Mommies, what actually hurts more when giving birth..?

Question

Is it the contractions? Or the baby coming out? What kind of pain is it? Like really bad cramps or what?! Is it unbearable or enough to suck it up? Would you recommend an epidural.. because the thought of a needle stabbing my spine scares the hell out of me!!! :( I'm 26 weeks pregnant with my first baby (little girl), still got awhile to go. I'm a tough cookie, but I'm starting to get scared.. lol :P Anyone? :)

Answer 1

They are two different kinds of pain. Both hurt. The baby coming out hurts more - but it only takes a few seconds. Where as, the contractions aren't quite as painful, but last hours.

Answer 2

I honestly don't remember how the pain felt when the baby came out. I know she was a big one. The contractions felt like a cramp that lasted for less than a minute. I bet you are so excited, I know I was. I counted down the days and it was hard not to wonder how it was gonna feel. It's weird how you forget about how bad it hurt looking back. I thought people, including my mom were crazy, especially after child birth classes hearing and seeing women on tv screaming. I guess the joy and excitement is so over whelming that you forget about the pain and see what all the hard work paid off for. The epidural was not painful at all, even though mine didnt take, the needle itself is not as bad it looks. If you relax and stay still while they stick you, you will be fine. All I thought about was having to wrap my arms around some big squishy nurse that I didnt know. He didnt and I had no idea it was over and done with. It is so awesome, I hope your day is as good as mine was. I would have 5 more if I could afford to. Well Good luck and Congrats!! You will do fine and see that there is nothing to it but to do it!!!!

Answer 3

Congrats! Everyone is different. Some women have back labor- pain that radiates around to lower back and I had those, they were the worst. Contractions were hell, it is not even comparable to period cramps. Maybe period cramps x 100 times more. When the baby comes out, just feels like you're having the largest bowel movement of your life. I would recommend an epidural if you don't do pain well. They usually numb the area w/ a very small needle first before they put the big needle in- GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 4

ok this is my 3rd baby i am 24 weeks now I will say that the contractions hurt far more than that tiny needle in your back matter of fact I am a BIG BABY when it comes to pain I hate needles and the thought of an epi scared the crap out of me with the first one but after the contractions started (I had pitocin) I felt like my stomach was being ripped out I begged for that needle at that point and I never felt it. Now with my second one I did feel it becuase I opted for epi before the pitocin( live learn then take drugs first) lol but even feeling the needle wasnt any worse than getting an IV if you can take that you can take and epi and believe me you WILL want one. Now the epiziotomy is what no one talks about if you get one expect not to be comfortable sitting for at least a week and pottying is very painful. I was so glad with the second one not to have one. I think that was far more painful than feeling the baby come out but not as bad as the contractions. Good Luck

Answer 5

Contractions. The baby coming out is your reward for all the hard work and contractions. You actually feel like you're doing something now - working together with your body. DO NOT let the epidural scare you. I have 3 kids, had it with 2 of them. Didn't with the 1st b/c I was like you - but man I wish I would have. I enjoyed the births of #2 and #3 so much better. I wasn't screaming and yelling!!
Don't get yourself all scared. Go in there with an open mind and have an idea of what you want - hardly any one ever follows their birth plan. Good luck and congrats!

Answer 6

Well personally the contractions are worse, because it doesnt take long for the baby to come out, i pushed for 8 minutes, but I had contractions for 7 hours before I got an epidural, I'm extremely scared of needles, but your not facing the doctor and if you ask them to they can wait until your back is turned for them to even take it out, but when i got my epidural i was asking if they were going to do it and he was already done, so it doesn't hurt bad at all, and after that i felt sooo much better then i had before it was like day and night difference, so i would highly recommend getting an epidural.

Answer 7

Contractions are the worst bit, the baby coming out is so amazing and the head crowning is fine no pain just really getting stretched.

The feeling of the baby coming out is like, do this! at the corners of your mouth hook your pointing fingers and pull till you cant pull anymore that's how its feels really :) and anyways the skin stretches over the head so much it traps the nerves so you just go numb. But the pain is bearable you'll be cool if it was that bad i wouldn't be having this second.

Contractions as just like menstrual cramps but worst you body starts to release natural painkillers anyways. If you feel like it getting hard just take the drugs, i would go for pethidine first though i thought it worked great you can still feel the pain, cause that's what giving births all about but it gives you a little break :) good luck

Answer 8

Try not to worry.

It does hurt, the contractions are not fun.
The epidural was the scariest part for me. Having had 2 kids I would get the epidural 100 times if needed. The medicine they put in to numb your back before the epidural needle stings, like Novocaine but then it goes away and so do the contraction pains!

I can not tell you about the birth itself without meds. Both of mine were with epidural.

All of it is manageable. It will go by faster than you think and you really will not remember it all once the baby is there!

If you do the epidural just do not look at it. And you do not feel anything on your back once it is in.

Answer 9

There is nothing to be scared about I've giving birth to two girls naturally and 1 C- section. Contractions are really, really, really bad cramps so please ask for drugs and yes I recommend the epidural I had it with all three of my kids and I like it the procedure is almost painless all I felt was a small pinch and it was in. But I think the most painful part is the crowning of the head. So stop being scared and enjoy getting ready for your little girl.

Answer 10

It's the contractions. They are the worst menstrual cramps you can imagine, times 1000!!! After you experience those first few contractions, a needle in your spine will sound like heaven! Childbirth has nothing to do with being tough, either. You aren't a better mom because you "sucked it up" and went "natural". Get the epidural if you are concerned. You won't regret it. I didn't.

Answer 11

First of all let me say congrats, giving birth is the single most enjoyable feeling in the world. It hurt, im not going to lie, but the end result, a beautiful healthy baby that you will love unconditionally. Its truly a blessing. I have three. My first the pain was so unbearable i passed out, i came to just in time to push her out. She's 13 now. My second i was more prepared i relaxed more, focused on my breathing, i didn't scream or get hysterical. She's 10 now. And by my third i really had the child birth down to a science. No pain, no shots, what helped me was heating pads. one for my lower back and one for my stomach, right below it on the waist area. He's 2 now. It works. and for me the pain was the contractions, the separating of the pelvic bone. But once you give birth that pain will be gone instantly. Its like you are going to breathe a sigh of relief. Just relax it's a wonderful experience.