Host Debra Pascali-Bonaro examines the overuse of epidurals and explores its impact on people's chances to experience a pleasurable orgasmic birth. She encourages listeners to be aware of their options when it comes to epidurals - understanding both the benefits and risks associated with using one. This conversation provides tips on oxytocin enhancers and other techniques to manage pain during childbirth. Debra also discusses how hospitals often use language that can create fear or anxiety around birth, which can lead to unnecessary medical interventions.

Tune in to this episode to learn more about how you can have an empowered and pleasurable birthing experience!

In this episode:

• The importance to know all options, benefits, risks, alternatives and intuition before making an informed decision about epidural

• Exploring Pain vs Suffering in the Hospital

• Understanding how comfort measures can provide calm and comfort in labor

• How to create a code word for when an epidural is offered

• Penny Simkin's Pain Medication Preference Scale helps to understand preferences

• Evidence-basedbirth.com provides resources on pain management during labor and birth

Key Takeaways:

• Epidurals can be a valuable tool, but overuse is putting people at risk and decreasing their chance of having a pleasurable orgasmic birth

• Epidurals typically slow labor and create a hormonal gap

• Pain is not a descriptor for many people, but in hospitals it is

• The language and environment of hospitals can create pain

• Pain and suffering are different; one can exist without the other

Tweetable Quotes:

"No one should suffer in childbirth. But by having someone there and now personalizing that we need to justify the budget it's now a personal thing." - Debra Pascali-Bonaro

"Pain can be a normal part of labor. It's giving you the messages. When you listen to your body and listen to your baby, you'll be able to feel if you get in one position that feels better that's often leaning forward and moving." - Debra Pascali-Bonaro