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Answer
Pain has been a part of childbirth ever since Eve gave birth to Cain “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.”, (Genesis 4:1). Most scholars agree that labor pain is part of the curse God placed upon Eve because of her sin in eating the forbidden fruit “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”, (Genesis 3:16), just as weeds and thistles were part of Adam’s curse (Genesis 3:17-18). Some people argue that, since childbirth pain is the consequence for sin, a mother in labor should not try to dull or escape that pain. Others disagree, noting that the Hebrew word translated “pain” can also mean “toil” or “labor” and does not necessarily imply physical suffering, but rather hard work in giving birth. But if it is true that physical suffering and/or hard labor in childbirth is God’s judgment on a woman, is it wrong to have an epidural and/or other pain-relieving drugs during childbirth? Is requesting an epidural an attempt to nullify God’s righteous judgment?
To carry that argument to its logical conclusion, we would also need to ban weed-killers, lawn mowers, and most modern farming techniques, since God cursed the ground for Adam and declared that man would have to produce his food by the sweat of his brow. To remain consistent, if epidurals are wrong, all time- or work-saving devices for men must be equally wrong. Furthermore, since ALL physical pain is due to sin’s influence on this planet, even the use of aspirin would be an offense to GGod’s justice, according to this line of thought. There is nothing immoral about a woman receiving pain relievers during childbirth.
Most mothers desire the best for their babies, and some mothers believe that all-natural childbirth is the superior way to provide that best. The increase in the utilization of midwives and birthing coaches demonstrates this growing preference for natural or even home births. Mothers who choose to go down that path should have complete freedom to do so. However, this implies that no epidurals or spinal blocks will be accessible to her unless she is urgently taken to the hospital for emergency intervention.
Other expectant mothers see no point in unnecessary suffering and willingly opt for all the pain-relieving medications their physicians can provide. Since epidurals and spinals pose no risks to their babies, these mothers also believe they are offering the best for their children while ensuring a relatively pain-free experience for themselves. Even when narcotics are administered to a laboring mother, the minimal impact on the child dissipates within a few hours. The baby might be slightly sleepier initially, but, after a few hours, babies of medicated mothers react as normally as those born without drug intervention. Mothers who have chosen pain relievers may be more at ease and prepared to engage with their newborns, rather than being consumed by pain.
Before the era of effective pain-relieving medications, women in labor and individuals undergoing painful medical procedures were often provided with a wooden stick or a piece of leather to bite down on. The expression “bite the bullet” originates from this custom. Caregivers would offer those in pain something sturdy yet pliable enough to safeguard the teeth, while preventing the patients from biting their own tongues in the throes of agony. As medical understanding advanced, so did the array of pain-relieving medications on the market, many of which are tailored for women in labor. Epidurals, spinal blocks, and local anesthetics are now employed to alleviate or diminish the hours of intense pain that many women experience.
Feeling pain during childbirth is a common concern. However, some argue that giving birth is the most natural and beautiful experience in the world. They believe that numbing this experience deprives the mother and infant of the intended shared experience. Additionally, they suggest that any type of drugs might impact the baby’s health. Even drugs deemed safe could potentially lead to undiscovered issues.
Various pain relief options are available during labor. An epidural or spinal block involves injecting medication into the lower back or near the mother’s spinal cord during labor. Epidurals are typically administered before C-sections or at a certain stage of labor. The numbing effect occurs rapidly, which is crucial in emergency Cesarean situations where either the baby or mother is at risk. According to the Mayo Clinic website, epidurals and spinal blocks have minimal to no impact on the baby. Localized anesthetic injections near the birth canal do not alleviate contraction pain but can temporarily numb specific areas of the mother’s body, particularly during sutures or tearing. These anesthetics also do not affect the baby. On the other hand, narcotics reduce contraction pain but may lead to drowsiness, nausea, or changes in the mother’s heart rate, potentially affecting the baby. Narcotics can also reduce or halt contractions, so their usage in laboring mothers is closely monitored by medical professionals.
The danger lies in spiritualizing non-spiritual matters. Some individuals establish moral and spiritual regulations from things that are neither moral nor spiritual. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for this behavior, as stated in Mark 7:8, “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” This tendency can be observed in the Christian community regarding decisions like watching movies, wearing jewelry, homeschooling, or dining out on Sundays. It is essential to avoid turning non-spiritual matters into spiritual ones.
Convinced that a certain practice is right or wrong for us, we often build soapboxes from which we preach our convictions to the world. However, if there is no biblical principle behind such convictions, we must be ready to admit that they are our own and not God’s. Romans 14 covers this issue well, with Paul concluding, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand” (verse 4).
The Bible takes no stance against medicine or doctors, as some would have us think. Luke, the author of Luke and Acts, was called the “beloved physician” «Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. », (Colossians 4:14) by the apostle Paul. Luke traveled with Paul on several of his missionary journeys, and some scholars believe that he was Paul’s personal physician. Paul also encouraged his young protégé, Timothy, to “use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” «Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. », (1 Timothy 5:23). So there is nothing spiritual about refusing medical treatment or pain relievers when needed. Women who live in areas of the world where epidurals or spinal blocks are available should utilize them if they desire, and women who want all-natural births should also feel free to decline medication. Neither choice is in any way nullifying God’s plan or defying His righteous decrees. Jesus healed every kind of physical pain and illness during His time on earth, demonstrating that there is no spiritual value in suffering unnecessarily «And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, an
He healed those who had the palsy; and he healed them. », (Matthew 4:24).
Romans 14:22 can be our guide in all matters that are not clearly addressed in the Bible by verse or by principle: “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” In other words, form convictions as the Holy Spirit leads and follow those convictions as an act of surrender to Jesus. But don’t judge others who may not have that conviction, and do not allow them to deter you from yours. We all answer to God for how well we obeyed His direction, and keeping a clear conscience in everything should be a primary goal of every Christian «So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. », (Romans 14:12).
