Questions..

[christine917]

•What are the chances of tearing during labor for yur first baby & yur small like (4'11")?

•Do epidural shots hurt?

•How bad is labor? I've never broken a bone or anything so I really haven't experienced pain like that.

[Jules_mommy]

I had my baby in July. I waited until I was in extreme pain to get the epidural so I didn't even feel the shot because labor was so intense. The shot actually hurt more after I had the baby, for about 2 weeks my back and legs were in really bad pain. I felt like my spine was jello but it helped a lot with the pain during labor. Labor was painful but nothing I couldn't handle until the last hour, that's when I got the shot. At its worst point it felt like extremely strong period cramps times 1,000, just being honest. The rest of the time in labor is just felt like very strong period cramps but sitting on a birthing ball help a lot.
As for tearing they'll give you an episiotomy, you won't even feel it if you get the epidural. I was really nervous for that but I didn't feel a thing so don't stress out. If you turn down the episiotomy you risk tearing sideways or forwards.

Good luck you'll do great!

[GeekMom1213]

I'm 5'2" and had a 9lb baby naturally with no episiostomy and no tearing or damage. Positioning is key - if I'd been on my back I would've torn like crazy (according to my midwife) but since I was on hands and knees, working with gravity instead of against it, I was able to avoid that entirely.
Contractions were tough but much easier when remembering to breathe through them. It is hard work and exhausting but it can definitely be done without medications - I didn't even let them put an IV in for fluids as I didn't want to be tied down to anything. It's the strongest and most powerful I've ever felt. I can't wait to do it again.

[Mommy_Daddy_2]

Stings**

[Mommy_Daddy_2]

I'm 5ft I tore with my first 3 1/2 years ago with my 2nd 3 weeks ago I didn't tear.
Epidural didn't hurt either time. The numbing shot stints a bit.
Contractions hurt worse than pushing IMO. they feel like period cramps time 10. My epidural didn't work the first time and i felt everything which was not fun. With my daughter thankfully it worked and I had an easy amazing labor experience.

[carol_foster1218]

Tearing isn't too bad. I didn't even feel it. My 2nd has been my only vaginal birth so far. I don't know how the epidural feels. I had him all natural. Its not that bad. He was almost 9lbs.

[Megzy827]

Haha well I was nearly 10 lbs and she did it naturally so it can't be too bad...

[christine917]

Lol well that sounds kinda painful.

[Megzy827]

My mom said it feels like popping a watermelon lol she had me naturally... I'm a ftm so I can't speak from experience yet