Ask (the other) Dr. Laura > Pain of Childbirth -- Reassuring Pregnant Friends
Dear Liz,
I do remember thinking "Oh, my, how did I think I could deliver a baby without drugs?" But then it turned out I was almost fully dilated and it was immediately time to push. Only that last part was actually hard, in my case. And the pushing, for me, was a relief.
It is true that every labor is different, but it's also true that childbirth triggers endorphins, which alleviate pain naturally.
Epidurals, on the other hand, significantly slow down labor, resulting in a longer second stage, and often trigger other interventions. 1 in 4 women receiving an epidural experiences complications. There is a 4x greater risk of forceps or vacuum delivery, and a 2x greater risk of c-section. Epidurals also require use of IV to prevent falling blood pressure, so you can't walk around -- and walking is what got me through, both times, and made the births go very fast. What most women don't know is that a third of women receiving an epidural experience severe back pain after the birth, for several days to several weeks. 20% report severe back pain a year later.
Thanks for writing. Please pass on the url to other parents you think will like it!
I do remember thinking "Oh, my, how did I think I could deliver a baby without drugs?" But then it turned out I was almost fully dilated and it was immediately time to push. Only that last part was actually hard, in my case. And the pushing, for me, was a relief.
It is true that every labor is different, but it's also true that childbirth triggers endorphins, which alleviate pain naturally.
Epidurals, on the other hand, significantly slow down labor, resulting in a longer second stage, and often trigger other interventions. 1 in 4 women receiving an epidural experiences complications. There is a 4x greater risk of forceps or vacuum delivery, and a 2x greater risk of c-section. Epidurals also require use of IV to prevent falling blood pressure, so you can't walk around -- and walking is what got me through, both times, and made the births go very fast. What most women don't know is that a third of women receiving an epidural experience severe back pain after the birth, for several days to several weeks. 20% report severe back pain a year later.
Thanks for writing. Please pass on the url to other parents you think will like it!
May 9, 2007 |
Laura Markham, Ph.D.
Laura Markham, Ph.D.
I love the new Pregnancy and Birth section of your website. So soothing and helpful!
I wanted to say that you clearly have a bias toward natural childbirth, as do I, but you don't really address the fear many women have about the pain involved. What I tell my friends is that when you feel empowered and excited, your endorphins handle the pain for you -- just as nature intended!