Childbirth is different for all women and all pregnancies, for that matter. There’s no way of knowing if your labor will be long or short, painful or painless. For some women, giving birth is a breeze and for others, quite frankly, it’s a nightmare. The only thing you can do is learn how to work through it in the event that it is a long, painful road for you.
The pain you experience during childbirth is, most often, not related to a medical condition and therefor, cannot (should not) be treated the same way. Pain during childbirth is caused by a perfectly natural process as your body opens up internally and pushes your baby down and out the vaginal canal. It’s critically important for you to remember that the pain you will experience isn’t connected with any illness or injury. It’s a productive pain, and realizing that difference will help you immensely throughout your child-bearing journey. The word “pain” is so loaded with negative connotations that people forget; this pain is the process of your child’s birth.
Aside from remembering that the pain you experience is normal (not an effect of illness or injury), don’t forget that you have the skills to deal with it. You can absolutely manage the pain of childbirth. Prepare yourself, and your partner, by discussing the pain (before-hand, obviously) and identifying how you typically deal with average pain (recall: Childbirth is not average, it’s unlike any other pain you’ll experience in life. It is completely unique.) Knowing how you and your partner see pain will help you to communicate more efficiently during the birth process. Seeing you in pain can be just as difficult for your partner as giving birth is for you. Communicating to each other in an honest, open forum will negate any miscommunications on birth-day and you will each know what to do for the other so that the event is pleasant for everyone!
Another way to prepare for childbirth is to educate yourself. If you know the cause of your pain, it won’t seem as frightening. The pains of labor, birth and after birth are extremely varied depending on the stage of labor you are in and many other factors. You may experience belly pain, back labor, hip pain and “the ring of fire” pain. By learning about your own anatomy, and the process in which your body gives birth, you’ll understand the source of your pain. You’ll be able to face your pain head on – stare it in the face and work through it!
When it comes down to it, giving birth is tough. It’s similar to running a marathon or climbing a mountain. You need to prepare your body and mind for it. To rise out of the screaming, pushing and sweating, you need to take control of your body and its reaction to pain. You need to learn how to manipulate your body and relax your insides. Develop teamwork with your partner and above all, you need to remember that the pain is there for a reason. It’s productive and it’s beautiful.
Can you put this pain management skill in someplace. We need one practical skill rather than just ‘talk’ or ‘educate’
Practice this practical skill now and then you’ll use it in labor. Breathe deeply into your nose and imagine you can open the inside of your pelvis and belly then exhale out your mouth and imagine you are softening all around the inside of you. This is called Directed Breathing and a great labor pain management skill.