The use of heat, as an alternative stimulus, is a natural form of pain relief. It is based on the 'Gate Control Theory', where the brain tunes into one stimulus, and closes the gate off to the other. The principle explains why you forget the paper cut on your finger after someone drops a heavy object on your foot!
Heat (or cold packs, as some women prefer) sends a stimulus to your brain, making it tune in less to the contraction. Massage and pressure on an area also works in this way. For women with severe back pain, rubbing in a deep heat muscle relaxant cream (used for sports muscle injuries) can also be pain relieving.
The use of water and heat can be very soothing and relaxing, particularly if your body is used to relaxing in the bath, or shower at the end of a hard day. This
'body check' can be very beneficial, assisting you throughout your labour. Relaxing can reduce tension, helping you and your baby to be better oxygenated, and possibly better able to cope with the pain.
Heat/cold packs
Shower
Bath
Heat/cold packs. Most labouring women like heat that can be placed directly where they want and need it, in particular the lower back, abdomen, groin or perineum. Heat packs (like baths or showers), can be very soothing to relax tight muscles. Heat packs of some description are good to have at home for prelabour, to use in transit on the way to the hospital, and as a pain relief option to use intermittently, or throughout, your labour. They can also be invaluable for 'afterpains' (cramping of the uterus after the baby is born). To decide what type of heat packs you would prefer you may wish to read
how to make up heat packs.
Cold flannels in iced water can be just as soothing, if a woman feels very hot. They can be applied around the face and head, or on the back of your neck, or using a water spray on the face, to cool you down especially if you are in the bath.
Shower. Showers can be used at any time during the labour.