Giving birth for the first time. How painful was it?

The “ring of fire” is what truly hurts. That I don’t think is comparable to anything else. I remember asking my midwife how they allow women to do such a barbaric thing. In the middle of screaming lol. The rest wasn’t as bad for me personally, mostly like period pains on crack. Breathing through it really helped. I highly recommend looking at hypnobirthing techniques for any birthing person. You can combine them with whatever pain-relief you choose to have. However, as u said, it’s all personal experience and will be different from person to person. I know for some women it’s not painful at all. I also read somewhere that the pain is worse as you get older - but not sure how reliable that piece of info was.

My appendix was defiantly more painful. That said my birth was very quick with no pain relief and first time round my body went into a state of shock as contractions started minutes apart.

I had an epidural so the birthing was wonderful honestly. Felt enough to feel my babies coming out but without the pain. The contractions though... omg those were a 10.. × 10? Lol

You can't really compare it with anything and also can't really put a number on it. Everyone's pain threshold is different. I've had my first birth with epidural and second only with gas and air And I feel like I'd go without epidural again if I was pregnant. It hurt, especially at the time, but once baby is out it's almost like the pain was never there

Personally I found the ring of fire/pushing a walk in the park compared to contractions 😅 I had an unmedicated birth (purely because it was too late to get an epidural lol). Everyone’s different with different pain thresholds! X

Honestly everyone is different and every birth is different. My first birth was painful but my 2nd was way worse.

@Naomi I feel the same!!

@Naomi literally same. I was glad she was making her way out after 3 days of contractions 😖

My second was worse than my first 😅

The first was worse because I was induced lol I’d say that was an 8 or 9. The second was a breeze but it was still pushing a 6-7 both were the “worst pain of my life” because luckily I haven’t had crazy painful things happen

Varies birth to birth, baby to baby and person to person! I’ve never broken a bone or had surgery or issues with my body etc, so for me it was the worst pain I’ve experienced as I have nothing to compare it too. However, I did both with no pain relief. Also, the different stages of labour differ too. So for example, with my first the contractions were awful but pushing her out was a breeze. With my second the contractions were bearable, I was just stood eating McFlurry in the delivery room 😂 but pushing him out was next level pain. If you’re getting anxious, take a look into hypnobirthing. It’s basically just learning to be in control of your mind, breathing techniques and relaxation. Best of luck xxx

I accidentally hit 6-8 when I meant 9-10😂Get an epidural and you’ll be alright. I gave birth twice, one with epidural and one without.. and when I did it without it I thought my insides were going to split apart it was so painful, and I have a pretty high pain tolerance. Thankfully it was quick cause idk how I would have endured that pain if it went on for longer than it did😅

It’s very painful, but I gave birth 3 days ago and truly don’t remember the extent of the pain and even when I think about it seeing my little girls face makes me want to do it all over again. Having her put on my chest was better than any pain relief money can buy. I do remember saying I can’t do this throughout but the joy of having her is the most powerful memory 🥰

It was horrible…… And this is me being calm and civilized whiling writing this. I honestly thought I was going to die due to the amount of pain I was experiencing from start to finish (I also made the choice to not take pain meds).

My gallbladder attacks i had before getting it removed were worse pain. I made it to 7cm dilated before getting the epidural, my brain could handle it but my body couldnt anymore. I lost control and the epidural helped me calm down.

i was induced so i had to have a foley ballon because my cervix wasn’t dilating enough and that was worse than all my contractions and the whole birth. i hope i never have to have one of those again bc that was literally miserable! once that was out, (10 hours later😭) it still wasn’t lovely by any means but i had a much easier time!

I think all births are different, but I really couldn’t manage the contractions and ended up having an epidural which took all the pain away.

I honestly don't remember the pain from my first, all I remember is afterwards thinking the contractions were the worst part 😅 by the time I got to hospital I was already 7cm so I'd don't most of it while I was asleep I think! My second was horrid, again the contractions, they were so strong and extremly painful even at just 3cm.. he was breech (we didn't know until 8cm) so was told that could have made the pain worse. Ended in C section, the pain and healing process of that was worse than anything. I also had the worst PGP with number 2 so even the exams to check dilation hurt like a MF!! I'm now pregnant with my 3rd and going for a VBAC - so birth the first time can't have been that bad 😅

I didn’t find it that painful, more intense than pain. My labour was extremely quick though, with only gas & air.

I had a c-section with my first and a VBAC 20 months later with my second. The worst part for me was near the end of my dilation, the contractions were giving me the sensation that I needed to push but my nurse kept telling me not to as I wasn’t a full 10cm yet. Not pushing was the worse and most painful/uncomfortable part for me. Pushing the baby out wasn’t painful for me, instead I’d probably describe it as a sense of relief

The worst pain i have ever experienced, and it went on for 18 hours. It's the type of pain that leaves you with no dignity. But would i do it again, probably 😂

I had planned for as natural a birth as possible, but my contractions became unbearable quite quickly and I went into full on panic/shock. Ended up having an epidural, which was a godsend, although I did sadly end up needing an emergency c-section.

Everyone's labour is different for each person. I found it very painful and wanted a epidural but unfortunately by the time I got on to the delivery suite it was to late so I had to just do it with gas and air and for me knowing I was so close to meeting my little girl I was like right let's do this. I just bit down hard on the gas and air and just listen to my midwife when she said push xxx

You got this thought I think it's more scary because it's the unknown pain if your a first time mum it's painful but people do it again and again so it's definitely worth it xxx

I went 6-8 but I did get an epidural and I have chronic pain anyway so quite a high pain threshold

So for me it was around a 7 but I ended up having an epidural for that was my contractions only. I didn’t feel the actual birth. I got the epidural because I was so tired! I have a high pain tolerance but I don’t have much stamina. I knew if I kept going I wouldn’t be about to push. Loved my epidural and so glad I chose it for my birth.

focus on your breathing, it is a game changer. good luck mama 🫶🏽

I would say the contractions got to a 9-10. But, I will say, my water broke VERY early on. My water breaking is what sent me to the hospital. I was only 3cm dilated though so I had a LONG way to go still. I would say it all depends on the water breaking point, a lot of people will say that it is much worse when the water breaks. It took a couple of hours, but I eventually got to the point where I was throwing up during contractions because it was hurting so bad.

Varies. My second was so much easier than my first. And three and four were kind of in the middle of 1 and 2 pain wise. I just told myself “I can do anything for one minute” and honestly makes it a little easier

I didn't give birth naturally because I had an emergency c section. But the 8 hours of contractions I had were easy even on the drip. I've had way, way, way worse period cramps. The drip made them more punchy like a wave of air was pushing on me but I could have done it without gas and air. I just had the option so was nicely pissed on that, gas and air really makes you not care about the pain. You know it's there but you're so off your face its like meh! I'd say breaking my little toe hurt more with gas and air. Now despite this my recovery from my c section was horrific!! I have neve begged for pain relief before this & I've ripped my entire sternum & torn all the ligaments in my hand and dislocated my knee caps. That way was horrible!!!! Never ever, ever, ever!!! Agaib

I gave birth with no pain control because they told me I wasn't in labour when I was 😂 tbf to say my son was my 1st he came very quickly. The midwifes were certain I wasn't in labour and refused to check how dilated I was so soon incase of infection. I was holding my son in thinking I just had really bad contractions and needed to poo at a awkward time. Eventually I went to the toilet and his head started coming out 😂 holding my son in was so so so so so painful that finally being able to push him out was a massive relief to me and not painful at all even though I tore and was cut. I reckon I'd be able to give birth with no pain relief next time aswrll and it would be way less painful since now I know to trust my body

My labour went on for 3 days and was the worst pain I felt in my life. I told my husband that it felt like my back was being broken and that I was being tortured to death 🫠 I am stubborn so I only had gas and air and when I went for that post birth shower I wrang my hair out from all the sweat that had drenched it. Think baby had been back to back which meant my spine against his and a longer labour. Didn’t know this at the time. I went on to have 3 more kids, and my third one I delivered without pain relief, on my bed, after basically only an hour of bad contractions. So labours can vary a lot xx

I had two unmedicated vaginal birth. Both were smooth and I feel the only painful part was the contractions. Pushing and everything, I didn’t feel a thing. First, I was induced via pitocin (overnight). Minor tear, couple stitches. Second, naturally. Faster, quicker and easier. No tear, no stitches.

The most painful part for me was the stitching up afterwards! I had a second degree tear but I could feel the hook even after having the numbing injections. I was induced and had the pessary but it was a really positive experience and beautiful experience and I can’t wait to do again 🥰!! Try not to look into other peoples birth stories too much. Remember no two births are the same. But try to go into labour with an open mind wishing you the best xx

I haven’t read all of these comments but I would say this is not going to help your anxiety. Every person has a different pain threshold and a different experience with their labour. Also a scale of ranking pain is subjective. My body has forgotten most of the pains I felt otherwise I wouldn’t be pregnant again, that’s life! So I’d rate it much lower because it’s further away in my memory. Please instead research The Positive Birth Company and buy one of their packs. It will change your perception and reduce some of your anxieties.

Idk if you're having a physiological undisturbed birth it can hurt or by some chance and the dance of hormones it could be relatively pain free. I'm sure it technically was the most pain I've felt but also it didn't hurt at. All. The last 2.5 hours before he came out. No medications... well I took Tylenol because I felt resistant to the hip pain I felt but really it just slivhtly.dulled the hip pain. Nothing to fear. Make sure you have a truly loving and supportive birth team/ birth attendant.

You can look at Freebirthsociety, Painfreeebirth, Joyfulbirth, Ellen Fisher and Built to Birth for psychological birth education stuff

I’ve had 3, 2 were without drugs, 1 in water. The pain comes & goes so you can bare it somewhat, the fatigue of enduring labor is challenging. Best advice is to know your options and be open to the journey. Make sure your support person is also educated and knows what you want so you don’t have to talk much.

You ever had diarrhoea so bad you’re just dying on the toilet seat waiting for it to be over. I think that’s labour

My son is 19 months now and I have forgotten the pain completely 🤦‍♀️ I only remember the thoughts I had at the time which was that I couldn’t deal with it. I had to be induced, so I had an epidural (even tho it’s not what I would’ve wanted), but it failed at 8cm anyways so I could feel those contractions and since it was induced there was seconds between each one 😩 basically, don’t get induced if you have a choice, it’s not a nice experience 😞xx

I was so determined not to have an epidural, even told the anaesthetic consultant not to visit again but 20 hours later, and I gave in (told you so moment for the anaethetist). Pain was a 10/10, started with pre eclampsia during labour AND had a haemorrhage so was not feeling it. Wish I had done it sooner because it wasn't painful at all after that, i felt pressure instead of pain when contracting which allowed me to know when to push so didnt need help there either. The recovery was perfectly fine as well (bit tender). Saying all of that, I know someone who had the best birth. Painful but not AS bad and the baby came so quickly (her first as well). It depends on you as a person 😊

It’s normal to be anxious love! Contractions were like back pain for me & then had to have emergency delivery ( they provided epidural) took away the pain . If you have any questions at all do not be afraid to ask & if you need pain relief do not hesitate to ask either! You got this x

I was unmedicated and it was a 10, but that being said that 10 pain only lasts a short time and it’s so worth it. The relief is also immediate, doesn’t hurt at all as soon as the baby is out (I didn’t tear or anything though so I can’t speak to if that happens).

I’ve given birth twice with no pain relief and yes it is excruciating pain but it’s how you manage it, staying calm and breathing through it will make your experience a whole lot easier and less traumatic as oppose to if you was to be screaming at the pain and in the ‘I can’t do this’ mindset as you will stress yourself and it will seem harder. Breathe through contractions, yes they hurt but it’s not something that can be stopped, there’s no option other than to give birth🫣 in my opinion contractions are the worst part as once your able to tense and push it’s more of a relief. I was wanting to try epidural with my second but unfortunately wasn’t an option once at the hospital so using what I learned in my first birth I breathed through it kept my calm and it all seemed over with a lot quicker and now I have said I don’t think I would ever try epidural, only reason is I liked feeling every stage of the birth and feeling baby coming round as it gave me motivation to get baby out

The contractions for me was a 9-10 but actual delivery was a 2 but I was on gas and air plus I pushed my baby boy out in 3 pushes. I was given gas and air at 5cm and honestly I felt no pain from there but everyone is different.

Try to relax. Pain is subjective. The only thing I can think to compare is that it feels like period pain in the beginning, and then it ramps up. I'm almost four years postpartum and I barely remember how it felt, and I gave birth unmedicated. If you go in there thinking it's going to hurt you will be totally focused on the pain, try to think that each contraction brings you closer to your baby being born and you won't be in labour forever, there's options if it gets too much, and everybody is there to look after you!

My period pain was worse pain than giving birth. I didn’t have any pain relief. I wouldn’t compare it to breaking bones or anything like that because it feels completely different. Being in the water and counter pressure helps a lot!

Active labour was very painful by the end, but the actual pushing and birth wasn't too bad in comparison. I had an un-medicated vaginal birth. I'm doing it again, so obviously wasn't that terrible though 😂

I was scared af I got the epidural before I had any pain 😂

Second baby.. just awful. Hours of back labor before I finally got the epidural. I was in a car crash once and broke my spine in three places, it had absolutely nothing on back labor. Never hurt so much in my life. Thank God and praise Jesus for epidurals 🙏😂