Many of my patients mention tuning in to A Birth Story for insights into childbirth. That’s like saying you watched The Princess Bride to prepare for marriage—totally misleading! Let’s be real: the reality of childbirth is far more intense than a 22-minute reality show!
A common misconception is that many women believe they can rely solely on an epidural, entering labor unprepared for the pain. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works in real life. Here’s the scoop on childbirth pain:
- Pain is Part of the Process: Every woman who gives birth will experience some level of pain, even with an epidural. Why? Because you typically won’t receive one until you reach active labor, which is around four centimeters dilated. This is crucial since studies indicate that women who wait for active labor to get an epidural are less likely to require unnecessary c-sections. And trust me, nobody wants that!
- How long will it take to reach that magical 4 centimeters? You could be in labor for hours or even days, experiencing strong contractions along the way. Pain medications administered via IV can be hit or miss, usually effective only for the first couple of doses, which last just a few hours. So, brace yourself—you may face some pain before the epidural kicks in.
- Epidurals Aren’t Foolproof: An epidural is administered through a long needle—don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing because the anesthesiologist numbs you beforehand. The needle is inserted into a space in your spinal column that’s thinner than a human hair, and a catheter is placed to deliver pain medication continuously. While the goal is to numb both your abdomen and legs, about 5-8% of the time, the relief isn’t evenly distributed. Your anatomy might cause the catheter to lean to one side, leaving you with pain on the untreated side. Your nurse will adjust your position in hopes of remedying this, but sometimes those “windows” of pain just can’t be fixed. Sorry, that’s the truth!
- Pushing Can Be Painful: One of the most surprising moments for my patients happens when it’s time to push, and they realize their epidural isn’t working as well as expected. This is because the nerves impacted by the descending baby can still feel pain, and adding more medication won’t help—you’ll still need to push!
How to Prepare for Pain
Understanding what to expect can empower you, which is why I suggest attending birthing classes. Today’s classes are far from the traditional hee-hee-hee routines of yesteryears. Modern instructors teach relaxed breathing techniques, helping you feel more in control during what is typically the most chaotic experience of a woman’s life. You’ll learn about the physiological changes your body undergoes during labor and get a heads-up on potential medical procedures for you and your baby.
I like to compare labor to a swim in a choppy ocean. Anyone who’s ever swum in the ocean knows that the initial entry is jarring, with waves crashing and saltwater in all the wrong places. Labor is similar—a natural force that moves through your body, and trying to resist it often just makes things worse. The key is to relax and ride the wave instead of fighting it.
Knowledge truly is power, and ignorance is not bliss. Bliss would be if men had to experience this instead!
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Summary
Childbirth is a powerful experience that often comes with pain, even if you plan to use an epidural. It’s crucial to prepare yourself mentally and physically by learning about the process and practicing effective coping strategies.