What does birth feel like and how much does it hurt?

Question

This may seem a stupid question but im pregnant with my first and im a bit worried about how much pain to expect, ive seen two births before and I have seen that it hurts like hell but because ive never been through it I dont no what it feels like. Ive heard its a little like period pains, is this true?

Answer 1

theres no way to know what it feels like until it happens, and believe me, then you will know alright. ive had 2 both went very easy but still hurt like hell. neither time did i have an epidural or anything, i didnt want anything, and amazingly stuck to it, but it went fast both times, if it had been more than 4 hrs of that, i may have changed my mind. they say that the breathing helps and you should have a plan, but for me at least, the moment it starts you dont think about any of that. i hope im not scaring you, im not trying to, but obviously you know already that it doesnt feel good. it all depends on your pain tolerance. when contractions start it does feel like cramps, thats basically what they are, but really bad and they last a while. you wont think anything of a period afterwords. its honestly really hard to describe to someone what it feels like. when you start having to push it feels like you have to go to the bathroom, but even if you did, which most do, thats probably the last thing on your mind. pushing isnt too bad, just when they tell you to stop pushing, thats about impossible. amazingly enough i had forgotten about the pain as soon as i had seen my babies. thats all you have to think about to get you through it. that amazing prize at the end, the pain is worth it, and afterwords i forgot, that is until the moment it started the second time around. hope it goes well for you.

Answer 2

Firstly everyone has different pain tolerance. Your initial contractions start feeling like period pain then it gets stronger and stronger as the contractions come close in time. I found the actual birth didn't hurt as finally after all those contractions having to push was something different to do. The feeling of the baby coming out is sort of {excuse the analogy} like doing a big poo from the other end. And then the relief of the baby coming out is the best feeling in the world!!! all the pain is instantly gone.

I gave birth to 2 boys the first the labour lasted 3 days and I didn't have an urge to push the baby was delivered with a suction cap. He was fine. The second baby 2 yrs later came very quickly 4 hour completely natural. And both deliveries were drug free. So you can say I have a high pain tolerance.

As for you don't stress too much about the birth as everyone's experience is different. During delivery just breathe a think that this pain is only temporary it wont last forever . Good luck.

Answer 3

I have given birth three times. First time I had an epidural. Not too much pain, but very frustrating. The doctor kept telling me to push, and I couldn't feel the muscles to push with. The next two I did "naturally", just a tiny bit of medication with an IV, which does nothing for the pain. During the very beginning the pain is like very bad menstrual cramps, and it gets much worse. I remember trying to climb the air the pain was so bad, but strangely enough I do not remember the pain. My husband can remember all of the birth, but not me. I've been told that the body produces a hormone after birth that makes you forget (old wives tale?). Don't know if it is true or not, but seems like a reasonable explanation for what happened. One thing: ask around your family. If the women in your family have long labor, use the drugs. The last thing you want is intense pain for 10 or more hours. My mom, grandma, etc. all had labor under 6 hours, and all three of mine were too.

Answer 4

Oh, girl. It feels like something you've never felt before and it hurts like hell.
Sorry, I don't want to scare you but sweetie it's true. 100 women could answer this ? telling you how bad it hurts but when you are actually going through it, it's more than you could have imagine. Well for me anyway, everyone is different. I can only tell you from my experiences. I'm sure that everyone woman who has ever given birth has tried to give you advice, they did me anyway and you hear all the stories about the pain and let me tell you I thought I was ready. I didn't get an epidural, I wanted to feel it. Girl, I felt it! It was nothing like expected so all I can say is be strong and remember it doesn't last forever, sometimes it might seem like it but it won't and when it's ever you will have a little angel.
Good luck and congrats!

Answer 5

It hurts worse than anything you can ever imagine. But it is well worth it. And it's not like you get a choose whether to have a baby or not - giving birth is something you have to do if you are pregnant. I had my second child without the epidural and it was the best experience ever. My first labor was 17.5 hours and I had the epidural and then about 4 hours later I delivered. I was pretty much worn out by the time I got the epidural so when I finally got it I was zoning in and out. I felt like I was out of my body and watching from above. I would encourage you to try to not get the epidural. You have to have that mind-set though when you enter into it, otherwise you will end up getting it for sure. I know this will sound very weird, but not getting the epidural made it an almost spiritual experience. Also even though it was my second child, not having the epidural made my labor much faster. Only 3.5 hours. I have heard the epidural can prolong your labor. Anyway I wish you good luck.

Answer 6

Birth CAN feel similar to period pains--if you have extremely bad period pains. I do. If you can't move on your period, are crouched in pain, pain medication doesn't touch your pain...if you can't even keep medicene down--then, yes, it feels like labor. My contractions, however, were worse than even my worst period pains, but the same type of pain.

It's an intense, sharp, feels like someone's cutting in you pain--and then it literally goes away in between contractions. I had my baby without an epidural. I credit a supportive husband and mentally preparing myself for the labor. Our bodies know how to give birth. It's a natural process. (I'd literally repeat this to myself before I went into labor.) If you are committed to doing it without an epidural, it'll happen-- My motivation? A faster labor and healthier baby. Take a birthing class and read books on managing the pains of labor.

With your first baby, all you can do is decide what you'd preferably do. Then, you go into labor and if you can't do it--you can't. There's no shame in it.

Answer 7

Okay, I have read all the scary answers people have given you and it makes me wonder just how strong my epidural was...! My idea of natural childbirth is to do it without mascara, thus with both my children I asked for an epidural before I even had a contraction...LOL! Seriously though, don't let people scare you, with some women it is in fact quite harsh...with others, though it may not be a breeze, it is not all that bad. One way or another the moment you look into your baby's beautiful face all is forgotten...otherwise we would all just have one child and shut the factory down....LOL. Be brave and all the best of luck to you...take it from me, it is well worth while, that is until they become teenagers, but by then it is too late to get a refund!

Answer 8

I have a 10 1/2 month old son. While I was sick my whole pregnancy, I also didn't exactly have an easy labor. After 3 1/2 hours of exhausting pushing every few seconds, they took him out with forceps. Though I was heavily medicated (which I suggest--you won't feel any contractions!), the pain truly started after wards. I experienced major constipation, soreness (had episiotomy), and stomach cramps for several weeks. I truly felt as if the wind had been knocked out of me!

Though I hope I haven't scared you, every experience is totally unique. Yours may be quick or take hours. Best of luck to you and your blessed baby!

P.S. How far along are you anyway?

Answer 9

Ha. My mom told me it would be like menstrual cramps. And I used to have horrible ones. But oh god, was she WRONG!!!
I was induced, so I was in painful labor for over 10 hours. Every time I had a contraction, not only did it feel like a tank was trying to push its way out of my uterus, but it felt like my spine was going to explode out of my a**!!!! I was totally unprepared for the lower back pains. But after all that, when I was FINALLY dilated to 8 cm and could have the pain intervention, I got to enjoy pushing and delivering my daughter! That was my favorite part!
Anyway, yeah it hurts and everything, But the part I remember most is the pushing and delivery. The rest is pretty much a blur now! Once it is all done and over with, it doesn't seem so bad in hindsight.

Answer 10

Can't lie it does hurt,But you build up to the pain it can start out with pains like a period, cramping etc or lower back pain.The good news is once you see that baby, you are so grateful....Everyone is different , Best of luck and Congratulations!