Author: Tursunova Balkadisha
Translator: Turarova Aiym
Editor: Kigbaeva Kamila
This is the conclusion made by researchers at the University of Cambridge, who discovered a gene that reduces pain sensitivity. This gene acts as a natural epidural, making labor less painful.
The experiment involved 2 groups of pregnant women: a group of women who gave birth without anesthesia, but used special exercises, heat, ice baths for hands, and a group that used anesthesia during childbirth. According to the results of this experiment, the first group had a higher pain threshold.
Dr. Michael Lee, lead author and lecturer in the department of anesthesia at the University of Cambridge, said it was natural for mothers to ask for epidural anesthesia, especially in primiparas. In those women who endured pain without pain relief, scientists examined the genetic code and found a variety of cells that included the protein-producing KCNG4 gene. This protein created a barrier that controls electrical signals to our neurons (nerve cells) and the brain. The gene is rare and requires the most intense, painful contractions to work.
Unfortunately, in recent years, epidural anesthesia is quite often used during childbirth, which leads to various complications such as long recovery after childbirth and paralysis of the lower limbs. This prompted scientists to continue their search for more harmless methods of pain relief. According to the authors of the work, the discovery of such rare genetic material will contribute to the development of new painkillers.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/21/health/childbirth-pain-threshold-study-scli-scn-intl/index.html
