Why is it so painful for women to give birth? How to relieve the pain of childbirth for pregnant women

I often hear friends say that giving birth is the most painful thing in the world. Many new mothers are scared when they hear this before giving birth. So why is childbirth so painful for pregnant women? How can pregnant women relieve labor pain?

Why is childbirth so painful?

Uterine contraction pain: The degree of pain caused by uterine contraction is related to its duration and the pressure intensity in the uterine cavity. When the uterus contracts, the pressure in the amniotic cavity can reach more than 2kPa (15mmHg), and the muscle rigidity can cause the blood vessels between the uterine muscle walls to be blocked, resulting in temporary ischemia and hypoxia, at which time the parturient will feel pain.

The pain is caused by the pulling of the uterine ligaments and peritoneum, and the expansion of the lower uterine segment and cervix. The pain is mainly manifested in the lower abdomen and waist, and sometimes radiates to the hips and sacrum or transmits downward along the thigh. It is most intense when the cervix expands to 7-8cm.

In the second stage of labor, the pain of cervical dilation will gradually ease as the cervix is ​​fully dilated. The pain at this time is mainly caused by the descent of the presenting part during uterine contraction, which tightly compresses the pelvic floor tissue, causing the levator ani muscles to reflexively contract, the levator ani muscles and perineum to stretch, and the vagina to stretch. The pain relief at this time is due to the involuntary defecation sensation of the parturient covering it up.

In the third stage of labor, as the uterus shrinks, the intrauterine pressure decreases, and the pulling sensation in the perineum disappears, the parturient will feel a sudden relaxation and the labor pain will be significantly relieved. At this time, the harmful transmission from the uterus, cervix and perineum can enter the central nervous system through A8 and C fiber transmission rooms, causing pain again.

How to relieve labor pain in pregnant women

Increasing confidence in childbirth and maintaining a good mood can improve tolerance to pain.

The birthing ball is a colorful rubber ball with a diameter of 1 meter, fixed on a seat with armrests. The mother can sit on it during the intervals between regular contractions to relax her pelvic muscles, feel soft and comfortable, and relieve pain.

A doula is a woman with childbirth experience who provides continuous physical support and help, as well as spiritual comfort and encouragement to the mother before, during and after childbirth.

If there is no doula, it is best for the husband to accompany his wife during the delivery process to provide full support and encouragement. He should hold his wife's hand and caress her constantly when she feels difficulties, and provide encouragement and comforting words at any time.

Benefits of labor pain to the baby

The contraction of the uterus during delivery can exercise the fetal lungs, increase surfactant, make the alveoli easier to expand, and reduce the incidence of respiratory diseases after birth.

The contraction of the uterus and the squeezing effect of the birth canal squeeze out the amniotic fluid and mucus in the fetal respiratory tract, greatly reducing the incidence of neonatal asphyxia and neonatal pneumonia.

When the baby passes through the birth canal, the fetal head is squeezed and the head becomes congested, which can increase the excitability of the respiratory center in the brain, which is beneficial for the newborn to quickly establish normal breathing after birth.