How sore is childbirth? If being compared to a very very bad period?

[Iwantababynow]

I get the worst periods! to the point that 2 times ive been taken to the hospital because im screaming in pain, I cant take it, however my doctor says I have a high pain threshold, I had my appendix removed and refused pain killers after.

so, you girls out there that know what its like to be in bed 3 days a month due to extreme period pains, how did birth compare to that for you?

I really want a natural birth in water without pain relief... how bad can it be???

thanks guys, ps i love mums net :)

For me being in labour was the worst bit (5 days of contractions every 3mins)
But the actual birth was not all that bad it hurt but yes it's worse than a period. I had very minimal medical interference as they couldnt be assed with seeing to me lol.

I was going to post hahaha at 'sore' when reading your title but reading your post I think you will be fine as your period pains sound abnormal.

It hurt a bit, but nothing I couldn't handle, like having a seriously big poo or throwing up in reverse (weird but kinda accurate). I did hypnobirthing and the early stages were fine. I got to hospital at 6cm but I was in transition and ds arrived a couple of hours later in the pool with just gas and air. They really were surges rather than pains though and it was all fine with the tens machine.

I know every birth is different but I think your attitude towards the birth is important. If you go in worried, tense, convinced it's going to hurt then it will. If you relax then whatever happens you feel more positive about it.

The crowning was by far the worst bit for me too, managed a 2nd/3rd degree tear but apart from that it was all pretty straightforward. I have a friend who is on baby number 3 and has had them all at home in a pool without pain relief. With the first one she even had an orgasm as he came out. It ain't all bad.

I think its impossible to predict what yours might be. I also used to have terrible period pains but found childbirth to be like them but much worse. On the other hand, I know someone who said she just found it a bit uncomfortable. . Ultimately, you'll get through it. The only advice I would give is if it gets too much, don't be worried about asking for pain relief. That's what its there for.

Why don't they give people local anaesthetic in their fanjo so crowning doesn't hurt?
always wondered

Me too!

If anyone wants to know what crowning feels like.....hook the tips of your fore fingers in both corners of your mouth and pull apart...keep pulling, thats what it feels like!

'Why don't they give people local anaesthetic in their fanjo so crowning doesn't hurt?
always wondered'

Jabbing your fanjo makes it swell increasing the chances of damage and tearing. Okay you won't feel it THEN but..............

I think it is important to point out that just because you decide you want pain relief doesn't mean that a) you'll get it and b) it will work.

Not trying to scare anyone but women really do need to research and prepare themselves for a potential birth where all they have is their own internal resources.

I never had period pains. Ever.

Labour was painful for me, but DS was back to back, and over 10lb. Once he was turned, it was a lot less painful. Got through with gas and air.

I had similar period pains, and the first 14 hours of established labour was fine in comparison - you get breaks between contractions, you aren't expected to do anything else other than deal, and TENS and g+a and water pool were all wonderful. Quite fun actually.

I admit that then I had to get out of the pool and other medical issues (SPD) meant I suddenly needed an epidural which I'd been hoping to avoid, so all I can say about the rest of labour is it was tedious (another 24 hours) but not painful except when the epi wore off every couple hours.

I was actually a bit annoyed that all the patronising docs who used to tell me "ah, your periods will get much better once you've had a baby" (not much use when you're 14!) did in fact turn out to be right! Though this doesn't happen for everyone.

Totally agree that you have to go with the pain rather than try to conquer it, cos you won't. I felt like I was in the sea out of my depth and you can feel the swell of each contraction like that, just let it pick you up and take you. It does hurt, of course, but you get through it because you know you have to. Your body is a lot stronger than you think it is and it will surprise you.

(I had two paracetamol because my contractions were all in my back so weren't showing up and docs thought I wasn't in labour...)

Um, I have had periods like that in the past and I have to say, having now given birth, I can't understand the comparison at all. I have a high pain threshhold but when I was induced I was unable to make a noise or move because the pain was that bad. I felt like I was being sawn in half I was induced with a pessary, then waters broken and then put on the synoctin (sp?) drip and forced to stay on my back though, so perhaps that's why it was so awful. (shudders and dreads dc2 due in 12 weeks)

Thanks Starlight - makes sense.

The OP has been scared off!

Someone told me long before I had children that "it's like having the biggest poo you can ever imagine". IMHO she was right. The contractions can feel like strong period pains, but that's the least of your worries.

But you can't call it to mind afterwards, and you get a lovely baby as a result, so it's ok. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

For me the labour bit wasn't too bad - with DD2 I got to 9cm before I was admitted to delivery room and got gas and air (MW - "Oh - it looks as though you're having a baby!! No shit sherlock..)

It's the crowning bit that hurts - it REALLY hurts. (MW - I know you're tired, baby's tired too, I need you to push. Me - I'm NOT tired - it just bloody hurts!)

With DD2 I was at the afterpains! When I asked my MW why no-one tells you about them her response was "What's the point in telling you??"

For me, labour pains were nothing compared to period pain! That awful gnawing never ending pain, that nothing could alleviate once it starts, requiring hospitalisation every month! Labour pain was a doddle! Was in labour for 27 hrs, was painful BUT nothing like period pain.

Unless your period involves tampons the size of a moderate log, I would not say the two are comparable.

It hurts.

My first birth was just a bit worse than (my worst ever) period pains. My second birth was about a million times worse. Of course everyone is different and every birth is different. The second time was probably so bad cos I was induced and generally messed around I would avoid that if I had another not bloody likely

I've never had a period pain so it's impossible for me to compare. Childbirth is unbearable, like the worst pain you've ever had, but all over your body and times by 1,000,000. I screamed "please just let me die" a few times. There are no words to describe just how bad it feels. I feel very very sorry for pregnant people.

Fuck me bubblebrain, that's a buzz kill right there.

if you panic it will hurt more, thats what i found. if i started to get a bit hysterical I would feel that I couldnt cope with the pain anymore. the good thing is as people have said it starts and stops so when u are having a contraction just think itl be over soon. transition is a whole other matter BUT once thats done and you are onto pushing its quite a big relief. its hurts a lot but is a pain worth going through, whereas period pains are just shit!

I found it nothing like as bad as bad period pains. With DS I had a pethidine injection 12 hours before delivery as I was too excited to rest and they didn't want me walking about! This was in 1970 in Sierra Le one. DS was the only white baby in the hospital and the staff kept 'borrowing him to show people.
DD was born in Whiston Hospital and I needed no pain relief at all. For both DC I used a book called The New Childbirth by a lady called Erna Wright-basically breathing techniques-very dated now but it worked for me.

and remember the pain will come to an end!

Might be a buzzkill but the OP did ask

I had very painful period pains before having children and labour was like period pain for me at the start. So much so that I didn't realise I was in labour for a whole day.

I arrived at the hospital thinking that they would send me home but I was 8cm dilated. At that point the pain moved up a level and the rest is a bit of blur to be honest.

I was too late for an epidural and managed on gas and air.