For years I have heard Christians refer to labor pains as part of Eve's "curse" for her part in the fall. I've taken a look at the Scriptures, and have come to realize that God did not curse Eve, nor Adam. He cursed the serpent, and He cursed the ground so that it would have to be tilled, worked and weeded in order to produce fruit.
Here are the words God spoke to Eve:
"I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." Genesis 3:16
Her role in life suddenly became more difficult. Her "sorrow" was greatly multiplied. This word "sorrow" is the exact word used when God told Adam, "In sorrow shalt thou eat of it [the ground] all the days of thy life; Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee... In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread..." from Genesis 3:17-19. Sorrow here means, "labor or pain; toil".
He also said He would multiply her conception. Eve was going to conceive much more often than she would have. This was necessary, because now instead of living forever in perfect bodies in God's garden, their life span was now limited in a sin-affected world. Living in perfect bodies on a perfect earth, there would not be the need to conceive very often. However, since man had to die eventually, her conception was increased so that they could fulfill the command to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish [fill] the earth".
Then God told Eve, "In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children". This word "sorrow" is a little different than the other word used. This word means, "usually painful toil; also, a pang".
I have talked to many women who were terrified of labor pain, and were therefore willing to go to any lengths to escape it, including the spinal injection (epidural). Fear causes women to make choices like this which, at best, cause baby to be sluggish and slow to nurse, and at worst risk lasting nerve damage from the epidural. I've said it many times, that FEAR is a laboring woman's worst enemy.
Christian ladies, do not think that any part of pregnancy, labor, or delivery is a curse! To carry a little child to term and then deliver that child is to be God's vessel to create a new human being. Every baby formed and brought forth is curiously wrought in woman's womb by the creative hand of God himself, and is just as miraculous an event as when He formed the first man, breathing into his nostrils the breath of life!
Woman's "sorrow" in laboring is "usually painful toil". The emphasis is on toil, not on pain. Yes, labor brings pain for most women, but it is not unbearable. It is the pain that comes from the hardest work you have ever done! And just like any other thing you have worked hard for, when the fruit of your labors are brought forth it brings with it immense satisfaction!
I do not feel cursed when I am in labor, but immeasurably blessed!
