are labor pains or contractions worse (no drugs)?

Question

I am thinking about having a natural birth I was thinking that if i could get through the contractions i could do it naturally but i am worried cause once beyond a certian point i cant have one if i want...i was just wondering which is worse pushing or contractions

Answer 1

Pain of labor contraction depend on location and your pain tolerance. Pushing actually helps relieve discomfort, it is relief, helping to deliver the baby.

Answer 2

Labor pains and Contractions are both the same, when you have a contraction you get pain with each one, you dont feel the contractions at the begining because they are so mild, you just feel the mild pains, what a contraction is, is when your womb is contracting to push the baby down the birth canal, that is where you get the pain from, obviously the pains start off very mild, just like period pains (Cramps), then they start intensifying as you progress further into your labor, as you get close to giving birth, the pains are at the worst, but as soon as you get to this stage you are ready to push the baby out into the big wide world, you push the pain away, I can not tell you that the pain is not bad because it is, but it is certainly worth every contraction pain to get your baby.

I didn't have any Drugs or Epidural at all, I wanted natural births too, all I had was Gas and Air and I went on to have 4 Children, so it couldn't of been too bad could it.

Good luck. I hope everything goes well when you have your Baby.

Answer 3

I did an epidural and it only took on the right side of my body, so I guess you could say I had half natural child birth. I literally pssed out between contractions and I'm not a whimp when it comes to pain.
My logic is as such... For the rest of your life you will be in some sort of pain, being a parent. Emotional or physical. Also, natural is much more exhausting and from the moment the child enters this world, it will need you and you will need the energy to take care of him.
Just my opinion, good luck with whatever decision you make!!

Answer 4

Real contractions are more painful. I had a natural birth and reccomend it. Its very bareable and I smiled between contractions but when the head makes its enterance,now,thats some horrific pain! But at that point you only have a few minutes left. Ive also had two c-sections but was in labor and pushing for a while first. W/o the drugs youll have less complications and less chance of having a c-section. Its worth it,plus you get to FEEL your baby coming into this world. When its over,its over!

Answer 5

I had natural child birth twice and I was worried just as you are, but it can be done! I think the contractions towards the end were worst! pushing is kinda reliving(but still hurts) I got in the Jacuzzi(at the hospital of coarse) and it speed my delivery up I went from dilated at 2 to 9 in 20 Min's I highly recommend this if anything it is great pain management!

Answer 6

contractions....FOR SURE.....i had two sons and i didnt have pain meds with either of them....When you get a contraction you actually want to push and it feels good to push, its almost like it relieves when you push. I would say the contractions are the worse and when you push it feels better, and you DO get to rest in between! You will be fine its not as bad as people make it seem. Back in the old days EVERYONE had natural births. Its part of being a woman, Why try to take that feeling away with pain meds? Its not that bad. Keep a washcloth on your head, ice to chew on and probably a fan next to your head. Bring something to keep you busy, like a hand held game, watch tv, look at pics something like that. It will be alright!!!! Just keep thinking about the beautiful baby you will soon have in your arms, and keep in mind that everyone of those contractions bring you that much closer to seeing your wonderful baby!!! GOODLUCK!

Answer 7

I have had three children the first I had an epidual which was great the second one was c-section and the last one was natural which was painful but not that bad. I had more trouble pushing because beleive it or not I was terrified to push they call it the ring of fire which is a nice way to put it. Don't get me wrong if I would have been in labor a long time the pain would have become over whelming. You just have to shut your mind down and let your body take over.

Answer 8

If you can make it through the contractions then more power to you. I had to have a c-section so I don't know about the pushing but I was in so much pain from the contractions. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Answer 9

i tried to have a natural birth with my last child and at about 7 centimeters i gave up.i would assume the contractions are worse because they last alot longer than the pushing in most cases.just make sure you have alot of support and youll be able to do it.i am going to try to do it natural again this time but if i cant its ok cause either way the outcome is the same(a beautiful new baby!!)

Answer 10

I did it natural..It wasn't as bad as I expected...the contractions are the worst...but mine didn't get extremely painful until it was almost time to push..just remember..the harder you push..the faster that baby is coming out...so push with all you have! As someone else said before- the most painful is when the head comes out...once you get past that...you usually dont have to push as hard...You can do it if you really set your mind to it...and decide that's what you want....Don't let anyone talk you into an epidural if you really don't want one...