A new level of ten

At the hospital we have a pain rating system: 0 is no pain, and 10 is the worst pain. I had a mother come in last night with a pain level of 10. A little while later when asked about her pain level, she said she had reached a new level of 10. It got me to thinking about how the pain we experience gives us new levels of tens. Not just in labor, but as mothers also.

Labor is a good example of how we overcome those times and draw meaning from them. And I can tell you now, it is not done alone. Or at least, it is much easier if not done alone. One of the things I value most about my labor experience was how my relationship with my husband was affected. I think it really helped draw us closer together. I thought it was really tender to watch these new parents I worked with, come together to overcome a new level of ten. I loved being a part of that also as I helped to calm and reassure a new mom.

I think we all hit new levels of tens in our lives. I think it helps to have someone to hold onto. I think we also need to keep in mind that we should be reaching out also to help someone else with their new levels of ten. Then maybe those tens will seem more bearable.