Okay, hit me... just how bad is the pain of childbirth?

Question

I'm due in 3 weeks and want to know what to expect. Can you compare it to something - like a broken bone or shattered tooth or really bad burn - that will give me an idea of where on the pain scale I'm going to be? I'm skinny which worries me somewhat.

Answer 1

The labor is the same kind of pain as you have while you have your period, but just many times more. Some people have more pain in the back and some people have more in the front.

Just take everything for your pain relieve what they offer to you. The pain is much more than you ever imagine, but when you have your baby on your arms..Immediately you are ready to do it again!!

It is a little bit like a burning balloon on your tummy, and that part when you start to push, the head part is the hardest but that is normally really fast. In my time the midwife would make a cut during the labor so you do not even feel it. For me the waiting period to that point when I can actually start to push was the hardest. I was physically very fit, so my labor was long, 22 hours. I did not open fast. I was so tired because I had lost one night sleep and another night was coming up...and I was hungry.

I asked para cervical shot, and they needed to break the water sack... and I started to take laughing gas to ease up the pain. That worked for me, I felt the pain, but it was not so sharp pain. but if you can have an epidural, take it. I had to have two shots.

I remember that when I had had baby, and I was happy it was finally over. I had started planning to have another one as soon as possible. Then the midwife started to saw stitches...I was like, gosh, it is not over yet...and then she starts to talk to me that it might take a while I feel comfortable at the restroom, and especially it woud be good if number two would come softly...that was another worry...and they did not remember to warn me about the normallness of bleeding for a long time...I almost fainted in the shower when I saw all that blood...

I took a mirror and against their advice, I looked down there...ohh lLord it looked like a battle field after the second world war...and I felt that my sexlife will be over...but that was not the case. The time heal wounds, and I think I am enjoying sex more than before delivery.

If you are a small woman. Your doctor will know if you need to have a c-section. You will make it! Good luck! It is going to be well worth the trouble. Would you e-mail me how everything went?

Answer 2

I too had a small frame and still do. During my last trimester,I took light walkes, so I kept my stamina. However, in my case, I wanted to do it all natural. So, in order to avoid being tied to a hospital bed during labor, I didn't go right away. It helps with the pain to let gravity help you, as well as frequent bathroom trips and those breathing techniques. BELIEVE ME, the pain is not as intense if you breath through it instead of push through it. Now, to get to your question, It can feel like a kidney stone passing, or if you haven't had a kidney stone. Imagine having a leg cramp that starts out as a cramp then gets more intense then get almost overwhelming then slowly goes away. This sensation continues in waves and gets shorter between until you have the baby. Towards the end I wanted everthing from drugs to a c-section but by that time I was ready to deliever the baby and it was too late. By the way, I had no drugs and wanted another one as soon as I saw my bundle of joy.

Answer 3

What I remember most is, before the epidural (which was heaven), nothing alleviated the pain. I remember feeling like if I could just move this way, bend that way, breathe this way, focus on something thing etc, I'd feel better. But I didn't. Nothing worked. Pre-epidural, on a scale of 1-10, a 10. And it's true when they say it's like really, really bad menstrual cramps. Post-epidural...piece of cake. Ask for it. Get it as soon as they'll give it to you. And when it's time to push, focus, focus, focus. You don't want them to back off on it because you're not moving the baby along. Good luck! Sorry, I just made it sound so horrible, but it is all SO worth it... Congratulations on your impending arrival. Motherhood is magical... I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Answer 4

Everyone is different when it comes to labor pain. Some women have no problems and compare the pain/pressure to that of bad menstrual cramps. Others have enormous pain.
Have you considered an epidural? They are safe and many women including myself opt for them even with a vaginal birth. I'm a mother of three, first born was a singleton and the second pregnancy was twins and I had an epidural for both births. Discuss that with your OB if you think it might be for you. Knowing that you'll be pain free might take your anxiety away.

Answer 5

Everyone is different. For me, the contractions were the worst. I opted for no epidural and got something in my IV to help me rest between contractions. My contractions were in my hip area and it felt like a wicked cramp in my hips. When it was actually time to push, suddenly the pain started to dwindle, I was more focused on getting the baby out-- and to see her. It burned when i was pushing her head out, from the muscles stretching. But after her head, piece of cake! My daughter was also born sideways, so my pain was a little more extreme. Like people have previously stated, it also depends on your pain threshold. Just try to mentally and physically prepare yourself... They definitely make sure that you are aware that you can have a variety of pain relievers.. such as a drip in your IV, epidural or whatever else your health care facility provides. Relax, most importantly.. And congratulations.. let me know how it went!! Take care!!

Answer 6

It was the worst pain I ever had. It felt like major menstrual cramps in my back but I also had a hard labor. I was in labor over 30 hrs, pushed for 3 1/2 hours almost had to have a c-section. They ended up using the vacum extractor. But honestly after my baby was delivered I forgot all about the pain.

Answer 7

every woman is different. a lot has to do with your pain tolerance. but i've known women who have had low pain tolerances and virtually no pain form labor and delivery. i, on the other hand, have a high pain tolerance, and there is no way what so ever to describe the pain i was in. it was horrendous. broken bones and shattered teeth would have been heaven to me. learn meditaiton, focusing exercises, and proper breathing techniques. if you're still unsure of yourself, there are epidurals and spinals available. but these are transmitted to the baby, and may make him/her "dopey". if you took lamaze classes, just remember to do your breathing and you'll be fine. it took me 4 to finally get the lamaze thing down, but if i did it right the first time, it would've been much easier. good luck.

Answer 8

For me, it was like having period cramps, but so so so so so so so so so so so so so so much worse. The pain is in the same region as where you would get the cramps, but the pain is enough to leave you doubled over in pain, and take your breath away. I don't know what its like actually pushing the baby out, because I ended up having emergency c/s....I don't want to scare you!! But theres no nice way of telling someone what labour is really like...good luck with the birth, and get all the pain relief you can get!

Answer 9

It is different for everyone. I gave birth prematurely, and it was actually a pretty easy labor (4 hours from water break to birth). There are horror stories out there, but that doesn't mean it will be you. If you're worried, get an Epidural. I had one, and I could still feel when to push, but it wasn't the worst pain ever.

Answer 10

If you get cramps during your monthly period...imagine them..on steroids. Stay active, that will help..and I have heard that having sex helps the muscles in that "area" to get ready for childbirth. Yes...it hurts. But...I think it has to...becoming a mother completely changes your life...and it is life-changing pain. I think it's natures way of letting you know that life is different from now on. And, the cliche is totally true...once you see that little face...it is all worth it. Congrats! And remember..there's always an epidural!