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HELLO, HEY, HI
Spice to meet you!
We’re the two spiky balls that give your hands (and your brain) something else to focus on when things get intense.
Built for contractions. Built for chaos. Built for whatever spicy moment comes next!
HOW TO USE ME
Take me in one or both hands before the spicy moment starts. A contraction, a cramp, a needle, a wax strip.
Hold Me
Start gently, then build the pressure in your hands, squeezing as the sensation peaks.
Squeeze Me
Roll me between your palms through the longer stretches, or sync a squeeze with each inhale and exhale.
Roll Me & Breathe
ABOUT THE SPIKE BUDDY
What people are saying…
"The best birth partner!"
"The spike buddy was the best birth partner in my unmediated birth. I did not let go of them from the minute my contractions started until my baby was born. Being able to use them whilst labouring in the shower was an absolute game changer. I will be recommending them to everyone!"
— Olivia
"Something to squeeze and focus on when the contractions got really intense."
"I absolutely loved my Spike Buddy during labour. It gave me something to squeeze and focus on when the contractions got really intense, and the bright colour made it so easy to spot whenever I needed it. I kept my essential oils in there too, so everything I wanted for labour was together. It saved me so much much during birth, and now I take it with me to beauty treatments!"
— Zoe
"I kept reaching for it again and again!"
"As someone with ADHD, I find hospital settings really overwhelming. I wanted an unmedicated birth, and having my Spike Buddy gave me something to focus on when everything around me felt like a lot. Between pulsing it in my hand through contractions and having it rubbed over my back, I kept reaching for it again and again. It gave me something familiar to come back to and really helped me stay focused through labour."
— Abby
"These balls are insane."
"Between holding the spike buddy and my breath work, I put myself into a full hypnotic state through my birth until my baby was about to be born. These balls are insane. Now I can’t wait to birth another baby to use them again."
— Chantelle
"I'm obsessed."
"I have a really low pain threshold but I love my beauty treatments. I’ve been having deep resurfacing skin treatments, which they try to help the pain with numbing gel, but since I’ve had the spike buddy I’ve been able to tolerate the pain so much better having them to squeeze and focus on. Every beauty salon needs these, I’m obsessed!"
— Celly
"They help me so much."
"I first used my Spike Buddy when I had my daughter, but now I use them every month when my endo flares up.When the pain gets really bad they just give me something else to focus on so I can still get on with my day. I take them in the shower with me when it’s at its worst and honestly they help me so much. I never thought I’d still be using them this long after birth, but I always look for them all the time. Love them!"
— Steph
"The best birth partner!"
"The spike buddy was the best birth partner in my unmediated birth. I did not let go of them from the minute my contractions started until my baby was born. Being able to use them whilst labouring in the shower was an absolute game changer. I will be recommending them to everyone!"
— Olivia
"Something to squeeze and focus on when the contractions got really intense."
"I absolutely loved my Spike Buddy during labour. It gave me something to squeeze and focus on when the contractions got really intense, and the bright colour made it so easy to spot whenever I needed it. I kept my essential oils in there too, so everything I wanted for labour was together. It saved me so much much during birth, and now I take it with me to beauty treatments!"
— Zoe
"I kept reaching for it again and again!"
"As someone with ADHD, I find hospital settings really overwhelming. I wanted an unmedicated birth, and having my Spike Buddy gave me something to focus on when everything around me felt like a lot. Between pulsing it in my hand through contractions and having it rubbed over my back, I kept reaching for it again and again. It gave me something familiar to come back to and really helped me stay focused through labour."
— Abby
"These balls are insane."
"Between holding the spike buddy and my breath work, I put myself into a full hypnotic state through my birth until my baby was about to be born. These balls are insane. Now I can’t wait to birth another baby to use them again."
— Chantelle
"I'm obsessed."
"I have a really low pain threshold but I love my beauty treatments. I’ve been having deep resurfacing skin treatments, which they try to help the pain with numbing gel, but since I’ve had the spike buddy I’ve been able to tolerate the pain so much better having them to squeeze and focus on. Every beauty salon needs these, I’m obsessed!"
— Celly
"They help me so much."
"I first used my Spike Buddy when I had my daughter, but now I use them every month when my endo flares up.When the pain gets really bad they just give me something else to focus on so I can still get on with my day. I take them in the shower with me when it’s at its worst and honestly they help me so much. I never thought I’d still be using them this long after birth, but I always look for them all the time. Love them!"
— Steph
WHEN TO USE ME
Made for moments like…
Because the spicy 🌶️ moments don't stop at birth. Keep your buddy close.
Labour
Something to grip through each contraction. A physical focal point to help you stay grounded through each wave. These work alongside Steph’s breathing techniques.
Tattoos
Squeeze through the sting.
Great for wrists, ankles and longer sessions where your free hand needs a job.
Waxing & Beauty Treatments
Squeeze and focus on the balls through each pulse or pull.
Dental Visits & Needles
Something to hold onto in the chair, so your nervous system has something else to process besides the drill.
Anxious Moments
Waiting rooms, flights, tough conversations, or anywhere your brain won’t settle. The firm, textured grip is a quick way back into your body.
Periods & Postpartum Days
For the days your body is asking a lot. Something to hold onto and squeeze through the spicy bits.
Neuro-spicy Friends
Something to hold onto and distract your brain when your experience sensory overload or when things get overwhelming.
Fidgety Hands
For the over-thinkers, fidgeters and sensory-seekers who focus better with something in their hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
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A handheld sensory distraction tool created by Steph The Doula. Two spiky balls that snap together (magnetically), designed to give your hands (and your brain) something firm to focus on when things get intense.
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Everyone’s different, but here’s the idea. When you squeeze something spiky, your brain has a strong sensation to process, so the uncomfortable thing doesn’t get the whole spotlight. Plenty of people find that extremely helpful. It’s a distraction tool, not a cure-all, and it doesn’t replace medication or care.
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Yes! It was made with contractions in mind. Think of it as something to grip, not a replacement for pain relief or your care team. Chat with your doula, midwife or obstetric team about any comfort items you’d like to bring to your birth.
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Yes! It’s fully waterproof, so definitely bring it along.
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Hands only, please. Squeeze or roll it gently in your palms. It’s not designed for anywhere else on the body, and definitely not the face or eyes.
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They’re how the two balls snap together, and that’s all they do (to help keep them together when you’re not using them). They’re not part of how the Spike Buddy works. They are strong enough to need respect, so keep it away from kids and pets, and store it away from cards and electronics.
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Nope. It’s for general comfort and focus only, and it doesn’t diagnose, treat or prevent anything.
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Start with a gentle squeeze and build up slowly. If it’s uncomfortable, ease off or stop. If you feel pain, numbness or tingling, or the spikes ever break the skin, stop using it.
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Tattoos, dental visits, needles, IPL lasers, waxing, beauty appointments, anxious moments, as a fidget distraction, or any time your hands need a job.
FOUNDER, MOTHER, BIRTH DOULA
Meet Steph
Steph Tsalacopoulos is a Melbourne-based doula, mum of two, and the brains behind The Spike Buddy. someone who genuinely loves supporting families through one of life's most transformative seasons.
[Add reasons why Steph created The Spike Buddy]
So I made one. The Spike Buddy started as a labour tool, but it turns out spicy moments don’t only happen in birth rooms, so it’s come along for the ride everywhere else too.
Want to know more about my doula work? Click the link below to learn more or get in touch.