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

[Blackitty]

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...

It's a very strong sensation but I wouldnt characterise it as pain. Sorry to be gross but think about having a really big poo. It's more of a journey with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

I had two easy labours and I'm one of those nutters who enjoyed the pushing stage.

I recommend hypnobirthing, it really helps you get in a good zone for it, its like meditation.

I found it painful but not a bad pain iyswim. Like a migraine is the worst. In your head and unbearable! But childbirth, yes painful but for the best reason, and nowhere near your head, which to me is the absolute worst!

10

I gave birth to my first baby at end of November, he was 7lb5oz. It was painful but not as bad as I was expecting, although I appreciate it may have been worse if he was bigger. I said to my partner about 15 minutes afterwards that it wasn’t too bad and would do it again, but not sure if that was the gas and air talking

The best advice I was given before I had my first DC, came from a friend whose DC was born a couple if months before mine. She told me not to listen to other mother's horror stories as memories can become distorted, quite apart from the fact there seems to be an unofficial 'who had the worst labour' competition that we don 't even realise we've entered! She reminded me that everybody has a different experience, so comparisons are pointless.

Clearly it varies from person to person, depends on what injuries etc you have to compare it to and how you deal with pain. For mine, I would say 6-7 (contractions like really bad period cramps) with moments of 8-9 (few seconds at crowning- that stings like a bitch).

Easier said than done but try not to worry ahead of the event, you have no idea how it will go, how long it will take etc Be open minded about pain relief and just take it as it comes- don't make a rigid birth plan that you may feel you have 'failed' if you deviate from it.

I got to 4cm dilated before having a section and I'd say the pain of contractions to that point was about 4/10 (with no pain relief). It wasn't as bad as I'd expected (imagination is often worse than reality) but I can imagine it'd have gotten to 10/10 by full dilation.

@Erictheavocado

The best advice I was given before I had my first DC, came from a friend whose DC was born a couple if months before mine. She told me not to listen to other mother's horror stories as memories can become distorted, quite apart from the fact there seems to be an unofficial 'who had the worst labour' competition that we don 't even realise we've entered! She reminded me that everybody has a different experience, so comparisons are pointless.

Oh god this entirely. When I was pg with my first one of my mum's friends regaled me with how she had been in labour for 17 years, had 2,000 stitches etc

10 but with little pain releif

@Bringpizza

17 years labour 😂

All depends on the baby! DC1 was off the scale. DC2 was about a 4.

I had no Drugs both times. The first natural labour was about a 8. The second I was induced and that was an 11. Rapid labours though so not sure if more normal labours are a bit more manageable

Not the worst pain I’ve ever had but pretty fucking painful. Epidural worked perfectly during contractions - wore off at critical moment unfortunately.

I'd say a 7 for both, including my first being back to back. Both home births with no pain relief.

Toothache and broken wrist hurt more.

I had a fast birth with DD2 and I wouldn't even use the word pain!
It was like an absolute visceral need to push her out as hard as I could, or I was certain I would die.
It was like my body had a total mind of its own and suddenly I was a cave woman, and I absolutely knew I had to push like my life depended on it!!
It was madness.
My first baby was an epidural forcep assisted delivery. Took 3 or so days, whereas DD took 30 minutes.
I think I would push her out again rather than be stuck for 3 days being poked around!

I have to say 10 for me, anymore pain I would've passed out I think.

Mine were both natural tho

I think it depends on the individual. Some people have fairly easy labours and some have shit ones and it's no reflection on how brave you are or how well you deal with pain. It's like some random shitty lottery and mostly depends on luck.

For me I'd say it was about a six and a half. I can think off the top of my head of times in my life where I've definitely been in more pain. It was sort of like doing a really really hardcore marathon in that I hated it and it hurt but I had no choice but to keep going and I knew at the end it would have been worth it.

I've posted this before with the disclaimer that I've no idea if it's true or a old wives tale but someone once told me that how you experience your period pains will be how you experience your labour pains (but on a much larger scale). So I have very mild periods and my cramps are in my lower back. I had a fairly easy labour with all of my contractions feeling like really intense period pains in my lower back.

Being induced is so much more painful labour in my opinion. Natural was around a 6/7, Induction was the highest 10 😂
Recovery from the amount of stitches and amount of bruising from tearing I had though, I'd do the natural birth every day over the healing of the stitches.

Labour 6
C section 1
C section recovery 15

I had a very straightforward labour - four hours forty minutes, no problems.

I thought the pain would kill me.

OP - I’d suggest discussing your options with your hospital and ignore all the old wives tales. I knew I wanted all the pain relief which was available and as early as possible. I had DT’s - had an epidural but no forceps. I slept some of the time, did my nails, chatted to DH and watched Wimbledon. All very natural.
Others prefer a different labour. Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong. The hospital will advise.

1st: Back-to-back labour that went on for days - 11.
2nd: Water birth with no pain relief, mainly around a 5 or 6 going up briefly to a 10 when baby was crowning.

Don't be frightened because whatever happens you will deal with it.
Please consider pain relief.
In my case, although I remember it hurt, I can't really remember the details.
Also, many of us go on to have other children, which just proves that it's ok.
Good luck!

In my life I’ve had - wisdom teeth out, a large lump cut out of my side, dislocated jaw, piles, slipped discs (among other things...)

Childbirth was boring and a bit like having a wobbly tooth at the end (push, no not yet, push, nearly, push, oh almost, push...). Contractions felt like going over speed bumps too fast.