on Mama Natural’s blog.
Brittani
Read Hypnobirthing! Before I read it, I had a 23 hour labor and 8 hour labor with epidurals. And I hated the experiences. After hypnobirthing, I had a 4 hour, empowering, beautiful labor with no epidural and an amazing -almost immediate- recovery.
And I am not a hippie dippy, all-natural type person, but I was able to have that experience once I understood scientifically why my labors were so bad before. I had my husband read sections of the book early during my labor, and told him what to expect, what to look for, and what to remind me of when he saw those things happening. He was amazing.
My nurse said she’d never seen anything like my labor. Another nurse told me that was high praise because it was coming from someone who has seen a lot of births.
That’s because nurses and doctors won’t help you with labor. They probably don’t know how. They just help you not die. ( I’m exaggerating, but it’s not far off.) Which is pretty useless for most births. If you want a great labor, it is up to you to figure out how to get it.
Beth
Hey Brittani! That’s interesting – thanks for sharing! I haven’t read that one. This was my fourth labour, and very different from my other three, so it was especially strange. I actually have a couple of theories about why it went the way it did, and I’m working on a post about all of it. There’s so much that goes into labour and delivery – it’s never black and white. This was probably our last pregnancy, so I’ll never be able to try new techniques, but I’m glad you shared this so that other women reading might check it out. 🙂
Christine
Which author of Hypnobirthing? There’s a few with that title, and I’m totally intrigued now by your story! Also, my MIL just shared she was hypnotized with her first in the 70s, and she felt no pain!
G
Hi,
I come from a country where the shifting is done with actual hands. A friend of mine was approached when she was pregnant and was told to shake the belly from time to time since she was approaching birth. Her helper would do so and a week later she gave birth smoothly. I didn’t know it was a “thing” let alone with a blanket. I’m due 12/6 so will definitely give this a try on my 3rd trimester.
MamaV
G, that is so interesting! I imagine that the human touch would have great benefits too. Best of luck in your pregnancy and delivery!
Beth
That’s pretty cool! Thanks for sharing, G.
Wendy
I had never heard of this but it sounds great. And I love the tv doctor endorsement. Hahaha!
Jessica Mims
My labor, for some reason, was extremely short. I am a first time mom. My water broke at 3:38 AM on a Friday morning and at 9:13 AM my son came into the world. I didn’t do anything except sit on a labor ball the week before my water broke.
MamaV
Good job, mama!
Heather
You mentioned placement of the placenta could be an issue. Would that include if the placenta is in the front? I’m currently pregnant and the placenta is in the front. Thank you.
MamaV
Heather,
How far along are you? Is your placenta low or high? You should definitely check with your care provider and see if you are at risk for an abruption or anything like that…
Alisa
This is so hopeful and encouraging!! I have fear to go through everything all over again like my first VERY LONG pregnancy & birth, so it has caused me to hesitate in having the second.
MamaV
Alisa, I would definitely address your fear head on as well. My midwife had me do some writing exercises to address the extreme anxiety and doubt I had about giving birth. Having a good mindset is so important!
Nina
Great read. Concur!
Arlene
Is there a video on how to do this and where to place the sheet. Not to sound stupid because i had 3 c-sections and never heard of that before. Will most obstetricians have heard of this procedure. Is there a time limit as to how many sifts can be done? My youngest daughter is having her first baby and i’m really scared as to how long she’s going to handle labor. She doesnt even handle regular period cramps well at all. She’s due 11/2. Please see what u can do to answer these questions soon.
She wants me in the d.r. with her. Signed, nervous n afraid.
MamaV
Arlene, definitely search rebozo sifting on YouTube, I know there are some good videos. If you can’t find them, let me know and I will try to post links. As far as time limit, as long as it feels good to the mama! Has your daughter been to any birth classes or done any relaxation exercises? That might help too. If you are going to do rebozo in the d.r. definitely start practicing in advance so it’s natural for both of you.
Jill@JillsHomeRemedies
This is awesome stuff! So glad to read this!
MamaV
Thank you!
Marci
Thanks so much for sharing! My first labor was 56 hours and ended in CS when my baby went into distress (born with APGARS of 2, recessitated at birth). I later had an water HBAC – labor was 44 hours. I will definitely try this once I get preggers again. I would love to see if it would make a difference for me – I knew of rebozo but I thought it was only for fetal malpositions; I had no idea it could speed up labor!!!! Thanks again for sharing ?
Kate
malposition usually *is* the cause of prolonged labour! You rock – those are some marathon labours!
MamaV
It sounds like your story is very similar to mine! you should definitely try Rebozo sifting if you get pregnant again. My second labor was so long because baby just wouldn’t engage… I am sure if we had used rebozo it wouldn’t have been quite so ridiculously long.
Kate
So many other uses too! You can use one to do a double hip squeeze, which is bliss for women with SPD or pelvic pain in pregnancy, You can use one to lift a pendulous belly and drop a baby into the pelvis (sadly, most of us with 3+ babies have some degree of “pendulous” going on). You can knot one end and put it over the door, shut the door and then use it to support yourself in a squat. You can sift a woman’s bum (same idea as the belly, but sometimes feels better over the bum (done from the front, looking towards the woman’s feet if she’s on all fours). There’s also a version of sifting that has an exagerated tug to one side, which can help rotate a baby from OT or OP. So much, and so much I still don’t know either! I love rebozos. 😀 Glad you found them.
Random factoid too though – rebozos are also used as death shrouds, traditionally, and were a political statement during the revolution as well.
MamaV
You are making me want a real woven rebozo! We did some hip sifting, but the belly sifting was what really felt good for me.
April
So interesting! I have crazy short labors (5 babies and my shortest was 45 minutes), and I think it may be from instinctively doing something similar. While standing during every contraction, I gently lift my belly with my hands and rock/twirl side to side. Between contractions, I walk around. But I imagine something like this would have provided huge relief at the end when the contractions are their most intense. Will have to remember that for next time! 🙂
MamaV
April, you would probably find it quite helpful toward the end!