Birth Dynamics Childbirth Article Archive

It is hard to describe childbirth labor to someone who has never experienced childbirth. You may have heard horror stories and all about the excruciating pain for other women. I heard the same stories and was horrified. I was known as one who couldn't take a bit of pain.

Many times stories like these plant a seeds of fear about the labor and birthing process. However, labor and birth are something that God designed a woman for. It wasn’t until my 4th baby that I actually became serious about including God into my birthing process. Though I had prayed before about my pregnancies and births, by the time Patrick was to be born, I became serious with God concerning my fear and dread of the pains of labor. I didn’t want my birthing experience to be miserable. I didn’t want to be scared and fearful. I wanted to be able to see the purpose in this incredible design and not be distracted over feelings of doubt. I wanted to be able to have a different mind set on the birthing process than I had previously.

I began to pray and seek the Lord about my upcoming birth. I read scripture and prayed prayers concerning my unborn child, the labor and the upcoming birth. I started to read and understand more on the incredible miracle of childbirth. My world view began to change and I begin to see and eventually believe that my body was made to birth this baby. When God created me, I was specifically designed to birth children for the Glory of God. I had read different books that had talked about having completely painless births and laughed because after having several children already, I knew birth was far from painless. Although I did not believe a person could have a pain-free birth, I did believe that there were degrees of pain based on mental attitude and perception during the birthing process. I had experienced that before. It was true that when I was in a state of relaxation labor pains were not as “hurtful” as when I was in a negative uptight state. My mental state directly affected my physical state.

My due date came and went as normal. As I awaited the birth of this child, I tried keep myself focused. I asked God that if it was His will, that my labor be short and that it would not be the terrible pain that I dreaded with the last births.

Christmas Eve morning I awoke with regular contractions. We went on with our morning routine getting ready for the Christmas Eve service at Church. We went to church and came home to eat lunch All the time my contractions were regular and steady. I began to think – “Wow, this is really easy! I am having real labor contractions, I have all the signs of real labor and NO pain.”
As fast as that thought entered, it left even quicker. I was sitting around the table talking with my brother as my contractions suddenly got very intense to the point I had to stop talking and go to my room. My husband asked me if it was time to call the midwife and I told him I didn’t think so. He called anyway and by the time the midwife arrived I was in intense labor that was, yes, very painful. However, there was a dramatic difference between this experience and previous labors. Contractions were hard and painful and I did hurt like all the other times however, my mental outlook was completely different. I found myself pulling the beliefs, the scriptures and the prayers out of my head and reciting them to myself. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” “Lord, you made me to birth this baby.” “I can do this!” On and on, with each contraction, I relied on God and stayed focused. Sometimes all I could think of was, “Help!”. When my flesh and mind failed me, I knew I would not be abandoned. I had my faith in God, my husband continually reminding me of how strong I was and how I could birth this baby and several encouraging midwives. Though I would not describe this childbirth as pain free, I would also not describe it as full of pain.

Many people teach a false doctrine of "pain-free" birth in the context of "if you do have pain in labor than you must not have enough faith". There are books on the market that teach this sort of child birthing doctrine. The truth is that the very word labor implies...labor or work or exertion. In regards to childbirth labor, the incredible system of pregnancy and childbirth is a miraculous design. The processes that a women's body go through to give birth are intense and by no means a simple walk in the park. When defining "pain-free", I am saying that a normal childbirth doesn't just happen with out any "pain". As if you are enjoying eating a slice of pie and sipping on a cool glass of lemonade and all of the sudden with out any warning, a baby plops right out. "Wow, who knew!?!" Childbirth labor is designed as a process - a process of systems changing, muscles and ligaments altering and moving, hormones fluctuating. It is the process of birthing a human into the world which is by no means as simple as sipping lemonade. In fact I have a hard time believing that any birth could be completely pain free from just the logistical aspect of getting an average 8 pound human through a birth canal (we all know how big or not big that is). However, the better the understanding and preparation for the labor process, the better equipped the mother becomes to birth her baby which thereby decreases the pain in a variety of ways. Pain can come from many outlets. Lack of knowledge will increase the pain of birthing by leaps and bounds. If a mother feels a contraction pain and doesn't know what it is or what the purpose of that uncomfortable feeling is, the natural tendency is to tense up and focus on the pain. The opposite should be done however, relaxing and not focusing on the pain. Pain can be managed and controlled. Pain can be reduced and handled. Mental preparedness is a huge factor in being prepared to handle the pains of labor.

As women, we were given the special job of carrying and birthing children. Childbirth can be looked at in two different ways: something to be avoided or something to be accepted. If you choose the “something to be avoided” route, you will dread the entire labor and birth process. Your mind will be thinking negative thoughts. “I can’t believe I am doing this, I want this to stop, I am never doing this again.” If you choose the “accepted” view something incredible happens. Your mind starts thinking positive thoughts. You have to accept the fact that you were made to birth this baby. Once you believe that God has given you this child and that part of the process of getting this child from within your womb to in your arms will take some toil, sweat and hard work, the process of labor is now seen in a different light. From personal experience, I can tell you that I do not consider my labors “pain free". For me, having a baby is the hardest, most intense thing I have ever done. When I am in labor, I feel helpless and vulnerable. Though there may be several people in the room helping me with the birth, there are certain times during the labor process that I have only God to cry out to as all else fades in a sort of blur of intensity.

Another thing that helps me during those hard labor contractions is painting a picture in my mind of what is going on. As the intense contractions overtake like an ocean wave, it is very vital that you see the purpose of its strength. Your uterus is bearing down to push your baby out. Your cervix is opening and stretching to allow this little one to pass through the birth canal. The contractions have a purpose and it is helpful to remember the purpose as you labor. Do not become overwhelmed with labor thinking that it is unnecessary. It is very necessary to birth your baby.

After your baby is born. You will laugh and cry at the same time! It is the most amazing, incredible feeling! It will change your life forever. You will be awe struck. You will just stare in amazement at how incredible beautiful your newborn child is. And to top it all off - This baby is YOURS: a physical display of love between you and your husband in the form of flesh and blood. So it is that the work is great, I am called unto.

It is a very emotional. All the work and sacrifice of being pregnant, going through labor and birth will all be worth every moment! You would do it all over again, just to hold this perfect picture of innocence in you arms.

Motherhood and fatherhood are truly an experience that is life altering. You will learn more about God in these years as parents than you ever have before. It is amazing how something so small can rock your world in such a good way. I would not trade my life as a wife and mother for any career in the world. To know that the work I do is eternal is humbling to say the least but at the same time incredibly fulfilling.

Psalm 127:3-5
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

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