Childbirth climax: The revealing of obstetrical orgasm

SummaryContextSome mothers report experiencing intense physical pleasure during childbirth, which conflicts with popular belief and cultural taboos.PurposeThis study aims to draw attention to the existence of cases of physical pleasure experienced by mothers during obstetrical labor and to characterize this pleasure.MethodAn e-mail survey of midwives and mothers was used as the basis for a descriptive study and a case report.ResultsThe personal accounts collected confirm that obstetrical pleasure exists. It resembles sexual stimulation and its existence is known to a majority of midwives.Discussion and conclusionAnatomical, neuroendocrine, psychological and cultural hypotheses may explain this unique link between pain and pleasure.