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

Original poster

How painful is childbirth on a scale of 1-10?

457 replies

Blackitty · 28/12/2020 01:33

1 being a breeze
and ...
10 being the absolute worst pain imaginable?

I am due in March. First baby and would like to know what I’m in for...

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fee1234 · 28/12/2020 13:02

10 and 10. Sorest thing I've been through.

With number 2 my epidural wore off. But then I had a spinal in theatre which was the most amaaazing relief

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 28/12/2020 13:04

First labour -1- like period pain then 30 minutes of stinging when pushing

Second-3- not too bad

Third -100- It was like being hacked with a chainsaw

Fourth -1- I felt brilliant and pushing only lasted 5 minutes of a slight stinging

Fifth - 7- hurt but was quick

All my births were natural with just some gas and air. I am not a marta. It is just medication tends to make me feel sick for days. So I avoid taking anything if I can.

twoofusburningmatches · 28/12/2020 13:06

Unlike previous posters, I had no break in pain between contractions for several hours towards the end of my labour. I was in constant pain. And constantly vomiting. Because the pain was constant, I had to ask the midwives to tell me when I was contracting when it was time to push (I didn’t have an epidural, just gas and air).

PinkSpring · 28/12/2020 13:07

I am quite a wimp when it comes to pain but I had both my babies naturally, one with absolutely no pain relief at all and the other with gas & air.

Honestly wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! Don't get me wrong, it hurts but it isn't like how they make out in the movies!

Linzi2377 · 28/12/2020 13:08

First wasn’t too bad about a 4 second was off the scale..but contractions defo far more painful than pushing for me

ChocAuVin · 28/12/2020 13:08
  1. After epidural, it went from one of the most horrid experiences to one of the loveliest. Also, I discovered that they don’t even hand out medals to those who birth without taking any pain relief. Wink
cloudchaos · 28/12/2020 13:09

I actually found my back to back baby easier to birth. I could rub my back to provide a little relief and the TENS machine also helped. When my second wasn't back to back I felt like I couldn't do anything for relief - unable to rub my bump for example.

To me the pain was more muscular and like intense period pains. It definitely wasn't the same as a broken bone or something. So I would actually say it's not that bad... 5/10?

firstimemamma · 28/12/2020 13:15

9 (last 2 hours only) but the type of pain varies from woman to woman.

I'd heard SO much about the ring of fire and how much that side of things hurts but I found that the contractions really took over my entire brain and so I basically felt no pain whatsoever around my vagina / area when the baby was actually coming out. I know that sounds made up or rose-tinted glasses but that's honestly what happened, I had no drugs and it was only a couple of years ago so I can remember vividly. No pain at all down there but that's only because the agony of the contractions took over completely. I was so shocked / surprised when ds was born because I honestly didn't feel him come out! I was too shocked to even look at him so held him in the birthing pool and just closed my eyes or stared at the wall in silence for a bit. Sounds weird but that's just what happened!

It was the best experience of my life and I can't wait to do it again! I had a 16 hour labour and it was only the last 2 hours that were unbearable- the 14 hours before that really was very manageable and I spent the first 4 of them not even knowing whether I was even in labour or not! Good luck Smile

Oliversmumsarmy · 28/12/2020 13:20

I had 2 contractions which were the worse pain I have ever eat in my life. (Induced and Dd was back to back) then the epidural kicked in. Ended up with a EMCS but I felt nothing.

The 2 contractions were a zillion out of 10 but the rest was a breeze

I don’t think anyone can tell you how painful it is for you as I have a friend who thinks contractions are like orgasms and 1/2 an aspirin is all you need

Notthe9oclocknewsathon · 28/12/2020 13:22
  1. It’s worse than you will ever have experienced unless you have lived an extremely unfortunate life.
Humpty11 · 28/12/2020 13:23

Just remember that if it was that horrendous, people would not have multiple pregnancies. It’s not painless but at the end of it you have your beautiful baby and you soon forget the pain!
Also, don’t be a hero! Ask for whatever pain relief you need to get you through it. Congratulations, and good luck when the time comes ☺️

lilylongjohn · 28/12/2020 13:24

I'd say about an 8. But the minute you've given birth is stops.

I was always worried it would be a sharp, stabbing pain, but it's more like really bad period cramps

Parker231 · 28/12/2020 13:28

For those who had horrendous pain - did you refuse pain relief?

RavingAnnie · 28/12/2020 13:30

20

Megan2018 · 28/12/2020 13:34

@Parker231

For those who had horrendous pain - did you refuse pain relief?
Gas and air didn’t do much for me, progressed too quickly for the epidural I wanted. I had 1 shot of Pethidine early on which helped but couldn’t have any more as the labour was too short and it would’ve affected baby (already being monitored due to GD). So I just had to get on with it. No regrets though, it turned out well but at the time I thought I might die from it. Fortunately it was all over in 6hrs and I felt amazing afterwards. Like I could conquer the world.
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 28/12/2020 13:35

11!!!

EL1984 · 28/12/2020 13:36

I've recently had a baby... labour was very long and after 24 hrs and getting to 2.5cm dialayed I opted for an epidural. Best decision ever.
I would advise you keep an open mind and try and go for as long as you can without the drugs then ramp up taking gas and air first (which i found really effective) then epidural when you've really had enough. Apparently it can slow things down so you want to go as far as possible without.
Obviously I don't know what it feels like for the whole thing but each contraction is painful but manageable with breathing and TENS, then you get a break between them. Is when you're really tired and have mentally broken down that it becomes unbearable. If they had told me I was 8cm after 24hrs of contractions I think I probably would have just continued on but there was no end in sight!

SinisterBumFacedCat · 28/12/2020 13:36

Oh I was high as fuck on gas and air. I could hear trance music.

parsnipsnotsprouts · 28/12/2020 13:38

@Parker231 no. I was just too late both times. I found the pain very manageable up to 5 cm then absolutely horrendous because for some reason once I got to 5 I went almost straight away to 10cm and they don't give you anything when you're that dilated.

Glera · 28/12/2020 13:38

I think if you acknowledge it will be painful, then that is the biggest hurdle!

If it becomes too much, there are options you can choose. I loved my TENS machine at the very onset of labour, found the water was truly incredible, then i loved gas and air and ended up with a spinal and forceps. Each pain relief option offered incredible benefits at the time!

collywobbly · 28/12/2020 13:43

Same as pp.
First one epidural but could still feel it. 7
Second she decided to come just as we were discussing pain relief so no time Hmm I'd say 9.
The stitches afterwards 11!!

DC are lucky I like them! Grin

JemNo66 · 28/12/2020 13:49

I think it's completely different for everyone, but unfortunately for me it was a 10/10...I was in agony and still only 1cm dilated, had to get to 4cm before they would give me an epidural. Had gas and air, morphine and pethadine during this time but nothing touched the pain. Once I had the epidural it was 0/10, although I did end up having the syntocin drip to move things along and by the time I was ready to give birth I could feel the contractions through the epidural which was about 3/10, but meant that I knew when to push which was really helpful. Some people I know had similar experiences pain wise, others totally didn't, so it's impossible to know what it will be like for you before it happens OP.

BringMeThatHorizon · 28/12/2020 13:54
  1. Worse than I ever thought it would be when I was imagining what labour would feel like. But worth it in the end obviously!
NeonSparkle · 28/12/2020 13:56

10 but so bloody worth it and also manageable in a weird way. It’s not like you have a choice but to go through it at that point. Also the pain is pretty much the same intensity throughout from the beginning - it’s just the fact that the gaps in between the pain become smaller.
I wasn’t screaming in pain like you see in the movies I was completely silent. I was in labour for 38 hours, had an epidural towards the end and i could still feel the contractions and move my legs etc but it took the pain down to a 1, it made me feel more in control as well. I know it’s not for everyone but I bloody loved it and would do it again in a heart beat.
Please don’t worry about the pain, you are strong and you can do it!

Chottie · 28/12/2020 13:58

I would say about 7. Totally worth it.

I broke my wrist and that was a lot more painful. I actually fainted with the pain which was relentless.

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