How do you cope with pain, after having given birth?

[Lolli]

Hi all,

I got my nose pierced yesterday and I was actually amazed at how much it didn't hurt. Before I had kids, I had an extremely low pain threshold. After ds's birth it was raised a bit, but now, after dd's, it seems it's through the roof. A piercing that would have freaked me out a year ago was almost pleasurable.

However, my SIL, who had a long and traumatic birth with her dd, says she is the opposite- she can't handle pain at all now, no matter how much or what circumstance.

So... I'm just curious to hear what all the BB girls think. Are you more or less able to cope with pain after labour and birth? Do you think your pain threshold is lower or higher?

[onthefly]

Hmmm. I guess it's all relative and natural to make comparisons. I know for me that OHSS was more painful than labour and scares me, whereas I quite look forward to labouring again.

The only really painful thing I've had since birth was when (*TMI alert*) my doctor cauterised some scar tissue from my episiotomy. I said, and I quote "I would rather give birth than do that again." So, I don't know, maybe i'm a big wuss.

ETA - i think rather than a pain thing, it has affected my determination and belief in my ability to do things. I can endure more because I know I can give birth.

[MantaRay]

I think like Marcellus, the biggest change in me has been self-confidence and empowerment - I gave birth so I can do anything! However, I do think I probably also have more tolerance for pain - not so much that I feel it less, but that I'm better able to distract myself from it and get by. I think breathing through contractions in labour was a great lesson in pain managment and mind over matter.

[Jellyfish]

I don't think my pain threshold has changed but I think I am less afraid of pain and more confident in my ability to handle it.

[widdly]

I was the biggest sook in the world before i had DS!

Since giving birth I am much more brave and cope with pain and other scarey things much better than pre DS.

[Honeybee]

Hmmm, I haven't noticed a lot of difference, but I do think perhaps my pain threshold is a bit higher since giving birth. I tend not to complain for long if I hurt myself now. I say 'ow' a few times and then forget about it. That might also have something to do with not wanting to swear or shout in front of DS though.

Marcellus - OUCH!!!

[sneakysparkle]

haha I don't know if my pain threshold has been raised - but a few times since Ive said "I'd rather give birth than go through THIS" (my wisdom teeth for instance!)

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Hasn't changed at all - but I have never minded pain, be it labour, walking 3 miles with blisters, having someone sit on your freshly-broken feet, or hair removal.

[Dansta]

lolli- i too got my nose done and thought "that didn't hurt so much" and i think it was because of giving birth the whole idea of "big owwies" changes. plus i cracked a joke about the blood (mine bled for some strange reson!) which before DS - i'd have passed out from