I know it's a stupid question but how bad does labor actually hurt?

Question

I am almost 29 weeks along and I am scared to death. I do not do well with needles or pain. Some people say giving birth isn't that bad and others say it is the worst and most painful thing ever. I would just love some various feedback.

Answer 1

I don't care much for needles either but with my first child i had an epidural while i was in labor and never could feel it. With my second i had him natural because he came too fast for anything to work. Lets just say for me it hurt. If you need to chat or anything e-mail me! I'll be glad to talk

Answer 2

I have 4 children and let me tell you from experience, labor is the worst pain I have every experience. All births were natural, no epidural. Between all births I would have to say that the first (11 years ago) and the last (2 months ago) was the worse. You said you don't deal with needles and pain but you will get a big dose of both. I have had friends that have had an epidural and after the needle in the back they didn't feel a thing. Make you a birth plan and ask your OBGYN about what you can use for pain. Just remember that labor pains represents that your body is working to get your baby out to you and once you see your baby it is all worth it. Your pain just disappears. Congrats and Good luck.

Answer 3

I'll tell you that I am by far the biggest wimp around and I actually balled my head off when I had to get a shot in the shoulder. I have three kids and all of them were born by c section. The first one I went through 8 hours labor and it wasn't great but can't say it was that bad. (I didn't get that far before the Dr. changed the plan) recovery was ok with the first better 2nd and really impressive with the third! Remember that when your mother tells you stories about how bad things were that is because they probably were but the medical field has made AMAZING leaps and bounds so you should know that you are in good hands and don't listen to stories from "way back when I had kids". My oldest is 9 and my youngest is 2, the change in quality of care was awesome! Best of luck to you and I suggest that you not ask to many people this question because for some reason SOME women like to embellish their experience to get more attention. It's like a female p*$$ing contest.

Answer 4

Not a stupid question at all. I wondered how bad it could possibly be, but no one can explain that type of thing. If u really think about it there's no reason to worry about it, because either way you have to deal with it now, so just think positive and know that it wont last forever. For me the pain was not so bad. I didn't think that i was even in labour for a long while. Then after an hour or so of being on the oxytocin, I started to feel it. Mostly just uncomfortable and tightening feelings though. That's when i got the drugs and went so numb i actually slept till it was time to push. when he was coming out, the stretching pain was pretty bad, but you really do forget how bad it was almost right away, it's so great to have your baby with you. If you tear and need stitches, be careful, i tore a couple of mine out or something from doing too much walking and stuff right away. That hurt like hell. good luck. email me if you want someone to talk to

Answer 5

It depends on the person. Some people have quick 2 hour labors. I had a 38 hour labor. Some people scream and cry, others do fine. I must say, that as exhausted as I was being in labor that long, an epidural was welcome, and PAINLESS. I didnt even know when they put it in. If it werent for that, I may never have made it thru the labor. The epidural wore off before i had to start pushing, but at least i had a few hours of rest. They finally had to cut me wide open down there and get her out because both our heart rates were dropping. Yeah, it hurts, but you get thru it. Women do it everyday. Some have a harder time than others, but they all make it thru. Honestly, when they told me to push I almost started crying because I was like "how? i dont know how to push!" Next thing I knew, I was pushing. Women are strong, its ok to be scared, I dont think anyone looks forward to the pain, but when its all over, you dont really care about any of it. I think it was worse afterward, because during the labor your adrenaline and everything is kicked in, but after its all over, you are sore and in pain and have a baby to care for. So if you have someone that is willing to stay with you for like a month, I strongly recommend it. It will be such a blessing. Congratulations! Instant message me if you wanna mommy chat! [e-mail]

Answer 6

Whoever says it doesn't hurt that bad, stinks. To some ppl it doesn't. I have 3 kids, 2 natural(not by choice) and 1 with meds. If you can't stand the pain, you will have to settle with 2 needles. The pain will be worse than the needle. One usually on the top of your hand, and one in your back that you can't see. All in all, at the time it will be like you broke your leg over and over every coulpe of minutes. It does hurt. When it's over though, you won't remember the pain. Tough decision, but which is the lesser of 2 evils here? 2 needles, or the pain. You can always decide at the hospital when you go in labor. If you're like me, the pain will be bad enough to deal with 2 needles. But you don't have alot of time to decide at the hospital. Good luck, and I hope you have a healthy baby.

Answer 7

It definitely hurts, no doubt about it. And, there's no mistaking when you are actually in labor. When I asked my Dr. how I would know if I was actually having a real contraction, she told me if I could talk at the same time, I wasn't! That put things into perspective! And, she was pretty correct -- breathing was about the extent of activity during the peak pain times. All I can say is, take advantage of the drugs offered, as soon as they are offered, as not taking advantage of them doesn't win you any medals or make you any better or worse than the mom that goes natural. You will have a beautiful baby in the end that's worth every moment and pain you go through as evidenced by my Mom's first question when she first saw me holding our son for the first time and she asked, "So will you do it again?" And I said, "In a heartbeat!" Good luck, and enjoy the ride!

Answer 8

Honestly- it hurts. I won't lie. But once you're 39 weeks along and as big as a house you start not caring about the pain anymore- you just want that baby out! If you can handle an IV and a needle you can't even see, do the epidural- then you won't have to deal with the pain of labor. But, if the needles are out of the question you might look into alternative methods of laboring- waterbirth, hypnotization, the bradley method. I had my 2nd baby naturally- it was empowering, but it hurt.

Answer 9

I was okay throughout, it just felt like the WORST menstrual cramps ever. I guess how bad it feels to you depends on how bad you normally cramp during your period. If you usually have strong cramps, you may be accustomed to how the labor pains feel. The worst problem I had while in labor (which no one warned me about) is I was extremely nauseated, and threw up a lot.
And I know everyone says this, but by the time you are 40 weeks, you will be so ready to have that baby out that it won't matter how much it hurts anymore. Good luck to you!!

Answer 10

It depends on your pain tolerance and how your labor progresses. I did Lamaze and I think it helped. It does hurt, like the worst cramps you could ever have, but it's not a constant pain, just when you're having the contraction. You can get something to take the edge off or you can have an epidural to knock the pain completely. You will forget the all the pain as soon as your child is born. If it was that terrible, women would have only one child!!!

Answer 11

It sounds like you've already had some "various feedback". Like everything else in health care, every woman's experience is different. There are a lot of variables involved. The most important thing is to have a good team on your side and talk with your physician about strategies for pain management and your fears, in advance of the actual event. Be sure to exercise moderately, or as directed by your physician, so your body can be in the best it possible for the event.