Why Rebozo Belongs in Birth: 5 Reasons I Use It

Birth is one of life’s most powerful transformations; physically, emotionally, and energetically. As a doula, my deepest intention is to hold space for you in ways that support your body’s natural intelligence, help you move with ease through intensity, and let your nervous system stay as calm and present as possible.

One of the most beautiful tools I offer for this is the rebozo; a long, woven shawl traditionally used by South-American midwives to assist with movement, comfort, and energy flow during pregnancy and birth. Rather than being just a physical support, rebozo work offers presence, rhythm, and connection; all of which are profoundly supportive during labor.

Emerging research alongside long-held traditional wisdom suggests that rebozo techniques can be a helpful, non-pharmacological way to support comfort, progress, and satisfaction in labor (Lopez et al., 2025; Charney et al., 2001; The Effects of Rebozo & Spleen 6 Acupressure, 2023).

Here are five reasons I include rebozo support in my doula care:

1. Helps Ease Pain and Support Comfort

Labor sensations are intense, and comfort can make all the difference. Research indicates that rebozo techniques; especially when combined with supportive touch and rhythm, can help reduce the perception of pain intensity and create a feeling of containment and safety in the body (The Effects of Rebozo & Spleen 6 Acupressure, 2023; Charney et al., 2001).

In practice, this often looks like gentle rocking (manteada), supported walking, or rhythmic sway that helps your nervous system move with the sensations rather than resist them.

2. Supports Pelvic Mobility and Labor Progress

One of the ways rebozo can support your body is by encouraging movement in the pelvis and sacrum - areas that naturally need to open and shift during labour. Small, intentional movements using the rebozo have been associated with shorter active labor phases and smoother fetal descent in clinical studies (Lopez et al., 2025; The Effects of Rebozo & Spleen 6 Acupressure, 2023).

This doesn’t mean rushing your birth; it means helping your body flow with it.

3. Promotes Nervous System Regulation

Feeling held, supported, and rhythmically moved can tell your nervous system that it is safe to release tension. Research points to rebozo work’s calming influence on the nervous system and its potential to reduce stress responses during labor (Charney et al., 2001; Lopez et al., 2025). This kind of soothing support makes intensity feel more tolerable and confidence stronger.

4. Enhances Emotional Presence and Satisfaction

Birth is not only physical; it’s emotional, relational, and deeply personal. Studies have found that women supported with rebozo techniques report lower anxiety, reduced pain scores, and increased satisfaction with their birth experience (Lopez et al., 2025; The Effects of Rebozo & Spleen 6 Acupressure, 2023). There is something profound that happens when a body feels held and supported, not just physically but emotionally.

5. Offers a Gentle, Non-Invasive Tool You and Your Partner Can Use

One of the things I love most about the rebozo is how accessible and empowering it can be. Your partner or support person can learn simple wraps and motions that become deeply bonding moments of connection and presence. Whether we’re helping you sway, rock, or feel grounded in a position that feels good, rebozo work gives you a tool - not a prescription - and one that honours your body’s wisdom.

What Rebozo Work Feels Like in Birth

Rebozo support feels rhythmic, intuitive, and soothing — not forced. It might look like:

• Gentle rocking in upright positions

• Supported sway or grounding during contractions

• Pelvic lifts to ease tension and open space

• Calm, embodied movement that helps your nervous system soften into sensation

It’s less about “fixing” anything and more about accompanying you in your body as it opens, breath by breath, contraction by contraction.

A Supportive Tool, Not a Replacement for Medical Care

Rebozo techniques are complementary, non-invasive tools used alongside your care team’s guidance. They are most effective when integrated with evidence-based care and open communication with your provider. Always share your birth preferences and questions with your healthcare team.

✨ If you’d like to include rebozo work as part of your doula support for labor, I would be honored to walk with you through your birth journey. Contact me to explore how rebozo can support your experience. ✨

Optional Research References

• Charney, E., et al. (2001). Rebozo techniques for labor comfort and progression. Midwifery Journal.

• Lopez, A., et al. (2025). The effects of rebozo use on labor outcomes and satisfaction. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health.

• The Effects of Rebozo Technique and Spleen 6 Acupressure on Labor Duration in Multiparous Mothers. (2023). ResearchGate.

• Image Source: Spinning-Babies