Agree with much of what other ladies have said with respect to period pains etc...

It's much like a pain that you can't quite place but that isn't totally suprising. I found birth a really special experience. The pain sucked but it felt necessary somehow.

The thing I remember that was most positive was the 'place' I was in during much of the quiet time I got without fussing from anyone... I found it quite new and wonderfully strengthening at the time. That I could exert that much control over my own body and mind and just focus on getting through and birthing.

I know it's not the same for everyone but I really agreed with what another lady said about going into it feeling confident and positive, it makes a massive difference.

Best of luck, when you've had your baby you must add your description x x

Like nothing else I've ever experienced!

Very very deep pains in tummy and back, building to a crescendo (sp?)I felt I would happily ask someone to shoot me at one point because it seemed preferable than waiting for the next contraction.

Then, when you think it can't get any worse, you reach second stage where you have to push the baby out! The ring of fire is EXACTLY like that - think blow torch on fanjo. If you tear, you feel it - think very very sensitive skin splitting! At antenatal classes we were taught to do the trick of putting a finger in each side of your mouth and pulling sideways until it burns and hurts - it's like that but doesn't stop when you want it to!! Thankfully that doesn't last long though and then you're baby's out and you feel ecstatic that it's over. It sounds horrendous but you survive it!

Agree with the intense period pain thing, but also thought it was like watching a tsunami come towards you.... it hits and you get lost in it for a while and it takes your breath away, and then it recedes and you can get upright a breathe normally. Then you see the tsunami coming again in the distance...

Thanks everyone, some really helpful stuff here. Have been going to yoga which has given me confidence. I have a hypnobirthing CD from last time but we're living out of boxes at the moment so can't find it.. will have a proper look tomorrow.
starlight, i'm due in 4 weeks' time

Also with the 'constipation-people' (sorry, not the best label ever!). In fact, mine was so like severe constipation that I didn't really realise I was in labour but spent about 4 hours before/after midnight sat on the loo leaning over the towel rail - which, incidentally, must have been a very good position. Was somewhat surprised to find I was 8cm dilated when I got to hosp, was semi expecting someone to give me a suppository and send me home . In my defence, was expecting tummy and back pains, not that....

And the end bit is just as described below...

good luck migola. When are you due?

tbh it is quite hard to imagine even when you have been through. Don't underestimate though, the power of preparation in affecting your perception of your experience.

I guess that is partly what you are doing by asking this question.

There are no guarantees in childbirth, but going into labour confidently and relaxed improves the likelihood for a good outcome.

You need to find your body's best way of dealing with the pain. At first DH and I tried relaxing and breathing deeply through contractions and the idea of relaxing just made me irritated! Far better was me actually getting quite aggressive and "shouting the pain away" and getting quite angry with the pain!

Its not just the pain element, its also the "hard work" element - two hours of pushing after several hours of first stage - you're totally knackered but you just have keep doing your best and work as hard as you can.

Its easy to say it but you'll be fine and come through it, and you'll be v proud of yourself afterwards! You'll also forget it all once your baby is out (words can't describe how BRILLIANT you feel the instant they're out and you scoff your tea and toast holding your little treasure!)

Insanely, you may also start contemplating doing it again - I had dd three weeks ago (37 hours, induction, drip, episiotomy, forceps) and am already getting the stirrings of excitement about doing it again with no.2 ! (must get contraception sorted out asap - 10 mths between them would be a total disaster!)

Best of luck - you'll be fine!

no starlight I wasn't looking for reassurance, was just curious I suppose and want to know what to expect, I just couldn't imagine what kind of pain it would be.

anyway thanks everyone, off to order a tens machine

migola Were you looking for reassurance? If so it was the wrong question. However, most (not all) of the posters here have been willing to do it again and there is actually a very odd trend of doing subsequent childbirth with less drugs.

It is absolutely vital that you go into labour confident and without fear and that during it you live only in the present and not have any thoughts about the next hour, or the next contraction. The pain is how people here describe, but when it happens you will probably kinda get used to it, especially if you don't freak out and practise and develop a rhythm of copingduring the early stages that you are experience at using when things get tougher.

To help with this you will need to give birth in an environment that you will feel comfortable doing whatever you need to do, be that squatting, pacing around the room naked, groaning, so plan ahead and have a birth plan to reflect this. I would also very much recommend a doula and some dabbling with natal hypnotherapy or birth hypnosis, because both of these can help you improve your 'internal' environment and ignore unnecessary distractions.

Finally, imagine that you have not only run a marathon (after 9 months of very intestive training), but that you won it and the whole world is cheering. Add to that an intense dose of natural opiate drugs, and as if that were not enough you are presented with the teeniest wrinkly little person that is yours to keep.

Cross between diarrhoea and period pain, low dawn, reasonably manageable as long as you're in the zone mentally, dreadful if you're feeling worried or distracted (eg being mucked about with in hospital).

If you practice with TENS in the last three weeks of pg it enhances the effect very well. Just putting it on for the day doesn't really work. Anyway, TENS takes 5 hours to build up properly.