To mothers: How much does childbirth really hurt?

Question

I'd like to have a kid in the future, but I'm terrified of the pain.
Apparently you have to be awake during a C-section, too, so there's no way around the horror.
How did you cope? What was it like?

Answer 1

This is going to be very different for every woman. I had the epidurals with both of mine - one long and exhausting, the other not so bad. I have a friend who's labor was like bad cramps and she delivered within 30 minutes of getting to the hospital with very little additional pain. For a C-section you can be draped to not see what is going on in front of you. You would just need to let the doctor know.

Don't let fear of the pain hold you back from having a child in the future. The pain is gone so quickly and replaced by the miracle of your new baby.

Answer 2

My mother used to say, "The pain is worth it when you see your baby for the first time". I had two children who were born naturally. I had what is called an epidural anesthetic with my first son. During the last contractions, it seemed that the anesthetic had worn off. I had no anesthesia with my second son. (Both my sons weighed over 9 lbs.) I'll be honest with you. It hurts. Some women are in labor longer than others. I was lucky. My labor only lasted about four hours for each of my babies. But you have to keep in mind that the pain isn't going to go on forever. Once your child is born, the pain stops. And I guarantee that when you see your child, you forget about any pain you experienced. In the case of a C section, you're given a epidural anesthetic. No doctor in his right mind would cut you open without giving you an anesthetic! But you're awake so you can see your baby being born. A screen is set up between your chest and your stomach, so you can't see the procedure. But you do see your baby when the doctor lifts him out of you. So women have no pain when giving birth via C section. But it takes longer to recover.
Don't think about the pain involved when you give birth.. Having a child is so much more than that.

Answer 3

I'm not going to lie, it hurts! I had my first daughter with an epidural for just the last 20 minutes of a 21 hour labor... pretty worthless! With my second daughter I had and epidural for 7 out of 9 hours! Imagine the absolute worst menstrual cramp ever then amplify that by about 1000. It's alot of dull pressure type of pain, well for me anyway! If you can get an epidural then by all means GET IT!!! I didn't feel anything worse than mild cramps with my second daughter because I nagged them from the moment I entered the hospital for my epidural! Either way, you will not regret any amount of pain you endure. By the way, I've also had my boobs done and I thought that hurt just as bad!

Answer 4

I have four children, all grown now but I still remember a statement my sister-in-law made when I was pregnant with my first child and asked the same question. She said if it was that bad do you really think woman would have more than one child. I thought about that and decided, no they wouldn't.
I would share your fears with your OB, with the different medicines today, you can go through labor without almost no pain. I had the epidural with my last three kids and it was great. I hope this helps you.

Answer 5

Having children is not as bad as they make it out to be believe it or not. I got my epidural and pain medication late so I experienced some but not as much as some people I suppose. Feels like cramps, pretty intense ones, but the most traumatic part of having a baby is definitely not the pain in my opinion.

Answer 6

I'm not going to lie to you it hurts. I had mine all natural ( there was no time) And you will feel like its the worst pain of your life but trust me its worth it. Once the baby is born the pain goes away and you have a precious child out of it. Even though you remember it hurt you might want another one later. So yes there is pain to put it mildly and during pregnancy you'll probably experience things you dont like also (morning sickness.ect) but in the end it is worth it dont sweat over it.

Answer 7

i have a 6 month old son. it was painful. but if you try to concentrate on something else and have a good support person with you it helps alot. try to take the contractions 1 by 1. don't think about the next 1 til it comes. the actual delivery is VERY painful but after its over and you see your new baby the pain suddenly goes away.

Answer 8

I asked my mom and she said that you can't remember how much it hurt after the fact. She thinks its some kind of defense system so you will decide to have more kids. You can get an epidural though, which makes it so you won't feel anything.

Answer 9

ok, ive never had a kid but i know enough to know that people have all different kinds of experiences, and pain thresholds. some say it wasnt so bad, some say its the worst pain in their life. i dont think you'll ever know for sure until u have one!! ohhh the anticipation...hehe.

Answer 10

I don't have a child but i don't think it hurts cz if it does why the women are givin birth as the poo.sorry for that but it means too much and so easy.