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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

So if you're one of those people who can honestly say "labour didn't hurt that badly"...

132 replies

Jacksmama · 18/05/2009 19:30

... REALLY???

Honest?

How is that possible?

I am not taking the piss, I really honestly want to know. I've heard from one RL friend that it felt like "strong period pains" all the way through but that was as bad as it got. And I've read a few more posters on here who say the same thing.

I am utterly jealous gobsmacked. Granted, Jackbaby was stuck crookedly between my pelvic bones, and I had back labour, but nothing, nothing, could have prepared me for how agonizingly, horribly, unbearably painful labour was.

So if you're one of those people, come talk to me because I'm really curious.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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mrsmaidamess · 18/05/2009 19:32

Well my second labour was satisfying rather than painful. It was so quick, and he slipped out so deliciously it was all over before it began.

oxocube · 18/05/2009 19:35

2 and 3 weren't too bad. Number 1 was shocking, not because I had a bad labour but simply because nothing had prepared me for 'that sort of pain'. With 2 and 3, I knew what to expect and it helped. I wouldn't say it didn't hurt because it did, but not really badly and with dc3, I was up and cooking breakfast within 4 hours of delivery (again, no bravado here, but just trying to explain the level of pain and speed of recovery) Just luck and straight forward births I guess.

whomovedmychocolate · 18/05/2009 19:36

DS being born hurt twice:

(1) Once when they put the cannula in for the drugs
(2) Once when I stubbed my toe getting up onto the bed.

Mind you I had two caesarians

Original poster

Jacksmama · 18/05/2009 19:37

Wow mrsmaida - I wish I could say that. It sounds wonderful.

OP posts:

nickytwotimes · 18/05/2009 19:37

I had a straightforward labour and birth and it hurt like hell.
I was appalled.

I still remeber afterwards thinking that it was barbaric that some women have to go through it without the option of pain relief.

CoteDAzur · 18/05/2009 19:38

maidamess - How big was this second baby?

notcitrus · 18/05/2009 19:38

Well I've only had one baby... but it was like strong period pains only not constant so fine for about 6 hours, then after waters broke with possible bleeding went to hospital, bit rough.

Then I got G&A and a pool, and quite enjoyed the next 8 hours (except for when I forgot to huff gas...). Unfortunately my SPD-pelvis fell apart further and that was agony and I couldn't sit, stand, or lie down, and kneeling got tiring.

So I had an epidural after a 45-min consultation with the anaethestist who said "I think you'll like this!"

Didn't feel a thing then until a bit of an ache in the fanjo a day after birth. Took me a while to realise why! The bruise in my thigh from a speedy injection was more painful...

I think being used to pain (passing out from periods, costochondritis, months of SPD) helped.

popsycal · 18/05/2009 19:39

ine were generally fine
but also short

lou031205 · 18/05/2009 19:41

I agree, painful but short, so 'not that bad'. Still felt like I'd been hit by a bus afterwards, though.

Claire2009 · 18/05/2009 19:42

Was in established labour from 10am-3pm the day Dd was born, it felt like strong period pains but they obviously got more regular and difficult to manage. I took the epi at 3pm and instantly the pain was gone, but I ended up having an emerg cs in the end.

MrsMattie · 18/05/2009 19:45

My best mate says her first labour was like bad period pains. Second labour was like having a bad tummy upset.

Unfortunately, her third labour was painful. She was white with shock afterwards and said 'So that's what people meant when they said it hurt. they weren't bloody lying were they?'.

FairLadyRantALot · 18/05/2009 19:46

OP... my first labour was painful but o.k., my 2. labour was fabulous, very very slow, but really not very painful at all....however, my 3. labour....well...lets not talk about it...lets just say, hell would have felt like I nice and cosy place... I think it hugely depends on many factors, your personal mindset , the Babies position, the speed of labour, what else is going on in yoru life etc.....etc....etc....

Original poster

Jacksmama · 18/05/2009 19:47

LOL MrsMattie - no they sure weren't!!!

My labour was hell.

Whenever someone says to me that hers wasn't so bad I want to ask if that was before or after the epidural ... failing that, what recreational drugs she was on...

But for those of you whom it really didn't hurt that much... I salute you, WonderWomen!

OP posts:

FlyMeToDunoon · 18/05/2009 19:47

After two induced labours with epidurals I had no idea what to expect really and so I laboured on thinking it would get much worse but it didn't. Pains were intense and I began to throw up which was awfull but never got to that screaming stage I imagined which no doubt accounted for the fact that I left getting to the hospital far too late.......

Baby was only 6 pounds which might account for something.

Verity79 · 18/05/2009 19:51

I can honestly say I've had far worse periods. My periods (as a teenager) where usually 9 days+, I could bleed through a super tampon and super towel in 45 mins in the morning, once got through 16 night time towels between getting up and going to bed, I bled solidly for 35 days during A-levels, used to take 18 paracetmol a day to cope with the pain....etc

My 25 hour labour and 4 mins pushing were a picnic!

However my 4 day induction with epidural I won't wish on anyone!

Portofino · 18/05/2009 19:51

Well I did 20 hours of contractions on gas and air after induction. It was hard work, and very tiring, but it wasn't SOOO bad that it would worry me doing it again. I have had worse toothache! But I ended up with em CS at the end so never did the "ring of fire" bit so not really qualified to comment....

treedelivery · 18/05/2009 19:52

1st was looooong and mal positioned and stuck and I thought I was being murdered. I cuoldn't understand why everyone was just sat around watching. I lasted, adn I mean lasted, 4am till 8pm on gas and air, then epi and about 50 bags of synt till 2 am when I finally shifted her.

dd2 was pain, but more sensation. An overwhelming all powerfull sensation. I was texting till half hour before delivery.

As my birth story tells, doing the mega poo prior to crowning was the worst bit. Yuk and Ouch!

mrsmaidamess · 18/05/2009 19:55

My second was 7lbs 10. Like a little hairy monkey.

GypsyMoth · 18/05/2009 19:57

Have had 5 DC. All got progressively easier and with bigger and bigger babies. Strong period pains. Last one was a home birth, ten pounds three with the other DC all watching. Managed all with gas and air/tens. No stitches. All well and good, but what has amazed me is that I have got not one single stretch mark.......none! No idea why, makes me feel a bit of a fraud.....got no badge for this club!

jellybeans · 18/05/2009 19:58

Mine were horrendously painful. I think some people forget the pain though afterwards, not me!!

littlelamb · 18/05/2009 20:01

Yes
With dd I would have happily clawed my own eyeballs out to make it stop. Was a horrendous induced labour.
With ds, it was 3,5 hours of manageable discomfort that I felt in control of, which I think is the difference- pain is a whole lot more managable if you feel in control of it. Just before transition I started to panic and that's when the pain kicked in. As soon as I got that in check it was lovely

MrsMattie · 18/05/2009 20:03

Jesus woman, you are my poster girl for birth!@ILoveTiffany. 5 kids, no painful labours, no stretchmarks and you did a 10 lb-er at home? You are my official MN heroine

(My birth stories are all 'induction-caesarean-stretchmark HELL type experiences )

Monkeyandbooba · 18/05/2009 20:05

Yes I was one of those people, the contractions felt intense but not painful perse. I felt in control and relaxed throughout both labours, don't know whether it was luck or something I did but enjoyable nonetheless.

Monkeyandbooba · 18/05/2009 20:06

I had two homebirths with G&A and pools, DD was 8lbs and DS nearly 10lbs.

slushy06 · 18/05/2009 20:08

I would say it was like strong period pains but I have had prescription drugs for period pain since 13. Doctor said my family have really bad periods I had a doctors note to have time of school for it and I used to faint with my periods and was unable to walk at first. My dad would have to carry me to the toilet v embarrasing for a 13 y old but then I gradually got used to the pain and now it dosn't even slow me down. So when I went into labor it was just like a bad day with my period pains, my ds was posterior and my waters broke I had cc off the scale every 5 mins straight away, 24 hour labour so not technically easy labor but I was able to talk all the way through and the mw didn't believe me when I said I was pushing as I calmy told her mid cc. It was honestly just like period pains after a stressful month. I have been offered a hysterectomy after I have finished having my children. But I guess I had got used to bad period pains and thats why labor didn't hurt me.

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