Let's get the truth out here...

I wanna know the truth about how painful all this labor and delivery stuff is REALLY going to be. No candy coating. Just plain truth. Here are the questions I have! Rate the pain on a 1-5 scale if you wish.

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all?

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural?

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it?

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders??

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!)

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this)

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable?

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down?

How painful was your recovery?

I realize that the answers to alot of these may make alot of us first timers shudder a little bit but we're all going to go through it at some point. That is unless we have a c-section. I just wanted the naked truth regarding normal delivery. All the birth stores we hear give us the abridged version and I want the nitty gritty. Hope it's educational for more than just I.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

I am going to answer each of your questions individually, so here goes. I had a miserable pregnancy, but a good birth experience. Oh, and I was induced at 39 weeks because of preeclampsia.

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all?
-I never felt "real" contractions. I started to get menstrual like cramping and asked for my epi, they said, no, but they would give me a "demoral cocktail". I fell asleep. And DH asked for my epi for me, I was passed out for the entire thing until it was time to push.

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?
-See above.

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural?
-See above

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it?
-I don't know if they shut my epi off when I was pushing, but I was so dopey at first, that I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do, so it took a few minutes.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders??
-I never felt any pain.

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!)
-Nope. But I hadn't eaten anything in 36 hours.

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this)
-I did not have an episiotomy. But I had a second degree tear. My dr didn't think she would have to cut me, but DS' hand was by his face, causing the tear. Didn't feel anything with that, or her sewing me up...and she was down there a LONG time.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable?
-Didn't feel anything. Don't really remember it.

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down?
-I was given a shot for this, I was hemmoraging b/c my uterus wouldn't go back into place, I got the shot and my dr massaged it back down. I didn't feel any of it.

How painful was your recovery?
-It wasn't I was walking two hours later. Like I said, I had a miserable pregnancy and I felt instantly better once he was out of my body.

It really isn't that bad, but I am a fan of the drugs

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

good questions - but it sounds like youve already done a lot of research and know what to expect so youll be fine!


When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all? LET ME JUST START OUT BY SAYING THAT I AM A BABY WHEN IT COMES TO PAIN. I CRY WHEN I STUB MY TOE ...WELL PRACTICALLY. YES, I FOUND THE CONTRACTIONS TO BE EXTREMELY PAINFUL. I ASKED FOR THE EPI WHEN I WAS ONLY 2 CM DIALATED BUT THEY MADE ME WAIT TELLING ME IT WOULD PUT OFF LABOR.

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?
I DONT THINK THEY ACTUALLY NUMB YOU, BUT I WILL SAY THAT I HARDLY FELT IT, AND IT WAS PRACTICALLY INSTANT RELIEF. AHHHHH. LOVE THE EPI. I SWEAR BY IT AND TELL EVERYONE ITS THE BEST THING TO DO. :)

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural?
ONCE I GOT THE EPI, I FELT NOTHING AT ALL. NOT A THING. IT LASTED FOR MANY HOURS..I HAD A LONG LABOR. BUT.....

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it?

THEY DID LOWER MINE JUST ABOUT ALL OF THE WAY. THE PAIN OF THE BABY COMING THROUGH WAS BAD, BUT HONESTLY, I FOUND THE CONTRACTIONS TO BE A LOT WORSE.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders??

WHEN I WASNT PUSHING THE PAIN WASNT BAD AT ALL....

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!)
I DIDNT...BUT, I HAD EATEN IN 36 HOURS AS WELL....


Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this)
I DID HAVE AN EPISIOTOMY. I DIDNT FEEL THEM DO IT AT ALL , I THINK THE SMALL BIT OF EPI LEFT ON WAS THE REASONING.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable?
I HAD TO PUSH IT OUT. 2 PUSHES WAS IT IT WAS...NO BIGGIE...

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down?

NOT UNCOMFORTABLE AT ALL...

How painful was your recovery?

IM NOT A GOOD ONE TO ASK...I LUCKED OUT...DD WAS BORN AT JUST ABOUT MIDNIGHT, I WAS UP EARLY THE NEXT MORNING SHOWERING AND WALKING THE HALLS...NORMALY WHEN YOU HAVE AN EPISIOTOMY IT TAKES AWHILE TO WALK WITHOUT BEING UNCOMFORTABLE BUT I FOUNS RECOVERY TO BE PRETTY MUCH NON EXISISTANT.



Good Luck to all of the preggos. It isnt that bad!
ETA: I did not take the demerol that they kept offering me, I dont like that "out of control. drugged up" sort of feeling.

Message edited 11/18/2007 12:52:20 PM.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

OK here goes...

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all?
I asked for the epidural as soon as I started to get really uncomfortable because my birthing class teacher recommended it. I wasnt in pain for very long and I wouldnt even say it was "unbearable" at that point.

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?
Yes

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural?
I didn't feel a THING down below after the epidural and that was for 12 hours. That said, they had to give me other drugs because of the back pain from the epidural so that might have helped...

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it?
Nope, it never wore off and I was able to push without feeling a thing.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders??
Again, didnt feel anything

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!)
I actually don't even know. Not sure I want to either...

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this)
Yes, I dont think she numbed me any further but I didnt feel it at all.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable? I had to push a little bit but the doctor also helped by pulling it out and it wasnt uncomfortable.

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down?
It just felt like bad AF cramps but the percoset helped

How painful was your recovery?
Recovery from delivery itself was not bad at all. It hurt a little to sit down but the painkillers helped it. On the other hand, my recovery from the epidural (I had 3 wet taps and horrible post-spinal headaches) is another story altogether...

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

I am not going to answer any of these questions because the truth is...I don't remember very much of it and as soon as I had that baby in my arms....it was all irrelevant.

eta...okay, I will say 2 things. I was induced and it was a nightmare, and the first poo after giving birth was the worst thing. But my baby was so gorgeous that my brain forgot it all.

Message edited 11/18/2007 1:47:04 PM.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

wanna know the truth about how painful all this labor and delivery stuff is REALLY going to be. No candy coating. Just plain truth. Here are the questions I have! Rate the pain on a 1-5 scale if you wish. 2

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? The pain wasn't unbearable BUT was getting more and more intense so I asked for the epi before it got really bad-3cm dlated Does the "panting" really help at all?Deep breaths do help you try to relax yourself.

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right? ???? All I know is I hardly felt it.

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Until after birth. Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural? I was had slight feeling in my legs but none in my abdomenal area. I did have slight pressure the entire time, no pain though.

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? No I asked for more because I felt it wearing off. The anesthesiologist was a doll and gave me more when I said it was wearing off. Make friends with your anesthesiologist!! Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? No Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it? I felt hardly anything

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders?? I had no idea I was 10 cm dilated and ready to push when they checked me. All I remember is the nurse checking me 2 hours after my epi was placed(at 3cm) saying "holy cow" don't move a muscle you are crowning.

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!)No I gave myself an enema before I left for my induction per my Lamaze video.

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this) No episiotomy but I did have a 2nd degree tear that I did not feel nor did I feel my Dr stitching me up.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable? I pushed slightly and it flew out LOL DIdn't feel anything at all.

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down? This was the worst part of it for me. I wanted to punch every nurse that pushed on my sore belly.

How painful was your recovery? Nothing a Motrin couldn't handle. I stayed on top of my Motrin and made sure I took it every 6 hours so I didn't have pain.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all?
I went into labor with my second. The contractions came on full force, 10 minutes apart. I called my doc because it was my 2nd. I got to the hospital, was 7 cm and asked for the epi right away. I was told they had to get a full IV bag in me first, so that wait was torturous! No amount of breathing helped!

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?
the anesth. did it so fast, I don't think he numbed. He had to do it between my contractions which were getting closer together so it just felt like a quick pinch, and then heaven!

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural? My epi kicked in right away. It was awesome! I pushed too for 3 hours with it. I could feel the sensation to push (no pain at all, just pressure to push) and since I was pusing right, my OB said it was fine to keep it one

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it? see above. mine was on the whole time because I was pushing right. I had no pain at all with it, a very enjoyable birth experience.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders?? No pain for me at all. The only pain I felt was when her head came out, it felt like I was on fire for a split second

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!) DH says no, but he wasn't down at that end of the table so we'll really never know!

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this) No episiotomy, but I did tear a bit as she came out. My doc did a local numbing on me after she was born so that he could put in a stitch or two. While it didn't hurt, I could feel the sensation of my OB sewing me up

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable? Mine just came out, just a plop my doc caught. Not unconfortable at all, I hardly knew I did because I was looking at my new baby girl

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down? umm, yeah, that hurts a bit! And the blood flow was a lot!

How painful was your recovery? with my vaginal (VBAC), I got up and used the bathroom right away and felt good enough to walk to my room! Of course they wouldn't let me, LOL, but the next day it was unconfortable to sit, and I was using the boppy to sit on instead of using it to nurse.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

I had a c-section but had some serious contractions (like 2 minutes apart) for about an hour until I got my epi...they were painful but not unbearable (maybe a 3 on a scale of 1-5)

The other question that I can answer is YES, IT HURTS alot when they push on your uterus after delivery....I actually cried the first 2 times, I would shudder when the nurses came in to do it but they HAVE to do it so you just deal with it and the pain only lasts while they are pressing on it. You will do great

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

LOVE THIS THREAD! Thanks to all who responded...

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

Great thread, thanks Bluepixie!

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

Great thread! Thanks to all that replied!

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

1) the contractions got pretty intense but I never cried or got sick from them...when it was very uncomfortable I asked for the epi...didn't have to ever pant at all.

2) They numb you a bit I think, the epi was nothing!! It was so quickly done i hardly felt a thing. I braced myself for something much worse and was pleasantly surprised.

3) I was pain free literally my whole labor. I NEVER had pressure or pain. I am told though that is rare and the person who did my epi was wonderful...they said he is the best the hospital had, lol. I never felt a thing.

4) They turned off my epidural at 9:15 and he was born at 9:51. It never wore off, lol. I was numb the entire time. I never felt the pressure of birth, only saw it happening...VERY surreal!!

5) Since i didn't feel anything I don't know how pushing pain or crowning pain feels. I know I won't be as lucky when i get pregnant again...

6) I did not poop. So i was told by my nurse. She may have just been nice though, i don't know! I pushed for 5 minutes only...

7) I tore naturally. A small tear that required 4 stitches (or 5?). I felt pain in that area the next day but never during or after labor.

8) The placenta delivered on its own...never noticed it actually. I was holding my son and making calls when it came out, lol.

9) The kneading on the uterus is a little uncomfortable. I started feeling it when the epi totally wore off...since I felt nothing during labor, the pain from that hurt a little but not unbearable.

10)I felt pretty good the next day, but sore. It took me about a week to feel more normal but my stitched area bothered me. Every time I peed it burned i remember!! 2 weeks after i felt really really good...


Overall labor was nothing like i expected. I never cried, never even yelled..it was weird for me. I was induced too. I tell my friends I would go through it again in a heartbeat!! I can only pray my next labor, whenever that may happen is half as easy and pain free. It was such a wonderful thing to be able to be alert, happy, and not exhausted when he was born. I held him for so long and just enjoyed it...I wish that for all the moms to be!!

Message edited 11/18/2007 8:24:50 PM.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all?

I wanted the epidural immediately, as soon as I was in the hospital. I was already in labor for 20 hours, my contractions were 2 min. apart. I was dilated enough for the epidural, but they wouldn't give it to me until my own MD wrote the order....several excrutiating hours later, my MD appeared (we called him several times while at home, and notified him that we were going to the hospital), and he wrote the order.
I was fine with the pain, that is, until the contractions were 3 min. apart; then I was really hurting.



When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?


I'm pretty sure they give you a local, but honestly, the pain of the contractions were so bad, for so long, I was so happy to get the epidural...I didn't feel a thing!

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural?

The pain free stage lasted until shortly after delivery, because I had to have an ER c-section. Once the pain returned after delivery (about one hour later), I had all sorts of problems with meds; and the one pain med that I was supposed to get immediately after delivery, the nurses could not get the machine to unlock for over two hours (it was of those machines that administers a proper dosage of pain meds. And the anesthesiologist was in with a trauma of some sort, so he couldn't even come out and write an order for a different drug

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it?
The epidural didn't wear off at all when I started pushing. I had absolutely zero pain, but felt the contractions...they felt like a bit of pressure...but no pain at all.
We didn't push very long, because our son's heartrate dropped dramatically. After positioning me differntly and trying again with no luck, my MD performed a C-section.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders??
see above

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!)
No, I didn't push very long.

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this)
no, had a c-section

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable?
No, c-section

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down?
was numb entirely, had a c-section

How painful was your recovery?

Excrutiating for the first two days after delivery. I had a c-section, and I am allergic to all morphine derivatives. The pain ended up being magnified by meds that made me hallucinate and intensify the pain. The anesthesiologist also gave me a drug in my IV that caused me to stop breathing momentarily (another allergy to a pain med we didn't know about).Needless to say, we are searching for more options with my pain management.

Message edited 11/19/2007 9:30:06 AM.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural?

-If you plan on getting the epidural ASAP, then it wasn't bad at all. It was just mildly uncomfortable.


When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?

-Yes, you barely feel anything. I did feel a weird sensation on my right side one time and they had to pull out and start over.


After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural?

-You definitely feel pressure once you hit 10 cm.


Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it?

-The first time no, and I pushed for a long time and had to have the nurse tell me when to push because I didn't feel anything. Definitely ask to have it turned off once you hit 10, I had it ruend off the 2nd time and only pushed for 10 minutes. I didn't feel any contractions once it was off, just loads of pressure.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders??

-It feels good to push because it relieves the pressure. That was the best part IMO. You feel a ring of fire while the head is crowning but its not unbearable.

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!)

-No, not once. And it was the last thing on my mind, trust me.

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this)

-No, I refused one. I would rather tear than have an episiotomy. I only tore the first time, and had 2-3 stitches. I didn't tear the second or third time at all.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable?

-Only one push. Its nothing, really.


How uncomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down?


-Not that uncomfortable.


How painful was your recovery?

-The first two times I was beat. The third time I went drug free and felt so much better afterwards.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all? I WAS INDUCED, AND STARTED ACTUAL LABOR AT 3AM. AT FIRST THE CONTRACTIONS WERE BEARABLE, BUT BY 3CM (AROUND NOON) I WAS BANGING ON THE BED RAILS AND GOT THE EPIDURAL. I TRIED TO USE THE LAMAZE STUFF BUT NOT SURE IT HELPED.

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right? I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID BUT I DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING AND IT WASNT PAINFUL AT ALL

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural? I FELT FANTASTIC AFTER THE EPI - SLEPT FOR 2 HOURS - WATCHED TV - IT WAS A MIRACLE. I FELT A LITTLE NUMB FROM THE WAIST DOWN BUT WAS ABLE TO MOVE MY LEGS AND FEEL WHEN TO PUSH

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it? I DONT KNOW IF THE EPI WAS WEARING OFF OR TURNED OFF - WHEN I WAS PUSHING I FELT NO PAIN

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders?? YEAH IT WAS MORE WORK WHEN YOU PUSH THAN WHEN YOU ARE WAITING TO PUSH - I WOULD SAY TOWARDS THE END IF WAS WORSE BUT NOT SURE IF THAT WAS BECAUSE I WAS SO TIRED AFTER 2 HOURS OF PUSHING

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!) NO MY HOSPITAL MAKES YOU DO AN ENEMA WHEN LABOR STARTS SO THAT YOU DON'T POOP - I THINK HAVING THE ENEMA WAS WORSE THAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO POOP ON THE TABLE

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this) I HAD AN EPISIOTOMY - I MUST HAVE BEEN NUMBED BECAUSE I DIDN'T REALLY FEEL IT WHEN HE WAS DOING IT

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable? ONE PUSH AND IT WAS OUT - NO BIG DEAL

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down? NOT BAD AT ALL

How painful was your recovery? FOR ME, RECOVERY WAS WAY WORSE THAN LABOR AND DELIVERY. MY BLADDER MUSCLES WERE DAMAGED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO HAVE A CATHETER TO URINATE BUT THEY COULDN'T EVEN CONNECT IT DUE TO MASSIVE SWELLING DOWN THERE - UGH CANNOT EVEN TALK ABOUT IT - LET'S JUST SAY THAT I COULDN'T LEAVE THE BED FOR 2 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all?
I didn't ask for one because I was trying to go natural. It was bad but not unbearable. Billions of women give birth. I thought if they could do it so can I. Also epi's can slow down labor & I was looking to get it over with asap. Panting doesn't help. Breathing slowly out did. Holding your breath DOES NOT help at all which is why they want you to breathe out.

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?
N/A didn't happen with either birth.!

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural? N/A

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it? N/A


When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders?? The only severe pain was the head coming out. It was like a razor sharp pain.

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!) Yes & I didn't care nearly as much as I thought I did. Think of it this way, the baby is pushed down & presses against your intestines. Everything in your intestines goes in the same direction

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this) First time no incision but a tear. He numbed me right before he sewed me up. It was unexpected & it hurt but in retrospect it was like a sharp pinch. I think I was more freaked out that I was being sewed up. Second time, I tore a different diretcion & only needed a few stitches so it wasn't so bad.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable? I had to push it out & he pushed down on my belly as I did. It looks like a big liver. It wasn't uncomfortable.l

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down? I don't remember that part so it must not have been too bad

How painful was your recovery? Very easy. First time was a little harder. Everytime I coughed, I was convinced I blew a stitch. Also when you nurse, it helps your uterus to contract. THe first time, it wasn't so bad. The second time, the cramps almost put me over the edge. It was the only time during my pregnancy, delivery & recovery that I could not handle the pain & asked for pain medication.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all? I WAS INDUCED SO MY CIRCUMSTANCES MIGHT BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. PRETTY MUCH AS SOON AS THE CERVADIL WENT IN, AND MY WATER BROKE, CONTRACTIONS STARTED. IT WAS TOO SOON FOR AN EPI, SO I GOT SOME DEMIROL. AT 3CM I GOT THE EPIDURAL. I ONLY HAD ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF UNMEDICATED CONTRACTIONS.

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right? DEFINITELY!!

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural? MY EPI LASTED MY ENTIRE LABOR. YOU DO FEEL PRESSURE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO SLEEP THROUGH IT. MY DOCTOR ACTUALLY HAD TO WAKE ME TO TELL ME I WAS READY TO PUSH. AT THE END, YOU DO FEEL SOME PAIN, BUT IT WASN'T BAD AT ALL.

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it? MY EPI DIDN'T WEAR OFF AT ALL, BUT YOU DO FEEL PAIN TOWARDS THE END.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders?? PUSHING IS EXHAUSTING, AND I ONLY DID IT FOR 35 MINUTES. AS THE BABY GETS COMES DOWN, YOU WILL HAVE LESS AND LESS TIME TO REST AS YOU WILL FEEL PRESSURE AND HAVE TO PUSH.

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!) HONESTLY, I HAVE NO IDEA!!! IF I DID, NO ONE MENTIONED IT.

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this) . I WAS TEARING NATURALLY, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR MY INDUCTION. I DID GET AN EPISOTOMY. THE CUT WAS NOTHING, IT WAS THE STITCHING UP AT THE END THAT I DIDN'T LIKE!

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable? MY PLACENTA CAME OUT IN 1 PUSH - AND IT FELT LIKE PUSHING OUT A BOWL OF JELLO. TOTALLY NOT PAINFUL!

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down? NOT UNCOMFORTABLE AT ALL.

How painful was your recovery? ALL I NEEDED DURING MY RECOVERY WAS MOTRIN. I WOKE UP ON DAY 6 AND FELT FANTASTIC!

ONE PIECE OF ADVICE I WILL GIVE - TRY AND HAVE YOUR FIRST BOWEL MOVEMENT WHILE YOU ARE STILL IN THE HOSPITAL. YOU WILL PROBABLY BE SCARED TO, SO I LIKED KNOWING HELP WAS ONLY A CALL BUTTON AWAY!

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

I wanna know the truth about how painful all this labor and delivery stuff is REALLY going to be. No candy coating. Just plain truth. Here are the questions I have! Rate the pain on a 1-5 scale if you wish.

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all?

I was able to go natural for about 15 hours. I asked for an epidural at 7 cm but quickly dilated to 10cm in the 45 minutes it took to get the anasteiologist. The baby had not moved down so they gave me a spinal which numbed me immediately and a very low epidural so I could rest for about 45 minutes.

Yes, the breathing techniques helped me.

I will say that after giving birth, I developed gall stones and passed one 3 months pp. That was worst then any contraction at 10cm!

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?
I don't really know since I had a spinal.

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural?

Again, I had a spinal so I really don't know. I was able to feel my legs through the whole birth.

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it?

I don't know if she let it wear off. I didn't feel pain but I did feel the baby when she moved into place and as she crowned. It wasn't painful for me at all.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders??

No, it wasn't painful for me. What surprised me was how hard pushing was...not in a painful sense but in a physical sense. I felt the baby move down and once she was in place, I had an incredibly intense desire to push. Nothing could have stopped me from pushing at that point.

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!)

I believe I did.

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this)

No, I didn't have one and will not with this one. I rather chance tearing then being cut. I did have 2 or 3 doctors/nurses stetching me peineum and I think that helped a lot.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable?

Yes, I had to push it out. I don't remember if the doctor pulled but I don't think so. It wasn't painful but just a very strong desire to push.

How uncomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down?

Not uncomfortable at all.

How painful was your recovery?

I felt great immediately afterwards. I didn't have any pain during recovery.

I realize that the answers to alot of these may make alot of us first timers shudder a little bit but we're all going to go through it at some point. That is unless we have a c-section. I just wanted the naked truth regarding normal delivery. All the birth stores we hear give us the abridged version and I want the nitty gritty. Hope it's educational for more than just I.

Message edited 11/18/2007 9:16:57 PM.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all?
I was induced with Pitocin at about 8 am in the morning. The contractions became unbearable about 3 hours later when I was 5 cm dilated. I could have used the epi about an hour before I actually got it. The panting did not help me at all.

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?
They have me some topical anesthesia, but at that point I really did not care. The hardest part of the epi for me was staying still and bent over while having contractions.

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural?
The pain free stage did not last long for me because I had a "window." Basically, the epi worked on my left side, but not on my right. They tried to adjust it, had my lay on my right side, and gave me a bolus of medicine, but it never really worked. They wound up taking it out and gave me a spinal (I wound up with a C-section).

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it?
As I mentioned, the epi never really worked for me, so the pain of pushing was pretty bad. I would say that I definitely felt as much pain as before I got it. But that is not usually the case!

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders??
I had a C-section, but pushed for 3.5 hours before it. I found pushing to actually be a relief from the pain/pressure.

Did you poop on the table? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!)Yes. I also threw up several times. I was firmly convinced that there was no way my DH would ever find me sexy again after that day. Luckily, we both got over it.

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this) I had a C-section.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable? I had a C-section so they take care of this for you.


How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down? I found this to be very uncomfortable even with a spinal.

How painful was your recovery?
Not bad at all! I was so worried about a C-section recovery and it really was not bad at all. I was walking around 10 hours later and was doing light housework the day I got home.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all?
I never had my own contractions - so I can't answer that really, but the contractions from Pitocin are strong and fast - like intense menstrual cramps that ebb and flow. I asked for the epidural because I was having trouble breathing because the contractions were coming quickly (side effect of the Pitocin). The panting DID help me a lot!

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?
They do - I didn't even realize they had given it to me until they started taping my back up. Painless!

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural?
It started in my legs...very quickly. It was an odd feeling - not good or bad. And then gradually, without me even realizing it, I was numb from the waist down.

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it?
The epidural stayed while I pushed. It was odd because I was pushing...but I couldn't feel a thing! It really helps to put your chin towards your chest while pushing - I kept forgetting. I had no pain while pushing.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders??
I had no pain....all I remember was a really freaky feeling when she exited my body....hard to describe.

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!)
Nope. But I also delivered at 7pm and hadn't eaten anything since 6am, so there wasn't anything to poop!

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this)
I had the episiotomy and I didnt' feel a thing. I didn't know until he told me he was stiching it up. I didn't feel that either.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable?
The placenta was massaged out of me. Not bad at all.
My sister had a rare condition where her placenta wouldn't detach from her uterus, so they had to try to pull it out...she said that was REALLY painful!

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down?
Not at all.

How painful was your recovery?
The episiotomy was pretty painful - just because of the location. I was terrified to sit, stand, move, pee, poop...anything. The thought of it ripping open terrified me and I didn't move around all that much for a few days. In reality, I overracted to it, and could have (and should have) done a whole lot more.

Hope that helps!! It honestly wasn't all that bad! I'd do it again!!

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

Ok. Here goes. . . . . .

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? Does the "panting" really help at all?

I was in labor all day and didn't realize it until my water broke. I got to the hospital and was 3 cm. I didn't ask for an epidural, they just told me they were calling the anesthesiologist and he would be there in an hour. (they already knew I wanted the epi - - - it must have been in my file) When he got there, I was 6 cm. The last few contractions before the epi were pretty bad. I wasn't screaming hysterically or anything, but I was definitely in pain. The breathing definitely helped through it.

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?

Yes. They say it is like a bee sting, but I've never been stung by a bee before. It is defintely no worse than the IV.

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural?

It lasted until I was ready to push. You won't be completely numb. You can still move, but you can't get up and walk or anything like that. The last few contractions before pushing I was able to feel which freaked me out, but they weren't as bad as before the epi.

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it?

No, no, no.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders??

I found the pain to be less once I started pushing. It was almost a relief. It didn't get worse.

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!)



Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this)

Yes, no. I still had the epidural. I did not feel it at all.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable?

He helped. Not terribly uncomfortable at all. Even if it were, you are very distracted at this point.

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down?

A little. Nothing unbearable.

How painful was your recovery?

Annoying more than anything else.

Hope that helps! You will be fine. Women wouldn't have more than one baby if it were really that bad and this is coming from the biggest baby ever. The hardest part for me was staying in the hospital. I don't like to be away from home without DH.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

Here goes nothing...


When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural? I didn't feel any pain from when I got to the hospital at 7pm until the next morning - my water broke when I got home from work and that is how I knew my labor started. I wasn't even feeling contractions until they gave me pitocin. Does the "panting" really help at all? I didn't use any real techniques...I just took some deep breaths here and there to try and forget the pain.

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right? I'm assuming it's the same everywhere - but I got a shot to numb the area...that hurt the most, but it was very quick.

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? I believe I was pain free right away.

Do you still have any feeling,pressure,sensation down below after receiving the epidural?
I don't remember...I don't think so though. The only pressure I felt was when I was 10 cm and had the urge to push.

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? No, but they did turn it off completely.

Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? For the most part, yes.

Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it? It was more of a discomfort for me than anything else. The most pain I felt was when DD was crowning...then I just wanted her out.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? I think so - because you're pushing a child out of your vajayjay.

Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders?? Yes. But if you are lucky - it will happen quickly!

Did you poop on the tabe? (C'mon, we ALL wanna know!) I did not...but when I first started pushing I peed a lot! No one ever talks about the peeing...but I had been drinking water and chewing ice for HOURS and was getting a saline drip to keep me hydrated.

Did you have an episiotomy? No, but I did tear a little...I didn't ask how many stiches, so I'm not sure how bad it was.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? I don't think I pushed at all - I just remember her pulling it out. Was this terribly uncomfortable? I don't believe I felt it...but then again, I was holding my newborn baby and was in another place mentally.

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down? Wasn't too terrible.

How painful was your recovery?
I found the worst part to be sitting on the toilet and having everything "spread"...a lot of discomfort there for me which only recently subsized a few weeks ago.

I HONESTLY don't remember the pain of childbirth. I never believed people that said it, but I truly don't remember it being that bad.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

Well, I had a planned C section, so I can't answer the labor parts, but I will tell you that the C section was so much less scarier than I ever imagined it to be and my recovery went really well. Also, I was relieved to find out I needed a C section because I was so terrified of labor

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

ok, As honest as I can remember. I think you have to know first hand that the whole delivery/labor part is surreal so there for it's not remembered so vividly to some. I think this is why people really don't talk about it too much. It was hard, you got through it and man, you have an amazing child in your arms that YOU brought into the world.

With that said here are my answers for ya:
1) I think I had 5 painful contractions before they gave me a drug that made me feel stoned out of my mind (still felt the contractions). Shortly after that I got the epidural. Which was not painful at all since I got the drug prior to.
B)Panting.. um, no

2)Yes, I ws numbed prior to the epi.

3)The Epi was left on until After the placenta came out. I did however feel the Dr. sew me up from the Episiotomy (the y quickly turned it back on!) It was instant pain relief.

4)ok, I was told to push when the contractions came on, but I was like I don't know how to push??? I feel no sensation or need to push... Until after maybe 10 pushes I felt pressure. Not painful by any means. But that was my indication I needed to push. I felt her head slide out (again no pain, no sensation), then one more push and she was completely out.

5) Yup, pooped on the table and don't care one bit. Will do it again

6) Yes, tore and had an episiotomy. Didn't know and didn't care to know either. I found out after when sewing me up. You won't know during the throws of labor.

7) I think I did one push and the placenta came out. Honestly don't remember too much of that part.

8) Kneading my stomach was a bit painful, but again quickly forgot about it.

9)RECOVERY: well that is another story for me. It was long and painful for a while. It took 9 months to heal from the episiotomy. I felt better after a few weeks though. Peeing and pooping was painful for a while. Make sure you get Tucks pads and a water bottle from the nurses while in recovery. I also needed pain medication while in the hospital and begged for a pill before I left. the hardest for me was peeing after birth. I had to pee so bad, I tried but nothing would come out. they had to go in and manually help it along OMG! that was more painful than birth! I had them do that 2x until everything started working again. I pooped before I peed on my own

Like I said in the beginning as hard as it is/was... You really are in a dream like feeling and it all fades away (not the memory) but the fear of it all. I think adreniline kicks in and you are suddenly on super mom mode.

you'll be perfectly fine, go in positive and educate yourself like you are so that you are somewhat prepared on what can be thrown at you.

Re: Let's get the truth out here...

When those contractions kick in full swing, how long was it unbearable before you asked for an epidural?

I was in labor for two hours before it was so bad I was CRYING and BEGGING DH to do something. But I had to wait another hour before I got my epidural and I survived.

Does the "panting" really help at all?

No.

When getting an epidural, they DO numb you- right?

Yes. Mine hurt going in, but about 30 seconds after that it was bliss.

After the epidural is in place, how long did the "pain free" stage last? Do you still have any feeling down below after receiving the epidural?

Feeling, yes. Pain, no. My pain-free lasted right up to the birth.

Did your doctor let your epidural "wear off" before having you push? Was it entirely worn off when you started to push? Did you feel as much pain as you did before you got it?

No. Mine was still pretty much in effect, but it is much harder to push when you can't feel things. Once I started to get some feeling back I was able to push much more effectively.

When pushing, is the pain greater when you're not pushing? Does it get worse as the baby comes down the birth canal? When crowning or passing the shoulders??

The pushing didn't hurt so much as it is EXHAUSTING. And I thought the actual birth was much less painful than the contractions.

Did you poop on the tabe?

Not that I'm aware of.

Did you have an episiotomy? Did your doctor numb your perineum before making the incision? Or did they just figure that you're in pain already, a little "snip" wont bother you? (I shudder at the thought of this)

Yes. They injected a local into the area. I can tell you I had NO IDEA that I had one until I saw her sewing me up. After they had taken DS away.

Did you have to "push" your placenta out, or did your doctor help by pulling? Was this terribly uncomfortable?

Don't even remember.

How umcomfortable is it while they are kneeding your uterus to contract back down?

Really, really painful. Seriously one of the worst parts for me. When the nurses would come in to do that I would cry and beg them not to.

How painful was your recovery?

Pretty painful. All the classes talk about how hard the C-Section recovery is and I was not prepared for how hard the vaginal recovery was.

Everything feels "off" and you can't sit right and your stomach is all saggy.

You have to spray your va-jay-jay with a bottle and there is blood and uck coming out and you just want to crawl into a hole somewhere.

I was just flat out exhausted and in pain for the next 2 weeks.

Of course, I herniated a disc giving birth, so my recovery may have been hindered by that.

Message edited 11/19/2007 8:54:22 AM.