Burning ring of fire

[dinosaur356821]

Apologies if this is TMI due my second DC soon and scared about the labour. With my first I ended up having a episiotomy which really helped me as I was terrified of the pushing bit. I suppose it helped because they numbed the area first. So when it came to pushing I didn't feel what my friend describe as 'the burning ring of fire.'
There is a part of me that wants to ask the midwife for another episiotomy or at least numb it again . Is it really that bad? It's the bit I'm fearing the most again despite knowing how awful contractions are.

Honestly it wasn't that bad for me. Obviously it was very painful, and I have a low pain threshold, but it wasn't the worst part. I had some small tears but I think the contractions were MUCH worse.

I used gas and air if it helps.

Honestly the contractions were way worse I think I barely noticed any ring of fire! You'll be ok!

I remember it well but honestly it's brief, the contractions were worse.

It's over quickly and it means the heads out so yay for that!

It really is not that bad, please don't let it worry you.

It never burned for me, it was just a horrible sensation. But as others have said it's over with quickly, and feels more scary than painful, unlike the contractions. The shoulders smart a bit too but it's only for a second.

Yeah it burns, but it's over very quickly and means you are basically there. It's the finish line. The midwives will coach you through it.

I didn't have any pain relief, only the water and I wasn't in the water any more at that stage, and it really wasn't that bad. If you had a straightforward birth last time, a water birth this time would probably ease the ring of fire moment significantly.

If the midwife thinks you need an episiotomy, you will have one. I had a small one with no problems afterwards, just a few stitches. When you get to that stage you're just glad the baby is coming out and it doesn't take long.

I'm sure you'll be fine with your second and many congratulations.

Have you looked into hypnobirthing at all? I was terrified of labour and especially the supposed 'ring of fire' but using it to understand how the body works and the breathing exercises made a world of difference.
I now disagree when people say things like a PP did about labour being 'obviously very painful'.

Really not that bad at all. Contractions were much worse! And it's the last bit before your baby comes so it's worth looking forward to as it means baby is moments away from being born

Thanks everyone feel abit more reassured. Will look into hypnobirthing I didn't last time but think it's something I could benefit from. Would love a water birth with my first I was going to have one. The midwife was literally running it for me. They then found my blood pressure was through the roof and made me get dressed and switch rooms . So don't think I'm going to ask for one again.

The stingy bit dosent last very long but annoyed me more than hurt. It was more like really really bad pins and needles.

Pain is subjective, in my experience it does hurt, but it doesn't last long and once you get to that stage you know you've got to keep going. The best way I heard it described is, hook a finger in either side of your mouth at the cheeks and pull. That stinging, but in your vagina. When they do come out it stops immediately!

I have 4 children and found the worse part was the contractions and going for a wee after the birth

It's not that bad (in my experience!) and over quickly.

I failed to push my first baby out and had an episiotomy.

Second baby was born in the water and pushing was a doddle. Three or four contractions and baby was out (vs 1.5hrs pushing with first baby). I was worried about it second time, due to struggle in first labour, but as I say it was so much easier.

I tore a little bit and had no idea until examination after the birth. No pain relief.

You'll be fine!

I have a very low pain threshold, and what helped me was the Epi-No. A friend recommended it and now quite a few friends have used it. It's a balloon device that helps you do perineal massage, and none of us who have used it teared or needed episiotomy. I'd highly recommend it!

It does burn and not pleasant. My midwife poured some cool water on for me while we waited for my next contraction which was really soothing.

I remember it, but it the grand scheme of things it wasn't that bad and was short lived. The midwife bathed that area with a warm cloth between contractions which helped and is meant to minimise tearing. Once I was at that stage I knew the end was near, so that helped

I have always been terrified of crowning. Didn't feel it apart from a lot of pressure the first time as I had an epidural (and an episiotomy). I had a water birth the second time and as I was pushing and then crowning I distinctly remember thinking, well this isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be! It was a very intense feeling but very brief, and there was no "ring of fire".

I have had two children and the worse bit was the stitches after the birth. Once they had healed everything went back to normal until I started the menopause but you won't have worry about that for years.

I agree, it's over quickly, and the contractions were worse. So much quicker second time around for me too. I had an episiotomy with my first, and it took much longer to heal than two small tears with second. You'll be ok. :-)