Which is more painful - the contractions, or the 'exiting' of the baby?!

[kaths101]

Contractions for sure!! Ouch!

 

[hubblybubbly]

Contractions worse for me, I don't even remember the pain of her exiting but I sure remember the contraction pain....
I'm quite small down there too and just had a small tear no stitches needed.
X

 

[NaturalMomma]

Depends on many factors. For me nothing was "painful", but transition was intense which didn't last long. The baby coming out was an interesting feeling, but was in no way painful. And I had a unmedicated birth.

 

[shareema]

Contractions for sure, exiting is freeing...

 

[rainbowskin]

I had natural back to back labor and the contractions were the worst. The actual pushing and ring of fire felt good to me!

 

[amjon]

Thanks guys!
I did have a nurse at a GP surgery say once that I'm quite small down there (I had commented that sex was very painful at times) - hopefully I can stretch when it comes to the birth though! I guess maybe something coming from the inside is different than something coming from the outside?!

I took prenatals with DHA the whole pregnancy, so that may have helped me be more stretchy down there.

 

[UkCath]

contractions.. but not the spaced out ones near the beginning its when they get very close together and you stop getting a break between. adrenaline and excitement take over for the last bit so it doesn't seem as bad.. (i found)

 

[MummyToAmberx]

I think every labour is different pain wise.

Mean my second was 1000 x more painful because i had SPD, my labour was alot quicker 6hrs vs 27hrs with the first.

Personally baby coming out happens so quickly its forgot about within 5 mins lol.

 

[Wiggler]

My first labour the contractions were the worst, but with my second the contractions were very manageable and the baby coming out was the most painful bit x x x

 

[ParisJeTadore]

Anatomically speaking every individual is so different that it's hard to say which you will find worse. Personally speaking, my later contractions were so bad that pushing out our baby was a cake walk! It really didn't hurt that much (guess it paled in comparison) and even when the Dr. Said,"this is REALLY going to burn" I remember saying,"No, it's really not that bad, really!" lol! Pushing felt like such a relief too. After 26 hours of active labour I was ready for it to all be over with.

 

[Lulu1982]

Thanks guys!
I did have a nurse at a GP surgery say once that I'm quite small down there (I had commented that sex was very painful at times) - hopefully I can stretch when it comes to the birth though! I guess maybe something coming from the inside is different than something coming from the outside?!

Contractions for sure!

I've always had terrible trouble having smears and such for the same reasons as you. I didn't experience the ring of fire, didn't have Ny pain relief and didn't having any tears, grazes or bruising after my 8lb baby.

 

[hanfromman]

Thanks guys!
I did have a nurse at a GP surgery say once that I'm quite small down there (I had commented that sex was very painful at times) - hopefully I can stretch when it comes to the birth though! I guess maybe something coming from the inside is different than something coming from the outside?!

Contractions for sure!

I've always had terrible trouble having smears and such for the same reasons as you. I didn't experience the ring of fire, didn't have Ny pain relief and didn't having any tears, grazes or bruising after my 8lb baby.

Oooh there is hope for me then!!
By the way, it's nice to see someone else that lives in Cornwall on here!!

 

[Nicoleoleole]

I had back labor. I HATE contractions. ROF any day! Plus my ROF was minimal... Both babies basically flew out of me (both during practice pushes and before a doctor was ready to catch them!).

 

[amanda111308]

I was in labor for 56 hours total... contractions sucked, pushing was total relief becuase I felt I was using the pain to do something productive. I would do it again right now to have the experience again. I can't wait to be pregnant and go through another labor and delivery!! (most people think I am insane, but I honestly crave the experience it was so amazing!)

 

[Mrs Doddy]

My contractions were short whereas the burning from the baby seemed like forever ! The worse thing for me was the stitches

 

[mummyclo]

Contractions for sure for me! Pushing was a breeze and actually felt good!

 

[embojet]

Contractions were definately worse for me. Even though I got a 3rd degree tear!

 

[dizzygirluk]

I've had two types of birth each one the most painful varied.

With my first I was induced (syntocin drip and an epidural) I found the contractions horrendous and the pushing part + ring of fire nothingin comparsion! Even though I'd had an epidural I felt the contractions and the Syntocin drip meant I had NO rest bite between them. (I see why they insist on an epi)

My second was a drug free labour that started naturally. I found the contractions bearable and completely different to my first. (i was shocked at how 'easy' i was finding it..i believed I was only 1cm dialated..they checked me and I was 7!!!!) However the pushing part for me was exsausting. I was pushing for over an hour. The ring of fire was awful. I defiantly found this the worst and most painful part. It was such a shame because the labour had been amazing and nothing like my first where I felt like I was awake on an operating table!

So yeah, for me the most painful parts of labour and birth varied on the circumstances. Its strange how different experiences I've had literally on two ends of the scale!

X

 

[Cin]

Contractions were definitely the most painful part for me. The pushing stage just felt like an immense pressure as opposed to pain, even though my baby got stuck for a while and I ended up having a 3rd degree tear. In fact, being prodded by a doctor to gauge how badly I'd torn was the most painful part of my whole experience!

 

[rottpaw]

I had an epi, so can't really say for sure about the ring of fire part, but I found the contractions to be a million times worse than the actual pushing/delivery (though the pushing and delivery are faster and more intense). My epi did not fully take - to the point that I needed a local anesthetic for the stitches (I tore badly). But honestly, even with an only partly-effective epi, I don't remember any real pain from the actual baby coming out; by then you are SO relieved it will soon be over and you'll be holding that baby! The contractions (and the endless amount of time it seemed to take to dilate - I was induced) were far worse for me. Once I started pushing, at least I felt like I was DOING something and could participate and do something useful. I'm also very small down there so can relate to your concern. But even if you tear, you'll be okay!