Childbirth Pain: What it is and How to Cope

Childbirth has arguably been called the most painful thing a person can endure, and with good reason. The pain of childbirth can be both intense and sustained, and can often radiate from several different areas.

Most pain from childbirth comes from the stretching of tissues, including the tissues of the vagina, the cervix and all of the surrounding areas that the baby will pass through. During childbirth, the uterus does not squeeze the baby out, contrary to popular belief. The contractions of the uterus actually pull the muscles of the cervix up so that the baby can pass through. This causes pain in all of those areas, as well as swelling that can be sore and painful for weeks after the birth.

The pelvic area is rich in nerves that respond sharply to both pressure and pain. The pressure of contractions and the stretching of the surrounding tissue is then perceived as pain. Tension of the muscles in that area will add to the perception of pain. The pain from the stretched tissues during contractions sends impulses along the nerves and then to the spinal cord. The spinal cord will stop some of the impulses, and allow others to continue into the brain, where they will be perceived as pain.

Because of the path that pain takes in this instance, it is possible to block the pain in three ways- to stop it in the tissues that are sending the impulses, at the spinal cord, and in the brain. To have the most effective pain control, you will need to control the pain at all three of these areas.

To dull pain in the tissues involved in childbirth, it is helpful to practice relaxation that will keep the muscles from tensing. Finding effective labor and pushing positions to keep muscles from getting tense and tired will also aid in pain relief.