Evidence-Based Rebozo:

The Wisdom and Science Behind Traditional Birth Techniques

 Scientific Evidence for an Ancient Birth Practice

Picture a mother in labour. Contractions are uneven. She feels pain in her hips or back. She starts to push, but after a while there are no signs of baby. A vaginal examination finds her to be ‘only’ 6cm dilated, with a back to back baby. She is strongly advised to have an epidural so that she can stop pushing. She is exhausted and in pain and the promise of relief and rest is too tempting to refuse. The baby doesn’t rotate and is born by forceps or caesarean.

Does this sound familiar?

What if I told you there was a better way?

If you have had enough of witnessing births taking longer than the prescribed timing from maternity guidelines, and of seeing obstetrics interventions that go against biomechanics being offered as the only solution (how exactly is lying on your back going to help a malpositioned baby rotate?). 

Rebozo techniques are simple positional and movement techniques which provide comfort and can help gently encourage progress and positioning effectively and safely.

Being present at such births in the past was what what led me to learn these techniques.

I have witnessed miracles. A short jiggle with a rebozo can help babies to turn by themselves in record time. Women being told they needed to go to theatre birthed their babies within an hour.

We are at a turning point in the history of maternity care. The rate of induction of labour and obstetrics interventions has risen to sky high proportions without a proportional improvement in outcomes.

More than ever, gentler, effective and mother centered approaches are needed.

Naoli Vinaver, Mexican midwife

This is for you if:

• You’re curious about non-pharmacological pain relief options for birth
• You’re looking for accessible, simple, and powerful tools to support labour and birth
• You want evidence-based comfort measures that also honour traditional wisdom
• You want to experience natural and safe ways to enhance the physiological birth process

This is a deeply affirming approach that connects birthing people back to their innate wisdom using the ancient power of the rebozo. You don’t have to rely solely on modern interventions—you are guided and wrapped in support, by these techniques to naturally support comfort and labour progress. 

What is a rebozo

A rebozo is a handwoven shawl from Mexico, traditionally used both as an item of clothing, for pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum support, as well as to carry babies.

What are rebozo techniques

Rebozo techniques are a mix of rocking, jiggling, and wrapping techniques, where the rebozo scarf is placed on specific areas around the body of a pregnant or labouring woman. The techniques have 3 main aims: 

1. To provide relaxation and comfort. 
2. To support the baby to be in an optimal position for birth
3. To support moving out of a situation where labour is not progressing (caused by something in the woman’s body or the baby).

Rebozos have been used to support birth for centuries in Mexican traditions, with origins likely in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Traditional midwives used this versatile cloth for comfort, fetal positioning, pain relief, and birth support.

Many techniques exist, including original methods created by Mexican midwife Naoli Vinaver. The best-known techniques involves gentle rocking of the woman’s belly, pelvis, or buttocks.

These methods gained international recognition when Mexican midwives like Vinaver and Angelina Martinez began sharing their knowledge globally. Today, birth workers worldwide incorporate rebozos as gentle alternatives to medical interventions, particularly valuable amid increasing rates of labor induction and cesarean births.

The evidence behind rebozo techniques

Even though it is a traditional practice, there is nothing “woo” about the way rebozo techniques work. They simply work on the principles of biomechanics. When something is stuck, gently jiggling it will help it come unstuck. Jiggling helps move things when they are stuck as well as provide relaxation because it is impossible to stay tense when being jiggled.

However since we live in a technoloving culture, there is a strong tendency to dismiss such practices. 

Published peer research about rebozos was very limited until 2020. However, over the last 5 years there has been a flurry of published papers about using rebozo techniques in a hospital setting. 

I want to present this research, to debunk the idea that it is not an evidence based practice.

How This Workshop Can Help You

In this 75-minute live Zoom class, I will guide you through my unique approach to using rebozo techniques by combining scientific insights with traditional wisdom and my own experience and stories of births were the rebozo saved the day.

What you’ll learn in this class:

• What rebozo techniques are and how they work physiologically 
• The science behind rebozo movements and their effects on pain perception and pelvic biomechanics 
• How specific rebozo techniques can improve fetal positioning, maternal comfort, and birth satisfaction
• Video demonstration of key rebozo techniques 
• How to incorporate rebozo techniques into your birth practice (even with limited experience!)

By the end of this class, you’ll know how to use the rebozo in simple, effective ways for pain relief, optimal positioning, and supporting physiological birth.

In the class I will also tell you about my comprehensive rebozo for birth course and include a discount for class participants.

This workshop will include a blend of scientific and traditional/spiritual knowledge.

Definitely take this class. Sophie is a fountain of knowledge and everyone in the birth world or preparing for birth can learn something. Just knowing the techniques to try if things become ‘stuck’ gives great peace of mind. Another tool in the box!

Lauren, doula

Who is this class for?

This class is perfect for:

• Birth professionals who want to expand their comfort measure toolkit 
• Expectant parents seeking natural approaches to pain management 
• Those interested traditional birth practices 
• People who want evidence-based alternatives to pharmaceutical pain relief 
• Birth educators looking to incorporate traditional wisdom into their teaching 
• Anyone wanting to develop skills in supporting physiological birth

What makes this class special?

This is not your typical birth education class. It combines peer-reviewed research, biomechanics, and practical applications with traditional wisdom to create a holistic and empowering experience.

Drawing from my unique background as a scientist, healer, and educator, I offer:

• A balanced blend of science and spirituality.
• Tools that are easy to apply, practical and transformative.
• Real-life birth stories to inspire and guide you.

About Me

I’m Sophie Messager, a scientist turned birth worker, educator and life doula/women mentor with over 15 years of experience supporting women through pregnancy and birth. My work bridges the worlds of science and traditional wisdom, offering practical guidance rooted in deep reverence for ancient birth practices.

Over the last 15 years, I have taught 6 different in-person courses to over 1000 perinatal professionals, created six online courses (with over 800 students in 30+ countries), and authored two books.

I’ve transformed my understanding of birth support by integrating research with traditional techniques, and I’m here to help you do the same.

Details and Registration

Date & Time: Wednesday 30th of April 2025, 8pm London Time (use World Time Buddy to find your local time).
Location: Online via Zoom.
Duration: 75 minutes (60 minutes of teaching + 15 minutes Q&A).

Investment

• Live attendance: FREE
• Bonus: Receive the recording for free by attending live and completing the feedback form
• Recording only: Will be available for purchase on my website for £30

Join Me

Step into greater confidence and understanding through the ancient wisdom of rebozo techniques. Transform birth support with these powerful yet gentle practices backed by both tradition and science.

Just fill the form below to register. 

Please note: You should receive a confirmation email with details about how to attend immediately. If you do not, please check your junkmail or promotion folder, as it sometimes ends in there.