I am pregnant with first child and have a question about stamina during labor for you moms? Please help?

Question

I am 25 weeks pregnant with first child. I walk about 5 days a week on treadmill for 30 mins. On days I don't do treadmill, I walk outside at my lunch break and then take the dog out later. Anyway I dont know why but whenever I have a pap smear done, I always get uncomfortable and sore in the cervix/vaginal area. It hurts and my Dr. always uses the smaller wand to go inside. She says that I close up my legs or don't open up enough for the big one to go in. I also mention to her that I may have intercourse with my husband every 10-12 days or so and the first time my hub tries to enter me, I get tensed up down there and it hurts for the first 2 minutes. It's like I am afraid of the first contact, but once it's in I am fine. Well if that's how bad I am with a pap smear and intercourse, then will it be very bad for my labor and delivery? My hub tells me even he thinks about this. Anyone know what to tell me? Is it true that in pregnancy my cervix and uterus open up or swell up

and open up so that the Dr's can check for my dialation and touch my cervix, whatever internal things they have to do? Ofcourse once I get the epidural, I understand that I wont feel any pressure or pain from pushing the baby and them pulling him out or anything. If I have an episiotemy because I am not able to push him out effectively or that my birth canal is a little tighter, I wont feel the pain of episiotemy right?

Answer 1

I think one of the best things that you can do is go to child birth classes. They teach you techniques that will help you to learn to relax yourself. They will explain what labor and delivery is like. You just tense yourself up when something like this is happening because most likely at one point, someone has told you that pap tests hurt, sex hurts, and the like. So, most likely, your subconscious remembers this and your body automatically tenses up, in preparation for pain. Ask your Dr about child birth classes. They can set things up for you & I think it will help alot. It depends on what kind of epidural you get as to how much pain and pressure you feel. A "walking epidural" kills most of the pain without numbing you completely. A full epidural numbs you from the waist down and you shouldn't feel any pain, just some pressure when pushing. Talk to your Dr about that too. He can answer most of your questions and talk to you about what kinds of pain relievers you want. You are more in control of your labor than you think. Good luck & congrats to you & hubby on the pregnancy. (try not to stress too much, it's not good for you or the baby) *wink*

Answer 2

Even if u have an epidural, you will definately feel pressure. It only numbs the pain of the contractions not the pressure. It's still not as bad as feeling the entire thing. Also, your brain actually produces a chemical that makes you kinda forget a lot of what goes on. I thought I had only pushed for like maybe 20 mins. until my husband told me that it was more like 2 hrs. You don't forget memories just the pain isn't as real as you though it would be. That's why so many women have more than on child. I heard this off of the Discovery channel back when I had my first child and I thought WOW! You'll feel pressure and a little discomfort but just remember, your body was built to do this, so you will be able to do it.

Answer 3

I was concerned about the endurance of labor as well. The most important thing I did was just relax as much as you can and focus on your breathing during contractions. That's when you tend to tense up. My husband helping me through contractions was such a HUGE help, I couldn't have done it without him. When I was having a contraction, he could tell when it was going away by watching the monitors. For 4 hours, he kept telling me when they were starting to go away and for some reason, that helped me a lot! I guess if you know that they are on their way out, you can withstand it. I didn't even need to get the epidural until the end of labor. The epidural definitely made it more bearable though. After I got that, I had my son 1 1/2 hours later. Good luck!

Answer 4

I totally understand what you are talking about. I even laugh at myself now 11 years after having my son, because I still cannot believe I went through natural child birth. I've always been one of those women who winces at the slightest sight of blood and I get tense just talking about hemoroids. Don't even get me started on inserting tampons. I passed out the first time I tried to insert one. That was when I was 19. Everyone else on here who says that all you think about is 'pushing that baby out' is totally right. That is all you are thinking about. If you don't get an epidural and try to do it the natural way you will want the baby out even faster. The cervix will open up 10 cm, and you will push the baby out. The last thing on your mind will be if you are tearing. You will be in good hands.

Best wishes with the new little one.

Answer 5

They say that if you are tense during labor, it makes it harder on you. I suggest you try to find some relaxation techniques that you are comfortable with like yoga or Lamaze. Really, because during labor it's not just the part when the baby comes out, during the whole time there are a lot of nurses and doctors coming along and putting thier hands inside you to check if you are diatlated properly. If you are going to tense up every time this happens, you might be really sore after a while. If you feel that you just won't be relaxed, you might consider getting an epidural, so that you will be more numb and less tense down there.

Answer 6

Next tiem you're at your OB's ask her for the chart that shows you the size your cervix dialtes to.

It gets as big as a mason jar. Its unreal how big 10cm really is.

You'll be actively pushing out a baby. The vagina area is so stretched during labor and delivery that the nerves disconnect and you really cant feel that particular area, in most cases you cant even feel, or care, that you're tearing.

Its normal to have concerns, but when it comes down to that moment, and you see the goal just within reach, you really wont be wondering if you can do it, or care how bad it hurts. You just do it.

but seriously, that little shart with the circles that shows you each cent. of dialation is amazing. Who knew there was a whole that big in your body...

Answer 7

Sounds like you have vaginsmus. Here's the definition. Vaginismus is an involuntary spasm of the muscles surrounding the vagina that closes the vagina. This condition causes penetration to be difficult and painful, or even impossible.

Go to Vaginismus.com for more info.
I don't think this should present a problem for you in childbirth, since the cervix will dilate all by itself, but you may be able to find more info about this or talk to your doctor.

Answer 8

In most cases the body can prepare you for delivery of your child.
There are some exercises you can do to stretch the area making it more comfortable. (ask the doctor about them).
Epidurals are not 100% effective in stopping you from feeling pressure and not always administered in the the process of delivery.
You should discuss your concerns with your OB or Midwife.

Answer 9

You may tense up a little...which is why I recommend Lamaze breathing, even if you get an epidural. That breathing helps relax you.

Once that pressure hits and it's time to push, you honestly will think of only one thing...getting that kid out!!! Nature kinda takes care of it on its own! Good Luck!

Answer 10

Your body makes all kinds of relaxing hormones during labor, but only if you don't have an epidural. You'll be fine. Just trust your body- labor is much more natural than a pap smear, and much more instinctive than sex, provided you let your body do its thing and don't do all kinds of medical interventions.