What is harder..getting from 0-5cm or 5-10cm??

[Cricket]

I'd say the last 5 cm are the most overwhelming, but the first 5 can be the most exhausting, IYKWIM. With both my girls, I had relatively quick, "easy" labours (7 hours). I found that the earlier contractions hurt, but I could breathe through them, and with my second, especially, "manage" them with my mind. But in the later stages, I don't know if they necessarily hurt so much more, just that they come a lot faster, and I think hormonally you start to go a little crazy - with oxytocin and adrenalin, etc. With my first, I panicked at this stage and couldn't breathe. With my second, I was much better (you might be surprised at how much better a second baby can be!) I still felt a little out of control, but no screaming, or panicking. The last stage, from 7-10 (transition) can go in 15 minutes, but it is pretty intense! The only time I remember yelling a bit was when I was pushing, and I was sure I was going to split wide open. (with my second) But in a couple of seconds, her head was out, and I didn't tear at all.
All the best with your waterbirth! I am hoping for the same for myself with this baby.

[MelH]

I found 0-5 the hardest because it was the longest. About 16 hours - 12 hours just to get to 1cm. I then went from 5cm to giving birth within a couple of hours. The midwives didn't believe it until they saw DS's head appear. DS was posterior though which is maybe why the first stage was so long and painful without much happening.

[Coetshri]

0 - 5 cms was harder for me

[Rachel]

I found the last 5cm the hardest, the contractions were hard, fast and very painful which all made worse by exhaustion and the transition stage. the first 5cm took longer though. i used the bath for a while and it didn't slow things down but having said that i didn't feel very comfortable in there. the shower was my god send. i personally found the pushing contractions to be a completely different feeling, not really painful.

[LuluHB]

0-5 were hardest for me. I was induced but it still took 34 hours. 26 hours into it despite all my plans I had an epidural which they kept topped up until I needed to push, so the 5 - 10cm passed without anywhere near as much effort.

[ShootingStar]

My contractions started at 2.20pm. I was checked at 9pm and was only 3cm dilated (!!).. was then checked again at 12.30pm and was fully dilated 10cm. So the 0-5cm took longer for me.

[Janie]

I would say that 5-10 was harder for me. My waters broke at 9pm, contractions started at 10pm, I was 3cms at 11pm and 7cms at about 4am. Nicholas was posterior, so I found the pushing contractions to be particularly painful, more than anything else.

I know it sounds crazy, but I enjoyed all of my labour, particularly the second half! So although it hurt more, it was a good pain IYKWIM? I hope that makes sense

[Claire]

but an induced one was just bang, bang, bang.

So, so true! I was induced 5-10cms was really tough. I asked for an epidural at this stage as I was just not getting a break into between contractions.

I'm looking forward to a much more relaxed birth this time around. Hopefully spontaneous but if not with much lower doses of drugs.

[rylansmum]

Well i am still here and waiting for my little miss to make an apperance!!!

Thanks for all your experiences, i was told by my midwife to expect a 5 hour labour (well heres hoping anyway) lol so im hoping that it all goes well and i can handle it...

With my first i managed to go for 5 hours without anything for pain and that was after an induction so if i can handle that kind of pain i can deal with a 5 hour labour lol

Cross your fingers for me

[paradise lost]

I had a <4 hour labour rylansmum - intense but what a blast!

Good luck and have a great one!

Bec

[Claire]

Well i am still here and waiting for my little miss to make an apperance!!!

Thanks for all your experiences, i was told by my midwife to expect a 5 hour labour (well heres hoping anyway) lol so im hoping that it all goes well and i can handle it...

With my first i managed to go for 5 hours without anything for pain and that was after an induction so if i can handle that kind of pain i can deal with a 5 hour labour lol

Cross your fingers for me

That's great I lasted 5 hours too - I'm hoping for a relatively quick hypnobirthing experience this time around.

[~Kim~]

I never got to 5 so that bit was the hardest for me....four days grrrr

[Girly Girl]

each persons labour is so diffrent and there are so many situations that can arise that you really can't say in general which is easiest or hadest.

For me i dilated so quick that i can't say any was harder then the other. i just found the pushing painful, i also had a drug free labour and delivery but those that do chose pain relief might not feel some of what others feel at the back end..... just relax and enjoy your experiance, it will be yours and yours only and at the end regardless of how painless or painfull it was you will be so proud of yourself and deffinatly well deserved!! because YOU did it!!!