Throe

noun

1. A severe pang or spasm of pain, as in childbirth. synonym: pain.
2. A condition of extreme difficulty or trouble.

   "a country in the throes of economic collapse."

3. A violent pang; hence, pain; anguish; suffering; agony: particularly applied to the anguish of travail in childbirth or parturition.
4. Effort.
5. To agonize; struggle in extreme pain; be in agony.