What is it like giving birth? Is it as bad as on TV?

Answer 1

I would actually give birth everyday if I could! Not that I want all those children, but the experience is just so amazing!

No, I don't think it's anything like you see on TV. It's something you can't even imagine, unless you've experienced it. I had natural births with both my children, and really don't remember much pain. You really do forget all about the pain once you see the end result.

It's a true miracle!

Answer 2

TV gives you no true concept of what giving birth feels like any more than it can help you to smell what's on the screen or taste things either.
First, remember that giving birth serves a purpose, doesn't last forever, and has a great ending. That said, it was the most intense and extreme pain that I have experienced. Of course it feels different for each person and depends on if/what pain meds/management type you choose. I had Staidol which dulled the pain but it was still painful. As for someone saying that ONLY the contractions hurt, well as for me, I couldn't feel when they started and ended, so during the pushing phase it felt like one unending uninterrupted contraction. In spite of this I will say that you will live through it and the reward at the end is the best!

Answer 3

Depends on what you are watching. Show like A Baby Story are usually pretty accurate, but every experience is different even for the same woman.

Women who are shown suddenly doubling over in pain out of the blue are not being portrayed accurately. They are just shortening the time to fit into an allotted TV show time. Labor (contractions) starts slow and builds up. But it is painful. That's why so many have medication.

Answer 4

Hi!
It's not like TV. They make it look like poof, the water breaks, a couple pushes and the baby's out.
In real life, it's harder but it can be amazing. I was fortunate enough to labor at home for a while, which was awfully nice. Then after I was 6 cm we went in to the hospital and it got harder, but man, the relief at the end was like nothing I've ever experienced. I felt everything, no drugs, and I'll do it again that way.
Some people probably think I'm crazy for this, but no :) it's better than TV, I'd say.

Answer 5

It lasts A LOT longer than on T.V. Normal labor lasts hours and hours, usually not a few minutes as portrayed on television.

The first part of labor is not as bad... you get cramps in your lower back. They get worse within time. Then several hours later you deliver the baby. The contractions during this time hurt the most. The pushing sensation is also very uncomfortable.

Answer 6

I have no tolerance for pain....I mean none, I could cry from bug bites! I actually enjoyed labor, I did have an easy first labor, but even so it was not bad. I had my gallbladder out last year and the pain from that was 100 x's worse.
It's pain with a purpose....you know you are getting a baby from it. Just get your epidural as soon as you can and anytime you think you can't do it, think of that baby you will be holding soon enough!

Answer 7

TV is made up and so are the births. (on soaps etc..)
Its 1000 X worse than that unless you are watching an actual real live birth on TV.
Its like pulling your bottom lip over your head!

Answer 8

giving birth is just hard because u have to concentrate on pushing that baby out. it doesn't hurt or anything ONLY the contractions hurts. (from my own experience)

Answer 9

TV can make something so beautiful look so painful. Check with your doctor about an Epidural for a pain free delivery. Works great!

Answer 10

I'm not trying to scare you but TV usually only shows the mild parts of labor.