[To Hell With Poverty]

Once you realize this, you will be awe-filled for the double mystery that God has confided to you: to conceive a human being made to God’s image and likeness, and to give birth to it in pain and anguish. Do not forget that it was also in pain and anguish that Christ re-opened for us the gates of paradise – which had been shut by sin. To women has been granted the awesome privilege of nobly suffering...

Just wondering (non-Catholic thinking about conversion here), does the Catholic Church have a stand against epidurals or other means to relieve the pain of childbirth? Kind of sounds like it in this quote. I had my first child three months ago (also blessed with a daughter!) and hardly felt a thing (now the recovery, that was another story...). I know early on in the development of anesthesia, many religious leaders were against it because they believed pain to be ennobling.

Anyway, good post, something I'll hopefully remember when it comes time for "the talk"...

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

does the Catholic Church have a stand against epidurals or other means to relieve the pain of childbirth?

No, absolutely not. The Church does not require anyone to refrain from medical care.

[stfassisi]

This is from the Doctrine against Euthanasia.I have not seen anything recent against allowing painkillers during childbirth.
Sorry I could not be of more help.

http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_df80eu.htm
human and Christian prudence suggest for the majority of sick people the use of medicines capable of alleviating or suppressing pain, even though these may cause as a secondary effect semiconsciousness and reduced lucidity. As for those who are not in a state to express themselves, one can reasonably presume that they wish to take these painkillers, and have them administered according to the doctor’s advice.

[trimom]

does the Catholic Church have a stand against epidurals NO, oh, good heavens, no! I only wish they had them way back when as I was having my babies! LOL

[Tax-chick]

does the Catholic Church have a stand against epidurals or other means to relieve the pain of childbirth

No, no, and no. Mrs. von Hildebrand is being poetic.