Pain during labor is caused by contractions of the muscles of the uterus and by pressure on the cervix. This pain can be felt as strong cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back, as well as an achy feeling. Some women experience pain in their sides or thighs as well.
Other causes of pain during labor include pressure on the bladder and bowels by the baby's head and the stretching of the birth canal and vagina.
Pain during labor is different for every woman. Although labor is often thought of as one of the more painful events in human experience, it ranges widely from woman to woman and even from pregnancy to pregnancy.
Women experience labor pain differently — for some, it resembles menstrual cramps; for others, severe pressure; and for others, extremely strong waves that feel like diarrheal cramps.
It's often not the pain of each contraction on its own that women find the hardest, but the fact that the contractions keep coming — and that as labor progresses, there is less and less time between contractions to relax.
In addition to pain medication and epidurals, moms have lots of natural pain-management tricks up their sleeves.
- Breathing exercises
- Position changes
- Rocking
- Walking
- Massage
- Soaking in the tub
- Visualization
- Music
Tammy Ferney, shares her tips for managing your pain during labor without the use of drugs. Her advice includes walking, breathing techniques, massage, aromatherapy and using a birthing ball.
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