Honestly - tell me how painful childbirth is!

mrs_moneyspinner

I never got pain relief for my last one as it all happened and was over in 20 mins and the primeval scream I could hear didn't appear to be coming from me, I was wondering who it was - the pain is extreme but quickly your body just sort of takes over and your mind shuts down and stops registering pain! and you actually just don't care as there is such an important job going on.

smarties84

Being is embarrased is the last thing on your mind wen your in labour!!!

lrr_2

smarties84 wrote: »

Being is embarrased is the last thing on your mind wen your in labour!!!

I agree!

Dignity goes right out of the window!

You will never get embarassed going for a smear test again after that!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Ishtar

smarties84 wrote: »

Being is embarrased is the last thing on your mind wen your in labour!!!

I agree too....you go beyond the point of caring. In fact, you probably wouldn't mind if a coach load of tourists went past with their cameras!

When I had DD there were a lot of people in the room - a doctor, 3 midwives, 2 paediatricians, OH and, I think, someone else (who could have been the cleaner for all I cared!). All because I had a ventouse delivery....(which wasn't really that bad, to be honest.).

The thing to remember is that people will cheerfully tell you their awful stories of labour and childbirth, but those who have had a reasonably easy time of it will probably keep fairly quiet. I remember asking the female members of my family what it was like and getting a broad range - from 'it's the most excruciating pain imaginable - you'll never forget it' to 'it's a natural pain....of course it hurts, but it's a good pain'.

I'd most definitely go with the second statement....

D

silvercar

Midwife: Do you have a birth plan?
Me: epidural before I'm in pain.
Midwife: That's easy, shall I call an anaethetist now?
Me: Well I'm not in pain yet.
Midwife: If you definitely want an epi, what are you waiting for?

epidural....4 hours later...
Midwife: OK you are ready to push as we've just topped up the epidural, I'll have to tell you when your having a contraction as you won't feel anything.

50 minutes later....one boy, weight 9 lb 1 oz.
Midwife: Did you know your baby has the head size of a 13 lb baby?
Me: I'm glad you told me that after not before and I'm glad I had an epidural!

Newly_retired

My daughter had a friend with her for the birth who is a doula and she was really helpful throughout labour, helped her control the pain. There was a thread on doulas before. Sorry, no time to search for a link now.

CharlotteandEden

Hi, well I had a very long labour 52 hours and only had pain relief because I was so tired! The pain relief I had made me forget the last 10 hours so not sure about the end, but it was like no pain imaginable up until then. Although, it really did help me having a great midwife, who even sat with me on her break, and also counting my breathing as I knew that when I had a contraction it would be over with after 3ish big breaths. And no your Mum isn't lying you really do forget the pain afterwards.

AnnieM_3

I'm so glad I've read this thread!

DH and I are ttc at the moment, and I've been avoiding reading this for a few days, as I'm worried about the pain - mainly from tearing. I'm terrified about having an episiotomy as well. *shudder* Is there anything you can do to help avoid it? I've heard stuff about rubbing olive oil into your nether bits to soften them up for it...?

I did read the 'Pregnancy's Best Kept Secrets' thread, and it didn't put me off, but reading this one has made me feel a lot more positive about the actual labour bit. Thanks!

AnnieM x

blackcoffee

if it realy was that painful there would be many, one child families, and there arent. it hurts like hell , but we have 3 here, the :eek: heals overtime, the memories of legs sprawled, bum p in the air, all on show doesnt !!:o

fernliebee

AnnieM wrote: »

I'm so glad I've read this thread!

DH and I are ttc at the moment, and I've been avoiding reading this for a few days, as I'm worried about the pain - mainly from tearing. I'm terrified about having an episiotomy as well. *shudder* Is there anything you can do to help avoid it? I've heard stuff about rubbing olive oil into your nether bits to soften them up for it...?

I did read the 'Pregnancy's Best Kept Secrets' thread, and it didn't put me off, but reading this one has made me feel a lot more positive about the actual labour bit. Thanks!

AnnieM x

Perineal massage.:o Can't guarantee it works as I might have been lucky without it but I only ended up with a tiny tear which they didn't stitch and a mighty painful graze, which seemed to hurt more but heal so much quicker. Worth a go IMO.