Kirsten on Natural birth and pain, part 1

Let’s Be Honest—What about the Pain??

I feel a little unqualified to even address this, as I haven’t been through labor yet!  This was one of my biggest initial fears about home birth, one I have come to terms with over the past eight months.  Realize that the thoughts in this post come from reading and reflecting, but not yet from experience! 

Many women choose to give birth naturally, whether in a hospital or birthing center, and how to manage pain is a huge part of preparation.  Rarely do we think of pain as a good thing, but pain actually does have a purpose.  In labor, it can indicate that things are progressing normally or that something is wrong (sharp or burning pain, for example).  The body also releases natural stress-releasing hormones called endorphins in response to pain.  Often women describe a natural sort of euphoria that coexists with the pain of labor, similar to the “high” that many distance runners describe. 

It’s true that nothing can remove pain like an epidural.  But epidurals also block other good senses (such as the urge to push) and inhibit the body’s natural release of endorphins.  Usually an epidural also makes electronic fetal monitoring and an IV drip necessary, all of which means you will most likely be on your back in bed—proven to be the worst position for labor and for birth.  Epidurals are not without serious risk to both mother and baby—something you definitely want to research ahead of time to make an informed choice.   

Yes, I fear the pain of labor.  But I also am (weirdly) excited to fully experience this amazing feat that my body was designed to accomplish.  Of course, the first person who tries to remind me of that when I’m actually in labor better watch out…

Comments

[Anna]

Okay, I have to say something again :) Yes, every woman can react differently from an epidural.
For me I always felt the urge to push. I could still feel contractions there was just no pain. I felt the baby coming out with all three and knew when it was time to push…with some women this hasn’t been the case but with me and my three and my sister with her four it was :)
It all depends on how your body reacts :)

[Sara Beth]

I learned something interesting with my third birth. When you are put on pitosin (the drug form of oxytocin) to make your body contract (something that is done in inductions) then your body does not release the eudorphines that help you deal with the pain of labor--cool how that works, huh?