This is my first pregnancy, How bad is labor?

Question

This will be my first baby! I am so excited, but Im also scared of labor! Everybody has told me that it is the worst pain ever. I don't want nothing to happen to my baby.

Answer 1

your baby will be fine..... I just had a baby a year ago and I can tell you labor hurts but it's really not as bad as you think get the epidural and you'll be fine... after my epidural I didnt feel anything until you have to push .. it's not that bad and just remember all this pain is for something so amazing and if it really hurt that bad would anyone have more then one child?

p.s. after birth I was in alot of pain because I had stitches the hospital I was at kept slightly wet (water) pads in the freezer and if you put a washcloth over top of the pad it feels really nice on your vagina. just a little tip!

Answer 2

i have had 3 children now and each were total natural childbirth. Now they do have things today epi-dural's etc. but really try to go natural, you will heal better and recover better. I worked as a lab tech and they will not tell you all the risk because hospitals make huge money off of epi-dural's. You are taking a risk with a needle in your spine that you may never walk again. My sister did not need one, she was doing great and moving fast, she would have had a nice natural labor but her mind was set before she walked in she wanted NO pain, so had one. Once they placed the epidural, she was too painless, and slowed her labor down because she could not feel what the baby was telling to do, a labor that would have took 30min took her HOURS due to the drugs, so careful on your choices. Since then she has had back problems and certain neck problems, she was asked if she had an epi-dural because the medical field does see this. It has been 4 years and things have gotten better for her but the first year was bad. I plus know as a lab tech I have had to take blood from mothers than place it in the hole of their backs because they ended up with massive headaches because the hole they put there was leaking the spinal fluid. Epi-durals are great but should ONLY be left for an emergency situation only. It is not worth the risk , when you can have a natural labor. Yes, of course there is pain but look at it when you are in labor as a mission, you can feel the baby wanting out and you as a mother is your job to help the baby get there. If you look at it that way it gives you a job to do and a reason rather than thinking so much how it hurts. My first labor was 20 min and my last child was falling out in the hall LOL... but I would look at the medical side of it, stayed relaxed and just redirected the pain. Have a mirror, one time I did not and could not tell what position the baby was in, when it hurt too much i would stop then have to start all over again. Once i had a mirror i could see the head is almost out and I am not stopping now no matter what LOL.
Gosh, look how many animals give birth each day and have litters and they are just thinking about what they are to be doing and happy when all done.. humans have really gotten to be big babies LOL
good luck and not all labor is that bad, yes it hurts but not the type of pain you will really remember as bad.

Answer 3

It is painful, don't forget to breath through the whole ordeal.
Congratulation to both of you. Try to have your baby al natural
you'll feel the pain a lot more, but least the baby won't be all
drugged up. I had my first child natural, I didn't have anything for the pain. Just squeeze the hell of your mans hand or his balls
which ever you decide. All girls are different, some can handle
and some can't, you'll hear others screaming, while some are
cursing out their man for such pain, or others have to have
a C-Section due to the cervix being so small. or others just have
to have a an emergency C-Section because the baby is too
tired. My daughter had 2 C-section because her Uterus didn't
open up wide enough to let the baby out. My grand-daughter
is now three. Her second child was also delivered by C-section.
She said it's like being numbed from the neck down and you can't feel a thing, just the pulling. My other grand-daughter is
already 11 months. So don't you worry at all. Just don't over do it
on house chores. Eat the right food and don't forget if you over
eat your only going to be wearing it after the birth.

Answer 4

I will tell you how I did it, with no drugs.
First off, I was more afraid of getting the needle in my spine, so I went into labour ready to stick it out.
You need to breathe. Long and deep. Listen to your breaths. Don't squirm around, and tighten your muscles. The pain will be more tolerable if you just let your body do what it has to. I didn't take any lamaze classes, or any labour preparation at all.
One thing that did help me on top of the breathing was the nurse pressing on my tailbone area, really hard. It's like counteracting the pain in front, by pushing on the back. Get your husband/partner to learn this, because it really helped. The moments right before pushing time are the most painful. I was almost at my breaking point, where I felt like I was about to go crazy with pain. The nurse massaged in a tight circle, and boy did it feel good.
Pushing the baby out is the relieving part of labour. You just HAVE to keep pushing to get it over with, that's how I felt. Try and listen to the doctors instructions, so that you don't tear. I did tear, a little, but that just felt hot.
I too was frightened of labour. It's only natural. But it's also inevitable, and staying calm and collected is the best way to deal with it. You will be able to do this, every woman is. You will forever understand just how much our gender can take, and if it were any man in the same circumstance, well, we all know what babies they are!! Good Luck!! Bring a close family member with you to give you support and bring you drinks!!

Answer 5

The pain is pretty bad. With my son, my firstborn, I was in labor for 28 hours. I held him for 5 mins, they cleaned me up and I was out for the next 12 hours. With my daughters I was only in labor 3 hours and 6 hours. The way I got through the labor pains each time was to keep reminding myself "this time tomorrow it will be all over."

It's natural to worry about labor and giving birth. It'll be alright. You and the baby will be fine. The pain was worth it and I wouldn't trade the experience of becoming a mother for the first time for anything! My daughter said she is amazed that after 28 hours of labor with her brother that I even considered having another child. :-)

Answer 6

Unfortunately it is going to be painful, but there are several things that you can do to make yourself more at ease. You could talk to your doctor so that your are fully aware of the different types of pain relievers available, this way you can decide on what you want to use. Read a couple of birth stories to get a better idea of what is going to be going on around you. Feeling prepared could help you get through labor better.

Answer 7

You won't know how bad it will be until you are doing it. I know folks who described labor as "wicked uncomfortable" and others who make it sound like a horror show.

Don't listen to the horror show folks because that can only make you tense and that is the opposite of what you want when you are in labor.

I've heard your mom is the best source of info as you are most likely to have a labor like hers...but that isn't foolproof.

Take some childbirth classes and try not to worry. Whatever happens, happens and it will all be worth it.
,Best wishes.

Answer 8

Bill Cosby describes labor pain..."take your bottom lip..pull it up OVER your head"...basically he's right! But with or without the use of any drugs...Once, the baby is in your arms...You WILL forget every ounce of pain... With the birth of my first...I kept saying I change my mind...I DON'T want a baby!!! Too late I was informed as she was born...told EVERY one I'll NEVER do this to myself again!!! Yeah...right...minutes after she was born...I'm looking into her face and said.." I'd love to do this again...JUST NOT with this man I'm married too" Having him around was MORE painful...divorced his butt 13 yrs ago...

Answer 9

Everyone is different, discuss pain relief with your midwife...if you want any, I had none with either of mine...the pain is intense, but when you have the end result you forget it all....nothing will happen to your baby because of the pain, listen to the midwife she/he will really help. I found getting up and walking round...changing position helped....modesty goes out the window!!!! I'm expecting my 3rd at 41...and can't wait !!!! GOOD LUCK !!!!!!

Answer 10

The female body is made to go through labor. Just get an epidural & you wont feel a thing. It's not as bad as you are told. I couldnt feel the entire bottom half of my body.