can anyone tell me if labour and birth is as bad as they make out?

Question

i am 28 weeks and have had a lovely pregnancy but am petrified of giving birth can anyone comfort my fears?

Answer 1

I hear you, I was terrified of giving birth because of all the horror stories that other more "experienced" women would tell me. When my water broke, i had no contractions so they had to induce them. I was only dialated 2cm, but almost 6hrs later I was there. It took me 20min to push my son out, the doctor said it could take up to 2 hrs. the contractions are painfull, i wont lie, but please do not get an epidural, i've had friends who regret it now because of lower bain problems after the fact.
anyway, i used to drink lots of water and walk at least an hour everyday and i feel like that helped me tons.
i feel like labour, even though it may be the most painful experience you may encounter, it is also the greatest one, because it shows you what your body is capable of

Answer 2

I am sure that you are going to get a lot of different answers on this one. I can tell you that I have had 6 children and all but the last one was with no pain meds or epidural. I wanted the "natural" experience. It does hurt, but it wasn't unbearable, especially if you focus and do your breathing techniques. Once that baby is out, the pain just melts away!! The only reason I had an epidural with my last was because I had a c-section. If you don't have a high tolerance for pain, talk to your doctor about an epidural. I know giving birth, especially the first time, is scary but focus on the baby you will soon be meeting and try not to worry. Good luck and congrats!

Answer 3

I have three kids. All of my kids were born in the hospital. There are WONDERFUL pain killers that will help take the edge off of the pain, and of course the epidural will get rid of the pain.

The pushing stage of labor can be one of the least difficult. Pushing through the contractions actually seemed easier than breathing through the contractions. Now, with my first two kids I had the epidural on when they came out, and it felt no more than a real bad poop. With my third child I dialated to complete very quickly; there was no time for an epidural. The pain was very very bad. BUT once the head was out, the pain lessoned so much, and within a minute the body was out and the pain was GONE. Just like that. GONE. :) It's like a rollercoaster; The anticipation is the worst (standing in line) Then you get on the ride and it starts--you're nervous and scared. The steepest hill SUCKS (that's hard labor and pushing) and you're SCREAMING, thinking WHAT THE H{LL was I thinking?! And when it's over you're like "That wasn't so bad! I can do it again!"

Answer 4

I was the same as you when I was pregnant with my son, absolutely terrified of giving birth.

I'm not going to lie, yes it is very painful. It is not comparable to any pain you will ever feel; but unlike any other pain, you know you are doing something great with it.

When you are in labour, try to think of each contraction as a wave you have to pass over in order to reach your baby. And don't panic - just concentrate on your breathing. The midwife will help you with this.

In my experience, the only almost unbearable part of labour was the very end (last hour or two), by this time you forget to be scared and just focus on getting that baby out of you!!

Don't be afraid to ask for the drugs if you need them - the midwives will do everything they can to make sure you are as comfortable as is possible. Oh, and have lots of gas & air!! ;)

It really is worth it in the end, the feeling when you are handed your little baby for the first time is the best feeling in the world. It's undescribable.

Good luck, I hope you have a healthy happy baby! :)

Answer 5

I'm 30 and have 2 children my 1st child i had something called back labor where the baby is resting on your spine as it comes down but my labor only took a 1/2 hour after i was fully dialated and started to push my 2nd child was a breeze also took about 3 pushes. I was 17 when i had my 1st child and i was very scared by when it happens all that scared goes right out the door and u focus on what is needed of you and you just want to get the baby out and when you do its the most precious thing. Good Luck to you hun things will be fine no worries :)

Answer 6

I just had a baby girl a week and a half ago and I must say that it was not all peaches and cream for me. She is my first child and that could have played a lot into it, but I was in labor for 16 hours and was pushing for an hour. I'm not saying that it's going to be the same for you. You have to remember everyone is different. I don't want to scare you, but it's hard. Just remember that after it is all done with you will have a beautiful baby in your arms and you will have forgotten all the pain. I know I would go through it again if it meant to have to baby.

Answer 7

Oh gosh - I had 2 wonderful deliveries.... My first son was 7 pounds 12 ounces, the youngest was 9 pounds 5 ounces. Both times I did great and felt great. It is quite uncomfortable - of course. But, for me there was nothing I couldn't bear - I did get some medicine to make me feel a little better...but it was short lasting. I had no epidural, no episiotomy, nothing. It was great. I was so scared also, and sure that I was going to be dying of the pain. But - just keep your head in it, remember what is happening, remember that you are having a child. that you are going to be there when this child takes its first breath - its an amazing thing. And if you can try to focus on that, and not on "is it going to get worse" you'll be ok. And it helps to have a great person in the room with you. Someone who you don't have to order around, who just "knows".

Good luck. Its such an exciting time, dont waste it on worrying. its going to be whatever it is. Also, remember, there is an end in sight...its temporary...and you're going to be fine afterwards!

Answer 8

It seems to me there isn't a good answer to this question. Some people seem to say its the worst ever, others don't seem to bothered by it. In my opinion (and I have two beautiful daughters), I don't think it's as bad as people make it seem. But my largest baby was only 7lbs 6 oz. I guess a lot depends on your tolerance for pain as well, and the length of your labor. I would highly recommend an epidural, it made all my pain go away. Good luck to you, and don't let it worry you too much!!

Answer 9

I'm not going to lie, It hurts like hell! That's why they have medicine to help ease the pain. I never did scream like you see on T.V. though. It just depends on how well you can take pain I guess. For some it's no big deal, and some have a hard time. But I will say this, once it's over, you are so happy you can barley remember it. Worth every painful moment if you ask me!!

Answer 10

Believe me, everything you will go through is all worth it. I was really scared for my first, but it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be and as soon as she came out the pain was all gone. It felt like nothing happened. I had more pain when i broke my pinky
(it was a really bad break, the doctors were peeking through my curtain and they brought in a group of medical students to see) I had an epidural though and i recomend one to everyone.

and for everyone that says an epidural hurts, they numb you first. The numbing shot always burns!