Pain Perception in Labor: What Really Causes the Pain?

One of the most fascinating things I learned during my doula training was this:
At full term, the uterus actually has very few — if any — pain receptors!

So if there are almost no pain receptors in the uterus... what’s causing the sensations of pain during labor?

The answer is more complex than you might think. Labor pain isn’t just physical — it’s deeply connected to the way the brain processes signals based on emotional, hormonal, and psychological factors.

Let's explore how pain perception works during labor:

What Influences Pain Perception in Labor?

Pain perception isn’t just about what’s happening in the body — it’s about how the brain interprets it. Several factors come into play, including:

🌿 Perceived Danger
Pain is influenced by how much danger your brain thinks you are in. If your brain senses fear or threat, it amplifies pain signals to encourage a "protective" response.

🌿 Expectation of Pain
If you go into labor expecting intense pain, your brain is already primed to experience it more sharply. Anticipation heightens the brain’s sensitivity to discomfort.

🌿 Attention and Focus
Focusing closely on pain increases its intensity. Conversely, using distraction techniques, visualization, or mindful breathing can ease the experience.

🌿 Emotional State
Stress, fear, and anxiety can significantly increase perceived pain. A calm, supported, and safe emotional environment can help minimize it.

🌿 Hormonal Balance
Two hormonal duos play a major role during labor:

• Oxytocin and Endorphins (the “love and pleasure” hormones) help promote relaxation, connection, and natural pain relief.

• Adrenaline and Cortisol (the "fight or flight" hormones) can make sensations feel sharper and labor more difficult if fear or stress are high.

Reframing Pain During Labor

One powerful goal in childbirth preparation is rewiring the brain’s association from:

Contraction = Pain
to:
Contraction = Relaxation and Excited Anticipation

Tools that can support this shift include:

• Mindfulness practices

• Breathing techniques

• Positive affirmations

• Guided imagery

• Physical comfort measures (like massage, movement, and water therapy)

At Simple Smyles, we’ll explore these tools together — giving you practical ways to approach labor with more calm, confidence, and connection. ✨

Stay tuned — next week, we'll dive deeper into specific mindfulness and breathing techniques you can start practicing now!

Hiring a Doula in Ontario: Is It Worth It?

If you’ve landed here, chances are you’ve heard the word “doula” floating around your prenatal world—and you’re curious. Maybe you’re wondering if you really need one, or if it’s just another trendy birth add-on. Let’s clear that up, together.

At Simple Smyles, we’re big believers in informed choices and personalized care. So this post isn’t about convincing you that everyone should hire a doula. It’s about helping you understand what doulas do (and what they don’t), how they might support you, and what to consider when deciding if they’re the right fit for your journey.

What Is a Doula?

A doula is a trained, non-medical support person who provides emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after birth. Think of them as your calm, grounded, go-to support person—someone whose only job is to help you feel seen, supported, and safe.

There are two main types of doulas:

• Birth Doulas support you throughout your pregnancy, labour, and delivery.

• Postpartum Doulas support you after baby is born—helping with feeding, sleep, emotional recovery, and adjusting to new parenthood.

✨ What they DON’T do:
Doulas don’t offer medical care. They don’t deliver babies, make diagnoses, or replace your doctor or midwife. Instead, they work with your care team to help you advocate for yourself and feel as prepared, informed, and calm as possible.

Why Hire a Doula? (The Real-Life Benefits)

Research shows that continuous support from a doula can lead to:

• Shorter labours

• Fewer requests for pain medication

• Lower risk of c-sections

• Higher rates of breastfeeding

• Better emotional adjustment postpartum

But beyond the stats, here’s what our clients say they value most:

• Someone who gets it—and helps explain what’s happening

• A steady presence in the room (who isn’t family or medical staff)

• Comfort techniques like breathing, counter-pressure, and positioning

• A gentle advocate when emotions run high or plans shift

• Emotional check-ins during those early, foggy postpartum days

How Doulas Fit Into Your Birth Team

Great news: doulas complement your care team—they don’t compete with them.

• If you’re working with an OB in a hospital, your doula can bridge the gap between medical care and emotional support.

• If you’ve chosen a midwife, a doula offers continuity during labour and can stay after birth to help you transition into postpartum.

• If you have a partner or co-parent, doulas don’t replace them—in fact, they often strengthen your bond. We support both of you through the experience.

In other words: doulas hold space so everyone else can show up more fully.

How Much Does a Doula Cost in Ontario?

Doula services aren’t currently covered under OHIP, but they may be covered under:

• Extended health benefits (check your “health spending account” or wellness benefits)

• Employee wellness funds

• First Nations, Métis, or Inuit-specific programs

• Student insurance plans

Typical rates (as of 2025):

• Birth support packages: $900–$1,800+ depending on experience and what’s included

• Postpartum doula hourly rate: $30–$50/hour

At Simple Smyles, we also offer payment plans and are happy to work with your budget when we can. We believe in accessible care.

When to Book a Doula (And How)

We recommend reaching out to book your doula around 20–28 weeks of pregnancy. This gives you time to:

• Get to know your doula

• Build a birth plan together

• Access prenatal education and emotional support well before labour

Most doulas offer a free consultation (we do!), so you can chat and see if the vibe feels right.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Doula

Here are some great conversation starters:

• What’s your birth philosophy?

• How do you support partners or other support people?

• How do you handle unexpected situations (like a fast labour or C-section)?

• Are you available 24/7 after a certain week?

• What happens if you’re at another birth? Do you have a backup doula?

The goal is to find someone you feel emotionally safe with. You should leave your consult feeling supported—not sold to.

Final Thoughts: So... Is It Worth It?

We might be a little biased, but we say yes—if it’s in your budget and it feels like the right fit for you. Doulas don’t make your birth experience perfect (no one can). But they can help it feel more connected, grounded, and supported.

Whether you’re planning an unmedicated birth, an epidural, or a scheduled C-section—this is your story. A doula is just one more layer of care to help you feel less alone, more informed, and more in tune with yourself and your baby.

You deserve that kind of care.

💛 Want to learn more about working with a Simple Smyles doula?
Click here to book a free consultation or browse our Toronto-based offerings!

Why Prenatal & Postnatal Mental Health Matters—For Both You and Baby

Let’s Talk About the Other Side of Pregnancy and Parenthood

When most people picture pregnancy, they imagine glowing skin, cute bumps, and dreamy nursery setups. When they think about postpartum, it’s soft snuggles and first smiles.

But between the Pinterest boards and baby registries, something big often gets missed: your mental health.

And here’s the truth: your emotional wellbeing is not a side note. It’s central to this whole journey.

Why Prenatal and Postnatal Mental Health Deserve More Attention

Pregnancy and postpartum are filled with rapid change. Physically, yes—but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And while care providers closely monitor blood pressure, belly measurements, and baby’s heartbeat…

Too often, no one’s checking in on you.

But research (and real life!) tells us that your mental health:

• Affects how you bond with your baby

• Impacts your sleep, energy, and relationships

• Influences your baby’s brain and emotional development

• Can shape how you experience birth, recovery, and parenting

This isn’t to scare you. It’s to affirm you. You deserve support that sees your whole self—not just your uterus.

Why It Gets Overlooked—And What We Can Do About It

So why isn’t this talked about more? A few reasons:

🩺 Medical models prioritize physical outcomes.
Providers are often trained to focus on physical health and miss emotional red flags.

💬 Cultural messages push perfection.
Parents—especially birthing people—are expected to “bounce back,” stay grateful, and push through, even when they’re falling apart inside.

🤫 Shame and stigma still linger.
Many parents fear being judged if they admit they’re struggling. But vulnerability is strength, not weakness.

✨ But here’s what we know changes everything:
Community. Education. Support. When we talk about what’s real, share resources, and make mental wellness part of the conversation—not an afterthought—everything shifts.

Signs Your Mental Health Might Need a Little Extra Love

Whether you’re pregnant or postpartum, here are a few signs it’s time to check in:

• Constant anxiety or racing thoughts

• Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected

• Trouble sleeping (even when baby sleeps)

• Irritability, sadness, or hopelessness

• Guilt about not “loving every moment”

• Difficulty bonding with baby

• Feeling like you’re “not yourself”

If any of this hits home—please know you are not alone. You are not failing. You are feeling. And there is help.

How to Support Your Mental Health—And Your Baby’s

💛 Build a village that gets it.
Surround yourself with people who lift you, check in on you, and offer support without judgment—whether that’s a partner, doula, therapist, or a friend who brings snacks and sits on the floor with you.

💛 Get educated before the overwhelm.
The more you know about the mental load of new parenthood, the better prepared you’ll be. Attend workshops, ask questions, and make a plan for postpartum—not just the birth.

💛 Seek therapy or counselling.
Talking to a perinatal therapist (even once or twice!) can help you feel seen and supported through the hard parts. In Ontario, many therapy sessions are covered under extended benefits.

💛 Join peer support spaces.
Online or in-person—connecting with others who get it can reduce isolation and remind you that you’re not the only one navigating big feelings.

💛 Normalize the full range of emotions.
You can be wildly in love with your baby and feel overwhelmed. These things are not mutually exclusive. Both are true. Both are valid.

You Deserve More Than Survival Mode

This isn’t about pretending pregnancy and parenthood are easy. It’s about being honest: this is life-changing work.

And life-changing work deserves care.
Deserves softness.
Deserves a circle of support that doesn’t flinch when things feel heavy.

Let’s rewrite the story together. One where mental health is part of the plan—not an emergency detour. One where we hold parents with as much tenderness as we hold their babies.

You don’t have to do this alone. 💛