Natural Child Birth? How bad does it really hurt?
ByI’m really wanting to have a natural childbirth because I don’t want unnecessary interventions from the hospital.
Am I going to regret this decision? Anyone know about this?
It’s a water birth, which is supposed to help take the pressure off.
First kid. Thanks.
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24 Comments
March 1st, 2010 at 2:39 pm
i want a water birth too! i hear it helps reduce the pain & tension. it’s my first kid too. here’s a few of my favorite links.
http://www.waterbirth.org/mc/page.do
http://birthingfromwithin.com/
http://pregnancy.about.com/od/laborbasics/ss/ballpositions.htm
good luck!!
March 1st, 2010 at 3:30 pm
I used hypnobirth. It really helped me control my fear, and focus on the birth. I didn’t think it was really that painful, I sort of felt like I was doing a really intense work out, with too many crunches. I actually felt like the contractions were a lot stronger when I was in the water, so I got out. MY advice is research Lamaze and hypnobirth, and see if one of those methods sounds good to you. Both methods support the least amount of intervention possible.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I just had my first baby and I had her in a hospital…I made it to 6cm dilated without the epidural and then I just had to get it, contractions got really painful…..My point is that it is going to hurt, you aren’t leaving for a trip to paradise – well, anyway until the baby is born…..Nontheless I have heard great things about water births, how they are supposed to be easier, I wouldn’t know about it tough, I just admire so much women that can go through it naturally, I’m not that kinda gal, I needed the epi LOL
Do well your reasearch before setting your mind.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Like having yourlip pulled up and then wraped around your head.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I’m afraid I don’t think anyone can give you a guaranteed answer as it varies so much from woman to woman, depending on her physical make up, the baby, medical condition etc etc
I have to say from a personal experience, though, that neither of my natural birth hurt particulary at all – they were just a bit uncomfortable. I had no pain relief whatsoever.
My labours were quick, I did minimal pushing and the docs credited my laid back attitude…
I had heard that water births can slow a labur down – some women have got out it was taking so long. I fancied a water birth until the contractions started, then suddenly getting in water felt like the last thing I wanted. So I didn’t.
I know people who have had a caesarian that wish they had known the experience of a natural birth – I am glad I have done it, as a woman and a mum.
Good luck with whatever you decide and when it all starts.
March 1st, 2010 at 5:32 pm
No one can tell you how it is going to feel for you.
I had one natural birth and I am planning another. For me it wasn’t painful at all. In fact I would take labour over menstrual cramps any day, menstrual cramps are much worse. But that is just me, it is different for everyone.
March 1st, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I have three children, one step-child. I delivered my three naturally. I don’t think that anyone could really tell you how “bad” it really hurts. Everyone experiences pain differently and there are different types of pain. My experience with natural child birth is that it is a pain I can bear. When I feel a contraction coming on I sort of “zone” out and concentrate on nothing!! I know it may sound weird but I just try to clear my mind and breathe. It works for me. Just when I feel like I can’t take it anymore, God gives me the strength to carry on. The Lord made us to be able to work through child-birth. The biggest recommendation that I can make to you is to educate yourself as much as possible. Take child-birthing classes and maybe get yourself a Douala. I didn’t use a Douala, but a lot of women swear by them. Statistics do show that women who are educated about pregnancy and child-birth are less likely to use pain meds. I would also recommend that you do go ahead and register with the anaesthesiologist so that if you feel like you need to go that route it is at least available to you. God bless and congratulations.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:19 pm
they make these interventions to make you more comfortable.
Why make it soo much worse and more painful when there are ways to prevent it. If it in any why harmed the baby or you they would not have made the medicines for labor & delivery.
Good Luck and do whatever is in your heart.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:50 pm
First child can be very painful. Also you risk your life and your babies should a problem arise.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I suggest labor management classes such as Lamaze or I think the other one is called The Spelling method but I might be wrong-Lamaze was offered at my hospital and I used that one. Three kids -no pain meds, no epidurals. It hurt yes but after ward my kids were wide awake and looking at us -not all sleepy from the medications.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:21 pm
When i had my first Child i was 19 years old. The doctors did not have enough time to give the epidural to me therefore i had my Daughter Naturally.
I am pregnant now at the age of 27 this time by choice i want to do it naturally the thought of a needle in my back is just scary to me plus some of the things that could possibly happen if it is done incorrectly.
When i had my little girl it was very painful but at a certain point my body put out endorphins that helped take the pain away after i looked at her it made it all worth while. I still remember the pain but it went away and just think you get a wonderful gift when it is over with.
I guess it would depend on how your delivery will end up mine was not horrible compaired to other people.
FYI in my opinion when i had kidney stones that was worse than child birth.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Hi there, mom of 3 sons here; and at the time of my first, my then mother-in-law (and mom of 6) explained it to me this way: Imagine yourself “pottying out a watermelon” without any pain-killer. She had 5 out of 6 that way, and with one her uterus prolapsed, forcing her to be put under. I ended up having caesareans and was very glad. Whether you’ll regret the decision is up to your body build–if too small in the pelvis (like I was), it may hurt terribly. Let your doctor be your guide–you’ll be ok! And don’t feel like a failure if you need pain relief!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:01 pm
It hurts REALLY BAD.
First of all let me say that I don’t know anything about water births. I have 4 children, and I had natural with my 2nd and 4th. It’s painful! By the time you change your mind, it will be too late for an epidural, for anything.
I had an epidural with my 3rd, and by the time it was time for me to push, the medicine wore off and they wouldn’t give me anymore, so I ended up feeling EVERYTHING in the end! My back is messed up for life because of the epidural. I still feel where they stuck me at. It’s up to you.
Natural birth is more painful, yes, but it’s better for your baby in the long run, and your recovery time is less, too. With my 4th, I got up and walked an hour after birth, and I was eating a full-course dinner at 2 hours.
Natural birth is better for you and your baby. If I had to do it again, I would do it. I had complications from the epidural. Whatever you decide, good luck. I hope this helps.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:00 pm
I am the mother of two wonderful healthy children. They were both born with the use of an epidural. The epidural does nothing to relieve the pressure you feel. The second time around I was in so much pain from the pressure I could not believe it. Pain is all relevant though. It is different for each birth. I would have picked a water birth if I would have done it naturally. I do however believe that if I am going to have a tooth pulled I ask for numbing medication. Why give birth without pain relief????
March 1st, 2010 at 11:55 pm
I’m the mom of three children under 5 years old.
My oldest was delivered in hospital, but 100% un-medicated, naturally.
My two younger children were both born at home, in the water (inflatable kiddie pools, in my living room).
After having had a waterbirth, I will never opt for labouring out of water again.
Sure, labour hurts. But it’s not a constant pain, you do have breaks between contractions. And it is not for that long either – a few hours, maybe a day. And for *most* women, the pain builds up as time goes on – it doesn’t start out being so bad, so you kind of get used to it as it goes on.
Remember – this is what your body is made to do. You are strong, and you can deliver this baby without medication.
Personally – I was much more scared of a needle going into my spinal area than I was of labour and delivery.
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:32 am
With my first son I wanted to see if I could do it without the epidural, I lasted as long as I could stand the pain then chose pain meds – they made me throw up for hours, ended up getting an epidural. With my daughter (who is 6 months) I thought I would get an epidural the minute I walked into the hospital and things would be great. Well the day before I delivered my daughter I had contractions all day and by the evening I couldn’t stand it any longer and we went to the hospital, they kept me there for 3 hours to see how far I had dialated before they would decide if I could go home or stay. Well they decided I could stay – I dialated 2 cm in one hour and by the time they got the papers ready and the room I was up to 6 cm and still no pain meds. I ended up getting an epidural but by that point my daughter was delivered only a couple hours later so I almost made it through without the meds. I think a water birth would be cool, it was difficult getting comfortable laying in the bed with all the wires attached to me, being in the water sounds like it would be much more comfortable.
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:25 am
My husband and I studied the Bradley Method, which is husband-coached childbirth. It was so important to me to have a natural childbirth with no medical intervention. We also hired a doula. However, my little boy was stubborn – I had to be induced; he was facing up so I had terrible back labor – that, combined with the pitocin, made contractions unbearable; then I got an epidural and ended up with a c-section anyway, since the cord was tightly around his neck 2 times!
My point is – make your birth plan, but remember that you need to expect the unexpected. Sometimes things happen differently than you expect, and this is especially true of childbirth. I am still disappointed that I did not get the experience that I wanted, but you have to remain focused on the outcome – not the process. Healthy mom and healthy baby – that is what is most important.
Good luck and congratulations!
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:38 am
i tore both times delivering vaginally(was not cut by dr.)
both times with epidural
it really hurt afterwards, couldn’t walk right for atleast a month
i would recommend the epidural, because you don’t know if you will tear or not, its better to have the pain med and not feel it
my 2nd i bleed alot and passed out afterwards
i also had back labor both time
EVERYONES BIRTH, AND DELIVERY IS DIFFERENT
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:17 am
I have three kids. First one was naturally – with only Stadol no epidural. That was pure hell. I should’ve just went with no medication, but I was desperate. I was also only 18.
Second child – gave me the same crap. He turned around the wrong way, they gave me an epidural b/c they were going to have to go do a C-section, but thankfully the little snot turned back around the right way and crowned and was born vaginally. I still felt the effects of the epidural which was nice!
My third – was induced labor. Pitocin to get contractions started, then as soon as I was 4 cm, I got my epidural. Loved it! I was able to relax and nap during labor and actually enjoyed the birth – although it still hurt like hell. Epidurals DO NOT help with back labor. Back labor is the WORST kind of labor. I still have lower back pain in the same spot. Sucks.
Just don’t go in there with the attitude that it won’t hurt and that you’re supermom and don’t need drugs. There in NOTHING wrong with getting an epidural!! I still had all three of my babies naturally! No C-sections, thank god!!
It’s going to hurt like hell, take lamaze classes and when you go into labor, go in to the hospital with an open mind.
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:24 am
I, too was set against unnecessary interventions, but ended up having to be induced by a Pitocin drip. That is the only medication I had, and I have to say that my intent is to have thenext child by natural birth as well. I had 12 weeks of Bradley Method birthing classes (which are informative, but also a little kooky), my OB-GYN’s office is staffed by midwives (a midwife delivered my son) and my hubby was next to me the entire time, whispering encouragement. The hospital where my son was born had an incredible staff, and overall I had a great experience.
The pain and pressure is intense, but mine wasn’t unbearable-I’m a wimp and I managed to pull through. Most of my friends bet that I would get the epidural. Your mindset going in has to be determined, but still flexible-you never know what’s going to happen. Prepare a birth plan with your Dr. and really take the time to talk to them about how you would like your childbirth to go (best-case scenario). I don’t know about water births, personally, but I hear that they can be relaxing and helpful. We used one of those big yoga balls that you can sit on while I was laboring, that really helped me. Read, Read, Read and ask lots of questions of other moms! Good Luck!
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:52 am
Although the pain level varies from woman to woman, it is extremely painful. With my son I chose to have the epidural. Well…that hurt worse than any of it, and my body rejected it so I went through the pain of the epidural and didn’t even get the relief from it. Honestly…the pain, for me, was extreme but not unbearable. Once his head was out the pain was over.
I’m pregnant now with my second and after what I experienced, I will go as long as I possibly can without the medication…hopefully all the way!
Good Luck~
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:10 am
Nobody knows how much it will hurt as it is different for everyone. As you have read some people didn’t think it was too bad – mine personally was extremely painful. I wanted to have a natural birth without drugs BUT i was open to changing my mind during labour. I tried natural – without drugs, for something like 22hours and then i opted for an epidural because i just couldn’t take it anymore. I ended up being in labour for 25hours before my daughter was born. I was glad i “tried” natural but i was just as glad when i asked for an epidural. Just be open to all possibilities – it is good to have choices there even if you don’t use them.
Best of luck,
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:15 am
worse than a tattoo
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:25 am
They don’t call it the ‘ring of fire’ for nothing…I kept asking my husband if there was a watermelon coming out of my a$$ sideways, because that is what it felt like! Perhaps I am just a weenie or maybe because I chose an epidural but it quit working my experience was emotionally more painful than some of the others here.
I just wanted you to know, it’s not beautiful and blissful all the time, but the end result is the same no matter how you approach it-and makes it ALL worth it.
Even if you are going ‘natural’, I recommend birthing at a hospital. If anything does, heaven forbid, go wrong, the precious mintutes wasted getting an ambulance can be the difference between life and death for you or your child.