"No award given for pain"

[anjanetteopal]

A friend posted on her facebook status that she's excited about her upcoming natural (Lord willing) childbirth and someone responded with the above quote, "there's no award given for pain." I don't want her to be the bad guy, so I'd like to respond to the comment with a well written article or two and say that there IS, in fact, an award (or at least a reward) - more than one!

Anyone have a well written article off the top of their head that they've read or referred to recently that outlines the benefits of natural birth for mom and baby and that emphasizes the danger of increased interventions beyond pain relief when a mom chooses an epidural?

[sweet.p]

http://www.childbirthconnection.org/...=10191&area=27

Excellent reading, non crunchy, not your opinion, all evidence based studies and referenced.

A good way to share so You don't come off overly invested in her unmedicated birth!

[kltroy]

This is a different approach, but I usually use the marathon analogy. That is, a natural birth is comparable to finishing a marathon -- only better because you get a baby at the end -- but similar in that you feel the same sense of accomplishment and amazement at what your body is capable of. Ask anyone who has run a marathon if they thought it was worth the effort and you will universally get a YES answer. Same with an unmedicated birth.

[Kelly1101]

Pfft. I'd just say, "my award is the baby, and it's my business how he gets here, pain or no pain."

[lifeguard]

I hate that line. It's right up there with "you don't get a medal for not using pain meds".

[Kelly1101]

Originally Posted by lifeguard

I hate that line. It's right up there with "you don't get a medal for not using pain meds".

Exactly... you don't get a medal for using pain meds, either. I wish people could just respect personal choices.

[Peace+Hope]

love love love this article, ecstatic birth, by sarah j. buckley, about the natural hormones working together in the body during labor, and how this process can be interupted with chemical and other interventions.

this article really helped me cement my feelings about intervention, in a way that prepared me to communicate about natural birth to friends/family.

the title may be scary for those who are skeptical anyway, but the content is very sound.

[GoBecGo]

Um, the legal high i got after my DD's birth was a pretty good 10-day reward!

[Cheshire]

Having had three births, the first started naturally and ended with an epi. The second was induced and after 12 hours with pitocin it ended with an epi, emergency situation and my son died after his birth. The third all natural and very fast.

I didn't get a high after any of them. I felt best after my third birth because I hate the way an epi makes me feel.

After having three very different births I would say our birthing system doesn't offer enough support for moms who want to go without pain meds.

After my unmedicated birth the reward was my healthy daughter, but, I felt like I had a second reward that I was able to do it this time. I felt like I had personally accomplished something great, better than finishing a marathon, and I felt like superwoman. I learned a lot about myself after my son's death and then again after my daughter's birth.

[mamazee]

It isn't about an award. The issue is that the pain is there for a reason. It tells our body what to do - what position to get into for the least traumatic birth. Whatever hurts the least is the way we should be.

[moonglowmama]

I actually think there is a reward for the pain- and only those who have walked through their labors unaided by drugs will know what those rewards are- so I'd tell her to rock on- she and her baby will feel immensely rewarded by each other and their labor process!

[FullMetalMom]

She can delete the comment off her Facebook if she wants. People can write some really idiotic things and I've found that function very useful.

[HappyMommy2]

One reward is a non-drugged baby!

[Kidzaplenty]

I never could figure out why people always make that comment. As if pain, or lack thereof, was the ONLY consideration for how we give birth.

My lack of pain killers is NOT because I enjoy pain or I think I am getting a reward, it is because pain killers have side effects that I do not want, nor do I want to give my baby.

[gcgirl]

People do lots of things for other reasons, not just to get an "award." I've always hated that line. Like there could be no other reason to go natural. Sheesh.

[fazer6]

It is strange that people would think we only chose a natural birth to gain points. Also it's showing a lot of ignorance to think that a natural birth is a painful birth. The videos of the hypnobabies mothers completely calm and relaxed at 9cm sort of swung it for me.

Why not also post a link to videos of natural and comfortable births to show that natural does not mean painful.

[GoestoShow]

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Edited by GoestoShow - 1/3/11 at 12:01pm

[S.Elise]

For me, the "award" is being able to have my baby in a place (my home) without a 30+% major surgery rate, where evidence-based care will be provided to me and where I can be treated like a human being (allowed to walk, eat, drink, not have tubes stuck into my body). If I could have those things and the possibility of pain relief, I'd take 'em, but unfortunately, not a possibility here in the US of A.

[GoldmanBaby09]

Well, seeing how the only painful thing about my natural home birth was the ring of fire right before my son barrelled out, who says that natural birth has to hurt? Being unafraid and in total control are far bigger pain relievers, IMO, than some one coming at me with a big needle they want to shove into my spinal column.

[meganmarie]

How about just: Congratulations, YOU win the "most unsupportive friend of the year" award!

I hope she boots this person the heck off her list. Good for you backing her up.