Pain in childbirth 'a good thing'

[Anxious Patient]

Dr Denis Walsh, associate professor in midwifery at Nottingham University, said pain was a "rite of passage" which often helped regulate childbirth. It helps strengthen a mother's bond with her baby, and prepares her for the responsibility of motherhood.

He said epidural rates had been rising over the last 20 years, despite the fact that alternative, less invasive ways to manage pain in labour were available.... pain in labour was known to have positive physiological effects, such as helping to establish a rhythm to childbirth.

(Pain) also triggers the release of endorphins which helped women to adjust to pain.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8147179.stm

interesting pro and con reader comments, plus the predictable criticism that this 'wisdom' is coming from a man.

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6738&edition=2&ttl=20090716185015

[Chapis]

no thanks! epidural please

[hikernurse]

I don't disagree with Dr. Walsh. I had most of my children without pain relief and overall it was a positive experience each time. I started motherhood feeling strong and powerful, which is a great way to begin an endeavor that does seem to require a lot of strength.... I don't have a great pain tolerance in general, but this type of pain seemed worth getting through--to me. I like the idea of having a one on one person to assist mom, but realize that can be a bit onerous staffing wise .

A lot of the comments seemed to veer towards labor pain=punishment and that was a bit silly and old-fashioned to my taste.

I definitely understand why some moms would want relief and am glad that it is available for those who need/desire this. I am not advocating this not be readily available, but for those who can get through without meds, it's not a bad way to go :).

Frankly, I much prefer the straightforward pain of labor to those first several drippy days afterward--now that, I would skip in a heartbeat .

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

I believe that nature gets it right.

Granted, women have assistance in childbirth now, but biologically, we are not programmed to really need it (assuming a normal birth).

Though I would never do natural childbirth myself, when you think about it...that pain really keeps the adrenalin going and that from a biological standpoint, you are going to push much harder and faster to get the labor over with.

To me, as a female, it makes sense.

[GilaRRT]

What I see is allot of opinion and anecdotal evidence. Looking beyond the feelings and anecdotes, what does the evidence show? Is there a significant impact on morbidity and mortality with epidural use? I am not a L&D specialist, therefore I simply have not looked at or for any data. However, before we start making conclusions, perhaps looking at good peer reviewed evidence would be a better place to start?

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Epidurals are fairly well-known in the OB community for increasing the need for c/sections, for a start. Bupivicaine epidural = decreased mobility = inability to assume the most effective position for baby's descent.

Midwives have been saying for many years that labor pain has a beneficial purpose. Generally, the positions that are best at nonpharmacological pain relief (standing, squatting, rocking, all fours) are also best at moving baby down and out.

[rockytopRN2b]

I did not read the article, but from my birthing experiences, I would say labor pain was beneficial.

With my first, I was younger, scared to death, and begged for an epidural the moment they would give me one because I was terrified of feeling any pain. When I was fully dilated, they told me to push, but I had no urge to do so and felt nothing. I pushed for four hours unsuccessfully and ended up with a c-section. My OB claimed it was cephalopelvic disproportion.

When I had my next baby, I was determined to have a VBAC. I went to a midwife, skipped the epidural, actually FELT when I needed to push, and gave birth naturally to my daughter. She was larger than her brother.

I think some people are lucky not to have issues with epidurals, and I'm glad we have the option, however I would never want one again for myself.

Besides, it was awesome to give birth and feel completely normal again as soon as the delivery was done... not stuck in bed waiting for the effects of the drugs to wear off.

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

I never had time for epidurals or anything for that matter. I went from 0 to 10 in less that 15 min. I had to beg my nurse to check me she kept telling me she had just checked me and I was fine. I had to throw a fit to get examined and then my baby was crowning. samething with my second. The first 2 were 'uh oh here they are'. The third was fast too but my doc was prepared for him due to my history.

[CEG]

I think it really depends on the woman- for some the pain of labor could be/is traumatic.

On the other hand, society has really devalued the childbirth process, the challenge of it, the idea of it as a rite of passage and a significant event in itself. I do think this affects the transition to motherhood and colors some of how we view mothers and their value in society.

[Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN]

I distinctly remember having my third baby and being told I was 10 cm. However, the nurses were not in any hurry and just letting me push when I was ready, which I decided after about 5-6 more contractions. At that point I had about 3 contractions where I thought, "These are very different contractions. I'm going to try to push." Her 9-pound 1-ounce body was out in 2 contractions. That was an incredible feeling to feel that control when many things were not in my control, and it still is something I remember very fondly, though I can't go bragging about it too much without looking like a goon.

My second daughter just started crowning after I had moved to the side at my nurse's urging. She came out in 2 pushes, all 10 pounds of her. I felt very accomplished after this birth. The pushes were intense and incredibly painful, but there was an inner strength that just burst in me with both these births.

Neither one of these were medicated births, either.

I received an epidural with my first birth. There were several factors at play, surely including the fact that I was a primip, but there was something that left me out of control with the epidural, besides being unable to move. It gave me relief from the pain for some time, but it help deaden that urge to push, though I had great pain during pushing (like I should, of course...but the urge would have helped me feel more in control).

I am slightly saddened to hear women say, "I want an epidural as soon as I get to the parking lot!" I can't explain why, but I am. I think some women would surprise themselves - if the pain remained tolerable - to power through a delivery and have that incredible feeling of control when there sometimes is little control in the hospital setting (mine were hospital births).

I'm no OB nurse, just a mother. Take my comments with a grain of salt. :)

[coffee4metech]

I had an epidural and do not regret it at all.

[NurseKitten, MSN, RN]

Sounds like something a man would say.

If women want to tough it out and do it naturally, more power to them, and best of luck.

But don't make those of us who don't feel the need to be heros feel like we are somehow inferior mothers. I've had enough pain in my life. The birth if my child is not something I'd like to include in that list, if I can help it.

Caveat: I'm prejudiced - SRNA here. :)