How Painful is a Natural Childbirth?
There is no way to determine before the labor begins how much pain a woman will experience during labor. Some variables which affect the amount of pain are out of the mother’s control, such as the position of the baby and the length of the labor. Most of the variables that determine the amount of pain can be influenced by the mother. Simple things such as keeping herself healthy and well rested, staying hydrated and emptying the bladder frequently can decrease the painful sensations a woman feels. Other factors can play a large role in a woman’s comfort level. Freedom to move and changing positions, a relaxed and supportive atmosphere and feeling that she has control over how her labor is handled can greatly increase a woman’s ability to handle the stress and pressure of labor. The most telling sign that the pain of childbirth is not overwhelming is studies that show the presence of a Doula decreases request for medication by 60%. In further studies, Klaus and Kennell had the same resu
