A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:Why does childbirth hurt so much? I heard it's like breaking a dozen bones. Is it because the baby stretches out the vagina our puts pressure on the body? Please explain all the pains one feels when giving birth. I want to be ready.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (25 July 2012): I don't think it is like breaking all those bones. I haven't broken a bone, but I don't like the idea of that. Would much rather give birth.First thing: if you lie down, it will be painful. It will be like someone crushing your torso from ribs downwards. BUT - AND THIS IS THE GREAT NEWS:If you STAND UP, it won't be anywhere near as bad - it will feel quite different - it will be like strong squeezing round your tummy. Honestly, I am not joking here. I had a terrible time with my first child - lying down - given some appalling drug called pethadine - etc. With my second, I walked up and down and it was really and truly bearable. It was strong squeezing. At the end, very strong, but still, squeezing. My advice: read up on how they do it in the wild. Because that is usually the best way. And also check out hypnobirthing. Those are the two things I will tell my daughter. Oh, and to STAND UP!!!!! And walk. And walk. And walk. Walk up and down the contractions - that's what I did. AND try to just be normal in between them. Have a cup of tea. Have a laugh. The only time I felt the same pain with my second as with my first was the one time the midwife asked me to lie down. I did for about 5 seconds then said no way and jumped up. Honestly - that lying down is beyond awful. What a stupid idea. It's the last thing you want to be doing. And if anyone talks to you about 'pain' and it 'hurting' - tell them to b. off!
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (18 July 2012): I am 22 years old and I have a three year old son and an almost one year old daughter. Labor with my son was a breeze, felt contractions. Little twinges in my uterus so I went to the hospital to get checked and I was in labor, nineteen hours and an epidural later my son was born.
My daughter was a completely different story. I went in, had to wait sixteen hours before they would give me an epidural and it was the most excrutiatingly horrible sixteen hours to date. Horrible.
Every woman is different. Every pregnancy is different. Childbirth hurts because when you are in labor your uterus is contracting to get ready to push a baby through your birth canal. Your cervix is dialating ten centimeters to fit a human head through it, any complications can add to that. I believe the majority of the pain most women feel is because they panic and are freaking out which effects the baby causing the baby stress which causes the mother even more pain.
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A
female
reader, shrodingerscat +, writes (18 July 2012):
 I have two children. Large babies run in both mine and my husband's families. My first was almost 9 pounds at birth and my second was about 8.5 pounds. My second child was via emergency C-section.
My experience with childbirth was, to be completely frank, extremely painful. The contractions during delivery feel like the very worst period cramps you will ever have. It was definitely the worst pain I've gone through in my life. I did have a very serious tear that required many stitches.
So, yes, it hurts...a lot. However, you need to remember that the pain is temporary and the worst of the contractions will end once the baby has been delivered. You won't hurt forever. The calmer and more prepared you are for the realities of delivery, the better you'll be able to get through it.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (18 July 2012): I am 19 and had my first son on 11/11/11. I was very conscious when it came to all sorts of preparations concerning everything from birthing place to crib design and the color of his room. I watched multiple movies all promoting natural childbirth and even put belly buds on my stomach so he could hear classical music. I even wrote up a very detailed birth plan. I did not take birthing classes because of scheduling conflicts. Now, I carried my baby until I was 40 weeks and 7 days and I did it with no epidural. I had a 1/4 of a dose of stadol which I do not recommend and they did induce me that morning because of a lack of amniotic fluid. The reason for the stadol was because the 4th doctor I had been passed off too, 1 had birth, 1 had pregnancy complications, and the last one just didn't have to work that weekend, was very discouraging. He said after meeting/examining me that he expected 6-12 more hours of labor and 4 hours of pushing. I was 3-4 cm and already in the worst pain. At that point my boyfriend was like can we give her an epidural I don't want to see her in so much pain. And I told well protested that no there was no way in hell I would do that to my baby. And so the nurses talked me into 1/4 of stadol and I felt soo messed up it had me sleeping, weak, and vomitting. And while they were telling me it's natural I later find out its an opiate. Great! Well anyway I showed that doctor! He made that comment 3 hours before I was 10cm and only pushed for 10minutes. 2 first degree tears so they healed in 3 days. My baby was 9 pounds and 4 oz. my advice would be to make a birth plan even though it may go out the window. Get a really good Obgyn or midwife that won't leave you and do not over think it. Your body will be the biggest advocate in a time when you can barely speak. Now, about the pain. The contractions, once they get bad have an indescribable feeling of pain. The first bad one I got I started to cry and had no idea how to explain it. Kind of like something very large your baby of course moving deeper into your pelvis. Pain during childbirth is also caused by your hips spreading 6 inches as your baby's head descends. That is once you are 9-10cm and the contractions you've mastered it's the pressure that starts to kill you. Overall I had an easy birth compared to a friend of mine with the same goals. And especially for being a young mother and a big first baby. I felt like a champ afterwards. It's easy to say birth should be a perfectly pleasant experience like a cup of tea, but it's just not most of the time. Come to the realization that it will be hard work and then tell yourself it's hard work but it's something you were designed to do and that you are strong and capable. (also, during the pushing you will be so focused on getting your baby put you will not feel pain but more physical relief, I know I did!!) I know this was awfully long but I hope it helped a bit:) goodluck.
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A
female
reader, Abella +, writes (18 July 2012):
 Each woman is different.
And yes some women go through a tough time.
I can tell you my experience, to see if it helps. The smallest I gave birth to was 6 pounds 6 ounces. The largest not much more than that. Yes, I was conscious of eating healthily throughout pregnancy as I did not want to suffer a ten or twelve pound baby.
But my most important preparation was atttending every Dr appointment and attending Yoga for relaxation. Every step of the way I practised the breathing. Read the books to help me prepare, and re-read them the next times to ensure I did not get complacent.
I take a pile of new magazines to read. Do the breathing regularly. Know the nurses are professionals and do everything to relax me.
I've even heard a Nurse on the phone to the Doctor say, 'no she'll very calm, in no discomfort'
But I did learn my lesson the first time to not try to hurry mother nature. If I had not been so impatient towards the end I would not have suffered a nasty tear in my skin.
Yes I have heard women swearing and screaming at the top of their lungs. And I do feel sorry for them.
But that's not my way as I feel keeping calm for me and my baby about to arrive helps both of us.
So the best I can suggest is plenty of preparation.
Know what comes next.
Do the pelvic floor exercises regularly after you give birth.
Know that breast feeding is easy on Mom, and better for baby (it you can breastfeed) but also that breastfeeding helps tighten up your muscles every time you feed baby.
If you don't do the preparation then you don't know what to expect.
But try not to listen to ignorant people who take liberties to embellish the story with dramatic licence in order to impose some fear in your mind.
I think child birth is exciting and wonderful and happy.
However I am sure there are others who will disagree.
Maybe I was just lucky?
Though I like to put it down to good preparation. Because I know that worked for me.
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