birth pangs

• Douleurs physiques ressenties lors de l'accouchement, ou par métaphore, difficultés et luttes accompagnant les débuts d'un projet, d'un processus ou d'une ère.

Refers to the physical pains experienced during childbirth, or metaphorically to the difficult initial stages or struggles associated with the beginning of a new project, process, or era.

1. Physical pain of childbirthB2formal

   The regular, painful contractions of the uterus during labor that help deliver a baby.

   douleurs de l'accouchement

   • She experienced strong birth pangs for several hours before delivery.
   • The nurse monitored the frequency of her birth pangs.
   • Modern medicine offers ways to manage birth pangs.

2. Difficult beginningsC1informal

   The initial difficulties or challenges experienced when starting something new.

   douleurs de l'enfantement

   • The company went through the birth pangs of a startup before becoming profitable.
   • The new democracy suffered birth pangs as it established its institutions.
   • Every creative project has its birth pangs before it takes shape.