Does anything...and I mean anything at all hurt more than child birth?

[krysalyss]

I wish everyone could have the experience I had, though a lot of women aren't prepared to do the homework I did. It's really worth it

????
Birth and labour isn't an exam that if you study hard you get an A+. Many women who have bad experiences do prepare and do their 'homework'. I know my bad labour experience didn't come because I didn't put the effort in. One of the reasons why I posted is so that women who do have bad experiences don't think it is somehow their fault. Yes there are tools to help, yes there is pain relief and methods of coping. But lets not make this into who is the better mother because of their birthing experience. If I have misunderstood your intention please let me know.

[Mumma2three]

Yes sometimes the problem is that a woman is so prepared and then things go the other way. That's why it's good to hear all sides of the story! That way if you have no expectations, but are aware of all your choices or scenario's, it's less likely to be so disappointing if things do go totally the opposite way to what you had "planned".
I don't believe in my case no fear meant no pain. I was actually really excited just before I hit second stage labour. I'd had no first stage and was just waiting (waters had broken that morning) and thinking how easy it was going to be, and then the most almighty contraction hit. It was in fact transition looking back and I can say now I have NEVER experienced anything like it! I am still amazed when I think back on it, it was mind blowing!!
For me birth two was far more painful, even though it was the birth I had prepared for, done yoga, meditated, decided on pain free, had my TENS, had all the breathing down patt etc, and it was far worse than number one when I was in labour for 12 hours and wasn't prepared at all. And I was scared big time. I remember asking three different Dr's about the pain and just being almost obsessed by the whole thing (fear of the unknown). But it was ok.
Wonder what htis time will bring/???

[krisp]

I thought I was super prepared the first time. I had been seeing an acupuncturist all the way through my pregnancy, spent time in the last few weeks visualising the birth, sourced and bought specific birth-related relaxation cd's, spoke to my unborn son and let him know he shouldn't be afraid that his Mummy and Daddy were waiting for him and we would love and protect him and I read and re-read numerous books on calm birthing techniques. I even left work 9 weeks before I was due to leave my job behind and prepare myself as much as possible for my new role as a Mum.

Sadly none of that extensive homework did the trick and after a long, painful and somewaht traumatic labour he arrived by emergency CS. I don't think I could have done more homework if I tried. Homework isn't a guarentee of a fabulous birth.

Truth is there is not ryme nor reason to it, there is no special preparation or homework you can do. Birth is unpredictable, each baby's journey is different, and each birth unique.

I also feel sad that I won't experience birth again, I don't think I could cope with another child but I would glady birth again. I would even happily be a surrogate but I'm too old now!

Our family is complete, so no more birthing experiences for this little back duck!

[aussiewillow]

I had a knee reconstruction where they had to break the bone for something. Apparently the pain i felt after that is supposed to be worse than child birth (according to the doctors).. So I think im set

[AnyDream]

I wish everyone could have the experience I had, though a lot of women aren't prepared to do the homework I did. It's really worth it

I'm really glad that you felt empowered by your preparation, and that it translated to a pain-free and wonderful birth experience. I agree that a lot of women would benefit from more preparation, particularly so that they feel empowered to create the birthing space and support that they need. But it does not guarantee an easy birthing experience.

In my case, the preparation I'd done for months (visualisation, relaxation, meditation, bellydancing, stretching, reading, empowering my body and mind), not to mention years of breath work and rebirthing didn't insulate me from the trauma I experienced. I went into the birth room pretty fearlessly, given I was headed for a full scale induction at 42.5 weeks. BUT what my preparation did do was give me the strength and the clarity and courage to stay alive and fight my way back into that labour room and face the horror again. But really the birth was just part of my life journey, and my daughter's life journey, and it was what it was.

[Nicambhar]

I have experienced 2 natural, drug free births and the pain didn't even come close to the pain I've experienced when I had a heart attack at the age of 27, having my tummy tuck or the pain of pelvic separation when being pg.

Maybe the pain wasn't so bad cause they were very quick, trouble free births.

My df sooks over going to the dentist and it makes me so mad LOL...

[Toomanytoomany]

I thank God all the time for the easy births I've had. I don't have what I'd call "pain" until the last few contractions, but I'm so out of it on endorphins by that stage it's more than manageable. I really dislike the intensity of those last ones, and that feeling of the baby coming down the birth canal before it is born, but I figure that's nature's way of giving me the motivation to push it out

The body, in the right circumstances, can also produce its own painkillers to at least help with that, and I'm a great believer in doing whatever I can to encourage that production. That means a lot of visualisation, a lot of movement, a lot of relaxation, and a lot of preparation beforehand.

[BabyQ]

I have said to people that I would go through another labour to avoid the pain and associated problems of breastfeeding! (however I went through labour using calmbirth techniques)