traumatizing to be in the labor ward and hearing all the screaming

[MindUtopia]

Making noise during labour isn't a bad thing. Women make all sorts of vocalizations while they are moving baby down, and it's all part of the process. It's not the same as screaming in pain. It's productive. You'll be fine. Just have faith that your body knows what it's got to do and isn't going to give you anything you aren't strong enough to handle.

 

[Lulu]

Like others have said, every woman responds differently to labour. It's difficult to describe but think about it along the lines of having really, really period pain and being really constipated at the same time and you're part of the way there.

I didn't scream, think I moaned a lot but I don't really remember, but my DH told me I did but on the other hand my sister screamed so much she could hardly speak when I visited her about 5 hrs after the birth of my nephew! We're all different, we all have different pain thresholds, every labour is different. It's scary because it's the unknown but I honestly don't remember too much about it now!

 

[dinky]

Be prepared to not get your epidural. I had wrote down in my notes that i WANTED the epidural plus any other drugs that were available, but when i begged them for it they kept telling me the ward was to busy and there were no trained staff to give it me. All they gave me was gas and air! And then they snatched that off me when i had to push, i did make alot of noise or atleast i thought i did but oh said i wasnt that loud. It does hurt and for me the worst part was pushing (i ended up with a episiotomy and a forceps delivery) this time i want proper pain relief specially at the pushing stage. I have endometriosis and pcos so i have a high pain threshold when it comes to the contractions so i could handle that better than the feeling of having the worlds biggest poo! Just get in there early with the drugs and you will be fine x

 

[CandyApple19]

i was a screamer....cos of the pain but inductions are very intense.
my 1st i just grumbled and moaned til my epidural.

 

[Peggy O]

I've heard that some places make you wait until 4 cm to get it. I don't know how far I was because I asked for the drugs and then had to wait 30 minutes for the anesthesiologist on call to drive to the hospital from his house. I was the only woman in labor that whole day, so he wasn't at the hospital. I was not amused at the 30 min wait. I was 3 cm when I checked into the hospital and I got the intrathecal (one time shot to the spine) vs the epidural which leaves a catheter in.

I have heard of that...is it also called a walking epidural? Could you feel/use your legs at all with it? i plan on an epi for sure, just have not decided what kind.

 

[PepsiChic]

screaming does not = pain!

I was in pain during last stages of labour, more so when my doctor said "dont push yet your 9cm not 10"

my body naturally wanted to push and i tensed up to stop it and that hurt!

Once I was pushing the pain just melted away, I did scream though, it was more from the energy release, was taking a big deep breath and then pushing as hard as i could and the scream just sort of came out of me while i pushed and released the breath.

I had a natural birthday with my toddler, and will do so again!

 

[Seity]

I've heard that some places make you wait until 4 cm to get it. I don't know how far I was because I asked for the drugs and then had to wait 30 minutes for the anesthesiologist on call to drive to the hospital from his house. I was the only woman in labor that whole day, so he wasn't at the hospital. I was not amused at the 30 min wait. I was 3 cm when I checked into the hospital and I got the intrathecal (one time shot to the spine) vs the epidural which leaves a catheter in.

I have heard of that...is it also called a walking epidural? Could you feel/use your legs at all with it? i plan on an epi for sure, just have not decided what kind.

I think the walking epidural is still an epidural, just a lower dose. I could still feel my legs just fine, only my middle was affected. What I had works instantly, vs the 30 min wait of an epidural, but it's also only good for 2 hours, but I knew I wouldn't need any longer than that. It wore off just in time for me to feel every second of pushing.
I have to disagree with most ladies on one thing, I remember very clearly every second of my first labor. I suspect that's an individual thing as well.

 

[nov_mum]

My first experience on labour ward mademe think that there was just a noisy and dramatic woman down the hall. Then I had to stay there all weekend as I had complications and I heard that noise all day and night from many different ladies. Once I got in to the hard yards of labour, I knew why they were screaming and in the howling, guttural way in which the women did. It's really hard to describe the pain when you are not having a contraction I find. But it's not like period pain, it's not like stomach cramps or back pain. It's kinda like them all together, intensified by about 100 and getting progressively worse over hours. It's unworldly but the whole birthing process is just that and then you get your little person and pray you never have to do it again hehehe. This is my fourth so I'm a sucker for punishment obviously

 

[dizz]

Be prepared to not get your epidural. I had wrote down in my notes that i WANTED the epidural plus any other drugs that were available, but when i begged them for it they kept telling me the ward was to busy and there were no trained staff to give it me. All they gave me was gas and air! And then they snatched that off me when i had to push, i did make alot of noise or atleast i thought i did but oh said i wasnt that loud. It does hurt and for me the worst part was pushing (i ended up with a episiotomy and a forceps delivery) this time i want proper pain relief specially at the pushing stage. I have endometriosis and pcos so i have a high pain threshold when it comes to the contractions so i could handle that better than the feeling of having the worlds biggest poo! Just get in there early with the drugs and you will be fine x

I see your location... wasn't a hospital very near Nottingham city centre was it? The one there left me waiting for 3 1/2 hours for pain relief that never did materialise meaning I did the whole thing on two chuffing paracetamol and the offer of some aromatherapy (which did NOT go down well)!

 

[smileyfaces]

I didnt have an epidural. I didnt really make many noises for a while really, just couldnt stop crying. Then once I got to about 7cm I was REALLY screaming. Yes it is bad. Yes it is the worst pain you will ever feel. The contractions are farrrr worse than pushing baby out. Sme ladies cope really well and others dont so dont let what you heard put you off. There is only one way out for your baby so just start preparing yourself now if you are scared.

It was the most painful experience of my life yet the most amazing. And i can not wait to do it again! Im so excited! Xxx

ETA: i was induced so when my contractions started they were the same from start to finish...extremely painful! They never intensified, they were always unbearable. When I got to 7cm I started feeling the need to push and couldn't move an inch without a searing pain through my pelvis and bum!! Unbearable! The need to push is SO overwhelming, you cannot stop it.

 

[sethsmummy]

first off hun you might want to check your hospital even offers an epidural, because mine doesn't. If you want an epi you have to goto a different hospital.

I didn't scream an awful lot when i was in labour with my son, i cried a lot and kept apologising... I more growled through my contractions. The only time i screamed was on route to theatre because my epidural had failed ( i was at a diff hospital to this time round) and all i ended up with is severe cramps in both legs during EVERY contraction.

It is the worse pain you are likely to experience.... BUT every pain is one closer to having your baby. I cant tell you what the actual birth feels like as i had an assisted birth so was given a spinal shot in theatre. But the contractions were hell. Saying that I plan to try without pain relief this time round as nothing worked for me the last time xxx

 

[Eleanor ace]

I've heard that some places make you wait until 4 cm to get it. I don't know how far I was because I asked for the drugs and then had to wait 30 minutes for the anesthesiologist on call to drive to the hospital from his house. I was the only woman in labor that whole day, so he wasn't at the hospital. I was not amused at the 30 min wait. I was 3 cm when I checked into the hospital and I got the intrathecal (one time shot to the spine) vs the epidural which leaves a catheter in.

In the US can you have an epidural whenever you like? Where I am they won't do one before you're in established labour (4cm) but usually is 5-7cms, after that you can't have one. They only offer it if you're having a bad time though I think you can ask for one if you get induced on the drip.

 

[Kte]

I was told not to scream at the same time hearing others in the same ward screaming, I was more miffed I had to stay quiet, it was more to help with the pushing but I was being told it looses some of the tension that you need to push. Sometimes you just want to say 'ow' one way or another. It does sound much more horrific hearing others than when your getting on with it yourself

I was on gas and air not an epi, when I had a spinal I felt nothing so no need for screaming

 

[poutie]

Labor pains do hurt, and pretty bad, but I would never scream during labor!! First of all, I would imagine screaming would only make the pain way worse and secondly, it's not good to lose control of yourself. Luckily when I was in labor, the women in the other rooms next to me never screamed. That would really make it hard to stay focused and as calm as possible. I got my epidural when I was 6 cm dilated. I will definitely get another epidural this time! It really made the rest of the labor very enjoyable.

 

[zombiedaisy]

I didn't have any pain meds with my daughter. I never screamed during contractions. I may have moaned, more of a hum than a moan, and it wasn't loud. However, when i transitioned and they got me on the bed and she was sunny side up and I started pushing (i wasn't on my back either) I did scream a few times. From what I remember, muffled it by putting my face into the pillow, so it wasn't terrible, but I did scream. I wont lie, it hurt, and I wasn't intentionally screaming, it just kinda came out all on its own and I couldn't help it.

poor DH had no idea what was going on as they said they were going to check me and he thought woman had to lay on their back to have a baby (he was so clueless, poor guy), and it only took a few pushes and our daughter was born. i just remember the look on his face when they lifted her up. He was so focused on me and helping me (and he claims I squeezed his hand so hard he swore I was going to break it) he had no idea his daughter was being born.

 

[Weeplin]

I mooed through my last labour which was epi free and I never screamed with the two labours I did have epi's with. Like someone else said it could just to be relieve the tension and I wouldn't scare yourself right now. When you are in labour you will cope and all will be fine. Did you not keep listening until the screaming stopped and there was a baby crying..that's my favourite bit. I always well up when I hear it

 

[Jakkiw2]

Awww sweetie , your mistaken , they were screams of joy ....

Sorry only kidding xx

I was admitted a few times before my son was born and I too was freaked out.. But I ended up sailing through my labour and had such a positive experiance. What you got to consider is that sometimes we make these noises as an animal instinct i.e grunts groans, moans and screams... It can help some focus and isnt normally a sign of severe pain...

when you stub your toe on the bed, stand on a plug, get intermittant tummy cramps... it hurts but most will get some relief in between

For the record , i was just like you and was that freaked that my consultant gave me an epidural BEFORE she broke my waters... I Still felt the pressure of the contractions but none of the pain xxxx

I plan on doing the same, it will help reduce my anxiety levels nearer the time xx

I completely understand your anxiety as will all the ladies on here.... sorry about the start xxx

 

[CLH_X3]

For some women the screaming is just a release of tension. You know how when you're angry you can have a good shout or cry and feel tons better? Like that. Some women just cope with the pain better if they're screaming.

This exactly, I screamed but not in pain! I never had an epidural and I only screamed when pushing, it helped in weird you have to go through it way!

I never screamed at all 1-10cm .... But then I was 9cm when I got to the hospital

 

[Tasha]

It is scary. I have had five labours now and know what to expect but when I go in and hear the screaming I feel my tummy knot. Just remember that is their experience and doesnt reflect what yours will be. My five labours, i have never screamed at all (1st had an epi, 2nd nothing, 3rd nothng, 4th nothing until section at 7cm, 5th nothing).

 

[Seity]

I've heard that some places make you wait until 4 cm to get it. I don't know how far I was because I asked for the drugs and then had to wait 30 minutes for the anesthesiologist on call to drive to the hospital from his house. I was the only woman in labor that whole day, so he wasn't at the hospital. I was not amused at the 30 min wait. I was 3 cm when I checked into the hospital and I got the intrathecal (one time shot to the spine) vs the epidural which leaves a catheter in.

In the US can you have an epidural whenever you like? Where I am they won't do one before you're in established labour (4cm) but usually is 5-7cms, after that you can't have one. They only offer it if you're having a bad time though I think you can ask for one if you get induced on the drip.

As far as I know, you can have one at any time. I think it's terrible when I read that they deny some of you ladies asking for one until it's too late sometimes. They'd probably get sued here if they tried that.
When I asked for the drugs, they didn't check to see how far I was, simply gave me my options and asked me which one I wanted to go with.