Is Childbirth really that painful?

Question

I can honestly say the very thought of it makes me cringe - I am thinking fo going to Portland Hospital for a elected caeserian instead - BUT - that tiny tiny voice in my head says, it might not be THAT bad. Everyone has different pain thresholds, I know that, but what is the general consensus?

Answer 1

Well, I dont see any answers from anybody that had planned Csec.

I had one and I dont regret it.
I was not that scared of pain, but i can deal with pain alone than with people around me especialy I hated the idea that nurses and doctors will be around me while giving birth. Anyway, I had a medical problem so my c-sec was planned. It is a lot easier than
emergency Csec where you go through all the pain and end up having csec.

It is a major surgery but its not like you have a heart surgery.
For me it was a breeze. The first day I felt no pain. I kept taking the painkillers on time so I didnt actualy feel anything . the second day is very hard because you have to get up and move around. You feel that your tummy will split open. Its just your idea though.
The more you walk the better you feel. Day 4 I got up and went home. within the week I was walking aroung , caring the baby and preparing bottles. I could feel the pain but it was not bad and I didnt take pain killers past day 3. I took it easy though and I had help too.
after a week you can have a bath. You feel numb in the area, it's sensitive but no pain unless you have an infection.
It is not like you lay down for six weeks feeling pain.

I think everybody is different. Take opinions from different people, those who had natural birth and those who had elective csec (not emergency). Decide whatever feels good to you and dont feel bad. God Bless!

Answer 2

The best way to describe it is really bad period pains for the contractions and when you are pushing the baby out it is like bad constipation! I had a water birth and used a tens machine before getting into the water and gas and air whilst in the water. My thinking was if people have more than one it can't be that bad! All I thought about all the way through was how I would be seeing my baby soon. You can have an epidural which I think numbs you so you don't feel the pain. I found the experience amazing and would have been really sad if i'd missed out and had a caeserian. It really is not that bad - and look what you get at the end! I am already planning for number 2 and can't remember the pain of labour from number 1 (7 months ago). Talk through your options with your midwife

Answer 3

Im not going to lie to you hun, it does hurt, but if it was that bad no woman would go through it, and certainly not more than once!! There are so many different pain relief options you could go for. I found a warm bath eased the first stage, gas and air is a god send I was sucking on that like there was no tomorrow! but everybody is different and you are right everyone does have different pain thresholds. Its not easy but I dont see there is any need to opt for a caeserian. Dont be scared hun its really not that bad its not like it lasts forever and dont forget the beautiful little life that you will have at the end of it, After all your hard work it will be worth it when you hold that little one for the first time believe me. Just make sure you prepare for every eventuality. You may think your birth will go one way but believe me it will never go to plan. Research the pain relief tens machines, birthing ball, epidurals etc and make sure that everything can be available to you if you need it because you may think you want one thing and then change your mind. Preperation is the key, there is absolutly nothing to be afraid of hun, remember its the most natural thing in the world and if you really feel you cant then dont beat yourself up about it or let anyone make you feel bad for opting not to go natural, its your pregnancy and your child so do what you have to do. Honestly though hun its really not that bad. Good luck, hope everything goes ok for you.xx

Answer 4

A c/s is major abdominal surgery with additional risks involved. More blood loss, more chance of infection, harder recovery period, more pain and discomfort after it is over.

Childbirth is uncomfortable for a few hours. You feel better almost immediately afterwards. For me, the worst of the pain was really only a matter or minutes with each of my three births. (Transition and crowning, basically.) It was never something I couldn't manage. I did it without drugs.

If you can't handle the pain, get an epidural. But forget about the elective c/s. That shouldn't even be an option. A c/s should be reserved for if there is a medical indication that you NEED to be cut open to get the baby out.

Take a good childbirth class and learn some coping techniques for labor. Read the book The Birth Partner by Simkin to help you understand more about labor, meds and interventions and the risks and benefits of every choice you may need to make.

Honestly, with all three there was never a moment that I felt that I couldn't truely cope with it. Your body is designed to do this!

Answer 5

When I went into labor, I honestly had no idea. My nurses kept asking why I didn't feel the huge contractions that were showing up on the moniter. But I have a very high tolerance for pain and in the end I had a c-section anyways. My son's heart kept adding in extra beats every few minutes. They weren't that worried but they still didn't want the birth to go wrong. Its best do what is most comfterble at the time. And c-sections can be optionable if you really want one done. It can be more dangerous but it is an option even without an emergency. Two of my friends refused to have vaginal births and opted for cesarian, and they loved it and actually so did I. It takes awhile to heal yes, but I found it very enjoyable. The only downside is if you want to breastfeed. The medications can really make you drowsy, and they made my son drowsy too, to the point where he wouldn't eat, he just fell asleep after only five minutes. So think long and hard, and decide what is best for yourself. Good luck.

Answer 6

I have had 8 children, all natural, and the pain is what you make of it. There is also an epidural that you can receive to make the pain go away. However, you will feel the pressure from the baby on the pelvis bone when giving birth. That is natural and doesnt feel that bad. It is all a part of life, and women have been doing it for millions of years. Did I mention that some of my births were without an epidural, and one last for 49 1/2 hrs.? That one was the most painful because it was drawn out and my body was tired. However, they do not let women go that long anymore. They would just do a c-section instead of draw it out.

Answer 7

i had a natural child birth, and what convinced me to do it was the thought that a bit of pain during birth was better than the days of pain you experience afterwards if i'd had a c-section or otherwise.
a book that really helped me to get into the right psychology for a natural birht was ena may's guide to natural child birth. definately read this in making up your mind.
bottom line though, hospitals are not a sympathetic environment for giving birth generally, so if you do go natural, then take an assertiveness course as well, as the staff are a real pain!!! i was seconds from giving birth and there was an arguement in the delivery room about how much noise i was making and where my feet should be!!!!!
i can really recommend a bloody hot bath during labour as well... if you can give birth in the bath then great, go for it!!!
what ever you do... don't let them force you on your back!!! do what is right for you, not for them.

i am so glad i had a natural birth... it some how makes me feel more for my baby that we went through it together.

good luck!!!

ps. i have a very low threshold for pain... and i do remember in the last half hour thinking, oh **** it's too late to ask for drugs... but as soon as i thought that, it no longer bothered me, and i just got on with it. Get the book!!!

pps. if you lay on your back it hurts alot more... and you don't need to be on your back for them the check the heart rate of the baby.

Answer 8

Trust me...if the epidural works then you won't feel a thing until after the birth and you regain feeling in that part of your body...when I had my first, she is seven now, I thought if that's all it took to having a child then I could do it 2 or 3 more times. The nurse had to tell me when to push because I honestly didn't feel a thing. Then I had my son, he's five, and it was miserable...the epidural didn't work on my left side so it was pretty painful, but it's something quickly forgotten. And if it's any consolation I'm a weenie when it comes to pain, so what was bad for me may not be for you. Good Luck!!!

Answer 9

I had a 26 hour labour, ive never experienced pain like it and hope to never again!

My cousin was in labour for an hour and a half, and hers just popped out, so you just cant tell im afraid.

Even so, its an experience i am glad I did, it gives you an enormous sense of achievement, and when your man moans about his cold and stuffy nose, you can point out that you have been through childbirth, the pain of which nothing compares to.

It does hurt, but its the most incredible thing you will ever do, I cant describe how amazing the whole experience is. At the time, I wanted to die, but now I can look back knowing what a bloody strong woman I am for going through it.

And having your partner there at your side helping (and hindering someimes!) is great. I was lucky to have my husband and my best friend through it all, and it was such a bonding experience, really.

I was terrified at giving birth, but please dont have an elective, unless its for medical reasons, I dont see any reason why a woman cant go through labour and birth just like we have for thousands and thousands of years.

My husband said that he had a new respect for me watching me go through it, it certainly helped us bond more as a couple, I glad I did it the once, im not planning on having any more, but if I was, I would never consider a c-section.

It is frightening, but thousands of women do it every day and its over and done with, then you have the most gross story to tell all your mates, and a beautiful baby who you pushed into the world.

Its amazing. honest.

Answer 10

The pain from childbirth only lasts a few hours. And there are things that help. The pain from a Cesarean last for a week or so. And sometimes even longer. I had a Cesarean 7 years ago and I still get a shooting pain around my scar at times. The other people in my family that have had one tell me the same thing. I believe regular child birth is best. The cesarean was created for when something goes wrong.