Acupuncture offers drug free alternatives for pain relief during labour (9) Acupressure provides similar results (10) with the advantage that support people can use it during labour. 

 A free booklet on using acupressure can be downloaded at http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz

9) Hantoushzadeh S. Alhusseini N. Lebaschi A. (2007) The effects of Acupuncture during Labour on Nulliparous Women: A Randomised Controlled trial. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 47:26-30

10) Chung UL J.( 2003) Effects of LI 4and BL 67 Acupressure on Labour Pain and Uterine Contractions in the First Stage of Labour. Nurs Res. 11(4):251-60