Why Labour Feels Like Core Deadlifts: The Science Behind Birth Pain

Many women assume labour pain comes from the baby tearing them open. In reality, it’s your uterus—the strongest muscle in your body—working like a weightlifter. Before pregnancy, the uterus is about the size of a fist. By 40 weeks, it grows to the size of a watermelon. To open the cervix for birth, it contracts and cuts off its own blood supply for up to 60 seconds. No blood means no oxygen, which causes intense cramp-like pain. When each contraction ends, blood rushes back in and the pain eases. That’s why labour pain comes in waves instead of a constant burn. What are your thoughts? Share your experiences below.

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