According to the perspective developed in this article, cultural beliefs about pain and pain relief and their impact in laboring fragmented women are among the core components that maintain and change the oppression of women during childbirth. After describing this perspective, the authors illustrate its implications for the health professional that take care of women during birth and also the power dimensions of the institution. In the end, it is analysed how the use of drugs during birth may be substantial for the maintenance of many physiological processes during the postnatal period.