What hurts more, contractions or baby actually coming out?

[macdat]

I guess contractions last longer, so that's a downside, but the baby actually coming out seems...well...horrific. I'm so scared haha. I want to know which one is more painful, just so I can prepare myself a little and sort of psych myself up for it.

Contractions were worst for me. Although the crowning did feel like I was getting a Chinese burn to my vagina. It did smart a little.
Neither could have been too bad though as I did it more than once!!

Contractions for me definitely. The baby coming out was just like doing a big poo. Breast feeding was worse than them both though... (Get help immediately if you want to bf and find the same)

Contractions definitely. The baby coming out is also painful but you know it's over soon whereas contractions seem to distort time and space so you're just in this universe made of pain for an indeterminate amount of time.

For me crowning was much worse than contractions, although at least it was quite quick! I also tried to shut my legs!

Like others though, I did it twice so can't have been too bad! Interesting how different everyone's experiences are.

Contractions were quite bad because ds was facing forward rather than back, giving me really bad back pain.
Crowning was painful. And the midwife massaging to prevent tearing was even worse. So bad that I angrily pushed her hand away. It was fine once it teared and ds was out.

Oh Lordy, contractions and the first week post-partum were a million gazillion times worse than baby actually emerging from schmoo
My labour was very quick, and it seemed like every contraction just merged into one gigantic one that never ended! The pushing stage was fairly easy in comparison - it was as if I could push the pain away, which was bliss compared to being completely out of control with earlier labour

The contractions were bearable as once they reach their peak ('top of the hill') you know it's on it's way out. So psychologically I could deal with it.
Pushed for 40mins was the worse pain I have ever experienced. Then again baby was 9lb 3 and 55cm long!

Contractions were worse than the actual crowning...frankly that part was a blessed relief! Indeed, despite DS being HUGE, his actual exit wasn't painful at all... was just relieved that the contractions had stopped.

Bless you OP, you'll be fine...promise!

I was so naive pre babies and had no idea contractions were going to hurt, I thought they were just cramps and the painful bit was once the baby was in the birth canal.

I can't say whether crowning hurts as I had an epidural after 15 hours of back to back labour then asked for an epi with my 2nd daughter as soon as I got to hospital as I had no desire to endure contractions again for a minute longer than I had to.

Contractions. I was induced and they were really intense, plus I was left alone all night in a side room in early labour (they refused to call DH and made me feel I shouldn't call him myself) so I was in pain and alone all night, then they examined me and I was barely 2cm dilated... I thought I was going to be there for days! Fortunately things then moved on quickly, I went to Delivery Suite where they broke my waters and DS arrived at 2.30 in the afternoon. Being able to start pushing was such a relief... It still hurt but I could start to really do something with them rather than just having to wait them out. And although I had a 2nd degree tear, I don't remember any pain from crowning at all. Just relief, as DS had been bobbing in and out of me for some time before he finally made an appearance!

Contractions by far. And the fucking anal fissure and piles in the following weeks. Agony.