Pain displays in childbirth: how first-stage contractions are interactionally managed in midwife-led births

Abstract

Birthing is an exemplary setting for investigating how non-pathological painful sensations are intersubjectively established. Contractions are integral to giving birth and are physiologically normal events that can range from mild to intensely painful sensations. This conversation analytic study is the first to examine how first-stage labour contractions are made recognisable and shape interaction between labouring women, birth partners and attending clinicians. Drawing on recordings from two UK midwife-led units, we show how participants convey and recognise contraction pain through breathiness, pain cries, (limited) talk, and visible bodily actions. Contractions can be prospectively announced and/or retrospectively noticed. We demonstrate that breathing patterns become central to how participants collectively orient to and manage contractions, with the onset of pain temporarily suspending ongoing activities in favour of breath work. Data are in British English.