How bad does it really hurt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many experiences that I relate to here! For me, I was NOT AT ALL prepared for a non-medicated birth. My first was a piece of cake. My second happened so fast that I almost didn't make it into the bed. I am positive that the fact that I was SO unprepared to not be medicated made it 100X's worse. I screamed "NO!" the whole time, lol. The feeling of having to push was so terrifying to me -- the nurses kept telling me not to push but my body was going to push that baby out whether I helped or not. I remember feeling like I had absolutely no control over my body at all.

If we do it again I am getting an epidural at my 7 month check-up.

I agree with this. If you are planning to go no epi, the experiences of people who wanted one but couldn't get it for whatever reason are not the level of pain experience you should expect. Expecting and wanting pain intervention but not getting it adds tension, a feeling of loss of control, anxiety, etc, to the whole experience which really ramps up the pain.

[Anonymous]

Yes, part of this is the expectations. I have a very low pain threshold and knew I wanted the epi as soon as possible. With my first birth, as soon as the doctors allowed it (4 cm) I asked for the epi. It took almost an hour due to 4 women all requesting one at the same time. For me, the pain felt like someone was taking a knife and gutting me from the inside out. Your body is literally tearing itself apart. After the epi, I had a wonderful birth. I was fully aware and enjoyed the experience.

With birth #2, I had more medical complications. I was given pitosin, which made the contractions very intense. The nurse really wanted me to get the epi so she could turn up the pitosin. I elected the epi, and all the pain stopped. My heartrate and the baby's both started to drop. Not sure if this was caused by the pitosin or the epi. I delivered vaginally, but it wasn't without some drama.

[Anonymous]

For a different perspective, I felt much better after I vomited for the pain. I've learned with migraines not to fight the urge to vomit, and the pain subsides for a period of time after.

For those of you who felt like you were being ripped in half, was that from contractions or the pushing/birth?

[Anonymous]

I had 2 deliveries with epidurals, all pieces of cake and home 24 hours later. I had one natural with a 9lb 2oz baby and I don't think I would ever voluntarily do that again. I did get to home within 12 hours but again, don't think I'd voluntarily do that again either with 3 little ones waiting at home. I may enjoy the solitude with this next little one as long as I can.
The labor pain wasn't that bad at all, however the pushing was very painful and not something I would want to endure again.

[Anonymous]

I'm a wimp and I thought it was ok. I mean, not fun, but also had a purpose and the breaks made it doable.

I don't like needles, so I had two without drugs. I'm really terrible with injuries (I freak out, to be honest) but this was doable. By the time I thought it really wasn't doable anymore it was almost over.

[Anonymous]

So I understand they won't give you an epidural till you are at least 4 cm dilated but what is the difference between that and effaced?
And why do some women say the epidural didn't work? Is that possible in today's day and age where these things are all pretty set?

[Anonymous]

I have a high pain tolerance. I was uncomfortable, but it was not unbearable. However, I had a really long labor and I found the exhaustion more horrible to deal with than the pain.

[Anonymous]

Is it possible to get a lighter epidural first and see if it works and then have them go back in and give a higher one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I understand they won't give you an epidural till you are at least 4 cm dilated but what is the difference between that and effaced?
And why do some women say the epidural didn't work? Is that possible in today's day and age where these things are all pretty set?

Epis go into a space near your spine. They put it in without a simultaneous sono of your spine so it doesn't always work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I understand they won't give you an epidural till you are at least 4 cm dilated but what is the difference between that and effaced?
And why do some women say the epidural didn't work? Is that possible in today's day and age where these things are all pretty set?

Not necessary to wait until 4 cm. I'm the OP. I got my epi with baby #1 at 2 cm. I was having back labor and could not tolerate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have had 9 babies.

There were moments of true pain with all of them, but they were just a few tiny moments. Most of the time was either deep rest or concentration, with another few moments of hard work.

The worst pain I ever felt while in labor was when the staff were raising their voices and being unkind, and when a resident hooked my fully dilated cervix with the amino hook. The fear increased the sensations to agony, and being stabbed in the cervix was awful. But neither of those factors were inherent to the labor process--they were imposed on me.

When I have been left in peace, I had no pain whatsoever--just strong feelings that were actually enjoyable.

I love giving birth.

you are not from the DC-area.

I am!

My husband works at DOJ, and I am a doula.

From my experience, the more a woman feels safe, cherished, respected, and supported, the better she handles the work of labor. Those conditions are harder to meet in a hospital, but they are possible. Labor should be work, not suffering.

Oh--I just wanted to mention that vomiting can be a normal physiological part of labor--caused not by pain, but by hormones and muscle spasms. Still unpleasant, though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I understand they won't give you an epidural till you are at least 4 cm dilated but what is the difference between that and effaced?
And why do some women say the epidural didn't work? Is that possible in today's day and age where these things are all pretty set?

Epidurals have a significant failure rate, and they have significant rates of serious side effects. They are not magic. Read The Thinking Woman's Guide to Birth for thorough and accurate information.

The most cruel kind of epi failure is when it only works on one side. Then you've lost all the natural pain relief, and you're stuck with one side unable to move and the other side in screaming agony. Not uncommon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it possible to get a lighter epidural first and see if it works and then have them go back in and give a higher one?

Yes. They leave the needle in, like an IV, so they can always up the dose. The line isn't removed until a few hours after birth, I think. (I had a c-section, so kept my epidural for 12 hours after.)

[Anonymous]

I had a natural drug free birth but I was 34. Now I am 41 and OB thinks may have need a c-section. If I have an epidural for pain management, will I need another one if a c-section is needed? How soon before it wears off? Thanks to any insights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it possible to get a lighter epidural first and see if it works and then have them go back in and give a higher one?

Yes. They leave the needle in, like an IV, so they can always up the dose. The line isn't removed until a few hours after birth, I think. (I had a c-section, so kept my epidural for 12 hours after.)

I had a similar next post to the above question and thanks you answered it.