Natural childbirth is no longer frightening—because it no longer hurts!

According to Saed News, a 32-year-old woman shared her joy at witnessing her own childbirth: “It was amazing to see my baby being born. I couldn’t believe the labor was over and my daughter was in the doctor’s hands! I didn’t feel any pain, nor was I unconscious. Even my husband was allowed into the delivery room.” She had experienced a pain-free birth using the epidural method.

Yousef Kaloukhi, a faculty member at Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, reported on July 9 that advanced methods for painless natural childbirth are now being offered in Shahroud. He explained, “Childbirth pain is one of the most severe pains a person can experience. Relieving it could significantly reduce unnecessary C-sections.”

Due to rising rates of elective and unnecessary C-sections and the complications that often follow, Iran’s health system has been promoting painless childbirth in all public and university-affiliated medical centers since 2014.

In global pain rankings, natural childbirth ranks as the third most intense pain a human can experience. Today, the most effective ways to prevent labor pain are local, regional, or spinal anesthesia—including spinal, epidural, and, in some cases, caudal blocks. By administering anesthesia to the lower part of the body, almost 100 percent of labor pain is eliminated.

This program is implemented in hospitals nationwide, although exact statistics on painless natural births are not yet available. Nevertheless, 44 percent of deliveries in Iran are still conducted naturally.

For over three decades, most American and European countries have widely adopted painless natural childbirth due to the risks associated with general anesthesia and surgical C-sections.

Alireza Sidi Niaki, an anesthesiologist, notes, “Pain and the fear of pain are major factors driving women—especially recently—to avoid natural childbirth and opt for C-sections. This is true worldwide.”

Meanwhile, obstetrician Azam Mousavi points out that “the fear of natural childbirth is slightly higher among Iranian women than in other countries, largely due to historical perceptions. Most films depict childbirth as a catastrophic experience.”

To promote natural childbirth, Sudabeh Kazemi, president of the Iranian Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recommends raising awareness and skills among midwives and healthcare providers, conducting national surveys to assess knowledge, and changing attitudes among pregnant women and mothers.