What is the most painful part of labour?

[rockabillymom]

The IV!!! It sucked! THe contractions arnt fun either

 

[QueenieMurphy]

For me it was the awful stinging feeling as the head entered the birth canal, I wasn't prepared for or expecting that sort of pain, hadn't had any ante natal classes as baby was early. I found contractions bearable - just as I felt I wouldn't get through it they would ease off.

I didn't have an epidural as I wanted to be in control and I would do it the same again next time.

 

[c.m.c]

not to scare you but the next day is much sorer than labour or birth- i had forceps delivery and i couldn't walk right for about a week and as some people said here before the tiredness is a killer- but this is just me and everyone has a completely different experience! i did have an infection+haemorrhage and a re-admission for 4 days so i guess thats prob why i was so sore.

at the end of the day every single one of us on here had got to the other side of labour and got through it...... i would go through it all again in the morning- its totally worth it!!! we actually had good fun- my OH kept my spirits up and gas and air is AMAZING!!! it will be the hardest but best day of your life

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

Contractions. I felt nothing when Ruby was crowning. Pushing wasn't painful, just very hard work!

 

[XfairyhopesX]

Contractions without a shadow of a doubt, i had back and bum ones and it was like like lightening bolts shooting up from thigh to back every 3 mins for about 12 hours!!!! xx

 

[NG09]

Contractions. I felt nothing when Ruby was crowning. Pushing wasn't painful, just very hard work!

Same here.

 

[moomoo]

Contractions. I felt nothing when Ruby was crowning. Pushing wasn't painful, just very hard work!

^wss^

I had an epi with my second and found the whole thing a lot less traumatic. I had what was called a walking/perfect epidural - could feel my legs, move my feet and shuffle on the bed, but couldn't feel all the pain. Could feel when to push and would do the same again should I have any more children!!

 

[zoe87]

I had Hollie with just gas & air and id say the most painful part of labour for me was my contractions as they were deep in my back, i was more focused and determined on pushing her out that although it hurt i took it in my stride and believe it is more mind over matter...if you think its gonna really hurt it will....try to relax and in your head mentally think how you will cope with it and you will do great!

 

[lilaries0411]

The contractions were horrible. I was trying for a natural labor, but after 6 hours of contractions I was crying through them and asked for pain meds/ They gave me a shot of something that made me feel drunk and helped with the contractions but it wore off really fast and I didnt want to keep getting doses of it and feel drunk through my whole labor so I got an epi... it kicked in about 20 minutes later and I fell asleep and slept through my whole labor!! I woke up about 3 hours later and noticed that I was feeling contractions so they had the epi.. guy come back in and give me a huge does of the epi meds and I got really numb. I counldn't move the lower half of my body at all ( which I didnt like ). I didn't feel pain when she came out just a lot of pressure.. I knew when her head was right there because I felt it but none of it hurt!! Thank God for the epi!!!!

 

[teal]

I found the recovery more painful. I had an emergency forceps delivery (due to fetal distress and without an epi) which resulted in some serious tearing. That combined with the bruising from forceps meant I could barely walk for over a week.

 

[ttc_lolly]

I had an epidural and it was amazing! I don''t care in saying that without it my birth experience wouldn't have been as wonderful as it was

I was induced, so can't comment on what a natural onset of labour feels like - but the induction for me was horrible. Only because one minute I was fine, no contractions or pain, nothing and then literally within minutes I was having the most excruciating, back to back contractions with no build up or anything!

Also, having torn a little down there and having some stitches meant going to the toilet for about a week or 2 afterwards was horrible eeeek just remembering it makes me feel queasy lol! x

 

[jennyellen13]

as others have said, the contractions were the worst part, i didnt have an epidural, i had pethadine though and really helped me relax as i was induced i was extremely tierd and found the pethadine took the edge off. and i was on the drip to speed things up so could be why my contractions were the worst part.

The pushing part was fine for me and i thought before that would be the worst part!

Just go in open minded, you might cope better than you think xx

 

[M&S+Bump]

Every labour is totally different so try not to worry or think about it too much - you might be one of the lucky ones who get it easy!

The most painful part for me was the constant pressure on my bladder (felt like it was about to pop) - contractions came and went but the bladder pain was constant! The contractions when they made me lie flat on my back and then on my side weren't too pleasant either. I was 5cm when I got to hospital and coped with them fine until they made me lie down - two hours after arriving at hospital I was screaming for an epidural. They wouldn't give me one because I had an infection so I can't answer that. Instead of relaxing and working with the contractions like I had been doing at home (for four blimmin days!) I was so exhausted from not having slept for days and scared from being denied any pain relief and the million doctors milling about (his heart rate kept dipping and he was in distress) that I panicked and fought every contraction and ended up with an emergency section because they were worried about the baby. I had a spinal block for that and it was total bliss.

Labour was the worst pain I've ever gone through by a long shot, but I would and will do it again - it's so true what they say about the memory of the pain fading so quickly. My head knows that it was horrific but I can't seem to recall the pain lol and intend to try for a VBAC for the next one even though I now have the option of elective section..

 

[RileysMummy]

The contractions were definetely the most painful for me but i managed to get to 5cm on just a tens machine then i was induced on the drip and used gas and air. It was a struggle pushing for me because as soon as i was 10cm the nurse shouted at me to push but i didnt have the urge, it was very difficult
xxx

 

[Nervous_1]

Am I the only one here who thought that although contractions were painful, delivering the placenta hurt more, and the stitches were the worst pain ever???

 

[PrayinForBaby]

Labor was a cake walk for me compared to getting mastitis on day 4 PP lol

 

[Annunakian]

It is a toss up. I was induced and on an epi, (which actually failed except for in my feet!) so I was pretty much stuck. The contractions were 2 minutes apart for what seems like 4 or so hours and they were just terrible to bear because I couldn't get up and walk or move around. I was having back labor too. THAT sucks! But the pushing was also ridiculously painful because it felt like someone was trying to rip out my ovaries with a hook. (sorry for being blunt!)

They both win, but I'd have to say the contractions have a lead because after pushing the pain went down from 100% to like 10% immediately!

 

[mama2thepiggy]

crowning and pushing him through after crowning was honestly a nightmare... if they had said "we'll push him back in and give you a c-section" I would have immediately agreed...

 

[Lellow]

The contractions and that last push....which i didnt bother to do

*FORCEPS*

 

[janeydee]

heyyyyy the head crowning was deffo the most painful for me!! i cant really remember my contractions, i think i must of been that high of the diamorphine haha