Science Forums 2

[MagnetMan]

This whole thread on pain, having gone somewhay philosophical in places, would not be complete it it did not include the original pain of Eve.

With eight kids of my own via three separate mothers, and a daughetr with my grandson, I have some observational experience in this department.

Most modern births are experienced via drugs or cesarean section. Drugs divorce the mother from the infant right from the start. In fact the doctor gives birth, with very little help from her. Some of these births drag on for forty hours and more. I witnessed one of them and it was absolute hell. The epidural line in her spine got snagged, the contractions went on and on with no result. Eventually, 36 hours later, tongs had to be used tro drag the baby out. Next time, my wife had it naturally. It was all over in four hours. I have noticed that drugging seriously affects subsequent bonding between mother and infant. The connection is far more affectionate when the mother takes it on the chin.

I managed to convince my daughter to give birth naturally and she allowed me to document it on a video camera. In front of my eyes I watched a sixteen year old girl/child struggle with her fear, get a grip on herself, and in eight hours, go from an unresolved teenager into a fully focused adult. Her subsequent bonding and mothering of her child has been impeccable.

In prehsitoric times boys got their initiation in pain in the circumcision lodge. Learning to face it without flinching, awoke the warrior in them and gave them the courage to face the lion with only a spear.
Women got their initiation in birth.

Why the pain?
Pain instills courage and character in the human psyche.