What was more painful?

[dani_tinks]

Contractions or pushing? Contractions, mainly because I was induced on the drip. Pushing didn't hurt, was just hard work (Pushed for 3hrs). 'Ring of fire' wasn't pleasant but was quickly over.

How long was your labor? established labour was 12 hrs

Did you have an epidural? Yes

C-section? No

All natural? Induced labour with gas and air, pethedine and epidural. Natural vag birth with no assistance.

 

[Bevziibubble]

Definitely contractions! But I did have an epidural once I got to the hospital so I couldn't feel most of the pushing.

 

[mum140381]

1st contractions 24 hours epidural
2nd contractions 4 hours no pain relief
3rd contractions 3 hours no pain relief
4th contractions 1 hours no pain relief
5th contractions 5 hours no pain relief
6th contractions 2 hours no pain relief

currently expecting number 7 not having any pain relief x

 

[mum140381]

oh and baby 1,2,3,5 and 6 all induced x

 

[MoonLove]

I got to the pushing stage, with forceps, but baby was wedged stuck and i had to have an emergency c-sec.

The worst part for me was an intense leg cramps when i got my contractions!! The leg cramps were from about 3-5cm dilation and didn't last too long, but i remember i could hardly feel the pain going through my belly because my thighs were so flaming uncomfortable, it was at that point i thought 'i can't do this anymore!!!' but thankfully they just stopped!! Nothing beyond that was as bad as those bloody leg cramps!!!!!

 

[Lauraxamy]

Contractions or pushing? - First pregnancy I was induced, strapped to a bed on a monitor and couldn't move so at the end when the contractions were strong all I wanted to do was move but obviously couldn't - that was the most painful part for me. Ring of fire wasn't the nicest experience though either to be honest! Second pregnancy I was already 6-7cm when I got to the hospital and gave birth 3-4 hours later so it was over fairly quickly it didn't seem that bad compared to the first time
How long was your labor? - First labour around 7-8 hours. Second around 4 hours.
Did you have an epidural? - Nope
C-section? - Nope
All natural? - Gas & air with my first. Both were unassisted vaginal deliveries

 

[Srrme]

Contractions or pushing? Contractions.
How long was your labor? 3-4 hours each time.
Did you have an epidural? 1st labor, yes.
C-section? 2nd pregnancy, yes.
All natural? 3rd labor was all natural.

 

[mara16jade]

Contractions or pushing? Contractions

How long was your labor? Water broke at 2:45am, baby was born at 11:30pm. They waited a few hours to let me labor down and let him naturally come a bit lower...and he was just sleeping the whole time! So after almost 4-5 hours they said, ok, you should just push, doesn't look like he's going to help much. LOL
Did you have an epidural? Yup! And it was great!
C-section? Nope
All natural? Yup. Had an epidural and no other intervention and no major tears. Had a tiny internal tear that got a few stitches, but I never felt any pain.

But the true pain came after labor. I unfortunately had hemorrhoids and those were what made my recovery problematic for the first 10 days. I went into labor with minor hemorrhoids and was told they might get worse after pushing. LOL Might? Like holy, hot damn did they get worse.

 

[oliv]

Back pain and then contractions. I had the epidural so pushing was ok. In the end forcepts had to be used

 

[LuckyMama13]

Currently expecting my 3rd, but have gone through it twice with different experiences.

1st- 10 lb 1 oz boy: 26 hours of labor and was induced 3 times because I was already at 42 weeks 2 days. They broke the waters. I was suffering through the contractions and wasn't dilating. FINALLY dilated rapidly within the last 4 hours and also got an epidural at that time. Contractions were more painful because of being induced and all my contractions are in the back.

2nd- 8 lb 6 oz girl. 18 hours of labor. Faster- ALL NATURAL and EXCRUCIATING. I had all back labor and when I was 7 months I had a muscle seperation from the pelvic bone. I delivered on my side with no epidural and they induced me at 41 weeks and yet again, broke the waters.


Praying that this one comes on it's own without any induction!

 

[luz]

Contractions definitely hurt worse. Once i was pushing i didn't feel any pain, only the urge to push. I didn't have any pain medication and honestly don't even remember feeling this 'ring of fire' everyone talks about. However, my LO was out in 2 pushes - 10 minutes after i walked into the hospital.

 

[NotNic]

Drs attempting to turn baby after he got stuck at 10cms (no pain relief) was the worst!!

Of the two options, first labour I would say the back to back contractions at the very end. I pushed for 5hrs, but delivered in theatre with a spinal. Got to 5cms before asking for g&a and got in the pool. Before that I had a bath, shower and paracetamol to help and tried TENS and the ball which both hurt.

2nd labour - pushing. Contractions with a baby facing the right round was far easier. Didnt use anything apart from a ball until 6cms. Used g&a and got in the pool to deliver. 6cms - delivery took less than 2 hours. I found pushing against the amnio sack really tough going. It was painful but over soon enough.

 

[ClairAye]

Furst baby -

Contractions or pushing?

I'd have to say contractions as I was really ill when pushing so don't remember the pain!

How long was your labor? 38 hours

Did you have an epidural? Yes.

C-section? No, forceps.

All natural? Not at all.

Second baby -

Contractions or pushing?

Pushing.

How long was your labor? 9 hours.

Did you have an epidural? No.

C-section? No.

All natural? Yes, minus a tiny bit of gas and air!

 

[Amy2701]

Contractions were worse both times. I would do the pushing stage 50 times over if it meant no contractions! Lol

 

[kajastarlight]

I had an epidurral - the worst part, by far, was the contractions up until they had my epidurral working properly.

 

[we can't wait]

Contractions or pushing?
Contractions, definitely! Pushing was a relief and didn't really hurt that much. Crowning wasn't the greatest, but L&D is such an amazing and empowering experience.

How long was your labor?
DD1 was about 4 hours. DD2 was about 2.5 hours.

Did you have an epidural?
No.

C-section or All natural?
Completely natural!

 

[JT2013]

Contractions or pushing? Contractions

How long was your labor? Waters braking to baby born about 12 hours but first stage was much longer and very mild. it only took 3 hours of active labour to go from 3cms to fully dilated. Intense!
Did you have an epidural? No
C-section? No

 

[MoonLove]

Contractions or pushing? Contractions!!! My waters burst after contracting on the hospital bed and then the urge to push was sweet relief! I was pushing for about 40 mins, it was tough but far far far less painful than contractions.

How long was your labor? Five hours
Did you have an epidural? No
C-section? No
All natural? I had two puffs of gas and air haha

 

[MamaRed]

Contractions or Pushing? Most definitely contractions hurt worse. Pushing actually brought some relief to me.

How long was my labor? First=2.5 hours, Second=10 hours, Third=6 hours, 4th= 2 hours.

Did you have an epidural? No.

C-section? No

All natural? Yes, on all 4 and will with my 5th as well.

 

[SmartieMeUp]

I never got to feel the pushing stage, unfortunately Fingers crossed for this time.

I was in labour for 43 hours, my sister described contractions to be very strong period pains (YEAH OKAY!!) That's literally like telling somebody to chew on a cactus and describe it as a marshmallow. I could barely walk with mine, and you have no control of how long they'll last or when they'll come or the strength and that's the hardest part.
I had an epidural as a last resort and at the right time (for me). So glad I did as I could be awake through the birth.
After the super long labour, I felt wasted and disappointed because I went through all that pain and exhaustion for nothing as DD was delivered by caesarean.
Pain relief - I was refused gas & air until I was 6cm. I blame that for my lack of progression, my body couldn't relax. Had an alternative to diamorphine too which put me to sleep.