The honest truth is that many expectant parents deal with labor with fear.  This is a normal reaction – fear of the unknown, fear of the hospital (most people are sick in a hospital), fear of the pain, fear of the “what if”.

When shopping for a place to birth and childbirth education classes, remember that many hospitals tend to put more emphasis on medicines or clinical procedures for pain relief in labor, while the independent community educators encourages more 'natural' childbirth. Please note, there ARE exceptions to this statement!  So ask question, talk to an educator, shop! 

 
Natural childbirth is not the same as painless childbirth. The philosophy with natural childbirth is that childbirth should - and usually can - be a positive and joyful experience. Working on the thought that pain, fear and tension are linked, it encourages women to take control of their labor, stopping the vicious cycle of fear, tension and pain before it actually starts.  This taking control can begin in childbirth education class.

The Fear Tension Pain Cycle was discovered in the 1930’s.  The Cycle demonstrates that when there is fear, the body tenses.  When there is fear and tension, pain is amplified.  So when there is fear and tension in childbirth, the pain of the contractions seems more intense than it truly is. 

How can expectant parents conquer this Fear Tension Pain Cycle?

Fear

To help conquer fear, use information from care providers, childbirth education classes, books, and Internet.  Understand what a contraction is, how it works, and how the body works during labor.  Know why you will feel the sensations that you will feel – both the laboring mother and her partner!

Tension

To conquer tension, identify stressors, experiment with comfort measures, learn and use relaxation techniques and comfort measures such as touch, massage, hydrotherapy, music therapy, heat/cold therapy, positioning, nutrition/hydration, focusing, breathing and so much more!

Pain

To conquer pain, understand pain tolerance and pain threshold, identify the value of pain during labor and birth, learn all of your pain relieving options.

Once you have decided that labor will be painful and fully understand why it will be painful and how to cope, your fear of the event will be greatly reduced and you can cherish the day your baby was born with confidence and great determination!  Happy birthing!