What would YOU say was the most painful stage of labour?

[Dozeyland]

in regards to dilation, the babys delivery, contractions etc etc

Transition.

Agree transition is the worst

All of it. From the second my waters broke to the moment 2 days later when they made a slash and grab to get her out.

It was such exquisite pain, my bones were screaming.

Actually, just to add. Except for transition. Didn't hurt a bit.

all of it, just a big excruciating blur of pain. sorry but you asked. i do think mine was on the higher end of awful tho, or maybe not. It's all personal isn't it.

The part where they thought I was fully dilated (I wasn't) and my waters had broken (they hadn't) and were encouraging me to push. Wasn't actually the most painful part, but because nothing was really happening, it felt much worse than the bit the registrar told me I'd probably want an epidural for.

Definitely transition. You think you know pain? Its a whole nother level. Contractions are a walk in the park in comparison.

this time: pushing. rest of it fairly manageable (talking relatively here!!)

pushing was awful and seemingly went on forever without getting me anywhere. but he was a big baby and got stuck, so maybe that's why!

(shows that every labour is different, doesn't it?!)

The first bit, when they didn't believe I was in labour and put me on ante natal ward on a monitor so I was trying not to disturb people. Once I got downstairs on the gas and air it was fine.

Pushing and crowning. That crowning pain still makes me feel cold and shaky. That's after 3.5 yrs and now ttc#4!

Crowning, and waiting for that final contraction to push dd2 out, but then I had a third degree tear, so that's probably why,

I was going to say towards the end of the first stage, but I guess that's transition.

Transition....

explain to me. i've heard what it is but how would you describe it?

My MW said not everyone experiences transition?

Transition.

Crowning didn't hurt atall for me. I didn't even know DS was comming out, but I looked and there he was.

I could feel DD coming out. They call it the 2ring of fire", but it really didn't hurt that much. I just thought "oh, so this is what it feels like"

Just as you come to transition, the pain is constant, and you think you could actually die!

The pushing for me was just as painful but I felt I could 'do' something with it IYKWIM.

In my case I didn't notice transition. But then I had a 2 hour labour and a prem son.

I can't remember!!! It was such along time ago.

I've never heard of tranistion!

Crowning - argh! Awful. Rest of it was (relatively) manageable.

Crowning for definite. With DS2 the contractions weren't too bad at all. With DS1 they were, but that's because I was induced.

When DS2 was crowning I told DH to turn the TENS machine up to 10 (well 'told' is probably a polite way of putting it). He did so and I nearly leapt off the bed, much to midwife's amusement! Took mind off the pain for a second though

The stitches afterwards! The labour and birth weren't too bad, but the stitches smarted a bit. Probably would have stung less if I'd have had some pain relief though.

I don't think I experienced transition, or the ring of fire. But then everything happened so fast I didn't really get chance to figure out what was going on until after it happened!

Crowning! Transition! Blimey I thought I just gave birth!!

Things were diferent last century y'know!!

Apart from going to the toilet without thinking to ask someone to bring the Gas and Air upstairs... by far the most painful part of childbirth is having a shit two days afterwards. No joke.

And I thought I was dying when the afterpains hit following DC2. They were frightening, and a bit of a surprise.

Labour is positive pain - you know what's going on and why, afterwards, when you're knackered and a bit in shock... when these things pop up and surprise you it's bloody hprrible.

So what causes afterpains and does everyone have them (I'm a scaredy cat first timer)?