what do you think is the purpose of labor pain? how do you plan to deal with the pain? do they mesh?

Question

everything in labor seems to be tied together, everything serves a purpose, so i'm sure the pain must serve a purpose as well.
i've heard some people say it's becasue Eve at the apple & now all women are being punished (i don't really buy that, personally).
i think it's purpose is to show women how tough they really are, to show them what they can really handle. i think it's a rite of passage. something to help prepare them for being mothers.
i'm planning a natural birth (doing the Bradley method)

what do you think?

(the end of that came out wrong, not what do you think about *my* theory, i meant what's **your** theory & plans for the pain.)

thanks!!

i know what it's caused from,
i'm asking what you think it's PURPOSE is.

IT'S A PHILOSOPHICAL TYPE QUESTION

yes, the pain is caused by large heads passing thru & stretching, yada yada yada... that's the cause, the pain is the effect.

but what *PURPOSE* does the pain serve? pretend the PAIN ITSELF causes something, what is the effect??
(like in my example)
am i not asking this right or something?!?

texicangirl & Jill C
thank you!!
that's the line of thinking i was after :)

if you think it's just a side effect without meaning, that's a valid theory as well. :)

Answer 1

Sorry, I know this is specifically what you asked me not to do, but I had to clear up I *heart* Jonathan's statement. God did not specifically tell Eve not to eat the fruit. He told Adam, before Eve was created from his rib. Adam was to be responsible for the Garden, and for delivering the message, and he blew it when he allowed her to eat the fruit, even though he was standing right next to Eve when she took the fruit.

That said. I don't know that there is an overall spiritual purpose to the pain of childbirth outside of this one. I don't know the Bradley Method, as the only thing available to me when I had my babies was Lamaze.

Birth is amazing, but I'd be just as amazed without the pain. People say that the last few weeks of pregnancy where you can't sleep because all of your internal organs are being squeezed around is to prepare you for the sleeplessness of motherhood, but I didn't really appreciate my last few weeks of rest - for, apparently the rest of my life - to be wrecked. For me, same goes for the pain.

It's just a result of the strong muscle contraction and a completing of the act of becoming a parent.

I guess, if I think about it a little, it could be part of the bonding experience with the baby and your husband. People often become bonded if they go through a difficult experience together.

Answer 2

Because human beings have evolved to have such large brains at birth the cranium must be large enough to fit it. Therefore the cervix must open to an extreme diameter (unlike other animals) to fit the size of the infants head. The cervix is extremely sensitive and the mere act of it opening is what causes the pain.

When I do have children, and I am planning on having them, I think I want to have it natural, and I would like to do it at home or at a midwife place, instead of a hospital.

EDIT: That is what I think the PURPOSE is for, I hold no spiritual or philosophical believes that life actually has a meaning other than passing ones genetic code onto the next generation. And I don't think that birth pain holds any special meaning other than what I stated before, that's why I answered it the way I did. You asked for my opinion, that is my opinion. There pain is just a side effect of the cervix opening, no other meaning than that.

Answer 3

Let him cry all he wants. Call a lawyer and make an appointment. See what your rights are and file for the divorce. He is never going to change. I don't know of anyone family, friends, neighbors that have husbands that look at porn on the internet. If that is his thing then let him go so he can do it all he wants You deserve someone that will respect you and your feelings. It doesn't matter to him if you were perfect, the house was spotless and the children well behaved. That is not what he wants or cares about. But I guarantee you there are great guys out there that would love to have a wife like you. My ex was cheating on me but not through the internet. I divorced him and met a great guy 7 months later. Wasn't even looking. We have bee happily married for 20 years this month. And he has never been on this computer or the internet in all that time. Remember this is not about YOU... He is the one that has the problem So get the tissues ready and tell him you don't care if he cries. ITS OVER.. He had his chance and blew it.

Answer 4

Well Eve or no Eve, I am ready to face the pain. I have waited for so long to be able to conceive that I am prepared to do whatever for this beautiful gift from God. I am hoping to go "natural" and if that can't happen that's fine, I'll take a c-sect or meds or whatever so long as there's a perfect little baby at the end of it all.

And well, I kinda do agree with the Rite of Passage thing. It makes sense that we should earn to have something so wonderful.

Good luck and congrats to all you Mommies to be!

Answer 5

labor pain is from your body expanding and being stretched. some women may feel empowered but some are just exhausted and spent, also some have to have c-sections and don't experience vaginal labor at all or very little. I don't think labor is a right of passage because you don't always go in to labor to become a mom, you may adopt a baby, or use a surrogate. i have given birth naturally twice and i plan on doing it again this time.
congratulations on your pregnancy!

Answer 6

I believe that it is a pain with a purpose. Not only does it help the mother bond with her baby, it also brings out the mama bear instinct. It is not to say that moms who use labor drugs or have c-sections do not bond, but I would say that they are not given the opportunity to bond as strongly during the actual labor and birth. It is a beautiful thing, and I am looking forward to it, pain and all!!

Answer 7

the only reason I could think would be the evolution of humans and the larger more developed head, maybe women are suffering due to our advanced evolution. meaning you will suffer more severe pain, than an animal because of our gift of free though ie larger head. this is the only philosophical reason besides the couple you mentioned above, which by the way are wonderful! I have never though of it this way!

Answer 8

Beside what the Bible said (watch out for those talking snakes), labor pain is due to humans heads being so large in relation to the rest of their bodies - it's because of our bigger brains that make us smart.

Answer 9

i dont know about why it has to hurt
but about the pain i think natural is what i liked best
i Had my first daughter and got Demerol through my iv it sucked i was out of it i dont even remember it i had to get details from my boyfriend so i swore to myself that my next baby would be with nothing and since Ive had 3 more babies all natural
good luck with your new baby

Answer 10

the pain is because your insides are being moved the pain is a big part of it, it hurts to have a part of your body come out things stretch and move it hurts plain and simple