Is Pain Supposed to be Part of a Christian's Birth?

Jackie Mize's book on "Supernatural Childbirth" raises this question, leaving countless Christian moms confused. They are left wondering if they did something wrong when their birth was deeply painful or afraid that their faith wasn't strong enough. Is something wrong with me? Why didn't my birth end up pain-free like I've heard in stories?

The answer truly lies in theology, God's word, the curse from thousands of years ago, and the evidence we see today. And don't worry sweet momma, you are not the problem: sin is.

Back in the Garden of Eden, the first person disobeyed God, resulting in various curses on the world. God has to punish disobedience: if He didn't, He wouldn't be a good Judge. It breaks His heart, but He has to do it. Genesis 3:16 says, "To the woman he (God) said, 'I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing, in pain you shall bring forth children..." He also curses the world with death, thorns, sweat, and more.

Jackie Mize, along with all prosperity Gospel believers, claims that we're no longer under this curse and that, if we have enough faith, we can have a pain-free birth. But is this biblical? Let's look at some scripture.

Romans 8:22-23 says, "For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Revelation 21:4 goes on to say, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

What does this mean? We're in a broken world, but not forever. Biblically, today we will experience heartbreak, death, and yes, pain in childbirth. But soon, Jesus will return and restore the world to the perfect state it was in the beginning. So let the pain of birth remind you of the coming Kingdom, and live for the day when Jesus will wipe away every tear, destroy death, raise us to life, cleanse the world of crying, pain, and everything evil, and bring joy forever.

And of course, as a Christian doula, there are many ways to make your birth as beautiful, calm, and low pain as possible. Worship, prayer, and trusting in God are powerful tools we have as believers to create a beautiful birth despite the discomfort and pain. And there's many birth positions and natural pain-reducing measures you can take, too! You're not alone in this, sweet momma.

-Welcome Life Doula

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More verses about this topic:

Acts 1:11: "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

1 Peter 5:10: "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."

Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

All Bible references are in English Standard Version