Which of the following is NOT a non-medical comfort technique?

• A. Hydrotherapy
• B. Epidural anesthesia
• C. Aromatherapy
• D. Massage and touch

Answer: (B)

In labor, comfort techniques are often grouped as non-medical (non-pharmacologic) versus medical interventions. The non-medical approaches aim to relieve pain without drugs and include methods like hydrotherapy (water immersion), aromatherapy (scents to promote relaxation), and massage or touch (physical support and comfort).

Epidural anesthesia, on the other hand, is a pharmacologic form of pain relief. It involves injecting anesthesia near the spinal cord to block pain signals and typically requires specialized medical staff and monitoring. Because it uses medications and is a medical procedure, it does not fit the category of non-medical comfort techniques.

So, the option that is not a non-medical comfort technique is epidural anesthesia.