whats it like actually giving birth?

Question

whats it like? how would you describe the pain?

Answer 1

I'll be honest yes it hurt but (not to sound cheesey) you dont have time to remember the pain afterwards because your baby is there. I was induced and had my baby 25 hours later, i had gas and air (amazing stuff!) and 1 injection of pethidine. I can remember being in pain but nothing like stories you hear about, my best piece of advice would be to listen to everything your midwife says-push when she says push, rest when she says rest. Good luck if your awaiting your bundle of joy!

Answer 2

The worst pain you will ever feel but the most easily forgotten. Even with my 3rd I was wondering when I knew the contractions would start - I really honestly could not remember how intense it was going to get!

Don't worry about forgetting about all the breathing - it's automatic when you're going through labour!

I don't recommend getting an epidural just for the sake of it. Gas and air get you through and you are far more in control during and after. I ended up with an emergency c-section with my last so had no choice and it was the worst thing not being able to move! I will not deny the pain relief was exceptional with an epidural but given the choice under normal circumstances, I would rather have stuck to gas and air.

You have to be prepared to lose every bit of dignity you have - that goes out the window but in the throws of labour you'll really have no care about that anyway. You may even empty your bowels on the table in the middle of it all! (Apparently it's very normal and really pretty helpful. Hmmm...)

To sum up - the most exhausting, painful, exhilarating and amazing experiences of my life.

Answer 3

I don't agree with the people who say the contrctions are worst. I have a very high pain threshold, when I first went into hospital the nurses hooked me up to the contraction monitor as they didn't believe I was tha far into labour, as I was taking it so well, they were totally shocked to see I was having hugely strong contractions. It is pushing the baby out for me that was most painful. I couldnt bear to lie on my back because the pressure on my spine was excrutiating so I delivered kneeling. I only had gas and air, it's useless after awhile, just used the mouthpiece to bite down on. The pain is undescribable. Hrrific, or it was for me, I knew I was ripping somewhere but they kept saying I wasn't, afterwards (3 weeks later at the doctors!) I found out my labia had ripped clean off where it joins to your clitoris, I was in agony for weeks without knowing why!!I didn't think of looking closley as I thought the pain must be normal. I didn't forget the pain as soon as I handed me my son. I didnt even want to breastfeed I was so wrecked but I did in the end. It's best if you kneel up so gravity works with you instead of you pushing with all your might horizontally. The best way i'd describe the pain is if you can imagine pushing a heavy, very spikey watermelon out of your hole!!! It doesnt feel like a small smooth babies head at all. I still remember the pain to this day. I REALLY REALLY WISH i'd had an epidural when offered, i'm to scared to have more children!!!!


Forgot to say, no matter how many times you think it, you are not going to die!!! I kept swaping between thinking I was going to and wanting to. JUst keep telling yourself that this time tomorrow youll be fine and happy and cuddling your baby. It does end, it's not forever. Good luck.xxxx

Answer 4

It is the worst pain you could ever imagine!! The contractions are excruciating, really really really really excruciating. Iv never experienced anything like it in my life and never want to again! Always opt to the epidural, what is the point of having that pain when you dont have to! Gas and air just made me pass out and I didnt come round quick enough for the next breath so it didnt help.

It took me ages to forget the pain. The contractions are the pain, without them it would be ok. BUT........ if you are cut to let the baby out, THEN you experience even more pain afterwards coz it stings like hell to wee, the stitches pull so you cant even sit down and they take ages to heal!

Hope I havent put you off ;0) x

Answer 5

It is nothing like period cramps. Period cramps are a sharp pain. This is a dull aching, stretching feeling. It feels similar to holding your mouth open as wide as you can for a long time. It is the same kind of pain. I have had four children with no pain medication. I have had hunger pains before that were worse than labor. Check out the Bradley method. It really works and it minimizes the pain.

Answer 6

Giving birth is not where the pain lies, if you are giving natural birth and they have to cut you, they give you an injection to numb the pain, but the real pain lies in the contractions.
When I went into labour with my son, I was already 7cm dialated, then I still had to wait for the doctor, what I did is lay on my side and curl myself into a ball as the pain is slightly less as your baby is then not putting weight on your spine.
I would give birth 20 times over minus the contractions as that is what hurts the most, as your whole abdomen is contracting, you dont even feel the baby coming out, that's why you dialate, to make space for the baby to come out. (and I was too far dialated for them to give me any pain killers, but did not want them)Silke

Answer 7

it was my worst fear. The last stage before pushing is the worst bit. Contractions are very frequent and it hurts a lot. Up to 4cm dialated though is manageable. Once you have got rid of the transition stage (the last bit before pushing) the rest wat relatively painfree. The pushing does not hurt. Lets put it this way I was in labour for 24 hours and i did not have any pain relief and i said two weeks after giving birth that i would do it again. I have read that reflexology can be very good for helping with the pain relief.

Answer 8

everyone's pain is different so no one can describe birthing pain to you.I have had 4 live births and 2 still births and everyone was different but i will tell you that it may be uncomfortable,painful,difficult among other things but once you see your new little person you will forget the pain because it is all worth it.
Good Luck and Take Care

Answer 9

I asked this question of eveyone when I was expecting my first. I don't think anyone can describe it until it happens to you.

My main advice would be just go with the flow, don't have too many expectations. It hurts some people more than others. Whilst in mid labour just focus on the lovely baby you will have at the end. oh nearly forgot no matter how much it hurts your not going to die, and if they offer you drugs say 'YES please'.

All this from the mother who's first labour was 46 hours from start to finish with no drugs and second over and done with in 2 hours.

Answer 10

After having 3 boys each one was different my first was very painful but you do forget about it after the baby is in your arms. My 2ND child was not so bad it was not as painful as my first and then my last it took no time and very little pain but each one and each person is different if you don't want allot of pain I would walk allot and build those muscle up. My first I was very lazy and I had back labor one of the most painful experience. After that my doctor told me to start walking and the more I walked she said it would be less painful so with my 2nd & 3rd child that's what I did I walked 1 - 2 miles every day and it really helped allot.