Honestly - tell me how painful childbirth is!

modgit

IIRC it's Almond oil for the Perineal massage. I used it with DS1, but unfortunately due to large baby, ventouse delivery etc had cut and tear :eek: then with DS2 had cut to try and put right the mess from the first.... and by the time DS3 arrived cuts were "out" and "tears" were in.....

Oh, why do we do it!!

As been said before, we do go back for more so it can't be that bad, the product by far outweighs the pain

Kandipandi

It hurts - of course it does. It varies for everyone and every baby - my first one was worse and the second one was like shelling peas. With my DS1 I ripped inside and out and had an episiotomy including many stitches but by that time you are numb anyhow and i honestly dont remember it as being agony, and when they stitched me up i was so amazed at this new baby i hardly noticed.
It is a cliche but they are so very worth it. x

mandragora_2

It stings a bit.

onlyroz

AnnieM wrote: »

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...?

Once you've actually had the baby the last thing you'll be worried about is a few stitches, believe me.

f1re_cr4cker

labour is a breeze compared to the first 2 months - now thats HELL!

f1re_cr4cker

just to add an epidural can be great if u then need an epistomy/stitches/forceps or ventouse as u feel very little!

oh and as for what the pain is like- i just think of it as being the worst period pain that gets worse and worse. actually if you have horrific period pain now there is a good chance u may not find it too horrific as u will be slightly used to it.

jpwhittle

it does hurt but its like a very bad period pain. but i think you just tend to zone out when labour kicks in. you obviously feel it but you just get on with it, have a bit of a shout or cry every so often then get on with it again. theres alot to be said for gas and air.

theembaresment factor is none existent by the time your in established labour in fact i have a habit of begging them to check how far gone i am. the best advice is leave your dignity at the door on your way in and pick it up again on your way out. i was so scared of pooing myself or farting in labour and ended up doing both 11weeks ago when i had my daughter. the funny thing is though the midwife prefers it if you poo as they say it means your pushing properly.

the head coming out isnt as bad as you think it stings quite a bit but its not for long, by the time youve announced to the world that that is stinging the next push is coming to get the rest of baby out.

take all the pain relief going and its fine. dont lie down though its so much easier if your kneeling up as bby comes down quicker so alot less pain.

Kimitatsu

I haven't read all of this thread but I know for my two they were very different experiences.

DS1 was late (set the pattern for life at an early age!) and I had to be induced as I was on the verge of eclampsia throughout pregnancy with high blood pressure, enough retained water to solve the drought in Africa and the midwife from hell. He took 24 hours to turn up - I can hear you groaning already lol. But the body is an amazing piece of kit and it produces loads of painkillers itself, and actually when I think back on labour the last thing I think about it the pain. That one, I had piles, stitches and a wonderful trainee midwife.

DS2 was early (and still is for everything!) when my waters broke, I was at home and thought I had just wet myself!! He took about 16 hours to turn up but I did him on gas and air, I didnt feel the need for anything else that time. Once again I had a wonderful trainee midwife who rubbed my back walked me around the room and told my then husband to make himself useful now and then. I remember afterwards my health visitor asking if I had stitches with this one "no" I replied smugly, "she is very pleased with herself about that" commented my husband. At this point the health visitor gives him a withering look and says" a man could never understand!" :rotfl:

Every pregnancy and subsequent labour is different. I have friends who are midwives and they have seen it all many times before! The thing they are most concerned is having mum and baby alive and well at the end of the process not worrying about you pooing yourself or being embarrassed by some perception they may have.

If you want a child then have one, dont let the thought of labour put you off, it is different for everyone, and actually is just a stepping stone on the journey. There are loads of support organisations out there to help you, ante natal classes, midwives, health visitors etc. Enjoy your pregnancy, the labour is a tiny part of it and you get to meet your little person at the end of it.

maxine84

have an epidural...painfree! (well if you are lucky!)

DD1, no epidural, water birth, gas and air... OW OW OW
DD2 Epidural birth, no pain, fantastic
DS1 Epidural, gas and air as had window of pain that was like someone stabbing me.

You do forget it though really....NEVER again!!!

asandwhen

I dont know what all the fuss is about myself - My wife was in and out in a few hours - I think women make out it hurts more than it does so they can use it against us all the time :lipsrseal :silenced: :doh: :shocked: