Childbirth or labor is the process of the pregnancy ending and the birth of a newborn (1 or more). The most common method of delivery is vaginal birth, with the 2nd being via Cesarean section. Associated symptoms include “water-breaking” (the rupture of the amniotic membrane) and labor pains. In this article, we will be covering the 3 main causes behind labor pains and why they occur.
Labor pains are often compared to being very similar to menses pain, albeit more intense and frequent during end stage pregnancy. This pain arises primarily from uterine muscle contractions, which causes distress, anxiety, trauma, and fear in many women, who refrain from the idea of pregnancy.
Causes of labor pain:
1. Psychological
Labor pains are often gravely exaggerated by many different sources such as the media, family stories, articles, movies etc. and it engraves and imprints an idea that labor pain is associated with the most intense physical pain one can encounter. When women carry such fears, when labor does indeed occur, these thoughts can amplify pains to greater levels due to stress and anxiety. Labor pains are not as severe as people depict it to be, and your body will have a physiological response to help you deal with the pain. An increase in the levels of oxytocin makes you feel sensations of calmness and ease, drastically increasing pain relief. Women need to avoid such narratives that can increase their fear of labor, as the mind is a powerful amplifier of pain.
2. Uterine Smooth Muscle Fatigue
The uterus is made up of involuntary smooth muscles. During intense uterine contractions, the smooth muscles that comprise of the uterine muscle walls constrict and restrict blood vessels. This causes the blood delivery to be restricted during uterine contractions, especially powerful ones. The lack of oxygen over time causes buildup of lactic acid and eventually leads to fatigue. This pain that originates from the fatigue is essentially what we know as labor pain. This is completely natural and part of the process of natural childbirth. Oxytocin both stimulates the contractions and at the same time provides pain relief for the mother and finally, causes the process to speed up.
3. Vaginal stretching and tearing
Vaginal tearing or perineal lacerations, when the fetus head is unable to fit through or if the vagina has not stretched to a sufficient level to accommodate fetal expulsion. This is also another primary cause of labor pains, although they do not always occur. There is anesthesia that can be administered for patients who need an induced vaginal laceration, to ease the pain. However, if the process is unrushed and the mother is consistently pushing, gently and slowly, the vaginal canal will stretch without tearing, and labor pains can be reduced to a certain extent.
Antai hospital offers waterbirth as an alternative to vaginal birth, as it relatively painless with no medication or surgical intervention required. There will be no bleeding observed as well, as it is a completely unrushed childbirth taking place in a warm water-tub, under the supervision of midwives and doctors. For those who are seeking a unique and painless childbirth journey, this is something you can consider. Schedule consultation with us to find out more.
Antai Hospital’s Commitment
Antai Hospital’s full refund policy for the miscarriage prevention treatments we provide should already be the best guarantee for a healthy pregnancy. Patients should rest assured, can and should go about their everyday life, focusing their diet on vegetables, beans, celery, and other fiber-rich foods. Besides that, an active lifestyle of yoga and swimming should also be incorporated to help relieve stress and increase blood circulation, which is beneficial for the fetus’s development and the mother’s health. With our assurance, a healthy lifestyle, and peace of mind, you can go through a healthy pregnancy with no complications.
Recurrent miscarriages are no doubt a heavy blow to the patient’s physical and mental health. All we can do is to help ease the burden and decrease your trauma, to slowly help you overcome the anxiety with the love and care that we provide at Antai Hospital.
Trust in Antai Hospital and trust in yourself, your pregnancy is our priority.