what do you think is the purpose of labor pain? how do you plan to deal with the pain? do they mesh?

it is because of Eve. God specifically told her not to eat the fruit and she did. and he said she would have labor pains. duh. its that simple!

Because human beings have evolved to have such large brains at birth the cranium must be large enough to fit it. Therefore the cervix must open to an extreme diameter (unlike other animals) to fit the size of the infants head. The cervix is extremely sensitive and the mere act of it opening is what causes the pain.

When I do have children, and I am planning on having them, I think I want to have it natural, and I would like to do it at home or at a midwife place, instead of a hospital.

EDIT: That is what I think the PURPOSE is for, I hold no spiritual or philosophical believes that life actually has a meaning other than passing ones genetic code onto the next generation. And I don’t think that birth pain holds any special meaning other than what I stated before, that’s why I answered it the way I did. You asked for my opinion, that is my opinion. There pain is just a side effect of the cervix opening, no other meaning than that.

Breathe deep and blow it out..AND NO MATTER WHAT, do not give in to the urge to PUSH.
result: no tearing and lacerations. Which stings when you wee.

Sorry, I know this is specifically what you asked me not to do, but I had to clear up I *heart* Jonathan’s statement. God did not specifically tell Eve not to eat the fruit. He told Adam, before Eve was created from his rib. Adam was to be responsible for the Garden, and for delivering the message, and he blew it when he allowed her to eat the fruit, even though he was standing right next to Eve when she took the fruit.

That said. I don’t know that there is an overall spiritual purpose to the pain of childbirth outside of this one. I don’t know the Bradley Method, as the only thing available to me when I had my babies was Lamaze.

Birth is amazing, but I’d be just as amazed without the pain. People say that the last few weeks of pregnancy where you can’t sleep because all of your internal organs are being squeezed around is to prepare you for the sleeplessness of motherhood, but I didn’t really appreciate my last few weeks of rest – for, apparently the rest of my life – to be wrecked. For me, same goes for the pain.

It’s just a result of the strong muscle contraction and a completing of the act of becoming a parent.

I guess, if I think about it a little, it could be part of the bonding experience with the baby and your husband. People often become bonded if they go through a difficult experience together.

labor pain is from your body expanding and being stretched. some women may feel empowered but some are just exhausted and spent, also some have to have c-sections and don’t experience vaginal labor at all or very little. I don’t think labor is a right of passage because you don’t always go in to labor to become a mom, you may adopt a baby, or use a surrogate. i have given birth naturally twice and i plan on doing it again this time.
congratulations on your pregnancy!

I believe that it is a pain with a purpose. Not only does it help the mother bond with her baby, it also brings out the mama bear instinct. It is not to say that moms who use labor drugs or have c-sections do not bond, but I would say that they are not given the opportunity to bond as strongly during the actual labor and birth. It is a beautiful thing, and I am looking forward to it, pain and all!!