To think labour can’t be THAT bad?

[Bumpingbumping]

Potentially being extremely naive, and of course this is excluding exceptional circumstances/emergency situations.

But aibu to think labour can’t be as horrific as people make out? I’ll be giving birth in 10 days time following an induction and everybody keeps asking me if I’m terrified and telling me how awful it will be.

Surely if it was THAT bad people just wouldn’t do it? Or would opt for a c section?

Again, feel free to hit me with the facts because I’m possibly being naive. But does anyone have any nice birth stories? Particularly following an induction?

For me labours are that bad..... but I couldn’t believe babies are that good. I was shocked. And I didn’t feel the love like a truck hitting me- more like a slow avalanche. But it was still the greatest thing I have ever done. Twice.

You’ve not worded your OP properly!
But I do wish people would stop telling pregnant women horror stories about labour! It’s cruel!

For both of mine labour felt like severe food poisoning (without the vomiting). It hurts a lot. But you do stop hurting very quickly.

Both of mine were fine, popped out in a few hours with no issues. Don't know what all the fuss is about

Expecting to get absolutely flamed for this comment, but everyone I know thats had a horrible/traumatic labour, did little to nothing to prepare for it.

Someone who is old enough to use the internet and have a baby should really have grown out of that kind of magical thinking.

Sorry @PuffsMummie but how exactly do you prepare for retained placenta and a massive haemorrhage? Or shoulder dystocia? What are your recommendations so women can prepare for such trauma? Maybe women should involve themselves in a huge RTA and haemorrhage for a bit of practise?

Please come back after the birth and comment on you original question! But seriously, everyone’s experience is different as is everyone’s pain threshold so it’s impossible to rate how painful giving birth is.

My first words after giving birth to ds1 were “I’m having a c section next time” (I didn’t) and my first thought after having ds2 was “thank god I don’t ever have to do that again”
But the fact I went through it a second time, despite how horrifically painful it is, goes to show that it’s worth it in the end.

Expecting to get absolutely flamed for this comment, but everyone I know thats had a horrible/traumatic labour, did little to nothing to prepare for it

How do you “prepare” for it? I have had 2 labours, both pretty straightforward if painful, but I did fuck all “preparation” other than growing the baby. Horror stories aren’t helpful, but neither is pretending how labour goes is anything other than luck.

It can be.

My first I managed with gas and air, managed contractions ok and was fine until DS got distressed and had forceps which was horrific in terms of pain but I recovered quickly thankfully.

Second was breech then back to back. Labour progressed too quickly for any pain relief apart from gas and air.. pain was extremely bad from the word go and neither me or baby coped well as he was stuck nowhere near moving down so off we went to theatre where we had three failed vontousse attempts and they got him out on third attempt of forceps. Had a spinal for this part which obviously was great but had a 3rd degree tear, needed episiotomy. Big bleed.

Recovery ongoing 5 months later and if I ever wanted a third I am not allowed vaginal birth due to damage suffered.

So in short... if you get lucky great... if not then no it can be horrific and life changing.

Okaaaaay

OP please come back in 2 weeks and update us on how amazing and easily bearable it was!

Labour is different for everyone.
Some women are in labour for what can seem like days and need every type of pain relief under the sun.Some can manage on gas and air.
It’s true that once you have your baby in your arms ,any pain,discomfort is forgotten about.
I consider myself very lucky to have had two very quick labours.First time was 2 hours from waters breaking to holding my baby,then second time was just over 2 hours.
I managed both times without any pain relief at all.
All my friends and colleagues who had gone through labour hated me lol.

It’s true that once you have your baby in your arms ,any pain,discomfort is forgotten about

No it isn't.

For me it was the surprise pain is literally up your backside, i wasn’t expecting that. The whole shitting a pineapple was the most accurate description whereas I was expecting vaginal pain.
Also I wasn’t expecting contractions for days. They don’t count the mild ones even though they bloody hurt.So actually of day 3 with no sleep and your tolerance is low.

Just remembered my friend proudly saying it was horrible but at least she didn't shit herself.

Her husband winked at me, the midwives had just been very discrete 😂

Sorry bit it does really fucking hurt!!
My first birth was horrific, long and drawn out over 3 days in back to back agony. Second time although it was excruciating was just 8 hours and then it was over.
Like PP say you do get your lovely baby at the end though.

Got an epidural at 5cms. Was fine.
In all honesty the next day I recall thinking “is that what all the fuss is about?”

Honestly ?? Up to 5cm it was completely bearable and I was joking around with my husband and sending messages on my phone despite being induced...

It’s beyond that when active labour starts. And then transition. That’s what the fuss is about..

I asked for epidural and it didn’t come in time and so had to endure pain.

OP, induction comes in many forms..

First get them to try the sweep. If not then the balloon. If not then popping your waters or passery. The drips is the most intense..

Make sure when you read the stories of people saying induction is fine that you know whether they’re talking about the IV drip..

Expecting to get absolutely flamed for this comment, but everyone I know thats had a horrible/traumatic labour, did little to nothing to prepare for it

What a horrible, nasty thing to say. How can a woman prepare for blood loss, still birth, tearing, episiotomy, fetal distress etc.
Comments like yours could make women feel even more of a failure.
Don't be a cunt.

It actually wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. I managed to do it without painkillers, but I don’t know if I just have a very high pain tolerance or I was lucky enough to have an easy labour.

Just remembered my friend proudly saying it was horrible but at least she didn't shit herself.

I asked my husband that yesterday.. I said I swear I remember farting or pooing, didn’t I?

He kept giggling and saying no. But I’m struggling to know what’s true because he had a giggly episode unlike him

I honestly didn't think it was anywhere NEAR as bad as everyone makes out. I actually enjoyed the whole experience.

Also how the fuck would you know what preparation someone had done?
And what a laugh, you haven't even given birth? Fucking hell, how can someone be so ignorant.

The phrase 'writhing in agony' was invented for labour. I felt as if I was being burnt with a flame thrower by the end.

But as soon as I started to push most of the pain went away and it felt natural, somehow.

My babies were both under 7lbs though, which may have helped!

1st time was grim.

2nd time not so bad, though I was very nervous after the first one.

3rd time I almost enjoyed the experience because I knew exactly what I was doing and just wanted to be left alone to get on with it. I had a tremendous sense of satisfaction afterwards too.

Do get back to us OP in 2 weeks time and tell us your own view following the event!

Good luck

Whoever said this:

Expecting to get absolutely flamed for this comment, but everyone I know thats had a horrible/traumatic labour, did little to nothing to prepare for it

...obviously has such a shocking lack of empathy and level of ignorance that maybe motherhood isn’t the best idea for them.