Honestly - tell me how painful childbirth is!

aurora_borealis_2

Krystaltips wrote: »

I once read somewhere... It's as much pain as the body can handle without passing out....

I didn't think it was as painfull as that... But it did hurt... But I got over it... And now expecting number 2... I didn't forget the pain but I'm willing to go through it again...

First (large) baby, I passed out several times. Hurt like hell.

It was an induced, long labour though, so doesn't compare to natural contractions.

I only ever got to 7cm naturally before being interfered with, and that was a doddle.

abbecer

Painful......most definitely!!! Embarrassing.....not really, you are in too much pain to care!!! Worth it.........absolutely 100% yes!!!

Princess_Jane

My grandma who is 87 had my mam at home and says she "screamed a bit, but it was alright".

She sent my granda out for a walk with a stack of banana sandwiches during the birth and reckons the midwife came round once a week afterwards to pour boiling water and disinfectant on your "bits".

With family tales like this it's hardly surprising I am 30 and planning my first child in about ooooo 10 years

wannabe_sybil

Okay - I was in labour for fifty hours. It did hurt, but there are gaps. You are not in constant agony. I was in for the last night, and I must have really upset the rest of the ward because I was so shattered I actually slept for the ten minutes between contractions, woke up, groaned, went back to sleep for another ten minutes, woke up, yelled...

Then I was on a drip that 'started me off'. The epidural, that I wanted, worked really well apart from a small vital spot on my undercarriage. They gave me gas and air. Dear heart was very good - he didn't bother and fuss but read a magazine and kept passing me water when I needed it.

Then I tore a vein when little bear came out and they had to get a Registrar in to stitch and there was blood on the walls.

And I decided I wanted another one actually in the delivery room. I think that surprised the midwife.

Contractions are not constant, you are not writhing about in agony and you manage. Honest. Ask for pain relief early, don't be fake brave, talk to the midwife, and stuff nature taking it's course - get all the help you can get. And just cuddle your little one when they get here, because it is wonderful. It is the best thing I have ever done.

Violetta_2

Can I second what wannabe sybil mentions, I was really terrified then when I realised the pain wasn't constant, it was far easier to get my head round it. The Pain comes and goes with the contractions so you do get a breather unlike say toothache or earache. I woke up with back pain thinking I must've slept awkward it wasn't til my waters broke we realised I was in labour. I used a ten's machine which helped in the early stages, then had an epidural as they were worried about the strain on my heart. It hurt like hell when I finally pushed her out (thought my pelvis would break) she was a smidge of off 10 lb:eek: , But it wasn't as bad as my initial fears.
So go and have a lovely holiday;)

doraexplorer

:eek: Why is it when someone who is pregnant asks about childbirth all the horror stories pop up? its shocking, and unnessary scares new mummies ! theres nothing worse than hearing so and so got stitched up, my granny had this happen.

my goodness all these stories are awful! anyone reading this thread would never have children .

yes leave your dignity at the door on your way in and pick it up on your way out.

but most people have perfectly normal births with no complications, very few have problems.

Alll you need is gas and air, nothing more, there is no pain-relif that can take the pain away -- its only numbs your head, do you really want to be laid out for days while the drugs wear off.

OH and before i get shot down in flames :rolleyes: i have 3 babies all natural , first was 48 hours, 2nd 28 hours and baba no3 2 hours so i know what childbirth is like. I did have problems during ds no1 and had to have stitches, yes they are sore after but they heal up but shimber my timbers i promise you its not that bad .

my point is people do have hard times during childbirth, but honestly its not that bad, it all heals up after and scary stories just make it worse and more scary. As soon as baba is placed on your tummy it makes it all worth while. i can promise that even after having baba no 3 unplanned .

hope this helps, my baba no3 is only 6 weeks old and my hormones are still as the medical term says " nappyhead" so i am away with the faires :doh: which is proberly why i feel so strongly about this .

lol

xxxxx

mrcow

My Mum summed it up for me when I was just about to go into hospital with my third.

I was just walking out the door mid contraction and I bent over in pain and rested my head on her tummy said to her "I can't do this, I'm so rubbish" (I'd previously had an emergency section and epidural and forceps through complications and was scared stiff).

Her answer to me (she's had 4 kids) was "You are just the same as everybody else. Don't you forget that"

And it's true.
The pain is not really relevent. It's more a process that you go through. It hurts but it's also one of the most exilarating experiences you'll ever have in your life. I wish I could do it all again (warts and all if you pardon the expression) as it is a very special time which passes so quickly You do forget the labour, but you'll never forget the first eye contact (or the first smile come to that!)

doraexplorer

mrcow wrote: »

My Mum summed it up for me when I was just about to go into hospital with my third.

I was just walking out the door mid contraction and I bent over in pain and rested my head on her tummy said to her "I can't do this, I'm so rubbish" (I'd previously had an emergency section and epidural and forceps through complications and was scared stiff).

Her answer to me (she's had 4 kids) was "You are just the same as everybody else. Don't you forget that"

And it's true.
The pain is not really relevent. It's more a process that you go through. It hurts but it's also one of the most exilarating experiences you'll ever have in your life. I wish I could do it all again (warts and all if you pardon the expression) as it is a very special time which passes so quickly You do forget the labour, but you'll never forget the first eye contact (or the first smile come to that!)

well said mrcow, (how can other people word things better than me) sounds so much better than my reply , mine was full of hormones

xxxxx

emma12345

It is painful obviously but these days you can have as much or as little pain relief as you need, you are in control.

If you find you can cope with the pain you could just have gas and air. If not you can request an epidural and be virtually pain free. I'm not saying it's easy, it's not, but in most cases when you see your baby you will put the experience behind you.

And don't worry about any embarrassment, they've seen it all before!

Savvy_Sue

The point made in the report someone referred to earlier where I read it (Daily Mail, I'm afraid) is that when women were asked to rate how they felt about their experience of giving birth and how painful it was at different intervals after the birth, they rated it as more painful months later if they felt they'd had a 'bad' experience. Whereas those who had a 'good' experience did 'forget' how painful it had been.

So, be informed, don't listen to the horror stories, work with your body rather than against it, and whatever happens you should be able to 'forget' how bad it was in time ...