My favorite tool for pregnancy and childbirth is the Rebozo. In each Childbirth class, I allow the students to try out a Rebozo to see just how much comfort it provides during pregnancy. The good thing is though, you can use it after the baby comes too!
Some Midwives and Doulas use it to help clients advance in their labor stage. Lisa-Marie Cook, from BirthingBasics.net, stated, “I wrapped it around one of my patients, sent her out for a walk, and she went from 2-3 cm to 6 cm in an hour”. It really is THAT powerful! It is the most versatile tool I carry with me at all times.
What in the world is a Rebozo?
The Rebozo is a very long, woven scarf created by women for women. The beautiful traditions of using the Rebozo are handed down from mother to daughter and midwife to midwife. The many uses of the Rebozo include carrying a baby, relaxing and repositioning mothers in childbirth, carrying groceries, and most especially, ceremonies for important passages of women’s lives. – (SpinningBabies.com)
A traditional rebozo is a Mexican shawl, handwoven from cotton, wool, silk, and rayon, with a beautiful pattern. The typical length is from 6ft to 9ft, as those work well for many different uses throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Gena Kirby has a video on her website that explains what a rebozo is in more detail.
Rebozo During Pregnancy
- Belly Lift – wrap the rebozo around the waist so the rebozo sits under the belly then cross the rebozo in the back pulling the ends over the shoulders towards the front. The mom can gently pull the ends down in front of her to immediately relieve lower back pain from the baby’s weight in the front.
- Hip Squeeze – wrap the rebozo around the waist and gently pull the ends to tighten. You can tie in a knot for constant pressure or someone can gently tug the ends. This provides counter-pressure and helps eliminate any discomfort.
- Spinning Babies – If your baby is turned, your muscles are tight, or you just need to relax in labor, SpinningBabies.com offers an extensive review of how to utilize a rebozo for these purposes.
Rebozo During Labor
- Belly Sifting – wrap the rebozo around the mom’s belly while she is leaning onto a birth ball, or on hands and knees, and gently sift back and forth. This especially helps during contractions to help the mom stay loose and relaxed, rather than tensing up.
- Hip Shake – drape the rebozo over the mom’s hips while she is on hands and knees or leaning over a birth ball and gently shake while applying downward pressure. This also helps during contractions to help the mom stay loose and relaxed.
- Pushing – The rebozo can be draped over a squatting bar, or held by labor support, and used as traction while pushing.
Rebozo for Baby
- Stomach Support After Delivery – wrap it around your stomach and tighten it to help eliminate pain, especially after a cesarean.
- Wrap – The longer rebozos are great for use as a carrier for your baby. You can purchase sling rings or tie knots to secure your baby. (Lisa-Marie Cook provides several variations on her blog post at BirthingBasics.net.)
- Breastfeeding Cover & Blanket for Baby – wear as a shawl and enjoy always having a lightweight fabric handy for breastfeeding, if you choose to use a cover, or cover the baby when it may be chilly.
Try these different techniques out, you won’t regret it, then, share with us how much you loved it! I highly recommend a Rebozo. When you no longer need it, pass it on to someone who could use it!
Resources mentioned in this post:
- Jacki May from Modern Alternative Pregnancy has an excellent blog post with images and details pictures of how to utilize a rebozo during labor.
- Lisa-Marie Cook from BirthingBasics.net has a detailed list of ways to utilize a rebozo in pregnancy and birth.
- SpinningBabies.com offers methods of utilizing a rebozo to help spin babies, loosen mom’s pelvis muscles, and relax during labor.
- Gena Kirby offers workshops for teaching how to appropriately use a rebozo for childbirth.
