Just as pain does not equal suffering...

The absence of pain does not equal the absence of suffering! This insightful article from Birth Sense outlines some interesting research on the experience of birthing with an epidural. A birthing woman's need for labor support does not end if she has an epidural!

If you are planning an epidural, or even if you are not planning an epidural but plan a hospital birth — do yourself a favor and hire a doula for continuous labor support.  It can make a huge difference in your satisfaction with your experience.  I think the fact that continuous support influenced birth satisfaction more than pain relief  explains why many studies conclude that women who had unmedicated births (most often these are women who have doulas and/or midwives during labor) were happier with their experiences than those with medicated births.  It’s not the medication or the absence of medication that made the difference, but the presence of someone there to give continual support.  A partner may give excellent support, but partners need support, too!  Partners get tired, need to eat, go to the bathroom, get discouraged, just like laboring moms do.  A doula is there for both of you, and a good doula will give you your space when you need it, time for just the two of you when you need it, yet be there with just the support you need at the right moment when it is needed.

 Read the entire article here >>