How painful is labour....

[Trixy_89]

Hmmmm. I'm not dreading the next 9 months its just the labour where i want everything to just stop lol. Can anyone describe how painful it actually is. xx

[ethanryan]

everyone is different, with my first it was painful but it was bearable the prob i had was that it was long, i had 36 hours of full labour. my second was a planned section so only pain i felt was the needle going in.
you may have a quick labour where baby just pops out, but then again it may be a long one, i wouldnt worry about this yet, you will have a lot more ache's and pains to worry about before the big day

[redcrx]

thats impossible to say as its different for all. My mum for instance never feels contractions and only feels the 2nd stage of labour (the crowning of head). I feel all contractions but have been through both my labours without any drugs. The second stage is like needing a poo but worse. You will feel the pressure in your bottom and thats where youll feel the need to push.

But i will say that once in labour your body does know what its trying to do and really you just have to go with the flow and follow what your body is saying. Plus it is so true that once labour is over you completely forget what it felt like until you go into labour for a second time lol.

[skyep]

Hi Trixy - I would describe labour as like period pain, but gaining in momentum.

[~max~]

Skyep, I keep being told that, but I never had period pains, so I have no idea! lol On the other hand, it oculd mean that I won't have any labour pains either...One can dream! lol

Not pregnant, btw! Just nosy!

[natalie_1982]

Hey Trixy, as others have said labour for everyone is different. In my experience I was genuinely surprised at the pain level - it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and even during labour, whilst I was pushing, the midwife joked if I would be having another and I said I definitely would. I loved the whole process of labour, but then again because of the length of time I was in labour I had ALL the drugs and my little girl was born in theatre as they were going to perform a c-section and I didn't actually feel her come out. However, for the 18 hours that I could feel (until she got stuck!) it was just like severe period pains.

Also, just to reiterate what Red has said, your body knows what to do - if you feel you want to push, stand, get on all fours, lay on your side or whatever then do it, your body knows what it is doing. Best of luck sweeite, they're so worth it xx

[tigerlily11]

As pointed out everyone is different.
I screamed my way through mine but my daughter didn't utter a sound except when she started to laugh when she had gas and air. She just giggled constantly and said it was like drinking vodka.

[Jillius]

I suppose I was lucky but I never had contractions or any sort of pain. They both just popped out in a matter of minutes. Very easy.

[natalie_1982]

Ooooh, gas and air - made the whole experience worthwhile ;-)
The midwife had to take it off me in the end as I began breathing with it all the time instead of just through a contraction LOL. It's good stuff though, however my hubby said I had a bit too much and started talking gobbledygook and asked him mid-push to find my straighteners as I wanted to do my hair! PMSL

Also, I didn't scream or swear or shout, but my hubby said ... what was the word he used?...... can't remember now but it was something about the whole experience being animalistic or neanderthal or something, he also said I could have won the national gurning and grunting championships :-(

[tigerlily11]

yes it is rather cool stuff is gas and air. I would like a can all of my own.
Sorry to detract from your post trixy. Don't worry enjoy your pregnancy and believe me for what could very well be a few hours of a very painful period when u have that little bundle in ur arms u will forget instantly. I know I did.

[nuttychix]

My first labout was long and hard and i remember thinking i wanted to die cause of the pain, i made no sound but giggled all the way through from the gas and air..lovely stuff!!!...however the second was like a dream, i was on my own the midwife had gone out to attend to something else I pushed once on my own an babies head crowned, luckily the panick button was close at hand and the midwife came in, good job as the cord was around my sons neck..one more push and a bit of manouvering from the midwife and i had my beautifull baby boy...you really do forget the pain side of things...go for it!

[Trixy_89]

awwwww thanks all. I know your all right and i'm sure i'll forget all about the pain once the babys here. I guess its just the build up to it because i cant get it off my mind. I feel as if i should have many questions to ask about the whole pregnancy but nothing springs to mind :(

xx