Thread by @GZzyzyx

@sonnlich Women aren’t martyrs for birth.
People who feel pain during birth might have problems releasing enough oxytocin, or allowing the brain to shut down. Natural birth hormones makes pain reception during birth very difficult.

My mom had a bad time too. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@sonnlich Its most accurately analogous to sex.
Sex hurts some people who are not physically or mentally ready for it.
The birth reflex fills all the body’s pain receptors w oxytocin, and the brain shuts down. Doulas call that condition ‘birthland’

@sonnlich I suspect there may be a correlation between women who exercise (body building) and women who have painless births. Muscle fitness includes the practice of oxygenation to prevent soreness during exercise.
Some people think the gym is INCREDIBLY PAINFUL!

@sonnlich The key to painless contractions is breathing. Muscles need oxygen to function properly. So deeeeeeep slow breaths before the contraction, and full release of breath mid(and after) the contraction. Just like lifting weights. Also, fear or adrenaline will prevent #birth hormones.

@sonnlich Fear of birth itself might bring pain to some individuals. Blood leaves the uterus and fills the extremities during fight or flight. And to be honest, the loss of bodily-control during birth can feel very scary. Esp if you don’t expect squeezes. But the uterus needs blood.

@sonnlich Also playing a role in a woman’s #birth experience is personal feelings about nudity and strangers. For comfortable birth, a woman has to relax all the way to release melatonin and oxytocin. Can she do this w strangers staring at her butt? 😂🤔

@sonnlich The birth reflex is all about feeling safe.
Most women don’t need help to give birth.
Just like orgasm and pooping,
birth is a reflex. A reflex you can NOT do if you’re scared or socially uncomfortable.
Try to poop with a team of docs watching 😂 #doula

@sonnlich Anybody interested in learning more about having a #painlesschildbirth should take a class from their local birth center. Avoid the hospital (if given the green light from the doc) And read #InaMayGaskin and #GrantlyDickRead #books.
Your body is not a lemon. 😁

@sonnlich The reason I say avoid the hospital is bc they stick a needle in your arm
‘just in case’
Have you ANY idea how hard it is to fall asleep or orgasm w a needle in your arm? (🤔😬😂)
But seriously. Hospital births struggle to reach the relaxation required for painless contractions.