Pain
P - Purposeful. The purpose of the pain in labour is in the end we have a baby. Also pain is signally us to do something like move, change position and get ourselves comfortable
A - Anticipated. Do you expect some pain in labour. Good! because knowing that we are going to have some pain prepares us mentally for the task before us. Also when you are in labour you also know that you can anticipate that you will finish one contraction and anticipate more will come
I - Intermittent. Listen I never would've had 3 children if it wasn't for the intermittent break relief in between the contractions. Contractions last for about a minute to a minute and half and when it has subsided you get your break you feel pretty much normal and pain free inbetween. Those are the moments when you recoup, relax and recharge to be able to continue on.
N - Normal. Pain during labour is physiologically normal. In our culture we accept that a marathoner would experience some pain during his run, we would accept that pain is a normal part of life and that some live with it more than others. But for some reason the pain of labour is treated as if it were not normal, is to be feared, avoided and must therefore be treated and minimalized. In fact pain alerts mothers to move during labour which often helps progress labour and speeds labour.
