Which is the most painful... Probably a daft question!!!

[barbareebaa]

Hello!
Not long to go before I hit my due date (11th) and have been thinking a lot about what's going to happen when I give birth(as you do!)

Anyway I was just wondering whether it is the contractions that hurt the most or the actual physical sensation of pushing the baby out?

Or maybe I should just wait and see...

Thanks in advance,
Bx

I found the midwife checking how dialated I was was the most painful thing. Pushing was scary at first, but once I got over the fear it was fine. Crowning was sore, but very brief and the feeling of the body slipping out was amazing the best feeling in the world and then you aren't pg anymore which is fab Good luck, it is painful but its a different type of pain, I got such a buzz when it was over, I'd do it again tomorrow. Oh and I recommend pethadine

contractions were painful but bearable but crowning when I thought my bum would split open stays in my mind! Too shocked about it really.
Actually, stitching was the most painful!

The pushing for me was far worse than the contractions the pain was hideous, I found the contractions pretty bearable.

yes, when you think you are being split it two - ouch!

I have to say, both times I was SO relieved didn't need stitches as the thought of anyone doing anything to me afterwards was unbearable

I love the feeling when the placenta comes out!

contractions near the bit where I wasnt fully dilated so wasnt allowed to push, the pushing stage was a relief!!

Contractions werent that bad just really bad period pains.

The worst bit is when the babies head crowns - It stang like mad. But then the relief is amazing - I would do it again just for that feeling of oh my god its over and my baby is here! Good luck x

Ps Gas and air was amazing. Enjoy that part

Contractions were probably the worst, esp with DD1. Crowning didn't hurt at all with her, but I did notice the stinging with DD2. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be though. With both DDs I knew which position I wanted to be in (squatting both times) and found it helped.

Stitches were sooooooo bad with DD1 that I wouldn't let them stitch me with DD2. They had to get a dr to check that was ok, but I wasn't letting them near me. All fine down below now though .

DD2 was nearly 1kg or 2 lbs heavier than DD1 and believe me that made a difference to the pushing stage

The pushing didn't actually hurt for me. I didn't feel DS2 come out atall, with DD I had the "ring of fire" but it wasnt' really that bad, so I have to say contractions.

Pushing was a doddle -just uncomfortable. But It only took me 25 minutes or so.

The contractions towards the end were the worst bit. The pushing wasn't anywhere near as bad as that, even if I did feel like my bits were on fire as the head was crowning!!

The contractions in the first stage were the most painful - when I was pushing I was actually doing something, as opposed to just riding through them and trying to relax to allow the contractions to do their work. That made it easier. I did have the "ring of fire" as my vagina stretched, but it wasn't as bad as I had expected.

To be honest though, for me the pain wasn't as bad as the physical exhaustion. If you ask 10 women I suspect you'll get 10 completely different answers. So I suspect that wait and see is the way to go. Good luck!

contractions were painful, to me it was like having perod pains but times it by a million. I found controlling my breathing thru each contraction really helped. To me pushing the head out was the most excruciating pain but didnt last long and was well worth it. The most wonderful experience.

The good thing about having an epiosiotomy is that you don't feel the baby's head come out. So for me the contractions won hands down in the pain stakes.

And the pushing contractions don't hurt as much as the ones before, even with a back to back labour.

contractions were worst but I was pleasantly surprised that they still had gaps in between even at the end. Though they did start to go off and I had to go on drip.
TBH at the end I was pretty out of it anywayz.

pushing infinitely more painful for me.

Contractions very painful.
Crowning felt just like having a chinese burn on your fanjo.

Contractions were manageable and because they build up so does your natural pain relief if you don't have painkillers. The contraction I had during the transition phase was hellish though and I can remember saying 'why isn't it stopping?!'. Pushing made contractions more comfortable for me. I found DD's shoulders coming out was more painful than her head but it was over super-quick and then I had my baby girl right there. I couldn't even feel that I had torn

I didn't mind the pushing out bit.
The contractions were worse.

With my dd contractions were worse than pushing her out (but had no pain relief so manageable) tbh it didn't hurt her crowning or coming out. With my ds (a big baby) completely different story, contractions hurt like hell (but managed on gas and air) and crowning stung and hurt like hell as did delivering his shoulders, but managed on gas and air. My advice is give birth either on all fours or leaning against something. Gravity is a wonderful thing when giving birth!

Goodluck hope you have an easy labour/delivery.

First baby - contractions (the transition bit) were the worst.

Second baby - getting her out was the worst. But she was crowning for quite a bit.

Hmm. Difficult, it all kind of hurts

I think the contractions hurt right near transition, didn;t know how long it would be iyswim - the not having that 'hope' was the killer, because I was very scared and tense and thought i was going to break. Fear makes it all worse.

Once I was pushing I knew it was nearly over, that helped.

I found the whole thing pretty bearable - pushing probably more positive/satisfying than the contractions. Gas and air was fine for me - in fact the only time I regretted not having more pain relief was for the stitches.

Contractions are scary first time as you don't know what to expect - all advice above is v good - my tip is stay as upright and mobile as poss - with DD2 (DD1 was C-section) I wrongly took advice of midwife to rest - v slow labour and contractions then came and went for 2 days. With DD3, was admitted (my choice) after waters broke but didn't use bed except to put my bags on - paced up and down the ward from 10 am until 6pm, then after getting to about 5cm contractions vv painful - I kept focussing on the baby to come, each one gets you closer. (DD3 born 9.30pm, to put in context how much manageable contractions and how much biggie contracions). I used TENS and the first time, I'd convinced myself it would be awful, but in the end only got to halfway through the 2nd of the 3 settings - i really thought it could get even worse so was saving the powerful stuff!

Don't tense up when pushing - I was so scared of having a poo, but the sensation of the head pushing out does feel like a poo in that it pushes against the walls of your bowels! (I was kneeling on the bed and I did turn round to check and no, I didn't poo!)

Crowning stings like f**k but over soon - and the feeling when the body slithers out is AMAZING!

But after 3 I'm not going to be doing it again...

Being married!

I had a very strong urge to push from 2cm and controlling that was the most painful and frightening bit. Once I was allowed to push it was such a relief.