Have you had such a horrible period that you doubted your ability to give birth naturally?

Question

I did last night, I was throwing up and writhing on the floor. What gives? What the heck? I already asked a doctor and it looks like I'm fine, but I'm just so worried that I won't be able to handle a natural birth, even though it's what I want most. Help.

Ah, Cherise you're an angel! lol. Haven't heard of that one I'm sorry to say.

We are ttc, trust me I'd never deal with this for any other reason! I didn't have diarrhea
(sorry for tmi) I really think I threw up because of the amount of pain.

Wow, so I guess we're all in the same boat... I feel so much better ladies, thanks a lot. As far as the breaks between contractions, that sounds doable. This episode last night was like one long horrible thing. But I lived! yes! haha.

Answer 1

All my periods were awful....I have endometriosis so the pain etc was HORRIBLE every month. PLUS I also had constipation on top of it (sorry) every month....I would literally be in tears and couldn't get out of bed etc the first few days of a period. Midol etc wouldn't touch my pain...not even Advil 800mg.

I've had natural births. My births actually only mirrored my period a little bit. Mostly because I knew that the pain would go away every few minutes...and it would end in 7 hours...NOT a week. But seriously though....I really think that having that much pain etc every month made it EASIER to have a natural birth because I was so used to being in severe pain that labor wasn't a problem.

Don't worry about it...if you truly want a natural birth you'll be able to do it. I think that a lot more women actually could handle it...but they don't give themselves the chance by immediately opting for an epidural. Oh well it's their choice.

At any rate..don't concern yourself with it now. And I hope that you don't have too many more periods like the one you described.

EDIT: And Debbie is wrong...some women DO experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting etc the WHOLE labor process. Just watch A Birth Story sometimes....PLUS period cramps are your uterus pushing out blood clots so yeah they have a purpose too.

Answer 2

The amazing thing about giving birth is that you get breaks from pain. Contractions usually last 60-90 seconds, depending on how far along in labor you are,thenyou get a break in between them - in the beginning this break is going to be nice and long, then down to a few minutes in active labor, and then at the end it's short (30-60 seconds) but even then you still get a break, and that last part usually lasts less than an hour. Also, you can take a great birth prep class, hire a doula, and make sure your partner understands your wishes and knows how to help (the class and doula can help him) and all those things will help.

My personal experience is that I haven't had terrible periods but I have had many horribly painful ovulations (cyst ruptures). I had my first baby pitocin and an epidural, then prepared better and made sure I had labor support (doula) and had my second baby completely naturally. I much preferred the natural labor - I felt strong and powerful, even though it hurt, which was better to me than feeling like a hospital patient.

Oh - also, when giving birth you know the pain has a purpose - opening your cervix, moving your baby down,telling you what to do with your body to help labor progress faster and more comfortably, and getting your natural oxytocin (the contraction hormone and the LOVE hormone) and endorphins (pain-killing, pleasure hormone) going strong.

Hope this helps when the time comes to give birth, and I hope you don't have any more horrible periods in the meantime.

Answer 3

Dear, I think you will be able to give birth naturally. I had severe menstrual cramping every time I had a period. I gave natural Birth to all my kids. Back when I was having babies, they did not know what an epidural was even. I had them naturally and stood the pain too. No pain medicine even. I applaud you for wanting to do it the natural way. If for some reason you can not stand the pain and it is within there time line, then you can always have an epidural so that you will only feel some pressure. I really think your worrying about something that is going to not happen to you. Just try to not get all stressed out about this. Stress makes cramping worse. lay on your right side, pull your knees up to your chest, use a hot water bottle (Douche Bag) and try to get relief with some aspirin to thin the blood and make you more comfortable.

Answer 4

You'll do fine in birthing a child. In the first place, the period pain had no purpose, but birthing a child is what you really, really want, so you're willing to suffer.

Secondly, you don't have diarrhea and stomach cramps. The cramps are different, and there's no nausea or tummy sickness.

There's no reason for you to be going through this unless you're ttc. You need to be on a birth control pill that will cut those periods down to size. I have a period once every three months, and it's 3 days long with a panti-liner. Sound great right about now? When I wanted to conceive, I stopped the pill and 2 weeks later I was pregnant.

There's a big difference in the pain of birthing and a terrible period. I think you'll do fine, but if you don't an epidural can be a wonderful thing.

TX Mom

Answer 5

My periods have been very bad since i was 10 years old. I throw up every month and the pain is so bad that i had to be put on a prescription medication for pain and one for vomiting. They also last 7 to 10 days. I have 6 beautiful kids, 5 natural births (no pain medication at all) and the last one was a c section (only because she was breach) and my longest labor was 7 hours. So don't worry everything should be just fine. Also there is no shame in needing pain medication if you need it. It does not make you any less of a woman!

Answer 6

Honestly the menstrual cramps I had as a teen were a million times worse than labour and I have had two natural births including one at home.

Although frankly I wouldn't except the answer of "fine" for pain that bad.

Answer 7

Actually, I have been told that the worse your periods are, the easier pregnancy / giving birth are.

My aunt and cousin had really horrible periods like that, but when they were pregnant / giving birth they enjoyed the entire thing, didn't get sick, were happy-go-lucky the whole time.

So maybe you'll get lucky! :-)

Answer 8

No I think you will be able to do have a child naturally. They have all sorts of meds available to help you through the pain