birth pang

Delivery room agony

A birth pang is a pain or contraction during childbirth.

The plural birth pangs almost always appears figuratively to describe the difficult early stages of something new emerging: the birth pangs of democracy, the birth pangs of a new nation.

The metaphor captures how creation involves struggle and discomfort.

childbirth

contraction

Reduction in size

  • laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
  • deliveryConveyance of goods
  • midwifeChildbirth assistance professional

doula · epidural · cesarean · dilation · cervix · pushing · effacement · water breaking · back labor · oxytocin

emergence

genesis

Point of creation

beginning · threshold · nascent · incipient · unfolding · arising · stirring · awakening · germination · formation

agony

excruciating

Causing extreme suffering

stabbing · acute · severe · piercing · anguish · suffering · torment · distress · overwhelming · grueling

Opposites
temporal position relative to birth

birth pangafterpains

Uterine contractions post-delivery

life cycle endpoint

birth pangdeath rattle

Sound of expiring lungs

death throe · last gasp · dying breath · final breath

experiential quality

birth pangrelief

Easing of distress

release · ease · deliverance · comfort · respite

Family

birth, pang, births, pangs, birthed, birthing, rebirth, birthplace, birthday

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG