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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

How much pain were you in at 1cm dilated?

156 replies

whatsthetimemrwolf · 24/11/2009 23:12

I am currently pregnant with DC3 and am trying to decide whether to go for a VBAC or ELCS.

DC1 was delivered by EMCS as undiagnosed breach. I only ever reached 1cm dilated before they got me in for a EMCS but was in tears with the pain. I always believed that I wasn't dilating properly as DC1 was breach, hence my pain. However, I have had a consultation with an expert VBAC midwife this week who told me that I was in no extra pain because DD was breach, I was just being a first time mother. I would love to go for a VBAC but am scared about the pain and wonder if I just have a really low pain threshold! I would be very interested to hear how ther people felt at 1cm dilated. Thanks.

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Original poster

whatsthetimemrwolf · 25/11/2009 07:30

Thanks for your posts.

Interesting to hear that some of you were also in a lot of pain . This makes me feel that maybe I wasn't just being a wimp, there may have been a reason for the pain (even though midwife who read my file was quite clear there was nothing to suggest this !).

Its great to hear that most of you weren't in a lot of pain at 1cm as this gives me hope that it may not be the same this time if I go for a VBAC.

I totally agree with comments about pain relief, I have no desire to be a hero! I just couldn't/can't imagine how much worse the pain could get in the first stage.

Thanks again!

OP posts:

arolf · 25/11/2009 08:01

I was in tears at 1cm too - it took another 24 hrs to get to 2cm, then another 24 to hit 3cm, at which point a consultant saw me having a contraction and FINALLY allowed me an epidural. I kept being told it wasn't that bad, and this is just what labour is like (by midwives who didn't have children ). I was also told I must have a low pain threshold etc etc. I ended up with a forceps delivery because DS was at slightly the wrong angle, so would never have emerged without assistance.
For me, it felt (pretty much from the start) like my pelvic region was in a vice and being twisted as it was clamped. was bloody agony in every position.

nowwhatdoido · 25/11/2009 08:11

I was in a lot of pain at 1cm with my first. Baby was posterier and I had two or three days of "pre-labour" which only progressed me to about 2cm and actually really hurt quite a bloody lot, even though the midwives wouldn't acknowledge that I was in proper labour, contracting regularly, and in pain.

Thankfully babies 2 and 3 weren't posterior and the labours progressed quickly and normally.

TheChewyToffeeMum · 25/11/2009 08:31

v similar experience to arolf.

I had VBAC last year after elective section for breech. Had been labouring for 36hrs before it got really painful - this corresponded with dilating from 1cm (not too bad) to "only 3cm" - passing out with pain. Labour was back to back and the pain was in my back. Lovely midwife told me I wasn't dilated enough for strong pain relief! Thankfully the obstetrician saw me having a contraction and agreed maybe an epidural might be a good idea.
I think if you are in pain then you are in pain - you don't get a medal for for having a high pain threshold. Who else can possibly know what you are feeling?

There is no way of knowing how your labour will progress - I think if you want to try VBAC give it a go - there will be little resistance to section if you feel you need it. I was actually offered this by the obstetrician as an alternative to epidural.

Sorry for the long post!

Meglet · 25/11/2009 08:51

whatsthetime have you ever had any treatment on your cervix, anything like cell removal after abnormal smears? I had it done several years ago and my cervix got stuck at 1cm despite a strong, painful 12 hour labour with regular contractions so was whipped in for an em cs. Its called cervical stenosis IIRC. Second birth was a planned cs.

StealthPolarBear · 25/11/2009 08:58

not sure but I know at 2cm dilated I went into hospital convinced I was ready to start pushing (that's what happened with #1 - I was 9cm dilated).
Looking back, contractions were coming regularly and were painful so I thought I was right to go in, but I could manage the pain by walking and breathing - I could read a book or MN in between. They gave me a sweep and all of a sudden I was struggling to cope with the pain - by that stage I was more than 2cm. Although my last post on MN was an hour and a half before DD entered the world!!

mejon · 25/11/2009 10:03

My waters broke 30 hours before my contractions started and when they did, they were very painful and close together from the off. When I arrived at the hospital approximately 4 hours after the cx started, I was only 1.5cms but it bloody well hurt! DD arrived 5 hours later.

MrsMattie · 25/11/2009 10:07

I didn't even know I was in labour at 1cm dilated. I think it varies hugely.

Mybox · 25/11/2009 10:13

Perhaps the position caused you to be in pain? My dd1 was op and this was backpain without stopping so had an epidural. The epidural was great at could relax & dd was born no problems. Good luck.

Disenchanted3 · 25/11/2009 10:14

Nothing.

I went to the midwives and I was 2-3cms with just getting the normal braxton hicks I had been getting for months.

She did a sweep and I had the baby the next morning

Northumberlandlass · 25/11/2009 12:39

Just period type cramps until 4-5 cms. Fooking agony after that
x

MrsJohnDeere · 25/11/2009 12:45

Nothing at all, not even twinges until 8cm.

Then went from 8cm to baby being born within one very painful hour.

MissAnthrope · 25/11/2009 12:50

My waters broke before contractions started, and ten hours later I was in pain but only 1cm dilated.

Not sure if it's relevant or not, but the midwives agreed that although my contractions were strong they didn't seem to be doing a lot iyswim? I ended up on a drip 30hrs later to get things going.

slim22 · 25/11/2009 12:56

Did not pay attention. Honestly up until 4-5 cm, could very well have been braxton hicks.

Was crippled by SPD pain though so was maybe not paying attention to that.

But I have a high pain threshold, admittedly.

slim22 · 25/11/2009 12:57

of course agony after that because reached full 10cm within 1 hour

slim22 · 25/11/2009 12:58

2 hours

TBMOM · 25/11/2009 13:03

Up to 2cms was painful for me, felt like very strog BH for 2 days every 7-9 mins but DS wasn't engaged very well, needed to be put on a drip to speed it up, went for an epi and Ds turned Op so things just weren't happening. Ended in an EMCS. It was agony even through the 2 epi's and 2 spinals as it was all down one side and in my back but in answer to your question from 0-2cms was very painful for me.

PavlovtheForgetfulCat · 27/11/2009 14:16

oh oh oh oh i have something which might help...

This is my second baby...I am currently 4cm dilated. I had a sweep yesterday and was told so, and so far, no contractions or pain.

So as it is your second, there is a very very good chance that it will be much different this time and you might not even know until you get much further on.

Thought this might be something you would like to hear!

wb · 27/11/2009 14:25

None whatsoever. I get uncomfortable by 5-6 cm, need gas and air by 8 or so. Having said that is very variable. A friend of mine was begging for pain relief at 3cm with her first (and she's not the type to make a fuss over nothing at all).

wb · 27/11/2009 14:28

Also, I agree with Pavlov - second time round was very different (much quicker and better) and I was 3 cm dilated before labor actually started.

Chunkamatic · 27/11/2009 14:32

I was in quite a lot of pain at 1cm - so I dont think there's a one size fits all plan like everything elsev with childbirth!

I had been in quite alot of pain for so long that I thought I must be at least 5cm so went in to hospital exhausted and weepy and was told I was 2cm. I had a shot of pethidine at that stage!!! I hadn't wanted any drugs but in reality it allowed me to calm down for a while, although I do think in the long run it slowed things down.

I too am hoping that it wont hurt as much this time!!

IMoveTheStarsForNoOne · 27/11/2009 14:38

none.

MiniMarmite · 27/11/2009 14:47

I was very uncomfortable at 1cm but not in pain all of the time IYSWIM. My waters had gone 36 hours previously and labour was not progressing really (ultimately induced).

I think it is quite difficult to extrapolate what your experience might be in a way because there are so many factors that could contribute but in general pain at 1 cm should be relatively low.

If you're keen for a VBAC then perhaps try. There's always pain relief if you need it.

jujubean · 27/11/2009 14:48

None really until 4-5cm with 1st and none until about 8-9cm with 2nd. MW friend told me with 2nd pg you are often 2-3cm dilated for last few weeks anyway.
Positive thoughts, not all births are the same. Something I didn't truly believe until had 2nd DD 3 weeks ago, it was world's away from 1st DD's birth.

Pingpong · 27/11/2009 14:54

I don't think it's helpful when people say 'in general pain at 1cm should be relatively low'. This thread clearly shows that each woman has a different experience.
I was in a lot of pain at 1cm and was told it was too early for pain relief. I was offered paracetemol and vomited immediately.
My waters broke and the contractions were strong and frequent immediately, I was very disappointed to learn that I was only 1cm.
I'm going for VBAC this time and hope it goes better than last time.
good luck WTTMrWolf

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