The pain during labour

[sirenz]

can anyone share their experience as to what the pain felt like during labour? Is it a pain that will take your breath away?? what was the worse part of labour? can you compare it to anything?

I ask these questions because i would like to start to prepare myself mentally to deal with labour, I do understand that it is different for everyone.

[Adnil]

Great question....I will look forward to the responses!

I have not given birth vaginally before, but did go into labour. All I can say is that - yes - it is pain that takes your breath away. TBH it was worse than I expected.

[lilima]

I suppose for me I can describe it as a really painful Chinese burn. (the actual birth part) I didnt find it all that difficult. the contractions part, i was also fairly fine with. I stayed very calm, and just did deep breathing through it. I closed my eyes and almost was like meditating. I am usually hopeless at meditation. I only had a 5 hours labour from start to finish, so it was fairly quick. The thing is that everyone is differnt, so you really can't prepare for what it will feel like, you just have to wait and see how you will go.

[Deltadawn]

Is it kind of like really really bad period pain? I've heard that and would be interested to read other people's responses ............. also would like to prepare for the upcoming birth (TBH, I'm looking forward to it a little).

[Beach Mama]

Tricky one because everyone is different I guess and nothing anyone says prepares you!! I was induced and in labour for 7 hours before I had an epidural and I found that the contractions were very painful but I really found that my body and mind took over. I kind of shut everyone out during each one and concentrated on my breathing and in between getting into a good position or walking around ready for the next one! The pain for me was a tightening all over my belly starting at the top to the bottom. In a weird way it was kind of exhilarating although Im sure I wouldnt say so at the time, knowing this is what your body is made for and your are about to meet your baby!

The best you can do hun is prepare yourself for all scenarios, educate yourself (Go BB!!) and know what you want so when it happens you are ready!! Good luck and apologies for the rambling post!!

[becmc]

Yes it hurts but it is good healthy working pain!!
I honestly believe state of mind and environment play a crucial part in helping to dull the pain. Panic, confusion, doubt, etc, will all make pain worse and maybe even unbearable.

[Jacqui]

The first thing to handling labor pain is approaching it with positivity. Like Meg, I use a lot of breathing (usually with the gas as well), and focusing on other things to get through it.

I think the key thing to remember is that its not like a back ache or tooth ache, it does go away.

It can be very intense but there is an end to labor pain. I have previously visualised my contractions. As little helpers walking across my belly (start) , dancing in the middle (middle) , then going back down (end).I have found with my labors that once I get the chance to push my focus then goes on that. The last part just before bubs head comes out, its like a burning ring of fire, And then once bubs comes out its like a feeling no other. Its like a huge release, and thats the part that takes my breath away. It also takes the pain away. Your so focused on your bubs you barely notice the placentas arrival.

Meg is right everyone is different, but begin with a positive mind.

Goodluck Jac

[Freya]

Well I was induced and had a very short labour (3 hours). I never had a slow intro to contractions, I had pre labour for weeks before hand but from the moment of induction it was full on 4min apart contractions.
That said I loved every second of it and didnt feel it was ridiculously painful at all. I had NO drugs. I just kept reminding myself that every contraction was 1 step closer to my baby and really as long as I kept moving it was just like heavy period cramp that lasted for around a min. I got breathless but not from the pain, just the heavy feeling you get with it and from marching around my room. I personally, and this may sound unbelievable, felt that the contractions were somewhat rewarding - like a good pain feeling (similar to the feeling you get when you've had a full bladder and been busting to wee and then you do, its a huge relief when its over). You just go into a zone and get on with it. The most annoying part for me was the head crowning because as the others have said its like a burning feeling, not painful, similar to a chinese burn. Its annoying because it goes on for ages before bub pops out as opposed to contractions having a beginning, middle and end.
Thats the key I think, finding out what pain relief techniques work for you. Some choose pethidene, gas or an epidural - others use hypnobirthing, breathing techniques, moving, heat therapy etc.
Once you start pushing you dont even notice the contractions! And then when baby is out, its like it never even happened. You dont remember the pain really, you feel so strong and awesome! I still now, 10mths later, cannot seriously envision the pain I was in. I just remember the sequence of it and the awesome feeling afterwards.

I am so looking forward to doing it all again I loved it that much. The next 22 weeks cant go by fast enough!

[Julie Doula]

Hi Sirenz,

Juju Sundin writes in her book, "Juju Sundin's Birth Skills", "It's only a muscle working and it's user-friendly pain!"

I think in the throes of labour you might want to strangle her for her use of the word, "only" - but still, it's true!

Birth is so unique for each woman. Universal in some ways - so unique there's no comparison in other ways. But here's some thoughts on the pain/intensity/effort of birth.

* I thought excrutiating period cramps hurt more
* I thought pain that signals serious damage to your body hurts more
* I thought severe abdominal cramps from gastro hurt more
* It's intense, but it 'feels like' a good, warm, healthy pain - the pain of muscles working really hard, not the pain of awful damage being done.
* Put a gun to my head and force me to run for 20 minutes without stopping (yes, like they made us do at school!). I'm dying. I swear I'm dying. Extremely difficult, excrutiatingly painful - but amazingly, I'm not actually dying - I'm simply doing what my body is actually quite capable of. Under a certain amount of duress! So, it's exertion pain, not trauma pain.
* Labour's nicer than forced runs at school. Because you actually get total breaks of pain-free times in between, when you can rest, relax, and breath fresh oxygen and energy in. The only time you might not get these breaks (or not very long breaks) is if you consented to induction for any reason, or sometimes just at the very end when you are in transition
* In an environment that is warm, private, with dim lighting, gentle voices and lots of loving support, the release of your natural pain-killing endorphins is able to keep in step with the demands of labour. So in early labour when you first feel pretty strong pains, you might think, "gawd if it's this bad already, I'm never gunna stick this!" but actually as it gets stronger, your endorphins step up too, in perfect sinc with the oxytocin
* Break the fear-tension-pain cycle. My Grandmother (mum of 5) used to tell us, "two third of pain is fear". I think that's pretty true for birth. If you build your confidence in your body through knowledge and exercise, and go into birth not too fearful, then you can minimize the release of the stress hormones that make labour more painful. Deep relaxation and breath work can help you avoid tensing up, and the better you can manage that, the less painful and more manageable it is. It's the same when you run (or other exertion) - once your muscles are warmed, loose and relaxed, and you've stopped fighting the "torture" in your mind, you actually run quite well. So you can work towards starting a "confidence - relaxation - manageable pain" cycle instead.
* Juju Sundin says, "Big pain needs big moves". I like that. I found that keeping moving - rocking, swaying, walking, etc really helped me feel in control like the pain was not overwhelming.
* WATER ---- ahhhhhhhh! Dr. Michel Odent writes that "labouring women are drawn to water". For me, submerging into deep warm water was as good as an epidural. Whatever helps you stay relaxed, helps you cope.
* Gravity - I found that contractions hurt much much more when I was lying down - it forced the uterus to work up-hill. Staying upright or leaning forward was much more manageable.
* I found that walking intensified contractions. And that's where mental attitude comes into play. Labour is not actually about avoiding or controlling pain. It's about not resisting it and actually welcoming it and going with it. So, I'd walk, I'd get stronger contractions and I had a choice: "Oh no I hate this, it hurts more" - or: "Cool! Walking is as good as syntocinon! Wow check out how awesome my body works. Whew, that was a real doozy - my uterus is SO strong! At this rate it will not be long until my baby is here!" It's a major battle in your mind - but if you can persuade yourslef to actually celebrate how awesomely your body is working and admire the power, rather than fearfully dread each sensation, it can actually be quite exhilarating. It's exertion - not torture. It's something to expereince and fully enter into - not something to just endure. I think what happens in our thoughts does affect the release of our hormones - and that directly affects what happens in our physical being. So I do think there's something to what they call "the mind-body connection" - as every good sports coach knows.
* Loving support and encouragement from a fully present loved one or doula can really help you win the battle in your mind.
* Does labour pain take your breath away? Not necessarily - but your breath can be a powerful ally. Same as running, singing or dancing - practice breathing (in through nose, slower out through mouth) and it really helps with optimum performance of the working body.
* Last thought: You have the power! And may the Force be with you ....

[Sair]

I am probably the last person who should answer this one, I had 2 hours of contractions before my waters broke and i thought they were great, I didn't know what all the fuss was about and I was certain i would go ahead with my plan for a drug free labour. I am not sure when Noah decided to turn around to be back to back but he did and it was still fine until my labour stalled. I was induced the following day and it was not fun from there on. I could not walk or move, even assited and went on to have an epidual which failed and then had to make the decision to go ahead an have a caeser because 2 days was too long and tiring. So for me it was not fun and declared then and there I would never have a natural delivery again..

Now in the last week or two I have been thinking I would like to have a natural delivery next time and will start mentally and physically preparing myself for when I get pregnant again and have the wonderful journey of labour. So to answer your question, yes it hurts to the point of taking your breath away but when you hold your baby in your arms you see that it was all a labour of love.

[little sprocket]

My labour started off with period pain every 5 minutes and with an hour was really really bad period pain crossed with really really bad bowel infection kinda pain (if u have ever had that) and 2 minutes apart. The contraction itself would build up so it would be period pain for about 10 seconds then really bad really bad OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG really really really really bad everything then really bad period pain, just period pain gone. If u can walk and lean forward and rock this seemed to make it more bearable for me however most of the time the nurses wanted me flat on my back on the bed all the time until I said "thats it im out of here" and then they let me go.

[Liviam]

WOW what a tricky question to answer. My labour was very intense because it was short (3 1/2 hours). Up until my waters were broken the contractions were like a cross between very bad period pain and a stomach cramp. After my waters went my contraction got incredibly painful but that was because my contractions were starting again before the last fully finished and I went from 5cm dilated when my water were broken to Olivia in my arms in 50mins so my body was going to quick for me too keep up.
Like the girls have said go into your labour with positive thoughts and some kind of game plan on how you want to handle your contractions. I was going to do what I had to to get through the contraction and then my husband and midwife were going to use the rest in between to help me refocus and get ready for the next one. What I actually did was tap my finger on anything I could during the contraction and put my head down on the shower rail for my brief rest.
Labour does hurt but you really do have the strength in you to do it and bring your baby into this world. Your body is absolutely amazing. Listen to it through your labour and you will do brilliantly. Don't be afraid to be scared. Another thing I found really useful was I listened to my midwife and her suggestions helped me no end.
One final thing. The day you spend in labour and the birth of your baby is going to be one of the most amazing days of your life. Good luck

[sirenz]

thanks ladies for your responses.. keep them comming.. i know that this will no way reflect my experience giving birth, but it does help my state of mind to know kind of what i'm in for.. iykwim..

I think the thing i am most terrified of is the unkown factor of it all.. I don't actually know what will happen and that scares the absolute hell out of me for some stupid reason.

[Karina]

I had only a little bit of "pre-labour". It was barely painful contrctions every 7 minutes apart. Bsically, the pain from those was like a nasty tummy ache (like when you eat something bad) and it would start at the bottom of my tummy, go to my back then around to the top of my tummy and everything would tighten up. It wasnt all tht painful, but it was distracting enough that I hd to stop what I ws doing at the time.
After 22 hours of that, my waters broke and I stright away started having bigger (real) contractions 3 minutes apart. They were basically the same - started at the bottom of my tummy, moved to my back nd then the top of my tummy - but these were more painful. I cant really compare the pain itself to anything though, well, not anything else that I have experienced before. Yes, they were quite painful and gradually got more painful. The contraction built up - they started off like an upset tummy (from eating off food) or like a cramp type feeling then went into a full on contrction. I had to stop what I was doing and couldnt think straight when I was having the contractions. It wasnt a constant pain. You do get some breaks in between contractions mostly. To be honest, while it was very painful, the thing I found really bad was the actual tightening, not so much the pain, kwim? The tightening just made me feel physically ill, especially towards the end.

[BellyBelly]

Rhea Dempsey runs a fantastic labour pain course, 'Embracing the intensity' which you can find at www.birthingwisdom.com.au. I highly recommend it for all couples - it's awesome. You cannot compare it to hospital pre-natal classes, its a million times better.

[Inanna]

Sirenz,
I truly believe what you feel when yu are in labour is different for every woman and very dependent on how safe you feel.

For me the pain of contractions was really manageable. I have had very very active labours which I think is really important. Lots of squatting through the contraction while holding on to bars, cupboards, chairs etc. I have also used water submersion which I cannot recommend highly enough. Getting into that tub is like a hot chocolate on a cold night. It is heaven. I also used the shower on my belly and back.

It's also important to use your mouth. Tight mouths are tight fanny's. You need to have loose lips and you will have a loose cervix (I believe). The noises we make. If they are too high we feel more pain. If they are low we are working our bodies. These things help us to feel powerful and in control of the experience.

Having a support person who can bring you down from a high pitched voice. Remind you that you may like to squat, bounce, immerse yourself in water is invaluable.

The contractions for me are something I have always been able to manage. I always struggle a bit during transition. My husband describes me as a restless lioness. I can't get comfy. I can't stand touch or noise of any decibel! I need dark, quiet. I find "the burning" of the head crowning both intolerable and welcome. I know that sounds wierd but it's true. I know I have to push thru that and I will see my little Blessing... But to get to that point takes courage, letting go and guts! For me... My second stages are pretty short but it's where I struggle some.

It's great that you ask this question. Because it does hurt. But it is the most exhilarating hurt I have ever felt. After all of my births I just think "wow I can do anything now".

Wishing you a beautiful birth. Make sure you come back to this thread and tell us how your birth was for you...

[Heaven]

Tight mouths are tight fanny's.

LMAO
That sounded so funny, something I will certainly remember when my time comes, lol.

[Roryrory]

Wow, so many wise words I wish I'd heard before my first labour

It's intense, but it 'feels like' a good, warm, healthy pain - the pain of muscles working really hard, not the pain of awful damage being done

I infamously said straight afterwards that yes, I could imagine worse pain - the pain of my arm being severed at the shoulder with a chainsaw. An awful image for sure, but in a way I was getting at what JD was saying in a much nicer way. The most important thing for me was to remember that the more it hurt, the more my body was doing its job. This was not a pain that meant "danger, run away" or "OMG I am dying" but rather that my body was working harder than it ever had before in my life.

...it does hurt. But it is the most exhilarating hurt I have ever felt. After all of my births I just think "wow I can do anything now".

FC is expressing EXACTLY how I felt within a few hours of birth. I suddenly felt that my body was capable of doing anything. Now I am a real slob when it comes to exercise, but I could completely picture myself becoming the next Heather Turland and running marathons for Australia. It sounds ridiculous now (even more ridiculous if you know what a sloth I am) but I had such intense pride in what I had done it was overwhelming.

Flynn was back to back/posterior so I had a similar excruiciating back pain to Sarah. I really thing the back pain was the worst aspect for me, and like Jodie

"most of the time the nurses wanted me flat on my back on the bed all the time until I said "thats it im out of here" and then they let me go

I had a similar experience - I was told to lie on my back while the midwives disucssed the shift change handover and I went off - montiors and stuff when flying as this behemoth decided she was NOT GOING TO LIE LIKE THAT. Yes, in hindsight I think the back pain was the most memorable pain of the pain - needless to say I am doing ALL I can to avoid a posterior bub this time.

Support from a partner or doula can make all the difference. I was at home til I was 9cm gone and DH was wonderful while at home and in the hospital (though I had to KEEP asking for water - he is under strict instructions to be more proactive this time. To be fair he was probably $hit scared, for all his talk that "this is what women have done for 1000's of years, it is the most natural thing in the world". It is, but it must still be bl00dy scary to watch for the first time when you are in a hopistal and not in a birth centre or something.)

started at the bottom of my tummy, moved to my back nd then the top of my tummy - but these were more painful. I cant really compare the pain itself to anything though, well, not anything else that I have experienced before. Yes, they were quite painful and gradually got more painful. The contraction built up - they started off like an upset tummy (from eating off food) or like a cramp type feeling then went into a full on contrction. I had to stop what I was doing and couldnt think straight when I was having the contractions

I think Karina has it spot on here. My memory is getting dim, but I do remember the pain moving across and down towards my pelvis area.

I reckon the others are spot on if you can visualise what is going on and remember what you are tehre for. I was so totally over it by the time Flynn was born I looked at the nruse like she was mad when she offered me the mirror to watch the crowning like I asked. I honestly think by that stage I had forgotten why I was there (I was very tired - I had been awake for about 24 hours by that stage). But this time I really think I will have a better chance because I KNOW what is coming at the end, a darling little bub for me to love (ok, last time I got an funny looking little troll baby who realistically was only attractive by about month four, but to me he was the most beautiful thing in the world. You gotta love those hormones!!)

Oh Sirenz, you have the most amazing thing ahead of you. Needless to say I am anxiously awaiting my next BIRTH (yes birth, not just baby) because it is one of the best things I have ever had the priviledge to experience. Men might be able to life real heavy things, and save their comrades during a firefight, or withstand round after round in a boxing ring, but lil' old me, with my imperfect knee joints and pudgy thighs and unfit lungs and weak arms that can't do chin ups - I gave birth to my son.