Page 11 | Please someone tell me it’s not THAT painful

anmummy · 2023-08-04T17:20:45+00:00

Just watched an episode of one born every minute and this woman was SCREAMING, and I mean screaming from the top of her lungs. She was kicking the bed, trying to roll off of it, and was clearly in agonising uncontrollable unbearable pain. I’m due in 1 week!!! This is not what I needed to see 🤣 I’m so scared. someone tell me their positive stories. This is my first time. I know everyone has a different experience. I’m just hoping I can do this! I’m unbelievably scared now.

Aposterhasnoname · 10/08/2023 10:04

Didn’t feel a thing with an epidural. Just remember it being ridiculously hard work pushing.

Millie890 · 10/08/2023 11:33

I did it without pain relief and honestly, it's not worth it. Take the drugs, once you are out of pain you can concentrate on being excited for your baby arriving and enjoy the experience! Good luck!! It's a pain you will never forget but it is worth it.

Original poster

anmummy · 10/08/2023 12:01

Thanks everyone for telling me your stories! I’m being induced today, I am SO nervous and excited? I’ll be sure to update you all ahhhhh 💖

OP posts:

Millie890 · 10/08/2023 13:46

anmummy · 10/08/2023 12:01

Thanks everyone for telling me your stories! I’m being induced today, I am SO nervous and excited? I’ll be sure to update you all ahhhhh 💖

So exciting!! Try and enjoy the experience- congratulations.

Beenhereforever1978 · 10/08/2023 13:53

Best wishes, you got this!

Roselilly36 · 10/08/2023 13:57

Good luck OP, it’s all worth it

EdgeOfACoin · 10/08/2023 15:07

I've only had one baby and was extremely lucky.

Birth was pretty quick and felt more like intense pressure than pain. There was a certain amount of pain but not as much as I had anticipated and I didn't need pain relief.

Go with the flow - don't assume in advance that you'll need all the drugs; equally, don't suffer pointlessly if you could benefit from an epidural. All births and babies are different.

Read up on your options and look up natural pain relief techniques, even if you don't want to rely on them, just in case you're in a position where you can't get assisted pain relief straight away.

BeggyMitchell · 10/08/2023 18:15

Eek! Thinking of you OP

Original poster

anmummy · 10/08/2023 20:02

Thanks everyone! I had the pessary inserted 4 hours ago, I’m having strong regular contractions, I can’t walk without crying it feels like this baby is going to come out of my bum. It’s so painful but still not enough to make me take pain relief. I can’t imagine this pain getting any worse. It’s PAINFUL. I didn’t think the pessary would work so quick! When they first checked me my cervix was completely closed, 0cm dilated. I am petrified incase they check me and I’ve made no improvement, after all this pain I’ll scream.

OP posts:

Mojodojocasahaus · 10/08/2023 20:19

For the love of god woman have some pain relief

User6424678852 · 10/08/2023 21:38

There’s no medal for refusing pain relief. Start with paracetamol and a hot water bottle and work your way up from there as needed. Don’t suffer for no reason. You’re going to need your energy when baby is here.

Inkypot · 10/08/2023 23:32

Agree, there is no medal or bigger achievement in not having pain relief. It's just being in competition with yourself for no reason. Take the pain relief, it's exactly what it's there for.
Good luck with the birth, you'll have your little one in your arms so soon!

kikisparks · 11/08/2023 07:22

anmummy · 10/08/2023 20:02

Thanks everyone! I had the pessary inserted 4 hours ago, I’m having strong regular contractions, I can’t walk without crying it feels like this baby is going to come out of my bum. It’s so painful but still not enough to make me take pain relief. I can’t imagine this pain getting any worse. It’s PAINFUL. I didn’t think the pessary would work so quick! When they first checked me my cervix was completely closed, 0cm dilated. I am petrified incase they check me and I’ve made no improvement, after all this pain I’ll scream.

Sounds very similar to the start of my induction, hope you’re getting on ok.

Goldencup · 11/08/2023 15:14

User6424678852 · 10/08/2023 21:38

There’s no medal for refusing pain relief. Start with paracetamol and a hot water bottle and work your way up from there as needed. Don’t suffer for no reason. You’re going to need your energy when baby is here.

Well there is a medal of sorts, which is being able to get up off the bed and go home in a few hours if no complications, also not needing continuous monitoring so being able to move about as you feel.

Nothing wrong with epidurals obviously but to suggest there is no downside so " you might as well" is disingenuous.

OsirisservesAnubis · 11/08/2023 15:18

Goldencup · 11/08/2023 15:14

Well there is a medal of sorts, which is being able to get up off the bed and go home in a few hours if no complications, also not needing continuous monitoring so being able to move about as you feel.

Nothing wrong with epidurals obviously but to suggest there is no downside so " you might as well" is disingenuous.

Show quote history

I don't know. I think to suggest that you'll be up and moving about ok after a vaginal birth is disingenuous.

My vaginal birth (which went "well") resulted in a 2 night stay in hospital and not being able to stand up without pissing myself for several weeks.

My c section resulted in me up and showering and walking about the same day!

Goldencup · 11/08/2023 15:28

Well we are all different. I took myself to the shower and changed the bed sheets shortly after both my births. With DS we stayed in because he had jaundice but I was walking about the hospital the next day (he was born in the middle of the night). With Dd I walked out the hospital with her when she was 3 hours old and took her to the GP for her first day check I the pram the following morning.

I am not saying it is like that for everyone but I know quite a few people with similar experiences.

User6424678852 · 11/08/2023 19:29

@Goldencup I stand corrected. You get the medal. You are better than us mortals 🙄

I think if you re-read you’ll find I was suggesting paracetamol and a hot water bottle. However there is absolutely nothing wrong with electing for an epidural.

User6424678852 · 11/08/2023 19:30

@anmummy how did you get on?

Goldencup · 11/08/2023 19:32

User6424678852 · 11/08/2023 19:29

@Goldencup I stand corrected. You get the medal. You are better than us mortals 🙄

I think if you re-read you’ll find I was suggesting paracetamol and a hot water bottle. However there is absolutely nothing wrong with electing for an epidural.

I don't think many people think a hot water bottle and paracetamol are " pain relief " in any meaningful sense. Ditto warm baths and gas and air. Unless you are a free birth nutcase purist.

Parker231 · 11/08/2023 20:05

Goldencup · 11/08/2023 15:14

Well there is a medal of sorts, which is being able to get up off the bed and go home in a few hours if no complications, also not needing continuous monitoring so being able to move about as you feel.

Nothing wrong with epidurals obviously but to suggest there is no downside so " you might as well" is disingenuous.

Show quote history

I’m my eyes there are no negatives with an epidural. I’d planned on one and it was in my notes that I wanted one as soon as possible. Luckily I got it. I had a good sleep and watched the Wimbledon final. No pain or stress - couldn’t see the point of pain and discomfort when it can be avoided. Still had a natural birth

Goldencup · 11/08/2023 20:07

Parker231 · 11/08/2023 20:05

I’m my eyes there are no negatives with an epidural. I’d planned on one and it was in my notes that I wanted one as soon as possible. Luckily I got it. I had a good sleep and watched the Wimbledon final. No pain or stress - couldn’t see the point of pain and discomfort when it can be avoided. Still had a natural birth

Show quote history

But you were stuck on your back presumably? I didn't want that, I also really, really didn't want a catheter and wanted to try the pool.

It's just personal choice.

Original poster

anmummy · 11/08/2023 20:08

I’ve stated before, I’m not avoiding pain relief because I want to act a hero or receive a Medal but because I have bad health anxiety.

update: I was checked 4 hours ago and I was 2cm dilated. They can now break my waters but we’re just waiting for a space for me in the labour ward. They’ve kept the pessary in whilst I wait to see if I progress anymore. Contractions have slowed down I really hope this doesn’t mean I’ve stopped dilating completely:( the contractions are painful but bearable. What’s extremely painful almost unbearable is when they check to see how dilated you are. I’m dreading my next check. I was screaming…

hopefully not long, it’s been 27 hours now! 💙

OP posts:

chicjen · 11/08/2023 20:18

Won't be too much longer now OP. I can't compare as had c sections following failed induction so I never had contractions, but I remember other women on the ward who had inductions and no problems at all.
You are so close to the finish line and then all this will be a distant memory and you'll be on to the adventure of parenting 💙
Good luck!

HavenMchaven · 11/08/2023 20:23

aaah good luck OP. Hope it proceeds smoothly and you have the birth you wish for.

itsmeafterall · 11/08/2023 20:27

How very exciting !

If it helps my midwife said that you can picture a set of green rolling hills stretching out before you.

With each contention you are climbing a hill and getting nearer to meeting your baby.

Each contraction taking you nearer the goal.

It's a journey. 😊

Breathe.