Understanding the Fear-Tension-Pain cycle during childbirth
I’ve heard through a few different sources that a local hospital specializing in woman care currently has an epidural rate of 97%. That means that 97% of laboring pregnant women admitted into the hospital are administered an epidural. Such a high, almost unbelieveable rate makes me question how many of these women actually need it? How many are convinced that there is no other alternative to experiencing labor and coping with the discomfort that ensues?
This brings up the issue of how women experience childbirth pain. Or, more importantly, how women are taught to fear the experience of childbirth pain—through the media and other social avenues—and how that fear effects the experience of labor and delivery—both emotionally and physically. Dr. Grantly Dick-Read studied the phenomenon of the Fear-Tension-Pain cycle. He observed the ways in which the experience of fear lead to whole body tension which caused an increase in the experience of pain which leads to an increase of fear and so on. Seem simple? Well, it is, unless you’re the person trapped in this cycle feeling as if there is no way out. Thanks to Dr. Dick-Read, there are many, many ways in which women can become aware of the inaccurate, often negative social attitude and perception of labor, overcome these cultural misconceptions and have a positive healthy childbirth experience.
Want to learn more about Dr. Dick Read and his groundbreaking approach? Check back to earthmother.org as we explore the fear-tension-pain cycle and how understanding it can be used toward a positively fearless birth.