I've been thinking about what words mean when we talk about birth and how labor feels. A few words in particular have struck me...pain and comfort. These are words that mean different things to different people so I thought I'd explore the semantics of birth and what those words may mean to different people.
Penny Simpkins talks about the difference between pain and suffering.
Penny Simpkins talks about the difference between pain and suffering.
When I say that something feels comfortable, do you mean that you didn't feel anything, or did you mean that you felt something, but you could accept it and work with it?
When you say something was painful, do you mean it was unpleasant, or do you mean that it was unbearable?
When we talk about these words, particularly as those working as labor support, we need to understand what people are talking about when they say I'm okay with a little pain, or I don't want any pain, or I just want to feel comfortable. Because what I consider pain another may just consider a tightening.
With that brief intro, here's my words on what labor feels like....
a hum, a buzz, a hope, a kick, tightening, excitement, is it now?
a breathe, a rock, better rest, need some sleep, inward, focus, a dance, pay attention
hard work, low moan, is he coming?, needing help, reaching out, finding hope, doing the dance
I can't, you can, I'm tired, it's soon, open open, don't touch, just stand, don't move, just be
pressure, panic, pushing, out of control, control again, he's coming, he's here, he's mine
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