Alternative and complementary therapies for labor and birth: an application of Kolcaba's theory of holistic comfortAA

Although nursing has always used nonpharmacologic interventions for the relief of the discomforts of childbirth, alternative and complementary therapies are becoming more acceptable. Alternative and complementary therapies are based on a balance of body, mind, and spirit. Kolcaba's theory of holistic comfort is proposed as a framework for guiding nurses to use alternative and complementary therapies in the comfort care of laboring women.