Do you have a “Low Pain Threshold”? Here’s why it means nothing!
One of the biggest myths I hear as a Central Coast doula is this:
“I have a low pain threshold, so I probably can’t labour without pain relief.”
Let’s gently bust that myth, shall we?!
Labour pain is not the same as injury pain. It’s not a broken arm, a burn, or a stubbed toe.
Labour is a physiological process, guided by hormones like oxytocin and supported by your own beta endorphins — your body’s built-in pain relief system (cool, huh?)
Every week, women who believe they have a “low pain tolerance” birth beautifully, often without medication. Meanwhile, women who consider themselves “tough” can feel completely overwhelmed in labour.
Why?
Because labour isn’t about toughness. It’s about context, mindset, support, and preparation.
How to Manage Labour Pain (It’s Not About Tolerance)
As a doula on the Central Coast, clients often ask me how to manage labour pain, but we don’t talk about pain scales.
We talk about:
Understanding what contractions are doing and why
How to feel safe and supported
How to regulate their nervous system
Breath and body awareness
Environment and continuity of care
Mental preparation and mindset
Your brain plays a powerful role in labour and birth.
When you feel safe, informed, and supported, your body produces more oxytocin and endorphins. When you feel fearful or tense, adrenaline can interrupt that process.
So it really has nothing to do with your pain tolerance at all!!
Preparation Changes Everything
The women who cope best in labour are rarely the ones with the “highest pain tolerance.” They’re the ones who prepared, practiced mindset tools, and built a supportive birth team.
As an active and busy Central Coast doula, my role is to help you understand what your body is doing, offer grounded support, and create an environment where your physiology can work at its best.
Because your body already knows how to birth, sometimes it just needs the right conditions and for your brain to be on board!
Looking for a doula on the Central Coast?
If you’re googling the “best doula on the Central Coast” you’re probably wanting a doula who is skilled, experienced, calm, evidence-based, and non-judgmental.
The truth is, the “best” doula is one who aligns with your values, helps you feel safe, and supports your choices. Birth is deeply personal, and the right support can make a huge difference in how you experience it.
If you’re pregnant and wondering how to prepare for labour — physically and mentally — I’d love to support you!
Because labour isn’t about how much pain you can tolerate. It’s about how well you’re supported through it.
Book an obligation free connect call here, and let’s chat!