Whyis labour painful?

Question

Why is it that the process of giving birth is so painful? I'm not talking about the actual birthing of the baby, I'm talking about the contractions of the uterus which cause the cervix to dilate. Why are they painful? Are there nerve endings in the uterus? If so why, what useful purpose does it serve for labour to be so painful?

I am asking why does the uterus have nerve endings in it? If it didn't then we wouldn't feel pain. So what is the point?

Answer 1

Understanding the causes of labor pain will make it easier for you to cope. There are two basic factors for pain in childbirth: physical and emotional. Learn more about these factors and what you can do to lessen the experience of pain during labor.

Physical Factors of Labor Pain
Most of the physical pain in labor is caused by:
Muscle cramps and straining
Medical tests and procedures (pelvic exams, shots, IVs, catheterization, and so forth)
Position of the baby


Your muscles are hard at work during labor and you might experience strain and fatigue in your legs, arms, and back from the various positions and straining. Your uterine muscles make powerful contractions in order to dilate the cervix, and that causes cramping. To relieve these types of pain, try relaxation techniques — they'll go a long way in allowing nature to take its course, letting these muscles do the work they need to do. Also, don't forget to breathe! Breathing properly will help ensure that your muscles get the oxygen they need to work most efficiently.

Medical tests and interventions can be uncomfortable, too. But bear in mind that often this discomfort is only temporary. Ask your health-care provider to talk with you about some of the tests and procedures you might need. Express your opinion about what kinds of interventions you find acceptable. If you have a good rapport with your health-care provider, you'll have more peace of mind. You'll feel less stress and anxiety, and this can actually help minimize the perceived discomfort of tests and procedures.

There are certain painful situations — such as "back labor," a condition caused by the position of the fetus — that are difficult to control. However, even in back labor there are many things you can do to help relieve the pain. Try massage, movement, vocalization, breathing, hypnosis, and medications to cope with the pain. Also, the baby might be encouraged to change position by massage or by your changing position.
Emotional Factors of Labor Pain
Many negative emotions can actually increase your perception of pain:
Fear of pain
Fear of the unknown
Anxiety
Self-doubt
Lack of education
Exhaustion
Dehydration
Hunger

Talk with your labor support person, women who've had positive birth experiences, and/or a professional therapist to help you develop a healthy emotional state for laboring. Having the support of a trusted person with whom you have good communication during labor is key to minimizing feelings of helplessness or fear of the unknown.

Learn about the process of labor to clear up any confusion about what exactly is going on inside your body. Get as much sleep as possible and take it easy in the final weeks before your due date. Extra rest will give you more stamina for labor.

And while each labor is unique, reading or listening to birth stories of other women who've been through labor can give you a reality check in terms of what you might expect.

With some preparation and relaxation techniques, the painful aspects of laboring will be much easier to handle.

Answer 2

One ridiculous theory is because Eve ate the apple, and God declared that birth so forever after feel like your insides are literally being ripped from your body. Hardly worth the freakin apple wouldn't you say? Someone should've smacked that Eve character. Of course, that's all just a bunch of crap, so the scientific reason is this: you ever try to pass a bowling ball through a straw and have any luck? Didn't think so!

Answer 3

The muscles which are contracting are stretched to the limit,they are helping to push a little being around and out of an increasingly cramped space,when your baby is born,you will wonder how on earth it managed to fit into such a small space.Imagine stretching a rubber band to the limit,then an inch or two more....

Answer 4

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Answer 5

That is why it's called labour not kittens and rainbows lol, It is you r uterus squeezing to gether to push a large object, fluid and placenta down through you rbirth canal, The uterus is very strong and has alot of blood flow to it.

Answer 6

its always been that way. Just how the human body works. Your trying to fit something 10 times tooo big down a whole that is not that stretchy and little. The contractions are a way of your body preparing for the actual birth and making things stretch more.

Answer 7

A theory: the pain builds up quite gradually, so your body makes the necessary bio-chemical adjustments to not die of shock when you have to get something very big out through something very small. If there was no pain and suddenly crowning, you would probably faint at best.

Answer 8

i guess there's no useful purpose for the actual pain, but the pain is there because it is somewhat of an abnormality to be passing something so huge out of a narrow passage. god has his reasons.

and as a recent mother, i reflect on the pain from time to tim enad all i feel now is lord, i survived that and delivered such a blessing to this world.

Answer 9

The contractions is what pushes your baby down into the canal to be born. The average baby weighs 7 pounds or more. I wouldn't understand it if it didn't hurt.

Answer 10

ive known women personally who were delivered from the pain of childbirth. I know two. Both delivered big healthy 8-9 pound babies (more than once) and didnt expereience pain, only the work of labor and delivery.

Theres no reason for it to hurt like it does, anymore than running and solidly contracting your leg muscles would cause you extreme pain.

Doctors honestly have a ton of theories why it does, but no real answers.

Personally I believe its part of the curse put on women in the beginning but its not something we're meant to still be under. We were redeemed from all of the curse.