Labour and period pain, are they similar

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Hi Chicken Little...

I was worried about the same thing as you - always suffered from terrible period pain and thought to myself there was no way I could get through it.
But, I ended up having a drug free birth.

If you think you won't be able to deal with it from a pain perspective do some informed reading. I read as much as I could, and used BB as a resource to educate me on the best reasons not to use any artificial drugs. Read up on the effects they can have on your baby, on your labour - it will give you some real motivation to think of those reasons when it comes down to it.

Contractions in the beginning are a lot like period pain... but towards the end, I won't lie, it bl00dy hurts! But you can get through it. You will be this new powerful woman in labour and if you can believe in yourself you will overcome the whole thing!

Maybe look into calmbirth or hypnobirthing, I hear they offer some greatly empowering techniques to help women through their labours. Read up on natural pain reliefs - using water in your labour - ways to distract yourself etc.

Another thing you might want to consider is the use of a doula or birth attendant. A non medical and non family support person to be there for you. Sometimes family members will suffer from seeing the sisters/wives/daughters in pain and encourage you to take the drugs. A doula can be a fantastic resource as support.

The most important tool is to be educated