Ladies, only serious answers please: Were you frightend during your birth experiences?

Question

Be honest please: What were your words and thoughts as the pain got stronger and stronger? How did you experienced transition? Were you exhausted as you felt the need to push? How hard was it for you to stay without drugs?

Answer 1

Oh hell yeah.

I have had 2 kids, and I did not have any type of pain reliever with them..

Very VERY painful, especially since with my first one I had no idea what I was doing.

The nurses and doctors kept screaming PUSH, PUSH and I kept yelling I DON"T F***ING WANT TO!

In the end, it was worth it... and oh yeah, btw it is really hard to say no to drugs.
That epidural sounded pretty damn good, once it was too late for me to have one.....

Answer 2

During my first delivery, I was very scared. I had experienced problems during the last two months of my pregnancy and had been on bed rest. I did not feel physically as strong as I would have liked. My labor was induced at 1100 in the morning. By 1:00pm I was in full labor, experiencing all my contraction pain in my lower back. I quickly became exhausted and too tired to foucus. My dr. ordered an epidural which, while it takes away the pain quit nicely, made it harder than hell to know if I was pushing right! I chose to let the epidural wear off and began pushing around 4. My daughter was born by 630. I was totllaly exhausted by the end, but to my amazement the pain quickly went away, Even the memory of the pain became ...fuzzy. It wasn't like the pain of a broken bone or stubed toe.. You can clearly recall the way that pain felt, to the point of being able to feel it again when you try to desccribe it. Labor pain sucks ...once it iis over it seems to fade from the memory. Probably because we would never go through it more than once otherwise,

I did have a second child, My pregnancy was perfectly normal and I went into labor on my own. Labor progressed nicely...my contractions were intense, but since none of it was centered in my back it was much easier to deal with. I didn't use any meds this time and after 3 pushes, delivered a 9lb 11oz baby boy. Again, as soon as it was over, the pain became a fuzzy memory.

The best advice I can give is to listen to your dr...do the exercises they recommend and, when the time comes, know it is ok to scream, curse, call your hubby names and just cry. The staff has seen it all before and probably far worse than anything you will be doing. And know that no matter how strongly you may want to have a natural delivery, no one is going to think less of you if you end up asking for something to take the edge off the pain. Listen to the delivery room staff...they will get you through it. And while you will be more physically exhausted than you ever have been before, it won't matter because your heart will be singing and all you will feel is the love and wonder of the child in your arms.

Answer 3

My experience was kind of different than the ones I've read so far.

I was scared from the start because my blood pressure was abnormally high compared to what it had been the entire pregnancy. I had a normal BP until the last week (39th week) I went to the doctor. It was 147/94. I also had abnormal swelling in my legs and feet, so I had to be induced.

I had to get cervadil (sp?) inserted to open my cervix. That was Friday afternoon. I started contractions about 11pm that night. I was given Pitocin to induce the labor at 5am, and my contractions began to get stronger and only 2 minutes apart for the rest of the day. The pain was amazing, and pardon the interpretation, but almost like severe abdominal pain when you have constipation. I got drugs to help with the pain and relax me (I also have a heart problem) during the first half of the day. It helped ease my fears. However, after they broke my water, I began to get scared again. The contractions were about a minute apart.

I got an epideral, and after the 3rd injection of it, I still felt the pain. Apparently redheads sometimes have problems with epiderals working...a tip NO ONE told me BEFORE that day! So I began to really get scared, and I felt the pain of pushing. I wasn't exhausted at that point, I was just nervous and excited. I was ready to push, and actually cussed my doc out when he said it wasn't time. My exact words, minus the foul language, was, "Buddy, this baby is coming out now whether you like it or not!!!!"

I pushed for about an hour and a half, screaming and crying the whole time because it hurt so bad. I wasn't scared though, until the doctor and nurses started talking in hushed tones. I saw some of the nurses scrambling for chairs and supplies. My mom and husband were both in the room, and they were white. THAT is when I got scared.

Apparently, my daughter wasn't so ready to come out, and was stuck behind my pelvic bone...something they call a turtle. Her head was coming out, then going back in (yeah...I felt that too...FUN!) Well, the defining moment of my fears happened when they dropped my bed down from the upright position, literally PUSHED my mom and husband out of the way, and seriously JUMPED on my stomach with all their might. I had NO idea what was happening...all I knew was that there were two nurses on my stomach, I felt the baby come out, and I heard my doctor say, "I heard something pop," and no crying.

Everything ended up fine. She cried shortly after, and they thought that her collarbone was broken (it wasn't). So, really, the scariest part of the pregnancy was the end when I thought something was wrong with my daughter. The nervous excitement before hand isn't anything once you hold your baby in your arms.

It's completely worth it, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Answer 4

I was induced, so drugs were pretty much a necessity. For my first birth, I was scared. I didn't have any medication (even though I was induced) until the last hour (I was in labor for about 8 hours total). The paid seemed to accelorate in the last hour. I went from 4 to 10 within two hours. I wasn't too exhausted since the birth was short. I LOVED pushing. There wasn't any pain when I was pushing so I didn't feel the contractions. For my second birth, I asked for drugs (Demerol) right after I was induced. I had the baby within an hour. It was wonderful. I was so relaxed. With my last birth, I had Demerol with three hours, but it didn't do as much for me. I was induced again. I felt like it was taking too long because my second baby came quickly. My nervousness kept me from having her sooner, I think. After about 8 hours, I had her. Again, pushing was wonderful. I did keep asking for more Demerol because I wanted the same feeling as the second birth- relaxed and easy.
All of my children were induced because I never went into labor on my own (all were at least 2 weeks overdue). Inducing causes more pain. Child birth is a scary, painful process, but just think about what you get in return- a beautiful baby. If you do need something to help with the pain see about taking the smallest amount possible. Don't feel bad if you need drugs. Try to stay relaxed and calm. Also, don't put your hands into fists. This will keep you from clenching muscles all over your body. Good luck and you will do fine!!!!

Answer 5

My first child i went into it blind so I wasn't really scared but no one can possible tell you how much contractions hurt. My second baby I was treated like crap at the hospital and ended up having an emergency c-section for my 11 lb baby that they thought was small (ultasound pics) all i really remeber was blacking out from the pain because epidual didn't work (be for c-section) then they started cutting before I was fully numb. The last baby I got to the hospital and 2 hours later she came out i was the most scared for the last one because of prior experiances I pushed with no drugs and it was over soo fast.So all in all each experiance is different but it is kind of like being out of your body you kind of don't think it is you doing it the they put your baby in your arms and you forget about what you just when through in a split second.

Answer 6

I went through a very quick labor. At 27 weeks may mucus plug came out and at that point I was 3 cm dilated. I was thrilled that things were going so great. When I had less than one day to go till I was "overdue" I went ahead and scheduled an induction. The day I scheduled the induction I was visiting my doctor and I was only dilated to 4cm. I went home and had a normal day and stayed up a little late that night to finish a movie I really wanted to see. After the movie went off, I turned off the t.v. and settled into bed with my hubby. Before anything happened, I did have a lot of fears about the entire labor and delivery thing because I simply had no way of knowing how things were going to go and I wnated to be prepared; I had read What to Expect When You're Expecting front to back 3 different times by the time I was even 7and a half months along. I had been asllep for a good half hour at least when I felt the first contraction. It woke me up and I lay there for a few minutes wondering and when the second one came, I started to count the minutes. Between the second and third one, There was nearly nine minutes. From the third to the fourth there were seven, so I knew I wascin labor. I woke up my husband and told him to get ready and he asked me if I was sure!!!! I told him yes and he got up. By the time we got to the hospital, less than 15 minutes away, I was curled up in the seat and the contractions were one right after another. I had watched the videos, and taken the birthing classes, I knew it would hurt and I knew the pain would be bad. As I tried to check in with the lady at labor and delivery, I kept haaving to neel down from the contractions. All I could think about was the baby and knowing this was the real thing; I don't remember what questions she asked me or anything like that. I don't remember if I was wheeled into my room or if I walked to the room I gave birth in, but when they hooked up the fetal monitor, the contractions stayed strong and they came fast. When she checked for dilation, She said I was totally dilated and they needed to break my waters. The doctor came in and did that and from there he just told me to push. I know there is a certain point in delivery when a lot of women think or feel they can't push that baby out. I was one of those women and I expressed it. My husband watched every bit of what went on and what was happening and when I told him that I can't do this, he simply said ' honey, you know you can do this;how many women do you think have said that before you and given birth just like you are? What happened to my strong willed woman?" Less than five minutes later; at 2:42 a.m., my daughter was born at 7 pounds, 14.1 ounces- ten fingers and ten toes. My husband had the pleasure of catching her. It was one of the proudest moments of my life and all I could say was " It is still a girl, right?" We had no problems breastfeeding and she and I went home after one night spent in the hospital. No episiotomy, no drugs, no cesarean. Between giving birth and watching her cry or eat, There's not a whole lot else I remember. I do know that I was exhausted after having her, I was quite hungry and in need of fluids. But I wouldn't trade the experience for the world. Now that she is 18 months old, we are less than two months away from delivering her baby sister. the sonogram technician said this girl is going to be close to 8 and a half pounds.

Answer 7

Now you can get the drug that makes birthing much better. When I had my son you had a lot of pain and they could give you an injection to block some of it but it was used at the very end so not so much help. Yes, it hurts and they say you will forget the pain I never did so I have one child. Most every woman I know that has more than one says it is worth it.
I think a pregnant women has the right to tell women that want to tell you stories of the terrible birthing stories to please not tell you. You may have a completely different experience so just grin and bear it. sorry for the pun.

Answer 8

I was more nervous a couple of days before (i had a scheduled inducion). Once the labor starts, you're too busy concentrating on anything other than being pregnant and in labor. I was in labor for 29hrs. and only dialated to 3.5 cm. I wasn't scared at that point, i was ready for it to be over. Unfortunately, I had to have an emergency C-Section because my daughter was under so much stress. I went in at 7:30 am and at 10 pm, theyy gave me morphine to help me sleep--it didn't work. i dozed in and out and my husband said i was talking about fish...or something like that. anyway, about noon i gave up the fight and asked for an epidural. About an hour and a half later, i was in surgery.

It's a scary experience, but believe me, the joy will out weigh the misery.

Godd luck and God bless,

Answer 9

I have had 2 children now and I'll tell ya the truth. Yes having a baby is painful. No it is not end of the world painful. Both of my births were drug free. the first one hurt more and lasted longer than the second. try waterbirth it really takes alot of the pain out. also wait as long as possible to go to the hospital all it does is make you worry and think about the pain more. GOOD LUCK! youll do great!

Answer 10

Thanks for a good question. I would love to share my first experience. I did not want an epidural. I wanted a natural birth. I was in labor for 48 hours. It hurt so bad, but I knew it woulde worth it. I was aslo very excited to finally get to see my first baby girl. But at about 46 hours of hard contractions and no change, I got an epidural. I love those things. I began to relax and had her perfectly. I think the pain is what was causing me to hold back. The epidural made it so I did not hurt. I would feel a slight pressure right when my contraction was starting and then I would push, then when it stoped I got to rest, pain free, and actually watch wheel of fortune in between my contractions. It was a great experience. I highly recomend getting an epidural. It makes the whole experience much more enjoyable.

Answer 11

What were your words and thoughts as the pain got stronger and stronger? YOu will 4get about it once the baby is in yoru arms

How did you experienced transition? YOu dont even notice they slowly get stronger and stronger
Were you exhausted as you felt the need to push? I would have had I not gotten meds this is why I requested a walkin epi to be able to rest and relax before it was time to push

How hard was it for you to stay without drugs?Very hard! I went 40 hours with out meds but due to beingin back labor I didnt succed and had my child 4 hours after the epi but I had the energy to push.