is labor really painful?

[heidy05]

This will be my 1st baby and want to know how was ur 1st labor like fast, painful ect....

[Kimejo_81]

I'm sorry but this post made me laugh. Yes it hurts like hell. Anyone who says otherwise is not being honest. It's called labor for a reason. It's hard work. But at the same time after you hold that precious baby in your arms the pain is a distant memory. We as women are built to make this miracle happen. We are strong, and you will do fine. Don't be hard on yourself if you say you want natural and then beg for an epi, it doesn't mean you are less of a woman, just means the pain was too much. Good luck sweety, deep breath, you will do great! :)

[hessy3]

i didn't do any pain meds in my mind when you get them it slows your labor down and drags out both times my labor was only 3 hours so not bad at all both times i got to the hospital i was over a 5 and things were off pretty good.  i think it depends on what kind of support you have while you are in there and getting through each contraction.  this will be my 3rd baby and again this time i will not be gettign anyting :) good luck ladies

[Mrs_Baze]

I was also induced, and I did not get an epidural. It was scary, it hurt, but it was the best thing I've ever done! It wasn't as painful as I thought it was going to be. I had so many people just telling me how much it hurt that I built it up to be the worst thing imaginable, but it really isn't.

Once it starts the fear mostly goes away; there's no point trying to run from it! As for the pain, there are many options. Lots of women here mentioned an epidural. There are breathing techniques to get you through beginning labor. Once I got really far in I asked for more Tylenol, they said that wouldn't do anything for me so they gave me Stadol (sp?) Which is a narcotic. It took the edge off a bit but I still felt everything, which is what I wanted. It distracted me, though, which helped a lot. This time around I am going to have a very specific birth plan including how I want to be upright as much as possible. I also want to look into water births, if my hospital does that.

Good luck, you'll be fine!

[kategram88]

I still felt all my contractions and knew when to push.. my nurses didn't tell me when they would just say push when you feelnit it's a pressure u feel and epi didn't numb everything that I promise I felt everything when I started to push. Its a.pain that is hard to describe I was in a massive amount of pain..

[Emilou30]

I am a mum of 3 soon to be 4, i have never had an epidural, i have always done it naturally only with gas and air, yes it hurts but i would rather do it naturally than have to be told when im having a contraction and be to told to push my baby out, thats scares me completely, i recommend a water birth :)

[abbar]

I am a first time mom as well I was due Saturday still no baby,I am most def getting an epidural. I watch enough "baby story" on tlc and natural birth seems unbearable,I'd rather try and sail through this as smooth as possible. My advice is that I'm going by is just expect it to be really really bad pain then when its not as bad it will be a relief! Good luck!

[My1stPudding]

I was wondering the same thing. I'm a ftm as well and I'm really scared about going into labour, especially since I don't want to have an epidural.. But it seems like most of you opt for the epidural, so I may be underestimating the pain?

[kategram88]

Not to scare you or anything but yea it hurts very bad. I was induced Saturday at 36 weeks for preclampsia, I had been dialting since 32 weeks I got to 6 cms and 80% thinned an stoped dialating or thinning and was having contractions but not consistantly. I went in this.last Saturday and was told I had preclampsia they admitted me I was checked before they broke my water I was 7cms and 100% thinned they broke my water then about a hrs layer the contractions were so bad I asked for a epidural, I had a horrable time with it took the Guy 6 tries and 1 whole hr to put it in it was very painful! By the time the epi was In I felt alot of pressure they checked me I was 10 cms dialated and they had me start to push I pushed for 1 hrs and my little girl was born at 806pm pushing hurt horrably for me due to them shutting off the epi and me tearing in 2 places but it was all worth it in the end my little girl.is amazing I was only in active labor for 4 hrs. Get lots of rest before labor pushing takes a lot out of you. I just wanted them to let me sleep and was begging for them to get her out. You will do ok and every one has a different labor story you may not feel as much pain as some people or not tear.. just remind yourself you'll have a beautiful baby when ur all done  

[Nellyprego1]

With my first the contractions were hell. But  they gave me something for them which helped  alot then they gave me the epidural. Which was great hours later my son was here. I hope the same with this pregnancy.

[bundleofjoy2013]

My experience . i was having contractions on feb 13 started at 3pm every hour or 2.. Then at 8pm it was 30min by 12am (feb 14)it was 7 min apart.. They were actually painful. Went to the labor delivery at 7am it was still 7min apart. I got sent back home at 9am due to the fact i was 38 weeks & 4 days & in the hospital you have to be 39 weeks i order for them to induce u. & i was 1 cm dilated.. I went back home,they gave me some Tylenol for pain. Didn't work... i took a bath.& nothing seemed to calm my contractions. I thought it was false labor.. I tried & sleep it off didnt work... At 12pm my contractions were 5 min apart.. At 2pm they were 3-4 min apart, i called my dr & they told me to go to the hospital.. I went in like at 3pm 2 cm dilated & thank god i stayed there.. they were giving me motrin for the pain to ease down.. It worked.. I was 5cm dilated .. at 4am (feb 15) my water broke.. I was 6cm dilated by then.. at 10am i was 10cm apart. I got the epidural its amazing cuz i didn't felt any pain since then.. we were just waiting for the dr to get to the hospital.. He was there by 10:45am.. i started pushing like around 11am & gave birth at 11:10am.. :) !!! I pushed like 5 times. Al i can say it was worth all the pain i passed thru. You'll see once you have your LO with u.. Good luck!!!! :)

[breee08]

My epidural wore off during labor and that was not fun to feel the contractions when they were reaching 9cm! Then they put more thru the IV and my delivery was painless. Are you planning on getting an epidural?