Evolution And Birthing

nailit | 19:15 Thu 03rd Jan 2019 | Science

43 Answers

Why do humans...as opposed to other animals...seem to have such a difficult time giving birth?
Ive seen various animals giving birth to their offspring while happily eating grass or something.
Cant imagine my sons mother tucking into a Big Mac & fries while trying to force him out through her legs...

Humans are seen to be the pinnacle of evolution in terms of intelligence etc so just why are we so pained by childbirth?

thanks.

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Purist

How do you know animals do not feel pain whilst giving birth? I don't see many animals 'happily' eating grass when giving birth.

nailit

Question Author

//I don't see many animals 'happily' eating grass when giving birth.//

I don't see many animals inhaling gas an air either.

nailit

Question Author

Most seem happy doing what nature intended, and nothing more.

nailit

Question Author

Purest, ive worked on a farm. Ive seen numerous animals giving birth.
Not once have I seen a pig, sheep or cow in any kind of distress at giving birth.
And yet my missus was ready to kill me for giving birth to my son...

237SJ

Most farm animals have given birth many times though. It's gets quicker and easier the more times it is done

Mamyalynne

If birth is straightforward then most animals will moan or groan softly, they certainly do not want to attract any possible predators.

237SJ

Plus from what I have seen on farms, the farmer tends to stick his arm up the ewe/cow's rear end and drag the offspring out pretty quickly which probably speeds things up (even if it doesn't minimise the pain)

nailit

Question Author

//Most farm animals have given birth many times though. It's gets quicker and easier the more times it is done//
But not for humans tho?
My son was the 4th birth for my sons mother. It was just as traumatic as the other three.

Atheist

Nailit. You don't know how painful it is for other species to give birth. And Theland, science is not just theory - science is always prepared to re-think its ideas if the evidence suggests otherwise. Unlike you, I think.

237SJ

Giving birth 4 times isn't an awful lot really. In Victorian times women would have 3 times that amount due to the need to compensate for infant mortality. We think that having 4 kids is a lot but its not

nailit

Question Author

//the farmer tends to stick his arm up the ewe/cow's rear end and drag the offspring out pretty quickly//
That's where we are going wrong then...just stick one arm up and pull it out quick?

nailit

Question Author

//Nailit. You don't know how painful it is for other species to give birth//
Yes I do.
You don't eat grass when Youre in pain do you?

237SJ

The farmer would break the amniotic sac and just drag the lamb out. I always found it fascinating, if a little bit morbid for some reason.

Atheist

Nailit. You know how painful it is for other species to give birth? You're not only able to feel female feelings, but other species' female feelings? You're a blinking genius!

nailit

Question Author

//Nailit. You know how painful it is for other species to give birth? You're not only able to feel female feelings, but other species' female feelings? You're a blinking genius!//

Why Thank you Atheist.
Always knew I was!!

Atheist

Nailbot. Where have you gone? I just sent a superb putdown, and now I can't find your pathetic reaction.

Mamyalynne

If I were to be in labour in a corner of a field or forest, I would most likely grimace,bear down and moan softly too - no use calling for the midwife or threatening to break my other half's legs if there's no one there.

I didn't scream with either of my deliveries (not saying I kept silent, now that would have been a first).

nailit

Question Author

Ur a true trooper mamy ;-)

jno

humans have bigger brains so bigger heads. They have to be born before it becomes impossible to get out, but the head is still a struggle for most mothers to push through. This is why humans have such long childhoods: other animals pop out and start eating and walking almost at once. Human newborns are at a comparatively much earlier stage of development. But after 20 years or so they are lords of the planet; giraffes aren't.