I am so excited to be a mother for the first time but I have to drive 45 minutes to the hospital while in labor, and I am so scared of how it will feel. I am not pain tolerant, I can't take pain that well. Please someone tell me what labor is like so I can be prepared!
2006-08-06 07:56:39 · 18 answers · asked by daddysbiggirl18 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Okay, there is a great deal of pain, if the baby is in the wrong position (my first was in the wrong position). I was able to have an epidural, but because my water had broken they had to induce labor. My second was delivered by c-section, I didn't want a repeat performance, then I was glad - she was also in the wrong position. My third - I went into labor twice - once 6 weeks early and if you learn the breathing you can deal with the pain on the trip to the hospital and then you can get through to the point where they give you an epidural. You could also employ a dula who can help you deal with the pain. I hear they are very effective. (By the way I had to travel 1 hour 1 way to get to the hospital)
2006-08-06 08:06:30 · answer #1 · answered by mom of girls 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Labor hurts, especially if you get back labor. Labor feels different for different women, but for me, it felt like the worst menstrual cramps of my life had been magnified 100 times. Back labor made the pain constant, no ebbing and flowing like the regular ol' contractions. During the pushing phase, the pressure was painful, even though I was numb to pain. It's hard to explain. The constant physical exertion is also tiring. No time outs in this game.
Here's my advice to you:
Take childbirth classes, read books and watch Birth Day and Special Delivery on Discovery Health Channel. Those shows heled me understand the lingo and helped desensitize me to the whole process when my son was born. Have a brith plan ready, including the person who is going to drive you to the hospital. Make sure you pack a sprts bra and socks in your labor bag. Trust me. Your feet will get really cold and you don't want the girls breaking loose when you get the epidural. Get an epidural.
Make sure you don't have sex for at least the doctor-recommended six weeks post-delivery (regardless of how you deliver) then get some strong, reliable birth control at your six week check up. You're too young to be breeding. The whole process is so much less bewildering and frightening when you have a loving husband by your side. Oh, yeah, and find a loving husband.
2006-08-06 15:11:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the hospital I was at, they gave epidurals at 2 cm, and I got one. Mine did not take all the way, so I still experienced some pain, and I am not highly pain tolerant either. But you know, you're so excited and overwhelmed, there's no real way to prepare for it because there's no way to really describe it.
The first part of labor (I went without the epidural for about 5 hours and I was being induced) was just like bad menstrual cramps, which I was used to. Then I got the epidural. I just highly recommend it. Write out a birth plan and make sure they know you want the epi. ASAP! I was 1 hour 15 min. from the hospital and I was just fine.
2006-08-06 16:09:59 · answer #3 · answered by Amie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Labor is a different experience for different people, and different for each pregnancy. I had two of my children naturally, and one of them I got up and went and took a shower when I was 8 centimeters dilated. It was not terribly painful. The other two were terrible pain! One thing that is the same for all women is that it doesn't start with gut-wrenching pain. It builds gradually. You will have pain free time inbetween contractions, also. When contractions begin, they will feel like strong menstrual cramps for most women. The best thing for you to do is remember this is natural, not a medical emergency, and your body is naturally equipped for this purpose. You really should think about taking childbirth education classes. They are very helpful.
2006-08-06 15:14:43 · answer #4 · answered by alone1with3 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My first baby I gave to naturally with just gas and air...in a small midwife led unit with no doctors on site or proper pain relief available-it took 16 hours-baby got stuck,they run out of gas and air,had to have my waters broken and be cut open-complete nightmare,soo painful I thought I was dying...I didn't bond well with the baby for a while as the labour had hurt soo much and I had severe post natal depression-it didn't help that my newborn baby turned out to be critally ill and had emergency open heart surgery at just 3 days old.
Everything was soo awefull when I was thnking its all going to lovely.
Second time around I went to the main hospital where they have the epidural...the first part of the labour hurt some but the epidural worked for the end part of labour and I felt no pain,bliss...I bonded quickly with my newborn and luckily he was completely healthy.
So in my opinion go to a proper hospital where you can start off without pain relief then if it gets too much ask for the epidural,its great!
2006-08-06 15:12:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
don't be scared to bring life into this world. its the best thing you could ever do. it hurts to have a baby natural i know i've had 2 . one at the age of 15 and the other at 18 but its totaly worth it. i was scared the first time to but once i heard him cry i forgot about the pain . just do alot, i mean alot of walking because it helps the birth part .it made it go buy real fast for me so i wasn't in pain for very long. but if it dose take a long time just think of him and how bad you want to hold him. it makes it easy to keep going good luck and congrates i wish you all the happiness he will bring you.
2006-08-06 15:10:28 · answer #6 · answered by sexytabbi85 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not be shy in asking for pain medication....epidurals can be a wonderful thing. This does not make you a coward, dear one. If you can afford it, when you start dilating, stay in a hotel near the hospital. What is labor like? Wellll......http://www.pregnancyweekly.com/pregnancy_information/stages_labor.htm
This should help you out a lot. Good wishes I have for you and yours, dear one.
2006-08-06 15:04:48 · answer #7 · answered by rrrevils 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like the worst cramps you've ever had in your life , except it involves every muscle in your body. I begged for the epidural and they gave it to me at 4cm. After the epidural I had to watch the moniter so I could breathe deeply engouh for me and my baby.I could feel the pressure of his head but because I couldn't feel too much pain it made it harder to push him out. Once you get the epidural you won't feel a thing , even afterwords for a few hours . Then the pain kicks in , they will give you Ibuprofin 600s.
2006-08-06 15:05:48 · answer #8 · answered by primamaria04 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all your in no way a coward...This is labor we're talking about. You have a right to feel this way...But many say that if you have a support system and make the atmosphere as comfortable as possible it makes a difference....But your not a coward!...I couldn't even handle my menstrual cramps ....that's the one thing I love about being pregnant no period....
2006-08-06 15:31:39 · answer #9 · answered by pregnant & praying now has baby 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just gave birth 2 my baby gurl 5 mo ago and she was 8lbs and i had her natural.Da **** hurts like hell.It is excruciating pain but they may suggest an epidural.You will b fine and its natural 2 b scared.Labor is a nondescribale pain.The only thing u can do 2 be prepared 4 it is 2 deal wit it.I was in your shoes 5 mo -ago
2006-08-06 15:15:24 · answer #10 · answered by 4evatrill 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋