You’ve been looking for that long-awaited baby for a while. You are late, you run to buy a pregnancy test and… positive! You are pregnant! For a few moments everything inside you stirs. The illusion invades you:“Will it be a boy?”, “Will it be a girl?”, “Will it look like me?” Joy and joy are the main protagonists of such an intimate moment. But once everything returns to an apparent calm, joy and joy give way to uncertainty and fears:“How will I be able to give birth?” “Will I do it right?” “What do I have to learn?”…
You may have heard your mother, your grandmothers or even some other friend mention the supposedly “terrifying pain in childbirth“That’s why you ask yourself the million-dollar question: What does pain during childbirth mean? Because… childbirth hurts, right?
What is pain like during childbirth?
Before delving into the topic, it is important to highlight that every woman feels the pain in birthdifferently. Even the same woman can experience the pain of childbirth differently in each pregnancy. There are women who claim that the pain of childbirth resembles strong menstrual pain, colic or cramps, a toothache, and there are even those who would not dare to describe it in words.
What is clear is that pain is subjective. The pain perception It is unique and individual and comes very influenced by our anticipation. That is, it is very likely that when we think that we are going to suffer horrible pain, our fears in pregnancy and the anxietyincrease, which translates into greater pain.
In general terms, when we talk about pain during childbirth, we are referring to arhythmic pain that does not remain stable and? depends on the contractions. It occurs due to dilation, stretching and distension of the perineum and vulva.
Forced posture or lack of freedom of movement can cause extra pain during childbirth. As a positive part, we have the launch ofpositive thoughts,self-instructions,breathing and relaxation techniquesor pharmacological techniques such as the epidural in order to mitigate it.
However, remember that it is essential to maintain a good emotional health in pregnancy It is also key when giving birth.
How to know if I am in labor
Another question that is in the “top 3” of questions from pregnant women is: “How will I know that I’m in labor?” “What if I don’t know how to recognize when the contractions come?”
Don’t worry, you will know. As? When you feel that your uterus contracts and relaxes. Contractions are characterized by having peaks of discomfort and well-being, contraction and expansion, tension and calm. Something like when you are swept away at sea by the occasional wave. Do contractions hurt? Yes of course. But it is a pain that comes and goes. A pain that when it ends gives you time to recover, gain strength and start again.
The contractions aremuscularand they are not always the same since the functions and sensations usually vary.The first contractions appear as lower back pain, similar to the pains of menstruation. They occur once the cervix begins to transform and flatten (it does not have to be only at the time of delivery).The pain and frequency become increasingly intense while labor dilation keep it up. Although it continues to be located in the uterus, it intensifies by causing distention of the bladder.
The time comes for push. It feels great here pressure on the pubis, sacral bone and anal sphincter at the same time that the contractions are of great intensity. The body is wise and although contractions seem like a hassleThey are essential to facilitate the adaptation of mother and baby. In fact, they continue to occur once you have given birth to avoid possible hemorrhages. Here you can read more about the postpartum.
The power of oxytocin
During contractions our brain sends orders to our body to generate endorphins and enkephalins. So that? For us to bebetter able to perceive and tolerate pain. At the same time, in addition to promoting uterine involution and preventing subsequent hemorrhages and inflammation of the uterus, it also influences the rise of milk and subsequent breastfeeding.
The oxytocin Specifically, it is the hormone sexuality and contractions, hence there are even orgasmic births. Yes, you heard right, but don’t get obsessed with it, just know that you should be relaxed and try to make the environment friendly to you. If you are calm, the hormonal dance will happen and your body will prepare to give birth to your baby and everything will go as it should, fine.
Tools that will make the process easier for you
Once we have an idea of what we are facing, it is time to learn to control it. Experts recommend having thetoolsthat best suit the future mother when it comes to facing it. Being well informed to make the best decisions and having the ability to decide on birth options before giving birth is key. Here you can learn more about the birth plan.
It is alsoIt is very helpful that your companion can help you during childbirth..In our childbirth preparation classes Online we give you tools to help you cope with the pain. Another terribly important and equally easy help is support phrases like “you’re doing well”, “everything is fine“, etc… These are phrases that in the moment of truth will help calm you down and make you feel safe during those moments. Discover here when to start preparing for childbirth.
The pain of childbirth It depends not only on physical causes but also on psychological causes and cultural factors(very established in our society). That’s whyHow we arrive at the moment of delivery becomes relevant. The mere fact of feeling an irrational fear at the time of childbirth irrevocably increases the possibility of suffering a painful childbirth. Silvia Alonso, midwife, states that “When the woman makes prior preparation and is relaxed, the adrenaline decreases, there is not as much vasoconstriction, the muscles are more relaxed and then the pain is reduced. On the other hand, when it is tense, the opposite effect occurs and the pain increases greatly.”.
Breathing and Winner Flow
Did you know thatBreathing is key to controlling labor pain? of thatWinner FlowIt knows a little bit since it is one of the great tools you can use to prepare.
It is a whistle that puts resistance on inhalation in order to activate the abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor. The goal is to help you control contractions when the time comes.
Pain does not equal suffering
Eye! It’s not just us who say it. Buddha already stated it with his famous famous phrase:“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”.Pain and suffering are totally different concepts..
In fact… have you ever stopped to think that labor pain is the only pain that is not related to any disease? There is nothing to suggest that something is wrong in our body.
Knowledge is power. That’s why in SingularMom ,With our online childbirth preparation course we want to provide you with your best weapon to break with your fears and experience childbirth fully: information.
Are we going to make the pain go away? Absolutely not. However, with our classes on childbirth we want you to know your pelvic floor. and that you learn techniques that help you manage pain.If you know how to respond to contractions, you will know how to face this important moment without suffering fear and/or anxiety.. What are you waiting for?
