Can anyone tell me about their labor experiences?

Question

I am very nervous about going into labor and having my baby. This is my first time and I don't know what to expect. For instance I am planning on getting the epidural. Does anyone know how badly it hurts to get that done? I know labor is going to be painful but how bad is it going to be? Then theres the question of the placenta. How much pain is it to lose that after the baby comes out? Scared and curious awaiting real answers please.

Answer 1

Just make sure there is someone there with you that wants to support you. My first was really hard even with an epidural because I was expecting support from my then husband only to have the nurses have to call him back up from the snack bar where he had spent my entire labor. The second time around was much easier because my sons father stayed by my side.

Answer 2

Once you go into labor there is so much adrenaline that although it hurts, the time goes fast. It's a different kind of pain. Of course everyone has different pain threshold, if it was that bad though, no one would have babies. With all of the excitement going on, and as you get closer to the end and you are sick of being a whale, it isn't that bad. I had a rough one too, I was induced and in labor from 8am until 1am and then had a c-section. The epidural really didn't hurt that much and I only recieved one after three hours of pushing and the baby wouldn't come out. (I had the emergency c-section). When its done your finished and you have a beautiful baby. It really is a truly amazing experience, so while you are in pain you are also so humbled by the whole thing. Don't fret, it progresses naturally. You'll be ready when the time comes.Don't listen to anyone's horror stories. They're probably leaving out all of the good stuff. You can worry about pain, but you can't feel the glorious sensation of them holding their baby for the first time.

Answer 3

Do you really want to know? My labour pains were awful. I had planned on having a natural birth (no medication, no epidural). I went into it thinking that I will try to do it without an epidural, but if I have to get one I won't be disappointed in myself. Well I ended up getting an epidural, because the labour pains were way to intense and I just couldn't handle it. Believe me when you are in that much pain, the epdural is the least of your pain worries. It really doesn't hurt that much, but at the time I was having such a bad contraction that I don't think I could really tell if it hurt or not.
I ended up having to deliver by c-section, which was very disappointing, but in the end my daughter was safe and healthy and that was all that really mattered. You probably have heard so many people say this, and you probably won't understand until you see your beautiful baby...but as long as the baby is healthy and in your arms, nothing else will matter and all the pain will be worth it. And believe it or not you will forget about the pain, I guess that's why woman have more than one.

Good luck and don't worry, just try to take it as it comes, because you can't predict what will happen, and like I said in the end it will all be worth it when you are holding your beautiful baby.

AND REMEMBER EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT

Answer 4

First thing, which I'm sure you've already been told is that everyone is different. Everyone has a a different tolerance for pain. This is what happened to me. My water broke at midnight on the button! That does not hurt. I went to the hospital and was not having contractions yet. But because the water broke, I had to stay there. I started getting contractions around 5am. It felt like period pains. They started getting more and more intense. At about 8 am I threw up because of the pain. I had always had bad cramps anyways when I got my period and a lot of times I would get sick like that. So when I threw up is when I got the epidural. It didn't hurt so much to get it, it was more of a weird feeling. I could feel pretty much everything they did. But I was more focused on my own contractions. Then I felt great a few minutes after. I was able to talk to people and enjoy the labor. I was able to tell the nurse when I needed to push and started pushing around noon time. I had my girl at 12:33. Only about 5 contractions after I started pushing. I didn't even feel it when the placenta came out, I was way too focused on what I just brought into the world! Neither me or my baby had any side effects to the epidural and I was able to get up and walk around within an hour of having her.

Answer 5

My labor & delivery is not the norm. But I will share with you, not to scare you... but to show you that even under extreme difficulty you can get though it:

I was 1 week late, so my doctor decide to induce me. The day before the induction I had to go to the hospital for 3 hours while the pumped progestin gel (it was cold) into my vagina. That I guess can sometimes jump start labor. I was only dialated like 1 cm. I had a few contractions over night & the next morning. That next morining we were waiting for the call to come in for the actuall induction...

We got to the hospital friday @ around 11 am. I got changed hooked up to all the machines & at about 12 they started the Pitocin drip. Contractions were immediate, like really bad menstral cramps. I lasted 8 hours with no medication(around mid-night now), at that piont I was about 5 or 6 cm. At that point I wasn't ready for the epidural so I opted for Fentanyl (it goes in your IV, they can give it to you 3 times but each time it doesn't work as well or last as long) That kept me pain free for about 3 hours (3 am), durring which they broke my water. Durring that last hour of fentenyl I only reached like 7 cm. So they said Epidural or nothing... I couldn't handle the pain so I got the epidural. I dont remember the proceedure hurting (probably because labor hurts worse) but you do feel funny, then it is wonderful.

I progressed quickly after that at around 430am I felt the need to push... I was finally at 10 cm. They turned dowm my epidural so that I could feel the contractions & know when to push. I pushed for almost 2 hours. but the baby wouldn't come. My husband made the decision for me to have a c-section. They wheeled me into the operating room around 6 am, by 6:34 am he was born! That was not how I thought it would all happen. The moral of the story: Know all your options, don't be affraid of the doctors or proceedures, but the most mportant thing is a healty baby! You will do just fine. My very good friend just had a baby a few weeks ago... She got to the hospital about 130 am and was already at 7 cm's, no medication she popped her daughter out at 5:15 am. You never can tell!

Answer 6

I can totally relate to what you're feeling. I had my first baby four months ago. At times, as my due date approached, I was borderline obsessed with anticipation and fear.
You'll probably get a ton of answers to this question...many of which I'm sure will include some sort of description of the feeling/pain. I don't say this to discourage you, but to be honest, nothing anyone told me really helped ease my fear (and they told me plenty). I realized that although most birth stories sound a lot alike, they are actually so completely unique to every woman. You as an individual will interpret your birth experience differently than anyone else ever has or will.
The BEST piece of advice I ever got was to expect the unexpected. Certain things are simply not within your control; mother nature being one of them. I thought I would have a natural birth (most definitely with an epidural), and I ended up having an emergency c-section. Everything turned out wonderful (you will not get a horror story from me - I got my share of those - most of them unsolicited and I hated it. It's the last thing you need to hear).
I believe the best way to prepare yourself is to focus on the things that ARE within your control. Take a birthing class. Ask any question that comes to mind and make sure you get answers that satisy you. The one I took was at the hospital where my daughter was delivered; we got a tour which was awesome. It made a difference as I didn't go there blind and unfamiliar with my surroundings.
Be open with your doc and ask questions whenever you have them. NO question is stupid so don't hold back. Pack a good bag for the hospital. Have what you need for when you come home with the baby. Take care of yourself.
Most of all accept the fact that the birth of your baby is something that you can totally handle...especially if you have a good doc and loving supportive people around you.
You can do this, no sweat!

Answer 7

I had to be induced so I had hard strong contractions for about 4 hours. After the epidural (which does not hurt, just a little uncomfortable) I had A LOT less pain and the contractions didn't make me cry anymore. I pushed for 30 min the doctor had to do an episiotomy but he numbed the area first with a shot. I'd have to say the pushing was the hardest, it's very tiring. After the baby is out, you just have to give a small push when the doc tells you to for the placenta. This isn't painful at all, I didn't even feel it. Hope this helps you.........

Answer 8

Labor, for me wasnt really all that bad. Seeing that I was having slight contractions for 9 days but no hard labor until they induced me. The day they induced me I was a grump, cranky, hungry and tired. I got an epidural. Everyone told me not to because I come from a very traditional Native American family, and they wanted me to do it the old fashioned way "great-grandmother just squatted and pushed w/my grandma" i dont think so!!! Anyways after being in labor for 6 hours and pushing for 30 minutes I had an 8 lbs 1.3 ounce 19 inches long baby!!! Even though her big head got stuck and they had to give me a level 4 episiotomy which hurt like crazy! The pushing of the placenta didnt hurt just a few pushed on my belly and PLOP there it was. Yuck!!! In the end its all worth it. Get the epidural if you want. Im glad I did!!Good Luck

Answer 9

The epidural feels like a hornet sting. It does hurt, but its SOOO worth it. Your labor, if you go naturally, (I was induced) wont be too bad, in the beginning. When its starts to get bad, you can have staedol. It certainly helps take the edge off. After you're diallated to 7 (i think) they';ll give you the epidural. Its hard to get done, you have to sit VERY still while youre having contractions with your back humped over while they stick you. BUt its not as bad as it sounds, cause the second that eipdural works, you get sweet relief. I asked my doc to leave it on through hard labor (pushing) and he did, as long as I could still push. Make sure to ask ur doc, cause most wont give u another dose ( it runs through an iv to you back, you'll only get stuck once) when it gets to the pushing. You can do it, the pain is manageable. The placenta doesnt hurt, and if you have the epi, you wont even feel it, just the sensation of it plopping out (lol).

Answer 10

It is painfull, but soooo worth it. I never believed women who said you forget the pain as soon as you see your baby until I experienced it. The epidural doesn't hurt, it's like a huge relief when you get it. It doesn't hurt at all when the placenta comes out, just like a small release of pressure, almost like when you remove a tampon. Relaxation is the key, even though it sounds impossible. Do your breathing, it helps. Stay active during your pregnancy, that helps labor and delivery go easier. Also, if you do not have to stay in bed during labor, it helps to walk around while you can, pace the halls in the maternity ward. And don't worry, everyone is nervous, especially the first time, but the nurses are wonderful and a huge help. Congratulations!!!

Answer 11

it's not so bad...i've had 4 sons and I'm still alive! lol seriously, i've done it natural this last time w/ my 2 mo old and it was intense but i liked it way better than the first three times when i had a hospital birth with epidurals. the biggest difference for me was with my homebirth i was able to move around and change positions alot and that kept the pain at bay. As far as the epidural, the only part that is uncomfortable is when they give you a little poke of numbing medication. the anesthesiologist will talk you through the whole thing. don't worry, you'll do great! Just relax as much as possible and remember this is what your body was designed to do. Good luck and congrats on your upcoming baby!