stages of labor and pain

[Anonymous]

So I've been watching A Baby Story for a while.

I'm due with my first in a couple of months.

The women who get an epidural, it seems like they're pretty content until the end where they are actually pushing (and then they seem very not ok).

So my question is, if you are medicated, what are the parts that still hurt...and how long does it last?

[Anonymous]

Baby Story dramatizes everything for the sake of the story arc... try not to put too much stock in it (or any reality show on birth!)

Can't answer your question bc my birth was unmedicated (and the pushing part was easier for me than the part right before it, aka "transition," because pushing was so active and dynamic.)

Hope others can help. You'll do great.

[Anonymous]

PP I did one medicated, one unmedicated. With the medicated one I was COMPLETELY painless with my epidural until the very end. Even then, I could still talk, breathe, etc. With the unmedicated, I agree with PP. Felt like I was going to die but then had to push and that helped. Luckily the whole thing was only 1 hour so I shouldn't complain!!

Either way you go, you are going to be fine. That baby has to come out one way or the other....people far weaker than you have done it!! YOu can too. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Like the PP, I've had one medicated and one unmedicated. The epidural helped me with the contractions ONLY. The contractions are the hard part of labor, at least they were for me. At the end, there is also insane pressure. It is beyond uncomfortable, but I would not describe it as painful. It gets worse with each contraction. Also, I could feel the tearing with the epidural. I've heard different experiences on the tearing, so perhaps that is an individual thing. It was no big deal compared to the contractions and pressure.

There is also some crazy hormonal stuff going on that made me feel loopy and rather unaware of what was going on around me. The loopy feeling goes away immediately after giving birth.

[Anonymous]

I had an epidural for both births. First one, I was totally numb and couldn't move one leg. Then they turned off the medicine when it was time to push. I still couldn't really feel what I was doing, but they had me pushing for 2 1/2 hours which was physically draining and frustrating for everyone involved! Had 2nd degree tearing. Could feel the crowning, "ring of fire" and all that good stuff.

Second birth, I asked for a lower dose of epidural which they reluctantly gave me. Still couldn't move well. Couldn't feel the contractions unless I looked at the monitor or felt my tummy with my hands. Doctor came in to check on me every hour or so. I went from 4 to 10cm within an hour and the dr came in and was like, "Whoa, we're ready to do this!" 2 big pushes from me and my almost 9 lb baby was out! Had to have an episiotomy, but didn't feel it.

I was very happy with my second birthing experience--it was relaxed and calm and quiet. I think my first birth left me with a little PTSD.

[Anonymous]

It's different for everyone. Had an epidural with my first and from what I remember (DD is now 8 months) was feeling waves or pressure and my whole body tensing up. It was physically draining pushing those last 2 hours and I do remember feeling a sensation down my leg. However, it wasn't the most excruciating, most agonizing, most painful thing in my life I was terrified of when I was pregnant.

[Anonymous]

I was put on patosin (sp?) to induce the contractions b/c my water had broke but the rest wasn't happening hard or fast enough. While I have a high tolerance to pain, I had the epidural b/c it was INTENSE. Do what feels right by your body and you'll be fine. Whatever will be will be, no reason to stress over it.

[Anonymous]

I opted to have an epidural, because I had been in labor for 19 hours when I arrived at the hospital and was concerned about being exhausted from pain by the time I had to push (which happened to my mom after something like 36 hours of labor with me). It went into effect quickly and then I didn't feel much of anything other than a little pressure when I was pushing. I'd say the downside was that it was harder for me to gauge my pushing at first, until the epidural had worn off a bit, and then it was easier for me to push.