Why Does Labour Hurt? Understanding the Purpose of Labour Pain
- Joy Cassidy
- Jun 29
- 6 min read
Spoiler alert… your body isn't trying to work against you.
One of the biggest questions I get asked in antenatal classes is:
"Why does labour have to hurt?"
It's a fair question. Pain isn't something we usually associate with healthy bodily functions. If your ankle hurts, you assume you've injured it. If you have stomach pain, you wonder whether something is wrong. So it's understandable that many people assume labour pain means their body is struggling - but here's what's fascinating ...
Labour pain is different. In a straightforward physiological labour, contractions aren't simply something to endure. They are part of an incredibly sophisticated process that has evolved over thousands of years to help you give birth to your baby.
That doesn't mean labour is easy. It doesn't mean everyone wants or should avoid pain relief.
It simply means that understanding why contractions feel the way they do can help labour make a little more sense - and when birth makes more sense, it often feels less frightening.
Labour pain isn't the same as injury pain
Most pain is a warning signal.It tells us to stop doing something because we're causing damage.
Labour is different. During labour your uterus is doing one of the biggest jobs it will ever do. Each contraction gently shortens and thickens the muscle fibres of the uterus, helping your cervix gradually open while encouraging your baby to rotate and move down through the pelvis.
Those contractions create intense sensations because your uterus is working incredibly hard, not because your body is malfunctioning. The sensations of labour are part of a healthy physiological process.
That's a very different type of pain from touching a hot oven or breaking a bone.
The incredible hormonal recipe of labour
One of my favourite things to teach is just how clever the human body is.
Labour isn't controlled by one hormone. It's more like an recipe, with several hormones blending together at exactly the right time.
Oxytocin – the hormone that powers labour
Oxytocin is often called the "love hormone." It's released when we cuddle someone we love, breastfeed our babies or feel safe and connected. During labour it has another very important job
It stimulates the uterus to contract.
As labour progresses, oxytocin levels gradually increase, helping contractions become stronger, longer and more effective. Oxytocin also acts within the brain, promoting feelings of calm, trust and connection. This is one reason why a quiet, supportive environment can make such a difference during labour.
Endorphins – your body's own pain relief
As contractions become stronger, your body starts producing increasing amounts of endorphins.
Endorphins are your body's natural opioids. They don't necessarily remove the sensation of contractions, but they change how you experience them.
Many women describe becoming deeply focused, quiet and inward-looking.
Some people call it "labour land." Rather than concentrating on everything happening around you, your attention naturally turns inwards as your body gets on with the job of giving birth.
Adrenaline isn't always the enemy
People often hear that adrenaline is "bad" for labour. The truth is a little more nuanced.
In early labour, if you feel frightened, observed or unsafe, adrenaline can interfere with oxytocin and slow labour down. From an evolutionary perspective that makes perfect sense. If our ancestors sensed danger, it wasn't a good time to give birth.
Later in labour, however, a surge of adrenaline is completely normal.
Many women suddenly announce they "can't do this anymore."
They feel shaky.
They become intensely focused.
This surge of adrenaline helps provide the energy needed for the final stages of birth.
Your hormones are constantly adapting to what your body needs.
Why movement feels so instinctive to support contractions
It is incredibly difficult it is to sit completely still during a contraction and that's not an accident.
Changing position is one of your body's natural responses to labour.
You might sway.
Lean over the kitchen worktop.
Rock on a birth ball.
Get on all fours.
Walk around.
Kneel.
Squat.
These movements aren't random. Every time you change position, the shape and dimensions of your pelvis change slightly. That can create more room for your baby to rotate and descend through the birth canal.
Movement can also make contractions feel more manageable.
Why feeling safe matters
Humans haven't lost the instincts of other mammals. If you've ever watched a cat disappear into a quiet cupboard to have her kittens, you've seen this in action.
When we feel safe, supported and undisturbed, our bodies generally find it easier to produce the hormones that support labour. That doesn't mean you need candles, fairy lights or whale music.
It simply means creating an environment where you feel secure.
For some people that's a dimly lit birth room.
For others it's knowing their partner is beside them.
For someone else it might be having an epidural so they finally feel able to relax.
Feeling safe looks different for everyone.
So...should you avoid pain relief?
Absolutely not. Understanding the purpose of labour pain is not the same as saying everyone should experience every contraction without pain relief.
Pain relief has an important place in modern maternity care. Many women find water, massage, breathing techniques, movement, TENS or gas and air provide enough support.
Others choose opioid medication.
Some decide an epidural is absolutely the right choice for them.
Some plan an epidural from the start.
Others change their minds halfway through labour.
None of those choices represent success or failure.
Birth is not a test of endurance.
It's about understanding your options and making informed decisions based on what's happening for you and your baby at the time.
Knowledge reduces fear
One of the biggest transformations I see in antenatal classes isn't that parents stop being nervous. It's that they begin to understand what's happening.
Instead of thinking:
"Something awful is happening."
They start thinking:
"My uterus is working."
Instead of wondering why contractions are getting stronger, they understand that's often exactly what needs to happen.
Instead of feeling frightened by every sensation, they begin to recognise what their body is trying to achieve.
That shift in understanding doesn't remove the intensity of labour, but it often reduces fear and fear can make everything feel harder.
What if labour doesn't go to plan?
It's important to remember that not every labour unfolds physiologically.
Sometimes labour needs a helping hand.
Sometimes contractions aren't effective enough.
Sometimes induction is recommended.
Sometimes an epidural is the right choice.
Sometimes a caesarean birth becomes the safest option.
Understanding how physiological labour works isn't about chasing the "perfect birth."
It's about understanding how your body works so that, whatever path your birth takes, you can make informed decisions and understand why different options might be recommended.
The bottom line
Your body isn't trying to work against you. Labour pain isn't simply something your body inflicts on you. In a straightforward labour it's part of an incredibly sophisticated system involving muscles, hormones, movement and instinct, all working together to help bring your baby into the world.
That doesn't mean you have to love labour pain. It doesn't mean you have to avoid pain relief, but understanding what's happening inside your body can replace some of the fear with knowledge.
Preparing for birth with confidence
If you'd like to understand not just what happens during labour but why, my small group antenatal classes in Linlithgow are designed to do exactly that.
We'll explore how labour works, your options for coping with contractions, the full range of pain relief choices available, and how to make informed decisions that feel right for you.
My aim isn't to prepare you for one type of birth. It's to prepare you for your birth.
FAQ Section
Is labour pain a sign that something is wrong?
No. In a straightforward physiological labour, contractions are a normal part of the birth process. They help your cervix open and your baby move through the pelvis. However, if you have concerns during pregnancy or labour, it's always important to speak to your midwife or maternity team.
Why do contractions become stronger?
As labour progresses, oxytocin levels usually increase, making contractions more effective at opening the cervix and helping your baby descend.
Does understanding labour make birth less painful?
Understanding labour doesn't remove pain, but research suggests that reducing fear and increasing confidence can positively influence how labour is experienced and how well women cope with contractions.
Should I avoid pain relief?
No. Pain relief is a personal choice. Understanding the purpose of labour pain doesn't mean you shouldn't use pain relief if that's what feels right for you.
Does everyone experience labour in the same way?
No. Every labour is unique. Factors such as your baby's position, whether it's your first baby, induction of labour, previous births and individual pain perception all influence how labour feels.
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