Lesson 6: Reframing Pain
"We have a secret in our culture, and it's not that birth is painful. It's that women are strong." ~ Laura Stavoe Harm
introduction
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To open this lesson, please watch the video clip from The Business of Being Born® entitled "Bliss & Pain". Take special note of the positions the couples are using throughout labor and birth, the noises the women make to cope with their labor, and especially the conversation about the role and PURPOSE of pain during labor.
Why do you think this clip is entitled "Bliss & Pain"??? |
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learning goals & focus guide
Right Click to Download & Print This Focus Guide!
After viewing and completing Lesson 6 - "Reframing Pain", students will be able to:
- Reflect on any negative associations they may have with particular words, places, or providers that may be present at their birth, and identify at least 1 possible risk of carrying that "baggage" into their birth experience. (As appropriate, students will be encouraged to either work on re-framing their "baggage", if necessary with a licensed professional's assistance, or making necessary changes to eliminate the negativity from their birth space.)
- Differentiate between pain versus suffering - which is physical and which is emotional? Students will be able to give at least one example of physical and emotional pain.
- Compare how the pain of labor is similar to pain experienced during exercise. Students will be able to describe a time they or someone they know may have experienced pain as part of normal physical exertion.
- Quote Penny Simkin regarding what can turn the pain into suffering during labor.
- Define the acronym P-A-I-N in relation to labor, and begin to re-frame their perception of pain into something more positive and productive!
- Describe how at least one pain theory learned in class could be used to help a woman cope during her labor, giving an example of possible comfort techniques related to that pain theory.
- Reflect on any negative associations they may have with particular words, places, or providers that may be present at their birth, and identify at least 1 possible risk of carrying that "baggage" into their birth experience. (As appropriate, students will be encouraged to either work on re-framing their "baggage", if necessary with a licensed professional's assistance, or making necessary changes to eliminate the negativity from their birth space.)
- Differentiate between pain versus suffering - which is physical and which is emotional? Students will be able to give at least one example of physical and emotional pain.
- Compare how the pain of labor is similar to pain experienced during exercise. Students will be able to describe a time they or someone they know may have experienced pain as part of normal physical exertion.
- Quote Penny Simkin regarding what can turn the pain into suffering during labor.
- Define the acronym P-A-I-N in relation to labor, and begin to re-frame their perception of pain into something more positive and productive!
- Describe how at least one pain theory learned in class could be used to help a woman cope during her labor, giving an example of possible comfort techniques related to that pain theory.
video lesson
Evaluating Our "Birth Baggage"
~ After watching the clip mentioned in our introduction, please watch these short but excellent clips featuring Penny Simkin, PT, a world-renowned pregnancy and birth expert, as well as Ina May Gaskin, acclaimed midwife and birth advocate.
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Exploring The Difference Between Pain & Suffering
Please pause the video lesson when it's time for the activity on recognizing and processing our emotional "baggage". Be sure to do the "Your Feelings About" activity for yourself (found under the Resources section), then resume watching the lesson.
Audio Only:
resources
~ "Prepared Childbirth: The Family Way", By Debby Amis and Jeanne Green (Your Purple Book, page 36-37) ALSO BE SURE TO DO PENNY SIMKIN'S PAIN PREFERENCE SCALE, found in the back of your childbirth education manual!
diving deeper
Want to Dive Deeper? Let's Go!
~ "Behaviour Therapy Techniques Based on Classical Conditioning"
~ "Gate Control Theory and Pain Management" by Viatcheslav Wlassoff, PhD | June 23, 2014
~ "Gate Control Theory and Pain Management" by Viatcheslav Wlassoff, PhD | June 23, 2014
Web It! Resources from The Family Way®:
How Painful Will Labor Be (page 34)
~ Tips and Tools: Labor Pain
You Will Be Better Able to Deal With pain If You … (page 35)
~ Nonpharmacological (non-drug) Pain Management Strategies
~ 6 Healthy Birth Practices
~ Everyday Miracles: A Celebration of Birth (Birth Video)
~ A Lamaze Class and Birth Video
~ The 3 R’s in Childbirth Preparation
~ Tips and Tools: Labor Pain
You Will Be Better Able to Deal With pain If You … (page 35)
~ Nonpharmacological (non-drug) Pain Management Strategies
~ 6 Healthy Birth Practices
~ Everyday Miracles: A Celebration of Birth (Birth Video)
~ A Lamaze Class and Birth Video
~ The 3 R’s in Childbirth Preparation
reflection opportunities
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Student Poll: |
Please visit the forum below under "Unit 2: Preparing Your Body And Mind - Reframing Pain" to reflect on the following question:
- Reflect on any negative associations you may have with particular words, places, or providers that may be present at your birth, being sure to identify at least 1 possible risk of carrying that "baggage" into your birth experience. (You do NOT need to share personal information, just 1 possible risk of carrying ANY baggage into the birth.) You are encouraged to either work on re-framing any "birth baggage" you may have with a licensed professional's assistance. Think about what changes you can make to eliminate any negativity from your birth space!
- Reflect on any negative associations you may have with particular words, places, or providers that may be present at your birth, being sure to identify at least 1 possible risk of carrying that "baggage" into your birth experience. (You do NOT need to share personal information, just 1 possible risk of carrying ANY baggage into the birth.) You are encouraged to either work on re-framing any "birth baggage" you may have with a licensed professional's assistance. Think about what changes you can make to eliminate any negativity from your birth space!