Coping with pain

Even though it sounds strange: pain is a useful tool during delivery. The pain of the contractions causes the body to provide endorphin (the body’s own morphine-like substance). This hormone causes the influence of adrenaline (stress-hormone) to decrease. As a result, the uterus becomes more susceptible to the contraction-hormone oxytocin. While the contractions increase in strength, a self-enhancing process is initiated. This is comparable to an avalanche that isn’t stopped until your child is finally born. Thus, pain is the necessary link to make the contractions stronger and allow the delivery to proceed normal and safe.
A positive conviction and attitude towards pain helps. It provides you with the strength to change the normal fear and insecurity to feelings of challenge and curiosity. Research has shown that woman are better able to cope with the pain of delivery if they are supported by someone they trust. Of course, your partner is very important in this. Aside from this, during your pregnancy we try to build a bond with you that allows you to have faith in us.

Pain medication is an option. Every woman has a different pain threshold and you can let us know when you’ve reached yours. We will help you to deal with the pain during you contractions. If, however, the pain becomes burdensome to the process, pain medication is the best option.

It is good to prepare yourself for the delivery so you know which ways there are to deal with the pain. During consultation hour we would like to talk to you about the possibilities; for example continuous guidance during delivery, different positions, sterile water-injections and medical painrelief.
For good information about how you can deal with pain and what the possibilities are for counteracting pain, you can read the brochure: 'The birth of your baby, how do you deal with pain?'