Throe (noun)

1. A spasm of pain, especially during childbirth or in the stomach.
2. A state of great emotional or mental distress.

Origin:

From old english þrāg ("a pressing, a pressing together, a squeezing"), from proto-germanic *þrōgiz ("a pressing, pressing together"), from proto-indo-european *terk- ("to twist, turn").

Examples:

1. She was in the throes of labor.
2. The patient was in the throes of a stomach cramp.
3. He was in the throes of a panic attack.
4. She was in the throes of a difficult decision.
5. He was in the throes of a difficult break-up.