Giving birth..

For my first baby, I had an "epideral" so didn't feel most of the pain, just some of the labor pains.. For my second baby, I had no epideral and felt all the pain, but I never yelled or anything, being more of a silent sufferer.. The pain is not constant, but comes and goes.. When my daughter (2nd baby) had her daughter, I was there, right in the delivery room! She didn't ask for the epideral until too late! So poor girl suffered it all.. she wasn't much of a screamer either, but was definitely uncomfortable.. They say an upright position (like native americans would use) is less painful, but we are geared twoward the doctor's convenience.. I guess.. As soon as the baby was born, my granddaughter, my daughter sat right up, and motioned a "gimme" with her hands.. She was just 16. :))

There are many reasons why the labor you witnessed was as painful as it seemed, but labor doesn't have to be traumatic or even painful. Even natural, unmedicated births can be peaceful & gentle. Was mom encouraged to move during labor? Did she have a good support person, one who kept her focused and offered support-not just an observer but real support. Did she try breathing techniques, a labor ball, counter-pressure, massage or laboring in a tub or shower? All of those things can greatly reduce mom's discomfort. You mentioned stitches, not sure if mom tore or if she was given an episotomy; but cutting isn't needed in most births. It's done routinely in many hospitals & it is very painful. Good perineum support during birth will usually keep a woman from tearing.