How much does child birth really hurt?

Question

Honest please! I would like children (one day) but although I don't mind the thought of being pregnant, labour terrifies me!

Answer 1

the pain factor is all in the mind. its how much you think about it as to how much it hurts. take gas and air and ask for an epidurel they work a treat. good luck.

Answer 2

Hi, I have a 3 month old baby daughter and no matter what anyone says or tries to reassure worrying about the labour is inevitable (although you can't wait to see the baby and that is equally exciting!)
Anyway, the first bit of labour is very painful but there are millions of things you can do to decrease it and they really help. The best advise is don't worry and try to relax!! Also massage, oils and even a tennis ball (for back massage) was great and some people use a tens machine. Try having a warm bath and a glass of wine too! The best thing to remember is that it won't last long...Also use different positions and try to keep moving as it really helps. Choose your birth partner carefully as they are invaluable too.
I didn't find the pushing too painful and my total labour lasted under 6 hours but I think that was because I was relaxed and ready.
When you meet your baby you forget it all and I would do it again.
My last piece of advice is to join the NCT for ante natal classes as this introduced us to new people and helped us to understand what was happening each stage

Answer 3

For me the birth was the easy part - yes it hurts like hell, like you cant possibly imagine, but it is over fairly quickly, and as soon as you have your newborn in your arms nothing matters anymore. The pain comes in waves so you do get a minute or two in between to rest. I had a hell pf a pregnancy (severe sickness for 8 months), but my labour was reasonably easy - my son was in my arms 6 hours after I woke up that day. I had no pain relief at all which I think contributed to the short labour. Don't let fear of childbirth put you off having children, if it was that bad no one would have more than one!

Answer 4

Everyone has different pain threshold and everyone loves to tell you a horror story, because there definately is discomfort but that doest mean its going to hurt as much as the next person.
From personal experience, the back pain is uncomfortable and gets to a certain point where maybe you think you cant handle it but you can, women are amazing to be able to do this.
Depending on the size of the baby will depend if it will hurt when being born, mine when born was 6pounds 5 ounces and though the back pain was very uncomfortable the birth itself was easy and not very painful at all. There are books and dvd's on the subject. But there is nothing more beautiful than the birth of a child.

Answer 5

It depends, the more healthy and physically fit you are, the more likely you will have a shorter labour and it may not be as painful.

All labour is painful to a certain extent - unless you are one of the lucky few that shell them out like peas!

A lot is dependent on how relaxed you are and how focused on your breathing etc.

Whilst labour is painful, it doesn't go on forever and you soon forget about the pain when your baby is placed in your arms.

When the time comes you just have to surround yourself with the people and things that make you feel comfortable and relaxed and nature will do the rest.

Answer 6

There is no getting away from it, it hurts but it is all worth it in the end and you soon forget the pain. I think my husband "suffered" more, between the hand squeezing and the abuse I gave him and he didn't have the advantage of gas and air which is great. Seriously, don't let the thought of the labour put you off, child birth is a miracle and when you see your little one, nothing else matters and the pain is history.

Answer 7

Honestly? It hurts like hell, but somehow you cope with it... Its different to any other pain you have experienced. There are drugs to help (I'd recommend gas and air together with pethidine), and also get someone supprtive to encourage you when the going gets tough. But really, its only a few hours if you're lucky, a day if you're not, and you have your beautiful baby as a reward afterwards.

When the time comes, talk to your midwife, they are used to nerves. I think everyone has this fear to some degree, I know I did.

And although I wouldn't do it for fun, yes I would do it again. The end result is worth it.

Answer 8

Sure, it's painful - I'm 65 now and still remember it well! But what would I do without my son and daughter? I love them dearly, so much that it hurts.

I had an epidural when my daughter was born. It was a new innovation in the UK back in 1974, but available to all now, I believe. Having an epidural means having an almost pain free labour and, if you're suitable for it I would grab it with both hands!

I wish you all the very best, including a wonderful family life surrounded by people you love and who love you too. Good luck!

Answer 9

I was in labour for about 3 days in total (contractions every 5-10 minutes) it does hurt but its worth it. I had my daughter in Feb this year, I only had gas and air and used a tens machine which I found brilliant. It does hurt but the thought that its only a few hours (or 3 days) of your life for such an amazing result kept me going.

Answer 10

Hi,
The pain is there of course because of the contraction If i am right. A wonderful nurse came to me and told me many people will be screaming and shouting. This will cause the baby to go in. Help your baby to come out. I did the same thing and when the back pain gets from bad to worst all you do is breathe in and out.
And when the baby comes out i dont think we can feel the pain, as for me i felt so tired and only wanted to sleep.Stomach feel so lighter. I was not even looking at the needle or the thread. To overcome this fear, it is better if your husband is there. At least looking at his face will cheer you up.

Answer 11

It really, really, really hurts, A LOT. But I had back labor, and not everybody has that, and my tailbone got broke, and that doesn't happen to everybody. Usually when the baby moves through the birth canal, they are head first with their face pointing down, but my daughter's face was pointing up which meant the back of her head was hitting my spine all the way down and that's probably why my tailbone got broke. And some people just have a really high pain threshold, so for them it's not so bad. That said, despite all of the pain, it was so so worth it, you really do almost forget the pain as soon as you see your baby. It's such a beautiful moment and the love you feel really does take your breath away. Plus epidurals are wonderful, I felt nothing after I got mine and was wishing I had gotten it earlier.
P.S.- Here's a good web-site, even if you are still just thinking about it: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy/PR99999