One of the biggest concerns for anyone preparing for birth is how to eliminate pain. Most modern women choose medication to eliminate pain without the knowledge of alternate methods in addition to putting themselves and their babies at risk for side effects (short term and long term). Not to mention, medications don't always eliminate all the pain, or wear off, leaving a mother who isn't prepared to deal with labor sensations unable to cope. There are many methods claiming they are the best and the only complete method to work. The problem with any one "method" is, everyone is different, and everyone needs different techniques, and often a variety of techniques. They also have different expectations for birth, and don't necessarily understand why any one particular method works for an individual, but possibly not for them. They, too, can feel inadequate when their labor needs intervention because their "method" didn't work. When we prepare and we understand informed consent, we know that we had just the labor that we needed without having these thoughts or feelings.

Childbirth does not have to be painful because it's all about perception. In America, especially, we are taught by our religion, friends, family, and Hollywood that childbirth is a very scary and horrifically painful experience. This is due to lack of prenatal education, and the medical society making childbirth an intense procedure rather than a culture that welcomes birth and accepts it for the normal process that it is. Unfortunately, pain is also largely driven by mistranslations of the Hebrew Bible and the repetition of mindset and choice because of this.

When you teach one "method," an expectant parent often believes, "if I breathe just like this, it shouldn't hurt," or, "if I lie in just this pose, I will be able to eliminate contracting my muscle," or even, "I am going to read this verse to help me be calm and visualize a beautiful birth." But then, labor starts and women experience unexpected outcomes, often finding their "planned method" is not working for them (or their birth partner), or even forgetting it altogether. And, without putting much focus on how to eliminate their fear of childbirth and their perception of the event, they have nothing to fall back on when their "method" doesn't work.

So, how do we change into a society where childbirth is normal and pain free? At Esali Birth, we teach about the 3 R's of childbirth (relaxation, rhythm & ritual), and we include motivational support during the prenatal period that alters women's (and men's) views of what labor and birth should be like. We teach the vast array of what is physiologic in birth, because often a mother experiences something unexpected, which scares her and physically increases her pain. We also stress the importance of experienced labor support. If you ask almost anyone who had a natural childbirth how they coped with the "pain," you will get responses like these:

"I didn't know it was supposed to hurt."
"I just kept moving and stayed in a private space so I wasn't bothered"
"I used water"
"When it became so intense I didn't think I could do it anymore, I was so close to the end"
"It was painful, but not that excruciating-I-can't-deal-with-it-pain. It was a pain that I could handle and I just had to learn to work with it. I never once felt like I needed medication."
"I wouldn't describe it as ‘pain' but more of a sensation that I had to focus on really hard."
"My doula was great, she helped me stay focused and really took care of my husband as well, while also communicating with the medical team to help stick with our birth plan."
"It's not like pain when you break your arm or scrape your knee; childbirth is completely different - it's usually gradual to allow you to handle a little more each time."
"I had realistic expectations and understood the birth process, so I didn't get overwhelmed."
"My husband kept rubbing my back... or brushing my hair"
"I kissed my husband a lot which made the sensations more pleasurable"

With countless research to back, women who cope well use more than a "method" during childbirth. They know that relaxation is vital to the process and know to relax as much as they can in early labor, and between contractions when they increase in strength. They get into a rhythm with each contraction and find their own rituals (which may change), spontaneously, as they continue through labor. They know that deep noises open up their cervix and help them to stay calm. Labor often takes women into an altered state of mind, especially when they are allowed to move and eat freely and cope with their labor in the ways that make them feel safe and secure. Being confined to machines and a hospital bed does not work well with a natural labor. And to top it off, because natural and unmedicalized childbirth is so seemingly taboo in America, we do not have the education and perception of childbirth that you see in most other cultures, which is why childbirth education classes are so important.

We need to understand how labor and birth work to become confident in our mind's and body's ability to have a natural birth, and to know the realm of expectation during labor. With education comes confidence, and with confidence comes a change of perception. When we start to learn that childbirth is normal, healthy, and know the techniques that have worked for so many people, we have already eliminated over half the reason for pain in childbirth. Your mind is a powerful tool and there are many ways to use this tool effectively to allow a pleasant childbirth experience.

CHILDBIRTH IN THE BIBLE

Because the Christian faith has strong roots in how we experience childbirth today (and of course, because I'm writing this as a Christian) it is very important to discuss how the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) has influenced birth.

Mark 16:15 shares the command of Christians to share the Gospel (Good News) to ALL of creation – those that may not know Christ, those misled in their faith, and those that need renewed through fellowship.  I hope that you will accept the peace possible through accepting Jesus as savior, and in obedience with that command so that God will use these words to help you come to faith, or strengthen your faith. I don’t share this as a Bible scholar – just as someone that is sharing part of my testimony as I believe we are called to do.  When I was growing up, I was taught that childbirth was supposed to be painful, as not only did many women experience pain, but it was also a “punishment” for sin after Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad.  While many women do experience discomfort in childbirth that needs preparation and relaxation to endure, I want to share some truths that helped me not only feel less fearful about birth and accept Jesus’ strength to endure the discomfort but is a foundational approach to how I support birth and what I believe birth is meant to be for us all.

I realize that you may read a different translation of the Bible.  I grew up reading the KJV, and through research learned that King James had quite a bit of words added to the Bible that were not in original manuscripts.  I now study from the NASB and as the more accurate word-for-word English translation, and learn from Hebrew/Greek scholars that interpret many language translations to help me understand the original scrolls.  The many authors of the original scrolls of the Bible were God-Inspired, and unless you can read Hebrew and Greek, you are at the mercy of Worldly-influenced interpretations, which often need cross-referenced to get a better understanding of original meaning.  Many of the people interpreting the original manuscripts are translating concepts (as many Hebrew and Greek words don’t exactly translate to English or other languages) from their own life experience which don’t always have precise English translations.  The original name that Jesus was given, in accordance with the Angel’s direction, was “יֵשׁוּעַ,” which is pronounced, Yeshua, and translates more accurately to Greek as Joshua, not Jesus.  However, the Greeks do not have male words that end in “a,” so it was changed from Joshua to Jesus.  Similarly, the Christian God’s name, “יהוה,” is translated to “YHWH,” (which means “He is”) and usually pronounced “Yahweh.”  Hebrew does not have vowels, and because of more modern Jews’ concerns for adding the wrong vowels to the name, and thus mispronouncing it, it is usually translated to “LORD.” There were many named false gods being worshipped; it was important that a specific name was given so that the Almighty God, Creator of Heaven & Earth, could be differentiated from all other false gods.  In Exodus 6:2-4, God tells Moses His name, “I am Yahweh (LORD)… but by My name, Yahweh (LORD), I was not known to them.”  The power of Jesus’ name, however, has more to do with His image, His reputation, His existence, than the specific letters.  But consider these translation variations as you explore passages that may change interpretation in modern translations (i.e., not original texts).

In the beginning of the Bible, and the world, Genesis 3:16-19 shows the same Hebrew word, “itsabon,” translated sometimes to “pain” for Eve, and “toil” for Adam.  “Itsabon” better translates to grief and difficulty, and this section of the Bible tells us there will be grief (not pain) for both Adam and Eve in the work to conceive (not labor or birth), and the work to bring forth food.  The garden was perfectly nourishing, easy, and readily accessible.  Faith in God’s Word, and obedience to Him, would have brought a joyful and nourished life.  Disobedience made them fall away from this perfection and experience a more difficult life because they weren’t ready for the knowledge and in their immaturity and impatience has led to generations of doing “what is good in their own eyes” instead of what is good in God’s eyes.  Modernly, we can see that men may experience pain, and may also experience ease, in work for food and farming.  Preparation and mindset often make the difference, but the environment absolutely plays a role as well.  Eve was told her conception would greatly multiply (in other words, having many children which wears the body down: see1 Samuel 2:5) and some translations say sorrow in conception, which we see in miscarriage and loss as well as some complications in birth and variations in genetic development of the baby.  We also see this in fear caused from the slanderer’s (Satan’s) lies (which can include misinterpretation).  As a mother that has birthed unmedicated in different locations and different states of mind, as well as a midwife that has witnessed many births, I see the positive difference peace and obedience to God’s whole Word makes.  Women that surrender to God’s directions have a peace that does not let fear (the slanderer) win.  When we let fear of pain or sorrow, or what-ifs, overcome us, we are letting the world win… we are letting Satan rule our lives.  When a woman is well-nourished and can relax with surrender to her birth by trusting in God’s will for ALL experiences and outcomes, there is less sorrow and pain, and sometimes no pain at all, just powerful work.

Additionally, I want to turn your eyes and hearts to 1 Timothy 2:14-15, “And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.  But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”  I absolutely love that this part of the bible confirms these interpretations of Genesis 3.  Scientifically, we know fear and tension increase pain, and isn’t it amazing when God uses science to prove the bible?  Not because we need scientific proof, but because more and more God’s power is being revealed which confirms why we need Christ and why we need to surrender to His will and in obedience.  The Bible doesn’t just tell us to be faithful; 1 Corinthians 6 also tells us that our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit.  What kind of temple would the Lord want us to have for the Holy Spirit?  Possibly one that He created to be nourished and nurtured like it was in the garden?  A faith in Christ’s existence, death, resurrection, and a choice to have Him be the master (Lord) over us, guides us to be obedient by nourishing ourselves, serving each other, and choosing to be filled with peace and joy which absolutely transforms the experience of conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.

In acceptance of Jesus as Lord, and belief in His life, death, and especially resurrection, there is a peace beyond any childbirth method or practice this world has to offer.  A peace that gives hope and joy that no other person or thing can fill, and with it... you can have the strength through any sensation in birth.  I pray you truly choose it.