Getting close to my due date, 6 more weeks to go. I've heard different stories from different people..... I'm curious for those of you who have had babies already or have heard from your friends what it 'felt' like.... how did it feel? Can you compare the pain to anything.... like horrible cramps? Worse? I'm not worried, just curious. Thanks.
Rainmama
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
Honestly, I can't remember exactly what the contractions felt like. I do remember comparing them to cramps...expect they hurt a hundred times worse. (Not trying to scare you at all!) It was certainly a very unique experience. Although I hated it at the time, I look back now and don't regret a single moment of labor (all 28 hours of it!) Good luck to you!!! Embrace each and every moment of your pregnancy! It'll be over before you know it.
kptoys
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
The early stages of labor were definitly like cramps, about 4CM it felt like pretty horrible cramps... 6CM felt painful and transition was like someone taking a corset and making it so tight around your belly that your guts feel like spurting out. I could compare transition part of labor to smacking a hammer against your skull over and over and over and over. But then its over and you have a baby Labor is unique to everyone your could be a breeze or it could be so great that you are begging your doc to shoot you... after about 18 hours of labor I was ready to tell them to do a C/S cause it hurt and I wanted it to stop but I was a trooper for 4 more hours cause I knew it would be over soon...
Rainmama
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
Posted by kptoys
The early stages of labor were definitly like cramps, about 4CM it felt like pretty horrible cramps... 6CM felt painful and transition was like someone taking a corset and making it so tight around your belly that your guts feel like spurting out. I could compare transition part of labor to smacking a hammer against your skull over and over and over and over. But then its over and you have a baby Labor is unique to everyone your could be a breeze or it could be so great that you are begging your doc to shoot you... after about 18 hours of labor I was ready to tell them to do a C/S cause it hurt and I wanted it to stop but I was a trooper for 4 more hours cause I knew it would be over soon...
Well put, Karen! And after all that you're doing it again!
kptoys
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
Well ya see this time I dont have to do it again. I had an emergency C/S with Emma after all that!!! So Im going for a repeat C.
ambersmom
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
Karen's got it right! God help you if you need Pitocin. They come out of no where and at some points, you can't even catch your breath! I don't know if Lamaze helps or not. I know I couldn't concentrate on anything BUT the pain. Forget focal points, I wanted DRUGS!!!
Dee7772
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
did the epidural help at all? Or did you still fel everthing?
Rainmama
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
Posted by Dee7772
did the epidural help at all? Or did you still fel everthing?
I didn't have an epidural but I did have what's called an intrathecal. It's the same medicine as an epi. but rather than having a catheter inserted it's a single shot. (I had to have it done 3 times ) About 5 minutes after though, I was in heaven. I barely felt the contractions and I was able to relax and rest up. The shot also had morphine in it so I got a little loopy! The medicine wore off before I was completely dilated so I delivered pretty 'sober.' I've heard that with the epidural it makes pushing a little harder because you can't feel the contractions.
And, oh yeah, pitocin SUCKS!!! It felt like a neverending contraction. That was really the worst part.
ambersmom
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
I had to have two epidurals (the technicial screwed up the first one - only numbed my legs), but they both wore off when I started pushing (except my legs, I couldn't feel my legs and what a bizzare feeling that was). How funny that I could push and feel all of that but I couldn't hold my legs up!
When the baby was coming out, it felt like someone poured kerosene on my choo-choo and lit it! It was the strangest sensation, like a burn you've never felt before.
jennjohn17
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
Oh my god....I am scared......
kptoys
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
Its not THAT bad really... see Im having another. LOL and the repeat C/S is not a definite yet
ambersmom
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
You're a brave woman Karen
No, I'd have another in a second too. But it was some intense pain, drugged or not. I think when I broke my ankle it was a tickle in comparison to birth and I didn't even have a huuuggge kid. I can't imagine if she had been 9 lbs!!
Mishy626
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
Thanks for all of your honest replies ladies... some of you made me laugh the way you phrased how the pain was or what it compared to.... I'm still not scared, just more sure that when I need the epidural, I am asking for it instead of trying to deal with the pain!
kptoys
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
Its not a constant pain. It comes in waves... strong powerful waves that you wish came with an undertow to drag you a$$ out to sea I did it for the whole time before the C/S without anything and didnt scream, cry etc. I thought about having the epi once the serious pain kicked in but then remembered I made it that far. Lamaze is BS. Out the window. But I will have to say that if an epi is ANYTHING like a spinal praise the lord cause once I had that when I was 9 1/2CM it was HEAVEN!!! but I couldnt imagine trying to push with that... I had no feeling in my legs for 3 hours
ETA: I had a 4mm kidney stone exactly 2 months after Emma was born and I would give birth 20,000 times before I would have another kidney stone. THAT was some pain. I was BEGGING for drugs to make it stop.
emilain
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
it;s really not that bad, I had 2 vaginal births, labored at home for most of the dialation with my 2nd daughter, you just need to stay in control, try to keep quiet, close your eyes, breathe calmly and actually hear your breaths enter and exhale, rock a little, this helps with distraction, too much stimulation I found to be overhwhelming. Have them dim the lights, anddon't hold your breath when te contractions come. Also, try to stay upright as long as possible, it helps with dialation and keeps yor mind occupied, take a shower, take a walk. You can do it, I know I can't wait to do it again!!! The reward outweighs the pain (which is totally bearable).
jillybean66
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
I went into preterm labor at 31 weeks - it did not feel at all what I what expected it to feel like! I thought contractions would be like a sharp, shooting pains, but they were not - they felt just like menstrual cramps that went to my back and to my legs too. They were able to stop the labor though, so I never made it to the really strong contractions.
brideinapril
Posted:
Member since
Re: What does labor/contractions really feel like?
The only way I got through it was to keep telling myself 'by this time tomorrow I will have a beauiful baby' 'By this time tomorrow it will all be over' It got me through it - I didn't have an epidural either - so the pain did get pretty intense - to say the least - I wasn't screaming (although I wanted to) but I just kept repeating those lines and it helped get me through it!!!
I would do it all over again for the outcome was well worth it!!!
