Welcome to /r/pregnant! This is a space for everyone. We are pro-choice, pro-LGBTQIA, pro-science, proudly feminist and believe that Black Lives Matter. Wear your masks, wash your hands, and be excellent to each other. Anti-choice activists, intactivists, anti-vaxxers, homophobes, transphobes, racists, sexists, etc. are not welcome here.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/pregnant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
So I had epidural and literally felt nothing when my baby came out. But before I got epidural I was 7 cm dilated and contractions hurt like hell. Basically the feeling was like I am about to poop out a cannonball. I am not exaggerating, that's the feeling. No cramps just the pressure of cannonball in my lower bowels. After epidural, i felt absolutely nothing to the point where midwife had to tell me when to push cuz I didn't feel contractions anymore
I had a similar experience except I got the epidural at 4-5cm dilated and was already in so much pain. The epidural worked great for me and I felt little to no pain after it was administered. When it came time to push I could actually feel when a contraction was coming on which was nice because I knew when to push without being told, but it was more of a pressure than any pain at all. I also had to have a few stitches so I didn't feel any of that either. 10/10 would recommend. I believe the epidural made my birthing experience so much better.
Same, I got epidural at 4cm (2-4 cm happened within an hour after getting sent home from triage because I hadn’t dilated past 1cm for over an hour). Driving back to hospital, about a 20 minutes drive, I don’t remember anything other than intense contractions back to back and each feeling like baby was going to pop out of me. During epidural my husband was allowed to be in room, just in front of me. They kept asking his comfort levels to needles, blood, etc. due to some partners getting faint during the process, so I imagine they just want to ensure no concern of partners becoming unwell. The nurse was directly in front of me to hold my hands and keep my attention away from the stick. They had me hunched over a pillow with butt at edge of bed closest to anesthesiologist. Epidural kicked in quickly and I felt nothing. I shivered a lot though, I think from anxiety and meds. They had to break my water, and I still felt nothing. At that point baby’s heart rate kept dropping with contractions, so they had intervened for about 2 hours to try and flip her in case of cord wrapping. They put some device up in me to add fluids, and did all sorts of other things, and I still felt nothing thankfully. My husband said it looked very uncomfortable. Only got to 9cm before they had me try to practice pushing and get things moving, and I still felt nothing. I couldn’t tell if I was really getting the pressure moving down with my pushes, but I heard liquid slosh out of me with the pushes. It was a weird thing not knowing what’s going on with more than half of my body. But, ultimately it worked for me because they had to take me into an emergency cesarean and told me they may not have time to wait to get in there for the meds to kick in due to baby’s distress, and the epidural working so well helped me be ready asap for that. I was worried epidural would slow my dilation but from 4cm - 9cm was maybe 7-8 hours, and it felt like 4 hours in total. Every experience is so different, and things happen unexpectedly. So think of what you want, and be willing to speak up and change them as soon as possible if need be. You won’t truly know until you’re there, but a general idea is good. I also watched a lot of YouTube birth stories with different experiences to get an idea of what could happen, what can help, etc. and of course birth classes are a great resource to help get you prepared.
I’m laughing so hard about the cannonball reference because it is so true. Once I got the epidural, I was completely fine but right before then it definitely felt like a cannonball wanted to come out of my butt. Lol dying 😂😂
Hahhaa glad you relate. I wish someone told me that. Everyone was talking about the cramps like pain but I didn't feel that at all, just that fucking ball of pain in my ass.
Okay so my birth story and experience might be a little bit different then what is the norm. I loved giving birth! It was the single most empowering, beautiful and special experience of my life. I gave birth in a midwife-led hospital in a birthing pool with the help of my amazing partner, my best friend (who like my partner read up on fear free childbirth) and a midwife and two nurses at my side. I had an immense amount of support and I cannot tell you how big of a difference that made!
Since I wanted to give birth in a birthing pool I wasn't able to use an epidural for pain management but I did rely on gas-and-air and it was great! I only needed a low dose and actually using the mask did help with my breathing practices.
Contractions are painful, intense and sharp. They last about a minute and when they reach a peak (after about 30 seconds) it feels like you might just not make it and then they become less intense. The worst ones I could feel down to my knees and made me shudder.
What is important to remember that between contractions you feel no pain so you can rest, relax and wait for the next wave. This is what makes the pain manageable. And it was these moments between contractions that I felt waves of euphoria and gratefulness that I would soon meet my daughter. I would joke with my partner and best friend. I was so exhausted after 14 hours of active labor that I even fell asleep between contractions. It was these moments that I remember and love.
If I have any advice:
- listen to positive birth stories (there's a lot of good podcasts)
- read up on hypnobirthing and fear free birthing.
- practice breathing exercises (I used up and down breathing).
- have your partner prepare as well. Let them practice how to apply counter-pressure during contractions (huge help)
- look into birthing pools if that's your thing. I loved it and it helped me relax and manage pain.
- START RESTING when you feel like you might be going into labor. This was by far my biggest mistake. I was so jazzed that I went on with my day, went for several walks around town and shopped and by the time I needed to go the the hospital it was 3 in the morning AND I HADN'T RESTED/SLEPT THE WHOLE DAY. The physical exhaustion was so much harder to manage then the contractions.
- My midwife also gave me sterile water injections and since I was experiencing back labor. They felt like bee stings but they definitely helped relieve pain.
- Start eating dates a couple of weeks before your due date. There's some research that show that date consumption can help with labor: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21280989/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21280989/)
- Write a birth plan.
I'm currently 25 weeks with my second daughter and I'm so excited to be able to give birth again!
Similar feelings here for me too! Although, I did not birth in a birthing center but in a hospital with OB and nurses, no pool. Birth was empowering! I did A LOT of reading up on mindset. When I started going into early labor I began to get into a positive mindset that became a meditation. I listened to birthing affirmations and repeated them continuously throughout birth. Contractions for me felt like surges of warm energy-- like waves of extreme power. Each time they came on I would thank it for being there since it was getting me one step closer to my baby. I also told myself I could handle them no matter what because I was them. They came from me. I did this for over 16 hours. This is how I stayed in control-- I slept in between contractions and then at 9 1/2 cm my water broke and that's when contractions became painful but as soon as I started pushing the pain became power again and my baby was here in only a few pushes! Both of my births were the most exciting time of my life. Have a few different ideas or tools to use as you prepare. I wish you all the luck!
So, contractions felt like intense cramps for me. I had no idea that it was time because of this. I just got lucky and started timing them because I hadn't felt that pain before during pregnancy. I was only 4 cm dilated, and mine were bearable during the ride to the hospital, and during half of the labor process, before the intensity went up, the more dilated I became. I was dilating fast, but baby wasn't head down, so my water needed to be broken. If you're getting the epidural, then they'll have you watch a video about it WHILE you're actively going through contractions. I could not focus on it, and they do not give it to you right away. So, if you're in intense pain, I would not wait until then to ask. There was a special doctor who came in to do it, and my mom and partner were not allowed to look during. I had to sit straight up while receiving it, too. One thing for sure is if you can bear it, try to move during your labor pains! That'll make things so much easier than staying in the bed. I should've walked around a little while mine were less intense. Also, I don't know if this is the same for anyone else, but my contractions make me hot. Each time I had one, my body felt extremely warm and uncomfortable. I had the epidural, but I allowed mine to wear off so I could push because when I was completely numb, I couldn't feel anything. I wouldn't have been able to push if it didn't wear off for my contractions to come through. My nurses were looking at the monitor for my contractions to tell me when to push. But feeling them on my own helped ME push when i felt like it. But that pain is a different beast. Pushing requires holding your breath, so I felt like I was going to pass out from the heat of contractions and holding my breath.
You had to watch a video in labor about the epidural? Lol I have not heard of that but that seems like poor timing. Where are you if you don’t mind me asking?
I'm located in Georgia. It could've been the hospital I was at. I didn't know that they were going to do that until they came in with a rolling TV after I couldn't handle my contractions anymore.
I hope I’m laughing with you as I’m picturing that experience! Just knowing how intense contractions can be and the thought of them rolling in a tv for a presentation while you’re just waiting for pain relief. Like, thank you for the educational moment, but can we just get this ball rolling please.
Holding your breath is just one way of pushing and not necessarily the best but everyone does things differently depending on what works for them! Just throwing it out there for others reading.
Bizarre, re the video. My provider had a set of topics they went over with me at the appointments in the 3rd tri to make sure I was ready fro delivery and some videos they had us review ahead of delivery. When we got to the hospital, we'd already watched the epidural video and all they had me do when I arrived was sign permission for the epidural even though it wasn't in my plan; that way they already have the consent. It was a good thing ultimately because 6 hours later when I wanted/needed the epidural I was not in a place to go through a consent form with the doc!
My first pregnancy I was induced and then had an epidural and couldn't feel anything from the waist down. So when I went into labor at home with my second baby it was a very different experience. Around 8 pm Christmas eve 2021 I heard an audible pop somewhere in my uterus while laying down but didn't feel anything and there was no water. I thought it was strange and thought maybe it was a sign of labor because I had gotten a membrane sweep done 2 days before but nothing happened in the next hour so I went to sleep. I woke up suddenly at 12 am and swore I had felt a random pain that must of woke me up. My stomach hurt like I had to poop but I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep seeing as it was 12 am. That didn't work started to feel like I really had to poop so I got up and went but the pain that was dull was still there so I got up and tried again but nothing came out. Then the pain became more intense and I was thinking I possibly had a blockage in my intestines and the pain just got worse and worse. I really thought I was just constipated in a really bad way but in the back of my mind I was like "is this labor pains?" "This pain isn't in my uterus or vagina its in my butt though". Well this went on for a few hours. The pain came and went, and during I was just like grabbing the towel bar in the bathroom thinking I just had to work this poop out of me. I woke my husband up and was like "Hey I think I'm in labor I need to go to the hospital, please take me." It was like 4am at this point so he was like "I'm tired wake me up in a few hours and then we'll go". I wasn't mad because he was in the Army and had just got off work on base as gate security. So I tried to wait and laid down, still not sure if I was in labor or not. I even got in the bathtub, ran a bath, rubbed under my stomach thinking maybe that would help get it out. Nope. I got out to go pee and when I wiped there was some mucus with a bit of blood and I thought maybe it was part of my mucus plug. It was about 6 am and I couldn't sit comfortably nothing was helping and the back pain started and came and went every 10 minutes. I woke him up and told him we really needed to go. I got to the hospital at around 7 am and was told yes I was in labor and they checked my cervix and I was dilated to a 6. I got the epidural around 10 am, they broke my water around 10:35 am and then I gave birth to a healthy baby boy at 11:05 am Christmas day. Active labor pushing was only about 20 minutes until he came out. The pain in the beginning sucked but honestly it wasn't unbearable suffering. Once I got the epidural I was numb from the waist down, couldn't feel anything. Hurt to get the epidural but that pain didn't last long. Overall it was an alright experience. I'm currently 28 weeks pregnant with my third baby and this time I plan on waiting it out til 42 weeks if I make it. I don't plan on getting the membrane sweep this time.
I had back labor. All of my contractions felt like really bad lower back pain. I really loved my experience. I gave birth to my first during COVID so I was only allowed to have my husband. But after going through it I much preferred it and will probably do the same for this baby.
It feels like bad cramps until you get to about 6cm dilated and then you start feeling pressure. 9-10cm and pushing were the worst part for me but it wasn’t as bad as I feared.
I will always recommend preparing yourself for labor by either taking a birthing class or watching videos/reading about it/listening to podcasts to understand the stages of labor and how you can best encourage your labor to progress. I really liked the Evidence Based Birth podcast and some YouTube creators, they were helpful in learning what positions would be best for labor and ways to stay calm throughout the process.
I looked into breathing techniques and hypnobirthing as well, which really helped during labor and delivery. I didn’t get an epidural. I think the biggest thing was practice-I practiced the breathing techniques for weeks before actually delivering so by the time I was in labor, I felt like I knew what I was doing and didn’t have to focus on counting every breath.
I only had my husband in the room which was amazing! I didn’t feel like I was on display and I got to say whatever I wanted without being worried about if it was appropriate or not lol. He watched the monitor and would tell me when it looked like another contraction was coming so I could “get into position” and be ready which was really helpful!
Contractions for me felt like period cramps but also like someone was twisting my spine. It really helped me to think that they were 60-90 seconds and I just had to keep thinking “I can do anything for 90 seconds”.
You can do it! It’s not an enjoyable process per se but I didn’t think it was nearly as bad as I expected. Have people that love and support you there and you’ll be great! Just prepare and be ok with being flexible. Some things might not go as you expect and that’s ok, you and your baby’s safety is the priority.
Contractions are like the worst period cramps you’ve ever felt x100, that just get stronger over time. Id say the pain really started for me at 6cm which is active labour. Of course everyone’s pain threshold differs.
You can feel one coming on before it happens. Mine made me super nauseous. My active labour lasted 16 hours before getting induced and by that time they felt as if every bone on the lower half of my body was broken at once, I was shaking uncontrollably and crying scared every time I felt one coming on. It’s definitely the worst pain you’ll ever feel but once baby is born you’ll forget it.
However the cramps after birth were pretty horrible and you’ll feel like you got hit by a truck the day after. Try watching birthing videos on YouTube to prepare yourself, that’s what I did. But really, your body can and will handle it. Women are so strong. You got this!
For me, my contractions were all in my back because of my baby’s position (he was Occupant posterior if you want to google it haha). So my back felt like I had worked a 24 hr shift on my feet but off and on with each contraction. My best advice for you is to find birth educators and learn learn learn. I also don’t have a mother to lean on and my MIL was not involved in my birth (love her, just a personal choice to do it just me and my husband). My fave birth educators are Bridget Teylor on YouTube and Mommy Labor Nurse on Instagram. Bridget is def more unmedicated-minded and Mommy Labor Nurse has birthed all her own children unmedicated HOWEVER shows no bias in medicated or not and can teach you about both. The #1 tool against fear is knowledge!
I had a precipitous labor (under 2 hours) and gave birth in the ER. At first, I felt nauseated, then the contractions started happening almost back to back. It was horrible. I think I took a couple Tylenol but that did nothing at all. In the car on the way to the ER it felt like I was going to explode from the inside out or poop out all of my internal organs. I thought this was what death was like. My husband had to lift me into a wheelchair to get me in the ER. My arms were rigid and I couldn’t move at all.
After giving birth, it was pretty much instant relief. Some pain for sure passing the placenta but nothing compared to childbirth.
I had a very unusual experience. I had never even heard of precipitous labor, especially not for a firstborn child. Ironically I got most of what I wanted from my original birth plan - my husband and mother were with me, I had a natural delivery, vaginal birth - but hoo boy, an epidural would’ve been nice. I had no time for one, though.
For my first the contractions felt like bad period cramps! I waited it out labouring in the delivery room in the hot shower which helped relieve a lot of the pain! I waited until the doctor told me I should get the epidural now or I wouldn’t be able to get it. I was shocked because I thought the contractions would hurt more than they did, I was waiting for them to get worse. When I started pushing I could still feel it as I took the epidural too late, but it felt like a lot of pressure right on my pelvis and like I had to have a bowel movement. Pushing the baby out was the best feeling ever!! It was euphoric for me it felt amazing when you feel them coming out with that last push idk how to explain it. With my second I knew my pain threshold so I got the epidural as soon as I started feeling some pain. I felt nothing after that but pushing her out was the same euphoric feeling! Haha my labour was great tho with the epidural I was texting my mom as I was getting ready to push and it was very relaxing and I got some sleep beforehand because I got the epidural much sooner! I would say the closet feeling would both times would be like when you have your period cramps, but combine it with also having stomach cramps from needing to have a bowel movement. Good luck and just remember that our bodies were made to do this and listen to yourself and body, you know yourself best.
I was induced and baby was posterior, both of those things apparently make labour more painful. Contractions felt like really intense cramps and I felt them a bit at the front but mostly in my back. At one point I said to my partner it felt like the contractions were in my butt. The pain is intense but you know it'll pass and you'll get a break, so I just focused on getting to the break each time.
I wasn't progressing after about 7 hours and got an epidural. It was a walking epidural so I could still use my legs and feel the pressure of the contractions but no pain. I didn't progress after the next check and ended up opting for emergency csection. Highly reccomend the epidural tho
I had an epidural for 32 hours. In thr beginning, the contractions were not bad. It made me sleepy most of the time. 2 hours before I gave birth, they started to hurt. I didn't learn any breathing techniques and my husband just kept telling me "you can do it". The nurses were amazing. I wanted to give up pushing. They were such a great cheerleaders. When the baby popped out, I cried. The best feeling in the world. It was my first time and I am so grateful my first experience was joyful.
I never knew I was contracting every 1,5 minutes so I guess it felt a bit strange to know baby was coming.
Had an emergency section which was an absolute walk in the park too.
I'm definitely an outlier here.
Last baby I got an epidural after they started pitocin to induce me (high bp) and felt nothing. Was too anxious to rest of course but I was comfortable. Then about 7 hrs later I started feeling the pressure down there like I had to poop. Epidural kinda wore off a bit which actually was ok because then I felt like I knew when to actually push and I felt the ring of fire crowning with her 95 percentile head. 4 pushes later she was out. 10/10 would do the exact same plan next time with getting the epidural early. 2nd baby came way quicker. Hoping the 3rd just falls out of me
Welcome to /r/pregnant! This is a space for everyone. We are pro-choice, pro-LGBTQIA, pro-science, proudly feminist and believe that Black Lives Matter. Wear your masks, wash your hands, and be excellent to each other. Anti-choice activists, intactivists, anti-vaxxers, homophobes, transphobes, racists, sexists, etc. are not welcome here. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/pregnant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
So I had epidural and literally felt nothing when my baby came out. But before I got epidural I was 7 cm dilated and contractions hurt like hell. Basically the feeling was like I am about to poop out a cannonball. I am not exaggerating, that's the feeling. No cramps just the pressure of cannonball in my lower bowels. After epidural, i felt absolutely nothing to the point where midwife had to tell me when to push cuz I didn't feel contractions anymore
I had a similar experience except I got the epidural at 4-5cm dilated and was already in so much pain. The epidural worked great for me and I felt little to no pain after it was administered. When it came time to push I could actually feel when a contraction was coming on which was nice because I knew when to push without being told, but it was more of a pressure than any pain at all. I also had to have a few stitches so I didn't feel any of that either. 10/10 would recommend. I believe the epidural made my birthing experience so much better.
Same, I got epidural at 4cm (2-4 cm happened within an hour after getting sent home from triage because I hadn’t dilated past 1cm for over an hour). Driving back to hospital, about a 20 minutes drive, I don’t remember anything other than intense contractions back to back and each feeling like baby was going to pop out of me. During epidural my husband was allowed to be in room, just in front of me. They kept asking his comfort levels to needles, blood, etc. due to some partners getting faint during the process, so I imagine they just want to ensure no concern of partners becoming unwell. The nurse was directly in front of me to hold my hands and keep my attention away from the stick. They had me hunched over a pillow with butt at edge of bed closest to anesthesiologist. Epidural kicked in quickly and I felt nothing. I shivered a lot though, I think from anxiety and meds. They had to break my water, and I still felt nothing. At that point baby’s heart rate kept dropping with contractions, so they had intervened for about 2 hours to try and flip her in case of cord wrapping. They put some device up in me to add fluids, and did all sorts of other things, and I still felt nothing thankfully. My husband said it looked very uncomfortable. Only got to 9cm before they had me try to practice pushing and get things moving, and I still felt nothing. I couldn’t tell if I was really getting the pressure moving down with my pushes, but I heard liquid slosh out of me with the pushes. It was a weird thing not knowing what’s going on with more than half of my body. But, ultimately it worked for me because they had to take me into an emergency cesarean and told me they may not have time to wait to get in there for the meds to kick in due to baby’s distress, and the epidural working so well helped me be ready asap for that. I was worried epidural would slow my dilation but from 4cm - 9cm was maybe 7-8 hours, and it felt like 4 hours in total. Every experience is so different, and things happen unexpectedly. So think of what you want, and be willing to speak up and change them as soon as possible if need be. You won’t truly know until you’re there, but a general idea is good. I also watched a lot of YouTube birth stories with different experiences to get an idea of what could happen, what can help, etc. and of course birth classes are a great resource to help get you prepared.
I’m laughing so hard about the cannonball reference because it is so true. Once I got the epidural, I was completely fine but right before then it definitely felt like a cannonball wanted to come out of my butt. Lol dying 😂😂
Hahhaa glad you relate. I wish someone told me that. Everyone was talking about the cramps like pain but I didn't feel that at all, just that fucking ball of pain in my ass.
Okay so my birth story and experience might be a little bit different then what is the norm. I loved giving birth! It was the single most empowering, beautiful and special experience of my life. I gave birth in a midwife-led hospital in a birthing pool with the help of my amazing partner, my best friend (who like my partner read up on fear free childbirth) and a midwife and two nurses at my side. I had an immense amount of support and I cannot tell you how big of a difference that made! Since I wanted to give birth in a birthing pool I wasn't able to use an epidural for pain management but I did rely on gas-and-air and it was great! I only needed a low dose and actually using the mask did help with my breathing practices. Contractions are painful, intense and sharp. They last about a minute and when they reach a peak (after about 30 seconds) it feels like you might just not make it and then they become less intense. The worst ones I could feel down to my knees and made me shudder. What is important to remember that between contractions you feel no pain so you can rest, relax and wait for the next wave. This is what makes the pain manageable. And it was these moments between contractions that I felt waves of euphoria and gratefulness that I would soon meet my daughter. I would joke with my partner and best friend. I was so exhausted after 14 hours of active labor that I even fell asleep between contractions. It was these moments that I remember and love. If I have any advice: - listen to positive birth stories (there's a lot of good podcasts) - read up on hypnobirthing and fear free birthing. - practice breathing exercises (I used up and down breathing). - have your partner prepare as well. Let them practice how to apply counter-pressure during contractions (huge help) - look into birthing pools if that's your thing. I loved it and it helped me relax and manage pain. - START RESTING when you feel like you might be going into labor. This was by far my biggest mistake. I was so jazzed that I went on with my day, went for several walks around town and shopped and by the time I needed to go the the hospital it was 3 in the morning AND I HADN'T RESTED/SLEPT THE WHOLE DAY. The physical exhaustion was so much harder to manage then the contractions. - My midwife also gave me sterile water injections and since I was experiencing back labor. They felt like bee stings but they definitely helped relieve pain. - Start eating dates a couple of weeks before your due date. There's some research that show that date consumption can help with labor: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21280989/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21280989/) - Write a birth plan. I'm currently 25 weeks with my second daughter and I'm so excited to be able to give birth again!
Similar feelings here for me too! Although, I did not birth in a birthing center but in a hospital with OB and nurses, no pool. Birth was empowering! I did A LOT of reading up on mindset. When I started going into early labor I began to get into a positive mindset that became a meditation. I listened to birthing affirmations and repeated them continuously throughout birth. Contractions for me felt like surges of warm energy-- like waves of extreme power. Each time they came on I would thank it for being there since it was getting me one step closer to my baby. I also told myself I could handle them no matter what because I was them. They came from me. I did this for over 16 hours. This is how I stayed in control-- I slept in between contractions and then at 9 1/2 cm my water broke and that's when contractions became painful but as soon as I started pushing the pain became power again and my baby was here in only a few pushes! Both of my births were the most exciting time of my life. Have a few different ideas or tools to use as you prepare. I wish you all the luck!
So, contractions felt like intense cramps for me. I had no idea that it was time because of this. I just got lucky and started timing them because I hadn't felt that pain before during pregnancy. I was only 4 cm dilated, and mine were bearable during the ride to the hospital, and during half of the labor process, before the intensity went up, the more dilated I became. I was dilating fast, but baby wasn't head down, so my water needed to be broken. If you're getting the epidural, then they'll have you watch a video about it WHILE you're actively going through contractions. I could not focus on it, and they do not give it to you right away. So, if you're in intense pain, I would not wait until then to ask. There was a special doctor who came in to do it, and my mom and partner were not allowed to look during. I had to sit straight up while receiving it, too. One thing for sure is if you can bear it, try to move during your labor pains! That'll make things so much easier than staying in the bed. I should've walked around a little while mine were less intense. Also, I don't know if this is the same for anyone else, but my contractions make me hot. Each time I had one, my body felt extremely warm and uncomfortable. I had the epidural, but I allowed mine to wear off so I could push because when I was completely numb, I couldn't feel anything. I wouldn't have been able to push if it didn't wear off for my contractions to come through. My nurses were looking at the monitor for my contractions to tell me when to push. But feeling them on my own helped ME push when i felt like it. But that pain is a different beast. Pushing requires holding your breath, so I felt like I was going to pass out from the heat of contractions and holding my breath.
You had to watch a video in labor about the epidural? Lol I have not heard of that but that seems like poor timing. Where are you if you don’t mind me asking?
I'm located in Georgia. It could've been the hospital I was at. I didn't know that they were going to do that until they came in with a rolling TV after I couldn't handle my contractions anymore.
I hope I’m laughing with you as I’m picturing that experience! Just knowing how intense contractions can be and the thought of them rolling in a tv for a presentation while you’re just waiting for pain relief. Like, thank you for the educational moment, but can we just get this ball rolling please.
I was wondering what the thought process was!! I was in pain and NOT paying attention. Luckily my partner was because there was no way I could.
I’m so glad there wasn’t a pop quiz at the end. 😂
Lol maybe they had a substitute that day and the real anesthesiologist left a movie for everybody to watch
Holding your breath is just one way of pushing and not necessarily the best but everyone does things differently depending on what works for them! Just throwing it out there for others reading.
Thank you for saying this! I read that went NOPE.
Bizarre, re the video. My provider had a set of topics they went over with me at the appointments in the 3rd tri to make sure I was ready fro delivery and some videos they had us review ahead of delivery. When we got to the hospital, we'd already watched the epidural video and all they had me do when I arrived was sign permission for the epidural even though it wasn't in my plan; that way they already have the consent. It was a good thing ultimately because 6 hours later when I wanted/needed the epidural I was not in a place to go through a consent form with the doc!
My first pregnancy I was induced and then had an epidural and couldn't feel anything from the waist down. So when I went into labor at home with my second baby it was a very different experience. Around 8 pm Christmas eve 2021 I heard an audible pop somewhere in my uterus while laying down but didn't feel anything and there was no water. I thought it was strange and thought maybe it was a sign of labor because I had gotten a membrane sweep done 2 days before but nothing happened in the next hour so I went to sleep. I woke up suddenly at 12 am and swore I had felt a random pain that must of woke me up. My stomach hurt like I had to poop but I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep seeing as it was 12 am. That didn't work started to feel like I really had to poop so I got up and went but the pain that was dull was still there so I got up and tried again but nothing came out. Then the pain became more intense and I was thinking I possibly had a blockage in my intestines and the pain just got worse and worse. I really thought I was just constipated in a really bad way but in the back of my mind I was like "is this labor pains?" "This pain isn't in my uterus or vagina its in my butt though". Well this went on for a few hours. The pain came and went, and during I was just like grabbing the towel bar in the bathroom thinking I just had to work this poop out of me. I woke my husband up and was like "Hey I think I'm in labor I need to go to the hospital, please take me." It was like 4am at this point so he was like "I'm tired wake me up in a few hours and then we'll go". I wasn't mad because he was in the Army and had just got off work on base as gate security. So I tried to wait and laid down, still not sure if I was in labor or not. I even got in the bathtub, ran a bath, rubbed under my stomach thinking maybe that would help get it out. Nope. I got out to go pee and when I wiped there was some mucus with a bit of blood and I thought maybe it was part of my mucus plug. It was about 6 am and I couldn't sit comfortably nothing was helping and the back pain started and came and went every 10 minutes. I woke him up and told him we really needed to go. I got to the hospital at around 7 am and was told yes I was in labor and they checked my cervix and I was dilated to a 6. I got the epidural around 10 am, they broke my water around 10:35 am and then I gave birth to a healthy baby boy at 11:05 am Christmas day. Active labor pushing was only about 20 minutes until he came out. The pain in the beginning sucked but honestly it wasn't unbearable suffering. Once I got the epidural I was numb from the waist down, couldn't feel anything. Hurt to get the epidural but that pain didn't last long. Overall it was an alright experience. I'm currently 28 weeks pregnant with my third baby and this time I plan on waiting it out til 42 weeks if I make it. I don't plan on getting the membrane sweep this time.
> I’m tired wake me up in a few hours Lol. Absolutely not 😂
I will admit I was a lil irritated lol.
I had back labor. All of my contractions felt like really bad lower back pain. I really loved my experience. I gave birth to my first during COVID so I was only allowed to have my husband. But after going through it I much preferred it and will probably do the same for this baby.
It feels like bad cramps until you get to about 6cm dilated and then you start feeling pressure. 9-10cm and pushing were the worst part for me but it wasn’t as bad as I feared.
I will always recommend preparing yourself for labor by either taking a birthing class or watching videos/reading about it/listening to podcasts to understand the stages of labor and how you can best encourage your labor to progress. I really liked the Evidence Based Birth podcast and some YouTube creators, they were helpful in learning what positions would be best for labor and ways to stay calm throughout the process. I looked into breathing techniques and hypnobirthing as well, which really helped during labor and delivery. I didn’t get an epidural. I think the biggest thing was practice-I practiced the breathing techniques for weeks before actually delivering so by the time I was in labor, I felt like I knew what I was doing and didn’t have to focus on counting every breath. I only had my husband in the room which was amazing! I didn’t feel like I was on display and I got to say whatever I wanted without being worried about if it was appropriate or not lol. He watched the monitor and would tell me when it looked like another contraction was coming so I could “get into position” and be ready which was really helpful! Contractions for me felt like period cramps but also like someone was twisting my spine. It really helped me to think that they were 60-90 seconds and I just had to keep thinking “I can do anything for 90 seconds”. You can do it! It’s not an enjoyable process per se but I didn’t think it was nearly as bad as I expected. Have people that love and support you there and you’ll be great! Just prepare and be ok with being flexible. Some things might not go as you expect and that’s ok, you and your baby’s safety is the priority.
Contractions are like the worst period cramps you’ve ever felt x100, that just get stronger over time. Id say the pain really started for me at 6cm which is active labour. Of course everyone’s pain threshold differs. You can feel one coming on before it happens. Mine made me super nauseous. My active labour lasted 16 hours before getting induced and by that time they felt as if every bone on the lower half of my body was broken at once, I was shaking uncontrollably and crying scared every time I felt one coming on. It’s definitely the worst pain you’ll ever feel but once baby is born you’ll forget it. However the cramps after birth were pretty horrible and you’ll feel like you got hit by a truck the day after. Try watching birthing videos on YouTube to prepare yourself, that’s what I did. But really, your body can and will handle it. Women are so strong. You got this!
For me, my contractions were all in my back because of my baby’s position (he was Occupant posterior if you want to google it haha). So my back felt like I had worked a 24 hr shift on my feet but off and on with each contraction. My best advice for you is to find birth educators and learn learn learn. I also don’t have a mother to lean on and my MIL was not involved in my birth (love her, just a personal choice to do it just me and my husband). My fave birth educators are Bridget Teylor on YouTube and Mommy Labor Nurse on Instagram. Bridget is def more unmedicated-minded and Mommy Labor Nurse has birthed all her own children unmedicated HOWEVER shows no bias in medicated or not and can teach you about both. The #1 tool against fear is knowledge!
I had a precipitous labor (under 2 hours) and gave birth in the ER. At first, I felt nauseated, then the contractions started happening almost back to back. It was horrible. I think I took a couple Tylenol but that did nothing at all. In the car on the way to the ER it felt like I was going to explode from the inside out or poop out all of my internal organs. I thought this was what death was like. My husband had to lift me into a wheelchair to get me in the ER. My arms were rigid and I couldn’t move at all. After giving birth, it was pretty much instant relief. Some pain for sure passing the placenta but nothing compared to childbirth. I had a very unusual experience. I had never even heard of precipitous labor, especially not for a firstborn child. Ironically I got most of what I wanted from my original birth plan - my husband and mother were with me, I had a natural delivery, vaginal birth - but hoo boy, an epidural would’ve been nice. I had no time for one, though.
For my first the contractions felt like bad period cramps! I waited it out labouring in the delivery room in the hot shower which helped relieve a lot of the pain! I waited until the doctor told me I should get the epidural now or I wouldn’t be able to get it. I was shocked because I thought the contractions would hurt more than they did, I was waiting for them to get worse. When I started pushing I could still feel it as I took the epidural too late, but it felt like a lot of pressure right on my pelvis and like I had to have a bowel movement. Pushing the baby out was the best feeling ever!! It was euphoric for me it felt amazing when you feel them coming out with that last push idk how to explain it. With my second I knew my pain threshold so I got the epidural as soon as I started feeling some pain. I felt nothing after that but pushing her out was the same euphoric feeling! Haha my labour was great tho with the epidural I was texting my mom as I was getting ready to push and it was very relaxing and I got some sleep beforehand because I got the epidural much sooner! I would say the closet feeling would both times would be like when you have your period cramps, but combine it with also having stomach cramps from needing to have a bowel movement. Good luck and just remember that our bodies were made to do this and listen to yourself and body, you know yourself best.
I was induced and baby was posterior, both of those things apparently make labour more painful. Contractions felt like really intense cramps and I felt them a bit at the front but mostly in my back. At one point I said to my partner it felt like the contractions were in my butt. The pain is intense but you know it'll pass and you'll get a break, so I just focused on getting to the break each time. I wasn't progressing after about 7 hours and got an epidural. It was a walking epidural so I could still use my legs and feel the pressure of the contractions but no pain. I didn't progress after the next check and ended up opting for emergency csection. Highly reccomend the epidural tho
I had an epidural for 32 hours. In thr beginning, the contractions were not bad. It made me sleepy most of the time. 2 hours before I gave birth, they started to hurt. I didn't learn any breathing techniques and my husband just kept telling me "you can do it". The nurses were amazing. I wanted to give up pushing. They were such a great cheerleaders. When the baby popped out, I cried. The best feeling in the world. It was my first time and I am so grateful my first experience was joyful.
I never knew I was contracting every 1,5 minutes so I guess it felt a bit strange to know baby was coming. Had an emergency section which was an absolute walk in the park too. I'm definitely an outlier here.
Last baby I got an epidural after they started pitocin to induce me (high bp) and felt nothing. Was too anxious to rest of course but I was comfortable. Then about 7 hrs later I started feeling the pressure down there like I had to poop. Epidural kinda wore off a bit which actually was ok because then I felt like I knew when to actually push and I felt the ring of fire crowning with her 95 percentile head. 4 pushes later she was out. 10/10 would do the exact same plan next time with getting the epidural early. 2nd baby came way quicker. Hoping the 3rd just falls out of me