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Glite Dictionary
labor pain

labor pain

1 3.4
Strong pain in the stomach and lower back when a woman gives birth
  • noun
  • /ˈleɪbər peɪn/
  • US
translation icon : dolor de parto
  • She practiced breathing techniques to help manage labor pain during her delivery.

Examples

  • The dangers of spinal analgesia are well known to many Jewish women, yet for many of them, the risk is rendered more acceptable than suffering "unnecessary" labor pain.

    Academic text (2009)

  • The primary outcome measures were onset of labor pain, need for augmentation with oxytocin, and time taken to achieve vaginal delivery.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Initiation to catheter expulsion, onset of labor pain, and delivery interval time were shorter in multigravidas as compared with primigravidas in both groups.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Many women describe labor pain as one of the most intense experiences of their lives.

  • After hours of contractions, the labor pain finally signaled it was time to head to the hospital.

Synonyms

labor pains
vslabor pain
  • US
1 3.6

Pain a woman feels during childbirth when the womb tightens

includes broader discomfort and aching during contractions
birth pangs
vslabor pain
1 5.2

Strong repeated pains a woman feels when she is having a baby

is broader and includes general discomfort rather than repeated sharp sensations

Antonyms

comfort
190 1.0

A feeling of physical ease and being free from pain

How Painful

labor pain
  • US
1 3.4
to labor
  • US
3 4.9

Surface Forms

labor pain singular
labor pains plural
labour pains plural
labour pain singular

Morphology

labor + pain

The meaning 'the pain experienced during childbirth contractions' is directly and transparently derivable from combining 'labor' (the period of contractions/delivery) with 'pain' (bodily discomfort), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the phrase. This is a straightforward noun+noun composition with little metaphorical shift and parallels in many languages, making it immediately comprehensible rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

The term labor pain comes from seeing childbirth as hard labor or 'work'. The mother's body has strong contractions that cause pain, so labor pain means the pain felt while giving birth.