Pain ?

Question

Hello! I’m planning on doing an unmediated birth, I’m wondering for those mamas who have done natural birth if you can kind of explain the pain to me. Is it dull or sharp or stinging or pressure or what? I’m very curious as to what I’m going in to. No one really talks about this part.

Answer

I haven't given birth yself, however that has helped me to realise that every mum, every baby, every pregnancy and every birth are unique. So many women want to know what labour feels like, however, as someone who has looked after a lot of women, in many different circumstances, Labour and what you feel is different for every person. I have massaged backs for hours because the baby was Posterior, so the contractions were felt in the back.... I have remained completely silent during hypnobirthing because mum was a rock star and didn't need me to talk... I have assisted in c-sections, where despite receiving ridiculously high amounts of drugs, the woman felt what she described as pain and so we had to move to general anaesthetic.
Even mum's who are on baby 2, 3, 4, or more know that labour could be completely different this time. Each time you give birth, two of the greatest assets a person can have are firstly, an open mind and willingness to follow their body, and two, an amazing birth partner who supports the mum in every way known to man.
People do talk about labour, however, pain is subjective, what is pain to one person, is mild discomfort to another, so it is very difficult to reach an agreement.
I often ask women what their periods are like, as (purely anecdotally!) I have found that women who have had difficult periods often find labour a little easier, as they are used to uterine cramps that are intense. It is also a good way to figure out what helps you the best... if you have an awful period, what makes you feel better: Warm bath/shower? Massage? Curling up in the dark? Paracetamol? Hot water bottle? Touch from someone you feel safe with? 
When I taught antenatal classes, I always asked women to think about how they like to be cared for if they are unwell or in pain, then I ask the birth partners to think about all of the times they have supported the mum, and what has been most helpful.
Don't think about it objectively and about pain in general, try and think about what makes you feel safe, happy, loved and positive even if you didn't initially feel that way. 
All the very best for the rest of your pregnancy and your birth 😊

Answer

8M with baby 4 and I agree whole heartedly with the pp. You don't really know how it's going to go. The best 'pain' description I could give is a cramp, like a Charlie horse or foot cramp, but it builds in a fairly predictable wave pattern. I find it pretty easy to deal with the contractions themselves as long as I focus on breathing and keeping my face and pelvic muscles relaxed. Remember that it isn't pain though; your muscles are working for a reason. Remembering that the contraction cannot be stronger than you because the contraction is part of you also helps me. 
The much harder part is the mental game of not knowing how long this will go on for. A tip I was given is to prepare yourself mentally for a 40 hour labor as a first time mom and you will be happy with only 39. My first was 22 hours of active back labor, my second 10 hours total 3 hours active, my third was 2.5 hours total 1.5 active. The second was probably the easiest birth since it had a nice easy warm up instead of a marathon or a sprint 😂

Answer

To me it was a pressure with both my kids but it is different for everyone. The best advice I ever received was by my midwife and she said that once you feel like you can't do it anymore the baby will come and it's 100% true. Labor is a mindset, you mentally have to prepare for natural labor and have your partner on the same page as you when you're not in labor and have them help you stick to it. Keep in the mindset that you can do it and it will end. Once you get to the end and the pain is hard to deal with and you just want it to end, you'll end up bearing down and the baby will come and once they are out it is like the biggest weight off but boy when the placenta comes out it's heavenly

Answer

Don’t focus too much on the pain. It’s something that builds up as you progress, but as it builds your body will release more endorphins to cope. Yes, it’s painful, but it’s bearable and you will get some breaks in between until the end and by then your primal side will take over. Key is to take it one at a time and not to think ahead.

Answer

For me, I experienced a squeezing cramping feeling. During transition things felt more dull/all over/intense, then during pushing I briefly felt the ring of fire which was a burning/sharp feeling. Then my pain went away when she came out. The placenta delivery was quick but a little uncomfortable bc I had forgotten to prep for that. 
I used counter pressure, positive affirmation, squeezed a comb, and listened to my birth playlist in the car ride, and hypnobirthing. 
It was such a wonderful experience. Highly recommend hypno. I basically meditated every night while going to sleep from 32 weeks on. It was my second birth (first was an elective induction). I was in labor for 8 hrs. Got to the hospital at 9cm. Had her within 45 min. Pushed maybe ten times.

Pain ?

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