How bad does vaginal delivery hurt?

Question

I’m terrified. I knew what I was getting myself into but now that it’s real, I’m freaking out. I plan to get an epidural— does the needle hurt? How about the Foley catheter? and then the actual delivery? And the contractions? Help.

Answer

I promise you are making it a million times worse in your head. After epidural you usually don’t feel much of anything. The epidural itself really is painless because they numb your skin in the that area prior, I promise you the contractions are more painful than the epidural. It takes the epidural a good 10-15 minutes to fully take effect once placed. Make sure you’re clear about when you think you may want the epidural, don’t wait until you’re absolutely climbing the ceiling because sometimes it takes some time for the anesthesiologist to come because they may be with other patients. With my last pregnancy I had an overall idea of when I was thinking I might want one, but then they told me to let them know because it was going to be about an hour wait from the time they called for him to come because of other surgeries etc scheduled. So plan ahead. After epidural I didn’t feel hardly anything, some people still feel the pressure (not pain, just some slight pressure to give you cue to push) sometimes you won’t even feel that. It’s scary when you aren’t sure what to expect but you’re blowing it up so much worse in your head right now. You will be amazed at your body’s ability to adapt and somehow just know what to do. Follow its lead. The only thing I had was some slight soreness afterwards but they’ll give you pain medicine and ice packs and dermaplast numbing spray and if you have any pain the combination of these things will keep you comfortable so don’t worry!

Answer

I had a vaginal birth with no pain medication.
The contractions were the worse part. Pushing hurt as well but I just pushed along with the contractions to minimize tear. I still got an episiotomy because doctor said I needed it. After the baby came out, I couldn’t feel any pain, except for the episiotomy and stitches.

Answer

They don’t call it ‘The Ring of Fire’ for nothing!
It does hurt, but you were made for it! 
Talk to your doctor or midwife about how scared you are - they might be able to help talk you through it

Answer

Omg I had one contraction today and it hurt!!!! I am getting pain meds ASAP

Answer

I personally think the labour was the worst part pushing is. Not so bad until the baby is crowning that burns a little bit doesn’t hurt as bad as the labour I’ve had three deliveries so far all natural one I had a little gas and air but nothing else.

Answer

girl I feel ya Im freaking out too! I'm terrified vaginal birth

Answer

I got lucky with my daughter. My water broke at 10 at night and had her the next morning at 6, but I didn't get any contractions before I got my epidural (which was the worst part for me but it just felt like a bad cramp throughout my back) and I was numb when I got the catheter and numb when they took it out. I didn't feel pain during pushing, just pressure. I had a tear they had to sew up but I didn't feel anything. 
The worst part, at least for me, was the swollen boobs and itchy stitches after birth.

Answer

So my first son I had with no pain medications and it was a breeze my second son I had an epidural with because they gave me pitocin which made the contractions worse, the epidural was a bad experience for me because the anesthesiologist missed the nerve 4 times in my back and then finally got the right spot. After I was discharged from the hospital the back pain was unreal.

Answer

Labor is rough but you can do it! The epidural is amazing, I didn’t think it hurt getting it but I was in so much pain from contractions I wasn’t too worried about it. I didn’t get a foley, they used a straight cath. I honestly didn’t feel it because they do it once the epidural is done. Once you get the epidural you feel pressure but it isn’t bad. The most painful part was the pushing. Just remember that you’ll be meeting your precious little baby when it’s all over! Motivate yourself to push!!
The best thing you can do is go in with an open mind and try to stay as calm as possible. Your doctors and nurses are there to take care of you. Try to relax and not stress about it. Once you’re in labor you can’t stop it, there’s no changing your mind! The doctors and nurses have you and your baby’s best interests in mind.  Good luck ❤️ you can do it!!

Answer

I feel the same exact way 😭

How bad does vaginal delivery hurt?

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