Child-birth: On a scale of 1-10..?

Question

10 being extremely excruciating pain.. how would you imagine natural anesthesia free child-birth would feel like [[anyone been through it?]]?

I'm not pregnant, but when I'm ready for it, I was planning on having an anesthesia free child-birth... [[i've been called masochist because of it lol]]

so, to all the mommies out there, what would you say about this??

..remember on a scale of 1-10..

xxxxxxx *muahz* thanks for your answers ;O)

Answer 1

Childbirth w/ Demerol: 15. The decision is up to you and it sounds like you have a plan in place. Don't, however, be a hero. If you need to ask for relief during labor then do it and don't look back. No one wins an award for the pain. Of course, if u can do it w/out meds, then its preferable. I WANTED an intrathecal but apparently anesthesiologists won't get out of bed before 8:ooam. They told me I could only have Demerol which I only accepted because the pain was unbearable. I recommend that you take anything you need to, but not Demerol. It makes you too sleepy to push and you're terrified and confused when you wake up to another contraction. People say that you won't remember the pain later...at six mos after I thought they were nuts, but by 17 mos I've realized they're right. My point is that its really nothing to be afraid of. In spite of the pain it is a beautiful experience that leads to so many more beautiful experiences.

Answer 2

10

Answer 3

Ok two births - one natural all the way through all 16 hours of it, I was exhausted but it was ok and the pain level was about 7. Not that bad!
second one induced a month early due to myself having PUPPPS - so I lasted 2 hours and then got an epidural. I could not stand the contractions coming every minute and peeking for a minute! So I had to do something, the epidural for me was the best sollution so I could be awake, alert and not in any more pain. That labor was 6 hrs - thats short!!

But I believe it all depends on the woman!!! I am ttc again and I would go natural agian unless there was a problem. If you go in head strong and determined you will do it and you forget the pain ...well you forget the amount and real feeling of pain but you do remember the pain.

Join other mommies a couple due soon...one in stages of preterm!

Answer 4

I had seven (yes SEVEN) natural drug-free childbirths--- and I'd put the scale at, oh, maybe 15!!!
BUT--- you can get through it and know that you are doing the best thing for your baby-- and yourself, too.
Women have been doing it forever-- it is natural. While it can be excruciating (and not all women's labor IS painful, believe it or not) you know that it is not the kind of pain that is harming you (like having your leg sawed off or something) and you also know that it is temporary--- it WILL be over soon--- and you will be holding your baby in your arms and be able to fully experience every part of this miraculous event.
I am not a masochist--- in fact, if I'm sick or injured I'm on pain pills and anything else that might help--- but childbirth is different. And you really ARE empowered by doing it natural. When that baby finally comes out you feel like Superwoman!!!

Answer 5

ok i had both my boys natural,and yeah at the end its beyond 10 for the pain but it doesn't last long you can get threw it and believe me its all worth it ,i didn't like the chances or risks with the alternative pain control,but each person is different and only for you to decide at that moment when its at the point where you don't think you can take it much longer or any higher pain its almost over ,for me it went faster,and after i was right up walking around and others were still messed up for a while so its all in what you think i would still go natural if i were to do it again !!

Answer 6

ROFL...10
I had one 56 hour labor on full pitocin when much of it was without any pain meds "because it might make the uterus so it doesn't contract as much" OMG. Finally FINALLY they dosed me...but that baby was in the wrong position, so it was worse than "usual"
I had another with absolutely zero pain meds cuz the idiot nurse said "you aren't having a baby right now" and I said, oh yes, I am....and it was only a couple of hours of unbearable pain, not nearly so bad
Just asking, um....why would you want pain? They used to do dental extractions "naturally" too...but I'm going for that novocaine every time.
Anyway, the pain does end eventually and you will feel better when it is over, but you might embarrass yourself as you cuss everybody out

Answer 7

I decided to do no drugs. We instead used a water birthing tub. There are many pain distraction techniques that I tried, but it all ended up at 10. Then my beautiful boy arrived and I went down to about a 3 on the pain scale. Best wishes.

Answer 8

I had a med-free birth in a hospital - first baby, 8 pounder -and I'd put it about a 6-7 on the pain scale.

If you are trying to have a epidual-free birth be prepared - read Hypnobirthing by Marie Mongan, it really helps you prepare mentally and physically. I also found it very empowering.

Answer 9

After 40 hours of labour 20 of which was with pain, i would say an 8/10.

I suggest to anyone, dont feel like you have to put up with the pain at all. Get the nurse to give you something. You dont need to be a hero.

At the end of it all, you have a healthy baby.

DOnt worry about pain

Answer 10

My first two births were natural, with the exception of an IV for fluids. First one I would rate a 4. Second one an 8. My third, I had to have Pitocin, VERY bad contractions! Opted for an epidural that time.