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Is childbirth the worst pain you have ever felt? and some other questions. - Page 4

post #61 of 124
11/29/06 at 1:28am
I can't say I've felt worse pain but labor honestly wasn't that bad (I even told my sister it wasn't bad a couple of hours after the birth!). Some contractions were quite painful, especially during what was probably transition, but they were tolerable. I never wished for an epidural or any pain meds, although during one contraction that I took in a bad position I did think, "I know why people get epidurals!" I don't think contractions were any worse than menstrual cramps, just different--I don't get a break with menstrual cramps but there was always a break in between contractions. BUT...pushing sucked. It really did. I'd only heard that pushing was a relief, but it was not at all for me. I didn't feel the "ring of fire", just sooo much pressure I was sure I was going to have a fourth degree tear (only had a couple of small ones).

Afterpains also sucked big time--they were like very painful period cramps. If they get worse with each baby, I will have to find some natural remedy next time or I will end up taking ibuprofen. I could barely handle them last time.

So...I would honestly prefer to go through childbirth than to go to the dentist (but I hate dentists with a passion). There are things that happen/happened after the birth that I don't look forward to again (afterpains, very sore nipples, feeling like I was hit by a truck for 2 weeks afterward) and I don't really look forward to stage 2 labor, but I can't wait to go through birth again! It is awesome.

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post #62 of 124
11/29/06 at 10:21am
The worst pain I have ever felt in my whole life- and one I wish never ever ever ever ever to experience again, was throwing my back out and pinching my sciatic nerve.
I would gladly give birth 10 x over to my biggest baby (11 lbs) than ever go through that pain again.
post #63 of 124
11/29/06 at 8:35pm
Totally no. Shattering my elbow was the worst pain I've ever felt. It lasted longer and it was a *very bad* pain. Labor is a good pain. I've done a narcotics-only birth, a c-section, and an all-natural birth. Birth was truly wonderful. Broken elbow sucked. You will do great. I haven't read the other responses so my apologies if I've duplicated - I'll go check later.
post #64 of 124
11/29/06 at 8:38pm
Childbirth was INTENSE, but at the same time it was incredibly empowering to give birth naturally.

OTOH, when I had a root-canal, the pain was unbearable (even with meds) especially because I felt out of control.

And childbirth was over in a day. My foot pain from surgery lasted several days.
post #65 of 124
11/29/06 at 9:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommacanary View Post
So,I have been pretty calm. But now I'm getting worried about the pain of childbirth.
I've only read the first page so far, but you are getting some great information. I would try to let go of the worry, and believe in your body's ability to do this. You just have to mentally get out of the way if you know what I mean. Relax both physically and emotionally and it will be absolutely fine. Really.

I have had three natural childbirths - only dd1 was born in a hospital. (Dd2 in a freestanding birth center, and dd3 at home.) I am a big wuss. Cry at a paper cut. Terrified of needles. Didn't play sports in high school for fear of getting hurt. And I've had natural childbirth three times - no problem. Could do it any day of the week. Really. After the first one was born, my first words were "I could do that again."

Quote:
I have been worried about what contractions,transition and crowning feel like.
Every feeling in labor is different than anything else I can really compare it to. It (like others have said) is pain with a purpose. It starts slow and builds so you have time to adjust. It has breaks in between. It isn't a sharp pain. It is a tightening. I closed my eyes and chanted "muscles working, muscles working" because that is what it is!

You know when you run a long ways (my only experience was in PE in high school... ) and your legs are sore? You can feel the muscles in your legs and they are tired and you would like to stop. It is a little like that. You can feel the sensation; it grows in intensity, but it isn't pain.

I think that hitting your funny bone (why do they call it that? Nothing funny about it....) is worse because it is a jeeb you out kind of feeling. Burning your hand on the stove is worse because it is SO sharp and intense and constant. Anytime you hurt yourself in almost any way is worse because it is constant and has no upside. You aren't getting anywhere. With labor, you are making progress towards seeing your baby.

Quote:
Also I have heard many women say that when you are in transition you feel like you are gonna die. Is this is because the pain is so bad?
Never, ever felt like I was going to die. Never shed a tear. Never swore. It just is intense. If you know what to expect and are at peace with the process, it isn't scary or painful. Transition for me was the most "out of control" part of labor. The only part where I wasn't 100% calm and in control. But my dh and the midwives were with me and it only took a few minutes. Playing my favorite song helped A LOT. With dd3, that was "She's Like the Rain" by Tim McGraw. I am not a good singer but I closed my eyes and sang it over and over. I think that was the most painful part of labor for dh and the midwives!

Quote:
And crowning? I have heard about the ring of fire. Does it sting? Feel like your being riped open? how long does it last?
It does sting. I didn't feel like I was being ripped open (even though I did tear all three times... but couldn't feel it when it happened). It can last different amounts of time depending on how baby is positioned and how big the baby's head is. Not too long. A minute or two? It is fine as soon as baby is out.

I think afterpains were worse than childbirth. I didn't know they were coming though - and though they do have a purpose, it wasn't getting my baby out so a little harder to deal with.

Nursing when I had thrush was MUCH worse than anything related to childbirth. It was like someone stabbing me with knives. Can I say that I LOVE the person who invented Diflucan?

You can do it. I really recommend Bradley childbirth classes. I can tell you that they are the reason I had such great natural births. I think the website is www.bradleybirth.com.
post #66 of 124
11/29/06 at 9:21pm
I have birthed 3 babies naturally. The worst pain was the gallstones I had after my first. OMG, talk about painful! You can do it mama!
post #67 of 124
11/29/06 at 9:24pm
Wanted to add that I got through transition and pushing by looking in my doula's eyes. She was so awesome, though, when Ben was actually being born she told me to look at my husband!
post #68 of 124
11/29/06 at 9:57pm
I have had 5 at home natural wonderful, amazing births. The last one was frank breech. Labor is not like the pain you imagine. It is work your body needs to do. And like others have said above you need to work with your body - close your eyes and go inward deeply. Remember you are women! Your body was made to do this work. It feels right if you give in and trust. I love giving birth!!!!! It is so amazing. Laboring to open your cervix is quiet work! Transisition is confusing as somehow self-doubt enters the mind for a few minutes, but remember that when this happens you will soon be in the active pushing stage! Pushing is rewarding - you are actually pushing your baby out. And it is exhilarating. Yes! I have felt the ring of fire at crowning! And yes it is intense! But, oh my God your baby is almost here. Oh, oh, oh, the love that flows in your every cell. That feeling is the very best of being a woman.
Trust in your womanliness. You will labor and deliver your baby beautifully!
post #69 of 124
11/30/06 at 12:01am
This thread just makes me fear dental work!
post #70 of 124
11/30/06 at 12:12am
I have a=had three natural childbirths. they were intense but not terrible by any means. I was exhausted by the end each time, but by then I had an aorable newborn baby to snuggle into bed with and I felt so proud of myself for what I had just done. Having supportive, gentle, positive people around me during labour made all the difference.

Nipple pain with thrush was excruciating. Strep throat made me want to die one time -and I almost did, it was that bad of an infection. Recovering from having my wisdom teeth removed when I was 36 - that was the worst pain ever. As far as I am concerned, dental pain IS to be feared. Not childbirth.
post #71 of 124
11/30/06 at 3:09am
the worst pain i ever felt was having my placenta manually extracted. and it has happened twice. i'm due is march and i am determined to UC so i can avoid the doctor!
post #72 of 124
11/30/06 at 3:14am
The worst pain for me was gallbladder attacks (passing stones). My first labor - not all that bad... very progressive and bearable. This last one - VERY hard and very painful - like the worst constipation pain I've ever felt in my life. But still bearable because I knew it was getting to a point - a silver-lining so to speak - and it would be over... and I'd have my beautiful baby.

You're gonna do great, mama!!!!
post #73 of 124
11/30/06 at 3:26am
Most painful experiences:

1. Major kidney infection
2. Novacaine shot in my toe
3. Novacaine wearing off after foot surgery
4. Trying to walk on foot after being released from surgery with no crutches.:
5. Childbirth

Childbirth is not #1 and I even had back labor. With contractions you get breaks in between while with an injury or illness, you don't.
post #74 of 124
11/30/06 at 7:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by aliciahorsley View Post
the worst pain i ever felt was having my placenta manually extracted. and it has happened twice. i'm due is march and i am determined to UC so i can avoid the doctor!
:

a thousand times over.

I wasn't going to mention it as it's childbirth related and I didn't want to freak OP out, but yeah. That is the perfect example of "something is wrong" pain.
post #75 of 124
11/30/06 at 10:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Krystal323 View Post
also, (imo) afterpains are more wicked than any contraction could ever be. I learned my lesson the first time--motrin on hand is essential for me after the birth.
Totally agree, the afterpains suck. Lucky for you, they tend to get worse with each pg and this is only your first.
post #76 of 124
11/30/06 at 11:52am
i dont think the pain is that bad its bearable, my water broke at home with my first and i had intense contractions. not enough to make ya cry but they are up there but if u do the breathing its ok. i also had a 45 min drive to the hospital and my contractions were really close prob less then 5 min apart im sure. but i did have an epidural with my first so the actual pushing and stuff i only felt the pressure. i was 4cm when i got to the hospital at around 4am got the epi near 6 and dilated to a 10 pretty fast. my sister had an epi but i dunno how good it worked she said it feels like a burning when the shoulders come through.
this time around im scared but excited cuz i will be doing it with no epidural, not my choice though, they just hate to give epidurals here or meds of any sort if they dont have to. im just hoping for a short labor lol. after a while the pain just drives ya crazy
post #77 of 124
11/30/06 at 2:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rajahkat View Post
This thread just makes me fear dental work!
Me too!
post #78 of 124
11/30/06 at 7:53pm
To be completely honest then yes. If messured only in physical pain then transition labor and crowning are by far the most extreme, excrutiating pain I have ever felt. And funny that you mention charley-horses cause that is how I used to describe laborpains to DP. It felt just like that - a muscle-cramp in my tummy. My first labor was a marathon 50 hour ordeal so it was not a "normal" labor and that is probably why the pain was so bad.
I remember thinking that I never knew a person could feel so much physical pain and still be conscious. I also wondered - seriously - whether it would be more or less painful if they cut me open and pulled out the baby without anesthesia (sp?) To this day I am not quite sure about the answer to that last question to be honest.
I once saw a documentary about people who woke up during surgery, and one of them woke up in the middle of a c-section. The way she described her pain completely resembled my experience of transition labor (that in my case lasted 4-5 hours)

I have read some of the other answers to this thread and most of the women dont seem to have that experience of laborpain. But at least recently there has been a thread here with a lady who felt "betrayed" because she felt the natural birth community in general had led her to believe laborpains were manegable and that she would be able to deal with them if she stayed relaxed and did as her body told her etc.

So if you want my part of the truth about labor and birth-pain then yes, it can be more painful than you can even imagine. It wont necessarily be so - you may have a painless birth for all I know, (my mom still describes her laborpains like bad menstrual cramps..) but I think it is better to be "armed" than to be taken with your pants down kwim?

But before leaving you with a horrible picture of what labor can be like then I would also like to add that I am expecting my third baby in february, and I am looking forward to labor like a kid to christmas. The pain I described above is the physical part. There is also the "mind-part" that you know laborpain is there for a purpose. - Plus you get to rest between contractions, so it is not constant.
Even though for me laborpain is the worst physical pain I have ever felt, then I still value my memories of labor and birth more than almost any other memories in my life. I cannot tell you why, except nothing else compares to it.. I think I have never felt as alive, as fully into something as I did while having my babies.

I think my best advice is prepare for anything. Expect to reach the point where you just want to quit the whole thing because you dont feel you can do it anymore - and if you come to this point during labor - recognize it for what it is..

(oh - and just want to add, that even though laborpain is the most intense physical pain I have ever felt, then I would still rather go through labor and birth, than have dental work.. I havent been to the dentist in the past 4 years because I am terrified of having my teeth drilled..)
post #79 of 124
11/30/06 at 10:01pm
I wrote a post on my blog about pain and labor: http://rixarixa.blogspot.com

Read the post called "Some thoughts about a four-letter word." You can also read my birth story for a description of what labor felt like to me.

Five minutes after the birth, I told my husband, "That was hard, but definitely doable."
post #80 of 124
11/30/06 at 10:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rajahkat View Post
This thread just makes me fear dental work!
This is exactly what I was thinking!:
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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Pregnancy and Birth › Birth and Beyond › Unassisted Childbirth › Is childbirth the worst pain you have ever felt? and some other questions.