Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

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

Original poster

What's worse first trimester or giving birth?

30 replies

choberry · 06/10/2023 22:01

Currently struggling in first trimester. Can't help but wonder whether ladies found their birthing experience to be more tolerable than first trimester 😫

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
PickledScrump · 06/10/2023 22:06

They’re not really comparable, they’re completely different experiences. Like comparing a stomach bug to stubbing your toe. It’s also going to be different for each woman

BaronessBomburst · 06/10/2023 22:08

Pregnancy was definitely worse than actually giving birth! When I was in labour I was thinking 'this is it, it's going to be all over soon, just a matter of time and then I'm not pregnant anymore'. It was a relief and definitely helped. Pregnancy didn't suit me either so you have all my sympathy.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 06/10/2023 22:10

They're both exhausting.

TeamSleep · 06/10/2023 22:11

I found the first trimester the hardest part of all, the second was ok, the third was horrible but not as bad as the first. For me the birth was fine. I was lucky both times the birth part was quick and straightforward though.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 06/10/2023 22:13

Giving birth. By miles.

Debini · 06/10/2023 22:14

Are you a first time mum?

weegiemum · 06/10/2023 22:17

For me, first time pg the first trimester was easier than a 37 hour back to back labour.

But with pg2 and 3 I was in immense pain with kidney problems (stones) and I was desperate to get into labour and finally start to heal (though hormones meant a lot more pain than I'd hoped).

I'm just glad I'm not going through either again!!!

biscuitcat · 06/10/2023 22:21

I was thinking about this the other day! If, for a next baby, someone gave me the choice of either being pregnant but getting to skip labour, or having to labour but skipping the pregnancy, I'd do labour every time, I hate being pregnant.

TicTacNicNak · 06/10/2023 22:21

My first and second trimesters were very uneventful. No morning sickness, no cravings etc, just some tiredness. Third trimester I started having issues - SPD, baby positioned back to back with me. That and the births themselves were worst in my particular case.

Now if you asked my SIL, she'd say first trimester, as she was hospitalised with severe Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

nickname4789 · 07/10/2023 13:51

First trimester is draining. I’m in my 3rd trimester and honestly I’m finding 3rd so hard! But from experience having a previous baby I would say it depends what kind of labour experience you have. I was induced with my first so honestly I found the 1st trimester next to nothing compared to that

Overthebow · 07/10/2023 13:55

i found first trimester worse because it goes in a lot longer than labour, but labour was worse in terms of discomfort and pain. I find the 3rd trimester hardest out of the whole pregnancy and labour though.

DaisyWaldron · 07/10/2023 13:57

For me, the first trimester was definitely far worse than birth for both pregnancies, but I had worse than average morning sickness and straightforward home births.

guild · 07/10/2023 14:21

My first trimester, in fact my whole pregnancy, was a breeze. Labour was 32 hours of hell that I am still traumatised by.

Original poster
choberry · 07/10/2023 14:32

Thank you ladies, it's interesting to read different perspectives, yes this is my first pregnancy and honestly i have zero energy, above average nausea and sickness, my bum is sore from laying in bed all the time! I'm just over 10 weeks and hoping it starts to ease by 12 weeks. I am 38 years old so not sure If I'm feeling more tired as I'm older. The ladies who experienced 36/37 hour labours my sympathies go out to you, sounds traumatic to say the least. ❤️

OP posts:
Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 07/10/2023 15:28

I'd rather go through labour than the first trimester, definitely. I'm sorry you're having such a rough time. Here's hoping it all magically disappears soon!

ExtinguishTheLight · 07/10/2023 15:30

For me, giving birth was by far preferable to being pregnant and also looking after a newborn.

I'm not saying giving birth was a good time by any means, but at least it was over relatively quickly.

satellitesunshine · 07/10/2023 16:02

i had csections but id choose those over the actual pregnancy. not to say they’re not painful etc but time wise id rather have a couple hours of discomfort over months of feeling shit

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 07/10/2023 16:05

Labour- that pain is incomparable to anything- take the epidural!

BarelyCoping123 · 07/10/2023 18:12

For me there's absolutely no comparison. First trimester was a bit uncomfortable with morning sickness, but the next two were far more uncomfortable. Giving birth was absolute hell, indescribable pain and I almost died. Try to enjoy your pregnancy OP, try to stay active if you can!

Bohoboo · 07/10/2023 18:23

Really didnt like being pregnant but if Im honest I would take it over birth every time. I have 2 kids. All you can do is take it day by day. Everyones experience seems to be so different

Jk987 · 07/10/2023 18:26

The 4th trimester was the most difficult for me!

AnySoln · 07/10/2023 18:28

Lol i hardly knew i was pg in first tri. Just very tired.
Late pg not nice though as hard to sleep and breathe

DinnaeFashYersel · 07/10/2023 18:31

Recovering from csections was the worst thing ever

Lizzieregina · 07/10/2023 18:31

I had a 36 hour labor but it was still 1000 times better than the first trimester.

Giving birth was far easier than being early pregnant.

MissHoollie · 07/10/2023 18:53

Everyone is different but I sympathize. First trimester is a shocker .horrible .