Pain in Childbirth

ThreeFigures (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If I believed that achieving a natural childbirth without pain medication was a simple matter of pain tolerance, I wouldn't be studying to become a midwife. Why tout the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of natural childbirth if it's something only some women can achieve? It would be just plain mean to imply that some women are strong enough and others are not.

The bad news is that you can't talk yourself out of the pain of childbirth. It can be sharp and incredibly intense. There may be times when you can't handle it. Even if you don't scream, you will probably feel like it at some point. And no, you probably won't forget all pain the moment you see your baby.

Some natural birth advocates try to say that labor isn't painful. Contractions are just pressure waves. Painless birth is just another technique to be learned. Sorry, I'm not buying it. Self hypnosis and rhythmic breathing can be useful tools in coping, but I wouldn't trust my entire birth experience to that alone.

Now for the good news: You can do it! Seriously, your body was made to give birth. You will have breaks after every contraction. People go on and on about the pain, but they don't tell you how great you can feel during the breaks. You can talk, eat, sleep, or even be intimate with your partner if you want.

Natural childbirth may not be easy, but it is empowering. You can cope. It starts within you and with the choices you make ahead of time. The first choice you make is where you will give birth. Where would you feel most comfortable birthing? If you know you won't feel comfortable in a hospital, don't birth there. Focus on alternatives and plan to go to the hospital only in an emergency.

If you decide that the hospital is best, consider which routine interventions are most likely to cause you the most stress. If you hate needles, an IV will probably upset you during labor (duh!). It can be confining and is almost always unnecessary, and if it is necessary it can be disconnected or even removed if need be after you receive necessary antibiotics or other medicine. If your labor isn't short, you will need to have brought your own food and drink. With newer anesthetic techniques, even if you end up in surgery you won't aspirate (which is the unfounded reasoning behind starving laboring moms). Believe me, I can say from experience that if you do vomit during labor, it will be less painful if you have had light food and liquids. You need to move so being strapped to a monitor is unacceptable. Demand periodic monitoring, preferably with a handheld device. Most importantly, if you don't like pain, avoid pitocin or any other drug to induce or speed things up.

Your second consideration for making pain manageable is to decide who will support you. Don't expect your husband to be your sole support, he may become overwhelmed too. A female family member or friend who has experienced birth is ideal. If you can find a doula you are comfortable with you should add her to your support team. Don't be afraid to ask for support. Most of the moms who had a terrible natural birth experience due to pain (not because of interference) were unsupported and not encouraged to move, eat, drink, vocalize, and express emotion.

Water is a very effective means of making labor easier. Those who have had a waterbirth are overwhelmingly happy with the experience so it is worth whatever you need to do to allow that.

Learn to relax. Practice meditation.

Overall, consider your needs and make sure you are set up to have them met. Keep a positive attitude. Look at birth as a joyful transition.