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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Pain Comparison

26 replies

daisystone · 11/08/2010 17:31

Is the pain of a contraction anything like round ligament pain?

If not - what would you liken it to? I really need a comparison to get my head round it. The more descriptive the better.

Ta v much.

OP posts:
suzikettles · 11/08/2010 17:36

It's like a very, very, very bad period pain. I also found it like being very constipated (basically needing to do a really big poo!) and the sort of crampy stomach you get when you have bad diahorrea.

SerialMom · 11/08/2010 18:03

Have you ever had cramp in your leg? Like that

Original poster
daisystone · 11/08/2010 19:02

God I actually think I can cope with period pains better than cramp. I used to get severe period pains where they kept you up all night in agony so know that feeling but cramp has me writhing around not knowing what to do with myself.

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Violet5 · 11/08/2010 19:03

I have round ligament pain badly (have moaned about it on another thread)and have had 5 children and i would very much liken the pain in my case. Although labour and pain are very personal ofcourse, one persons experience can be so different to anothers.
For me though yes, labour pains and contractions feel VERY like round ligament pain in my case, and also a bit like cramp in my leg but in my stomach as Serialmom described.
18 weeks time and i'm due to be in labour again...ouch !

emsyj · 11/08/2010 19:23

Hmmm, I think it varies so much from person to person that it is not massively useful to hear of other people's experiences. But before I had DD (11 weeks ago) I used to pore over threads like this re: what contractions feel like!!!

For me, it was not really a sensation of pain as such, more an intense discomfort. I couldn't lie down or sit, I had to keep walking and spent my whole labour pacing. I felt an overwhelming need to focus solely on the sensations and couldn't manage to have a conversation or do anything other than pace and stay within myself. It's very hard to describe really, but it wasn't agonising pain, more an intense and strange feeling.

I didn't personally find the sensation to be similar to period pain or round ligament pain at all.

LittleSilver · 11/08/2010 19:39

To me, not round ligament or period pain. More like having a massive great vice tightening round you from the inside.

Like previous poster said, its very individual.

TonariNoTotoro · 11/08/2010 19:43

My early contrations were like period pain, but instead of an area the size of your fist contracting (normal sized uterus) it's the same pain, but over the area of a beach ball.

The worst ones, right at the end were indeed like leg cramps over my whole bump.

CheeseandGherkins · 11/08/2010 20:03

I don't find that cramps hurt much at all but contractions were excruciating. Period pains were never that bad for me, early contractions were like them, got more and more intense and painful all over bump and lower back. I'm 21 weeks tomorrow with my 4th. Oh and round ligament pain doesn't even touch it, I think I get that quite bad too. I also have spd and last baby was op.

peppapighastakenovermylife · 12/08/2010 07:50

Again, like a very strong period pain or cramp you get with a stomach bug. But accompanied by squeezing / pulling.

What I found was that for most of the labour each individual pain was not that bad - it was more the repetition of it. So trying to deal with each pain one at a time is a good idea Smile

pinkdelight · 12/08/2010 09:37

Agree that they start off like period pains, progress to cramp-like pains and then I distinctly remember in the later stages actually getting cramp in my leg and laughign hysterically, thinking the cramp was a breeze compared to what was going on down below. But somehow your brain copes with it - maybe with a little help from the anaesthetist!

Flossbert · 12/08/2010 10:05

How very strange! I was only thinking this morning how helpful it would have been for someone to explain to me that the pain is like no other pain you've ever experienced.

Like emsyj says, pain is necessarily subjective, and i've never had round ligament pain so can't comment on that. But you know how stomach cramps are a different pain to, say, when you twist your ankle, which is different to a paper cut? Labour pain (in my opinion) is something different again, and I'd agree that if anything, it's more like an intense sensation. It didn't make me want to cry or swear, but withdraw and grunt.

The moment of birth though? That was proper "Ouch. Fuck me that hurt" (Verbatim!)

HumphreyCobbler · 12/08/2010 10:50

for me it was like stubbing my toe, but round my abdomen.

Original poster
daisystone · 12/08/2010 12:18

bugger - I'm scared

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Jacksmybaby · 12/08/2010 12:27

The good news is that the post-traumatic memory loss people talk about is, IME, real and not just something people tell you as a false comfort. I genuinely could not tell you what labour pains feel like!

emsyj · 12/08/2010 12:27

Gosh, the thought of having contractions that felt like leg cramps is horrific! Mine were nothing like that (see earlier post!)

If you're scared, I suggest you get a Hypnobirthing book & CD. Think they sell them on Amazon. I did the course so got the book and CD included with the course fee.

At no time during my labour did I think that I was experiencing the worst pain ever - it just wasn't like that for me. I wanted to pace and found it helpful to moo Blush but I honestly wouldn't describe contractions as painful. I have no idea whether this is down to the Hypnobirthing techniques as I have only had one baby, but it's worth the price of the book if you're really frightened. Fear is likely to make any pain worse I think.

My labour was very fast - waters broke 6.30pm, contractions started at 9.30pm and I was fully dilated at 2am. Once they started, they sort of came in waves but with NO GAPS Shock which was a bit of a surprise. I spent a long time before DD arrived going through my closest friend's labour with her and she kept emphasising that no matter how bad the contractions were, you got a break between them. HA!

The crowning bit may well be agony, can't help you there as I ended up being wheeled to theatre, fully dilated and nude from the waist down, for an emergency section under general anaesthetic. I think opinion is divided on whether contractions or the actual birth are worse!

Dotty38 · 12/08/2010 12:52

For me at the beginning it was like severe period pain which hot baths and a tens worked a treat for but as it went on it was like waves of extreme cramp around my lower back and top of my legs. I tried to imagine my body opening like a door which seemed to help me (sounds strange I know!!)

Violet5 · 12/08/2010 14:43

Daisystone, just read your scared comment Sad

It probably is really scary imaging the pain you might be in, i'm having my 6th and i'm still scared about the labour bit...wuss i know lol.

What i would say though that having a baby and seeing my baby for the first time is the best feeling in the world for me, and as soon as the babys born i've always felt fine as the pain completely stops. I do get after pains but i'm to distracted to notice those much or notice whats happening with the placenta.

You might be one of the lucky people who find contractions don't hurt (wish i was !), that said i've never found the actual birth bit painful at all, just a relief after the contractions so we're all made very differently i guess.

Labour is definately worth it though and fingers crossed yours will go well when the time comes Smile

Original poster
daisystone · 12/08/2010 15:24

Thanks Violet5.
I have heard reports that some people say the birth is much easier and less painful than the contractions and vice versa so will have to wait and see which category I fall into. Hopefully they won't both be so bad I faint!

People must pass out with the pain don't you think? I just wonder how people with a low pain threshold cope - I know there is G&A but even so. I am reading and Ina May Gaskin book at the moment and am trying to think positively but I do get moments of panic when I wonder what my labour will be like. I just pray it doesn't last for an excessively long time and that nothing goes wrong.

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petisa · 12/08/2010 16:26

As others have said it's very individual, but for me the pain was like period pain or diahorrea cramps that increased in intensity as the labour progressed, around my lower back especially. It never felt like stubbing my toe or a leg cramp for me, it was more of a gut ache type pain for me that took over my body than that "urgent" type of pain. And I didn't have any pain relief at any time.

Then I felt pressure like a need to do a baby-sized poo (wonder why that was? Grin ) And crowning stung but was only momentary and wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I was mooing and retching and all spaced out from about 9cm onwards, and swearing a bit probably, and at one point I thought my head was going to start spinning around or something, it was like I was on drugs Grin Blush but I wouldn't say it was from the "agony" or anything. It was more intense than painful, and also hard bloody work, knackering, like running a marathon, I was sooo over pushing and wanted dd to JUST COME OUT.

Good luck, hope yours goes well!

HumphreyCobbler · 12/08/2010 16:29

Oh, listen, I really think you should stop worrying. there is pain relief out there, if you need it, have it.

Childbirth is different for everyone, I have to say that contractions were not the most painful thing I have gone through (that was a kidney stone). It all depends on so many things.

gas and air is great too

I think lots of people who have a low pain threshold manage really well in labour

petisa · 12/08/2010 16:35

Agree with Humphrey, the best thing you can do is be as relaxed and positive as possible about the labour, and take things as they come. One contraction at a time, and the pain relief is there if you need it. No matter what happens, the people looking after you will take good care of you and your baby. Good luck!

Original poster
daisystone · 12/08/2010 17:50

Thanks ladies.

I don't actually have a low pain threshold having coped pretty well in a few painful situations previously (and on my own).

I was hoping that if I have coped with them before then childbirth would be a similar level of pain and all would be OK!

But as you have all written, it is a different kind of pain to anything else and can't really be compared.

I just want to be as prepared as possible as it is the fact that it is such an unknown quantity that is frustrating me. I keep trying to imagine it but can't.

OP posts:
Violet5 · 12/08/2010 18:03

It definately is different for all of us, the one thing i keep in mind when labour starts is that at least it means i'll be meeting my baby later that day or night.
Every contraction gone is a step closer Smile

The unknown is always a bit scary and can be frustrating but at least you'll be getting a baby at the end of it Smile

My pain threshold is shockingly low btw, i can't stand so much as a blood test Blush, oh and i'm allergic to gas and air and have had 5 babies with no pain relief. Although i did beg for it ! i certainly wasn't trying to prove any point,definately not. But the midwives are there to help you through it and see you have what you need should you need it.
I just keep an open mind when i go into labour and try to think positively.

Knowing all your options in advance as to what pain relief you might want might help you feel you have a little more control over your labour when it happens (espec if the pain aspect is a concern). I asked my midwife lots of questions about what i could have if i needed it with my first, put my mind at rest a bit.

All the best x

thesecondcoming · 12/08/2010 18:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PinkElephant73 · 13/08/2010 10:40

I have no memory of any pain actually giving birth - just a huge relief and euphoria at the end of 12 hours of contractions!

he worst bit for me was towards the end of the first stage when contractions were coming without any break between them - one would end and then the next start straight away. Once I started pushing, there was something else to focus on than the pain and that made it much more bearable.