Is Pain Inevitable During Childbirth?

Is pain inevitable during childbirth?  If pain is an output of the brain, are there ways to educate our pregnant clients to help minimize their pain perception during delivery?

Listen to today’s episode to hear Carolyn Vandyken, a Canadian physiotherapist, explains how using pain science is a better way to support our pregnant clients.

Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that protects us from potential harm. It feels as if the body is being damaged. Specific experiences create a more significant pain response in the body. Creating more safety and less danger can help minimize pain. There are three categories of people who will have increased pain experience. If we know our clients fall into these categories, then education on pain science can be beneficial during childbirth. We need to help our clients understand that hurting doesn’t equal harm, and prepping them before labor may help them get out of the pain, fear, and tension cycle.

Check out the free handout Birth and Pain Conversation Starters for Clinicians & Clients you can use with your clients and also Carolyn's gift of 15% off a course on Pain Science and Childbirth. Visit Institute for Birth Healing Podcast for details.

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Visit Institute for Birth Healing to learn more about how to care for the pregnant and postpartum body: CLICK HERE