Does a character have a baby in your novel? Are you writing the scene in which she gives birth? Check out the tips below on how to describe giving birth in a story.
1. Painful
Definition
Agonizing, excruciating; causing physical or emotional suffering.
Examples
“The contractions were becoming more painful with each passing minute.”
“The birth of her second child was not nearly as painful as that of her first.”
How it Adds Description
The word “painful” depicts the physical and emotional sensation experienced during childbirth, adding depth and realism to the story. This description helps to create tension and build empathy for the character giving birth, investing readers in her journey as she transitions into motherhood.
2. Joyful
Definition
Delightful, happy; causing great happiness or pleasure.
Examples
“The new mother felt a sense of joyful relief as she held her newborn in her arms.”
“Her face was nothing short of joyful as she heard her baby’s first cries.”
How it Adds Description
The word “joyful” adds a positive connotation to giving birth in the story, indicating that the experience was a happy and fulfilling one. This description can contrast with other negative experiences in the story, highlighting the importance and impact of the birth and moving the story in a positive direction by bringing a renewed sense of hope and joy to the character.
3. Exhausting
Definition
Tiring, draining; causing extreme physical or mental fatigue.
Examples
“The hours of labor and delivery had been exhausting, but Carla was overflowing with love for her new son.”
“She had expected giving birth to be physically exhausting, but she wasn’t as prepared for the mental fatigue that accompanied it.”
How it Adds Description
The word “exhausting” portrays the intensity and physical toll of giving birth in the story, emphasizing the challenges the mother is facing. This adds depth and realism to the story, making the reader more invested in the outcome and the well-being of the characters, the obstacles they’ve endured to reach this point and what the future may hold.
4. Empowering
Definition
Liberating, uplifting; giving authority to do something.
Examples
“The process of choosing her birth plan and following it through to the birth of her daughter had been empowering for Shania.”
“Giving birth can be an empowering experience that helps women feel more confident and capable.”
How it Adds Description
The word “empowering” suggests that the act of giving birth is a source of strength and autonomy for the character, rather than a moment of weakness or vulnerability. This description adds depth to the character’s experience and highlights the transformative nature of childbirth, giving the new mother more confidence to take control of other aspects of her life.
5. Terrifying
Definition
Frightening, alarming; causing fear or dread.
Examples
“The birth process quickly grew terrifying as she realized the baby was in distress.”
“The accident forced her into labor, making the birth of her child a terrifying experience.”
How it Adds Description
The word “terrifying” provides a sense of danger and fear to the experience of giving birth in the story, illustrating the physical and emotional toll it takes on the character. This heightened intensity could move the plot forward by potentially leading to complications during childbirth or setting up a traumatic event that affects the character’s arc.
6. Miraculous
Definition
Amazing, incredible; occurring through divine or supernatural intervention.
Examples
“The birth of a healthy baby after a difficult pregnancy felt like a miraculous event.”
“The midwife marveled at the miraculous process of childbirth and the phenomenon of new life.”
How it Adds Description
The word “miraculous” creates a sense of wonder and amazement to the act of giving birth in the story, helping to create a more emotional and impactful scene for the reader. Additionally, describing the birth as miraculous may suggest that the child is special or has some kind of destiny, which could have important implications for the story’s plot or themes.
7. Intense
Definition
Strong, powerful; having a high degree of force.
Examples
“The mother felt an intense pressure and burning sensation as the baby descended through the birth canal.”
“Giving birth had been the most intense experience of her life, but it was well worth it now that she had her baby in her arms.”
How it Adds Description
The word “intense” vividly illustrates the pain and physical strain experienced during giving birth, painting a clear picture for the reader. This emphasizes the magnitude of the situation and creates a sense of urgency, propelling the plot forward as the protagonist navigates through the challenges of childbirth.
8. Humbling
Definition
Modest, respectful; causing someone to feel small or insignificant.
Examples
“The mother found the magnitude of giving birth quite humbling.”
“The act of bringing a child into the world was humbling in its dual nature of sheer simplicity and utter complexity.”
How it Adds Description
The word “humbling” implies that giving birth is a powerful and overwhelming experience that can make someone feel small or insignificant. It can be used to acknowledge the enormity of the event of childbirth, which could signal a shift in the mother’s perspective or priorities as the story continues.
9. Transformative
Definition
Modifying, metamorphic; causing a significant adjustment.
Examples
“Paula felt like she was undergoing a transformative experience as she gave birth to her child.”
“Giving birth to her twins via caesarian was transformative, as it forced her to slow down and spend additional time with them rather than leaping right back into work.”
How it Adds Description
The word “transformative” emphasizes the profound and lasting changes that the experience brings about after a character gives birth. This moves the plot forward by highlighting the character’s emotional and psychological growth, which can have significant implications for the rest of the narrative.
10. Triumphant
Definition
Victorious, successful; having overcome obstacles or challenges.
Examples
“Despite the pain and difficulty of labor, the mother felt triumphant as she finally held her baby in her arms.”
“After several miscarriages and multiple rounds of fertility treatments, the birth of our son was the most triumphant moment of my life.”
How it Adds Description
The word “triumphant” adds a sense of victory and accomplishment to giving birth in the story, suggesting that the mother has overcome great challenges to reach this moment. This description may imply that the birth was difficult, but successful or it may indicate the end of a long struggle to become a mother.