Labour = Ice. Something tells me not so much.

I dunno for sure, but I have a sneaking suspicious contractions and ice have little in common.

For one, ice is cold. Contractions have been described to me as pain emanating from the depths of hell.

Ice is wet. Contractions - subtracting the membrane breakage and "waters" flowing - are dry and all consuming.

And lastly, ice is a relatively inert substance. Contractions are volatile. They're meant to be. Mean and ugly and forceful enough to expel a baby from a really small hole.

So, it was to my surprise that the nurse in prenatal class gave each expectant parent - mom and dad-to-be - a bag of ice to hold for one full minute, to see how we deal with pain.

I learned something very important about myself that day. And I'm pretty proud of it. I have no problem squeezing a bag of ice for more than a minute. No sweat. Literally.

But I fearmy stoic display in class - with the ice - will not predict how I'll fare in labour.

"Uhm, this can't be what a contraction feels like, for real," I said, gripping the ice and giving the nurse a "what the hell?!" look.

"Not really," she said. "But this is the only way we're allowed to simulate the pain. Ethically."

Right-o. So, in my first prenatal class I didn't really learn how to calm myself down when the hurt gets nutty. But, I did learn that I have no problem holding a bag of ice.

Good trick at parties, I reckon!

Comments

[lilywhite]

I don't think contractions are what expels the baby. The contractions serve to help dialate the cervix. I think you push the baby out yourself...

[thordora]

Contractions literally are similar to the worst menstrual cramps you'll ever have. I feel twinges years after that remind me of labour.

It's not pain as you'd normally define it. But it certainly is not a bag of ice. :)

[New Mommy Too]

In my pre-natal class the husbands sat behind the wife to "gently but firmly" squeeze her shoulders to simulate contractions.

If contractions were like a back massage I would have asked them to slow down the delivery process!

[Erin]

Try holding on to a bag of ice for 36 hours. That was my labor. They don't call it "labor" for nothing.

[doulamona]

The nurse did it wrong. Ice does not feel like a contraction. The ice represents an uncomfortable feeling while being held for 60 seconds ( the length of many contractions) While holding the ice you concentrate on how uncomfortable it feels, there actually is pain involved. After one minute, switch the bag of ice to the other hand. This time close your eyes while your partner massages your back, whispers encouraging words, plays soft music in the background, this time the 60 seconds seems to go by much quicker than the last time. That is what labour support does for you. While we cannot take away your pain, we can make it seemer shorter in duration and less uncomfortable.

I've really enjoyed reading your blog Michele, and look forward to your updates.