New Moms Describe What Labor Is Really Like

almost died from an epidural ? i wouldnt let that scare any of you ladies who are thinking of getting one. im sure lots of people have complications with anesthesia during surgery as well. however, if my dr offered me knee surgery without anesthesia i would kindly take my chances. to me, thats what its like. why not take the marvels of modern medicine and trust that everything will be fine.

I am 24 weeks pregnant with my first child. I have to say a lot of what women have to say on this site does seem kind of scary. I have a very high tolerance for pain and was hoping that I could handle labor. But not many people seem too positive about that.

I was induced for both of my previous pregnancies. I was scared the first time around b/c it seems people want to tell you how awful it was. It was no picnic but not near what I thought. I did have an epidural when it got too intense but I just kept in mind that pain wouldn't last forever. To me the pain just seemed to radiate from my belly to my back. The muscles just felt painfully tight with each contraction.

I definitely can't speak for my wife, but she has told me that labor wasn't as bad as she thought it would be, even though it was painful. That was four years ago! Now we're looking for a good needham preschool for our daughter to go to! http://kidsclubchildcare.com

I am 5-1/2 months pregnant with my 1st baby at 43, reading the stories is terrifying. I also have asthma and I'm afraid I won't be able to breathe. I don't know what is going to happen but I am a little scared.

Everyone's labor is different, so don't get all wrapped up in thinking that your labor/delivery will be just like your BFF's who just happened to labor for 36 hours and then ended up with a c-section. Everyone's is different!! Check out: www.myrealbirthstory.com for a variety of birth stories!

Do your own research. Doctors don't always tell the full truth. Keep in mind that inductions don't always work and pitocin is not FDA approved for use in labor, it's only for use after delivery. I labored without pain meds, but my son's heart rate was not reacting well to contractions, I ended up with a c-section. I personally hated not feeling my lower body and it is highly unlikely that I will ever choose to have an epidural. I've also heard that the epidural can actually slow down labor.

Those of you that are expecting your first child and reading about excrutiating pain and becoming terrified, STOP. You can do it! Everyone's pain tolerace is different. Everyone's birth experience is different. I've had 2 children (girls) and both the labor & delivery went very well. I didn't experience anything excrutiating and the soreness afterwards wasn't horrendous.

I actually had a scheduled C-section, but when I arrived for prep they hooked me up to a monitor--and discovered I was in the throes of active labor! The nurse asked me several times, "Are you SURE you don't feel anything?" Nope--no pain, no cramping, no nothing. Eventually we discovered my pelvis is so small (and the baby was so big) that the baby couldn't get any lower down, so he couldn't trigger labor...but not having to experience the pain was actually a HUGE relief!

The day I had my daughter, I was having really bad pressure on the floor of my cervix. The pressure was so bad, that i couldn't even sit or lay down. I made the trip to the hospital hoping they didn't send me home because the pain was almost unbearable. Fortunately, they checked me and I was dilated to 1cm. I did not have the usual stomach contractions. I had the same "pressure" throughout my whole labor! I just hope my next labor will be a little better!

Not every labor story is a horror one. My contractions weren't that bad and when I arrived at the hospital my water was bulging and I was dialated to 8cm. After 10mins of giving my info and only 25mins of pushing, my son was born. The pain I was expecting, never happened and I didn't even get an epidural. I thank God everyday for giving me my perfect, now 8mth old Jackson. I am truly blessed.

Labor was very easy for me. Im 20 i just had my 1st baby he's 5mths old. My water broke at like 10am & he was born 1:19am. i only got to around 4cm and couldnt dilate any more so i had to have a c section. My doc gave me my epidural around lunch maybe almost 1:00pm My contractions never got to painful. The hardest part was the aftermath. c-sections hurt very badly the couples days after the hospital.

My labor pains felt like something I have never felt before in my life...it was as if I was on my menstrual cycle and had a very bad stomach ache all in one! When the contractions came my private area would hurt really really bad as if someone beat it with a bat and I never received an epidural because my labor went so fast, so I had to deal with the pain until I had to push, which was the best news to hear!

although i was very lucky ei was expecting the most horrible pain ever but i didn't really feel anything i just wasn't tired in i slept a lot though out the last 9 1/2 month my water broke and about 3 hours later the hospital had to induce my labor it only lasted for 22 minutes and the worst thing was was the fear of pain but in the end the only pain i had was when i ripped then it was all over but i asked my husband to stay clam and just to be there and give moral support

I've had back labor with both of my children.It felt like intense cramps that never let up it was tollerable for me, but my second son pressed really hard against my back as he was repositioning and i couldnt feel my contractions anymore. I was able to have both kids without an epidural, when its a huge releif when you are able to push through the contractions.

I was having light contractions a few weeks before I went into labor. My water broke at home and I was in labor for 12 hours. It felt like a tight pain creeping from my lower abdomen to the back of my tailbone, I tried to go through the pain but had an epidural 9 hours into it, and had my baby 3 hours later but the epidural was wearing off by then. I think the contractions hurt more than the birth itself..

I was induced and my labor pain was horrible as soon as the contractions came. The best thing my midwife did for me was she made me get on my knees in the shower with hot water and let it hit my back. I was in a squat position and it was gravity that forced my baby's head down, the water hitting my back didn't get rid of the pain, but it mad e the contractions a little bit easier to deal with. Epideral is the best thing when you are in a lot of pain, but not too soon.

My contractions were not really worthy of screaming or crying. They felt more like a really uncomfortable and intense feeling of pressure radiating from my belly and lower back to my thighs. I just held on to something and breathed deep until the pain passed.I pushed for an hour and a half before the dr. said I needed a c-section. The anesthesia was such a relief it felt like I went from a giant ball of pressure to weightless in a matter of seconds.

my contractions started right after I had been examined by my ob. so I thought it was a false alarm, and didnt go back to the hospital. it started at 4 pm, I tried to sleep at night but the pain was awful! contractions every 7 minutes or so. I went to the hospital the next day at 10am, was dilated 2-3 cm. but the pain was getting worse and worse! I forgot to breath during contractions, and that can be harmful for the baby. I had to have an epidural at around 5pm, then I gave birth at 9.50pm

I had what they call "back labor" and it felt like an elephant was stepping on my back wearing spiked heels while he was using his tusks to rip my muscles apart. Only it didn't end there. It was continual, and the contractions were only minimally less worse. Like somebody wrote, it felt like my insides were being ripped out....like my body was on fire. But, I have done it two times now, and am getting ready to do it a third.

my second child was horrible i had contractions for 2 weeks and the day i had her i had contractions like crazy and then they just kept getting worse i went to the hospital and my water broke there in the bed and i was having really strong contractions back to back. they couldnt get an IV started for a long time so by time i got my epidural i was dialated to 7 and had her 20 min later and wasnt numb and that hurts horribly!

When the hard labor started it felt like someone was taking a butcher knife and trying to cut the front of my stomach open and like someone was pressing the heel of their foot into my back. And make sure if people are holding your legs they hold them at the same level. My husband ended up giving me a huge leg cramp in the middle of me trying to push my daughter out. Not only did it hurt but it broke my concentration and I wasted a good push/contraction trying to get the knot out of my hip.

My labor went VERY quick so there was no time for an epidural (trust me I was SCREAMING for it!). My contractions were like INTENSE menstrual cramps. The pushing felt like an Indian rug burn (no joke). At one point I remember screaming "I'm going to die!". But I made it throught and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. I was surprised at how great I felt when it was all over.

Every woman is different therefor their pain threshold and their regular cramps are also different. My neighbor had 8 children and she said that the last one was one continual non-stop painful contraction. I myself have had 5 children natural childbirth and my mother-in-law had six. She said explaining the pain "that it is a pain that is easily forgotten" or else no one would do it more than once. The only pain worse than natural childbirth is dental work.

I used Hypnobabies since I'm terrified to the point of hysterical about needles, no epidural for me. My family was skeptical, they saw how calm and in control I was during L&D. Nurses were surprised, I was 5cm & in labor when we arrived. I felt contractions but with HB the intensity was almost nonexistent. My DH said if we have a 2nd we'd stick with HB. BTW, I've very low pain tolerance & never thought I'd have kids. If not for HB, I wouldn't have my precious girl.

I had a pitocin induced labor when overdue, but I had no pain medications at all. Labor was intense and very painful, when I felt a contraction starting I would grab a hand, sway, and go into an internal zone (I can do it, I was made for this). So many people don't prepare with extended birth classes and rely on the free class and pain meds. I found taking Bradley classes and my doula great.

Epidurals are the most dangerous thing that you can do! Please do yourselves a favor and watch Pregnant in America and The Business of Being Born. Yes my labor hurt a lot, but get a midwife ladies! They will help you manage the pain without endangering your life and baby. I ALMOST DIED FROM MY EPIDURAL! Now I have to have c-sections for the rest of my life and have constant back pain and it is very hard to run now. DO NOT GO TO A HOSPITAL! GET A MIDWIFE!

It hurt terribly but it was also the most exciting experience of my life. I look back with only good memories and can't wait to go through it again. I know, I know, I'm nuts.

so, my water ruptured at 27 weeks, had to stay in the hospital on complete bed rest until i went into labor, which was 2 weeks later. started having somewhat mild labor pains somewhere around 2 or 3 am and by 4 a.m, they were coming pretty strong! MOST HORRIBLE PAIN I EVER EXPERIENCED!!! (i would do it over in a hearbeat for my son because he was worth every bit of the pain!) they finally were able to give me my epidural around 6 or 7 am and i had my son at 9:53 a.m..

Every woman is different so therfore everyone experiences different pain. I thought I wasn't going to have a hard time because I am good at managing pain (so I thought!) The contractions felt as if I was being ripped in two. I was sweating through the contractions, I didn't understand how women were able to scream through those pains, I was afraid to even speak. When it came to pushing, it was easy. Thank God for epidurals, they are a true lifesaver!

It definitly hurts. There's no getting around it. I got induced and I felt like the contractions were right on top of eachother. I suggest getting an epidural! But honestly, I would go through it all over again RIGHT now for my daughter. It's so worth it.

I wouldn't describe it as pain, but as extreme discomfort, for eight fast hours. I received continuous counter pressure on my low back/sacrum. later. Pushing was the most intense part it felt like a giant boulder wanting to come out my anus, it scared me and I was wanting to control the speed but ALL I could hear was "PUSH". I surrendered to it, and PUSHED through the pain, the baby came out and then it is such sweet relief!!

Strong period cramps. They do get to the point that you'll have to stop what you're doing tho so you'll have to focus, & breath it out. They don't last very long tho. Then your fine, then its back, and so on. Tough it out and don't get an epi, you'll deliver a lot faster. I started at 2am with mild contractions, got stronger through out the day, walked around, then delivered by 2pm. So from real labour contractions to delivery, it took about 9 hours. If you can, walk and pass up the epi.

at age 40 Thank ful for the last moment in life we had our son. first for both of us, my husband being 38. I was induced a week early with having low-panty/thigh,stomach pain. 4 hours of inducing, 1/2 hour baby dropping in the canal and 1/2 hour pushing with an epidural. didnt feel the baby come out and the pain stopped when pushing. I even had an episiotemy sp? Great labor!

I would just say that it does not a bit of good to tell any womantthat it is excruciating pain, or the worst pain imaginable. Not all woman will experience that degree of pain and even if they do they will deal with it as milliions of women before us have. Not to mention every one has a different tolerance. I just had what I would describe as really bad cramps in my tummy and lower back. I would not say excruciating or even close. Just really, really uncomfortable.

well i am one of the lucky ladies that got to experience labor twice with one baby. i went into preterm labor at 24weeks..and was in labor for two days. then hospitalized for two weeks whiel i was there my water broke at 26weeks and then had the actual labor before giving birth to him, which lasted another 10 1/2 hours. THEEE WORST PAIN I HAVE EVER FELT IN MY LIFE! and i think the recovery pain was just as bad that last about a 2weeks.

forgot to mention after the epi, it was alot better but the cath. still hurt the entire time, but no tears only a mark from the cath that healed in 2 weeks. This was my first and last.

My Labor pains started as small shart menstural cramps and then progressed into a really uncomfortable urge to poop. yup..it's exactly how it felt with me. I wasn't allowed in epidural. There wasn't any time for it. My contractions started at 1am and my son (first child) was born at 2:52am...the same day.

It is LONG... I was in labor for 72 hrs. the pain was a wave from my chest to my knees. I could not control my bladder. (puppy pads are awesome). Felt like fiery pick hammers clawing down my entire belly , then just the flames spread to my legs. The breathing went out the window at 60 hrs and from then all i could do is grunt and howl in pain.

It really is nothing like you expect it to be.The pain is so horrendous.My contractions felt as though i wsa cramping on one side.The epidural works,but not as much.My experience overall to say this was my first child was the best. I went in at 6 am and had my little one at 12:14 pm.I didn't tear i just got one scrape and I didn't even have pains afterwards.I felt like I was in heaven

The contractions felt like very strong menstrual cramps and I didn't ask for the epidural until 10 hours in, when the contractions were on top of one another. Those are awful! Felt only pressure in the abdomen, no pain, while i was under epidural and was able to sleep the rest of the night. Delivered after the 2nd dose, which made me entirely numb. But I only pushed for 10 min and baby was out! My water never broke and doc had to break it when I was 10 cm dilated.

Its totally true,labor is diffrent for every single woman. my contractions were all in the lower back. the pain felt like my back muscle were twisting tighter and tighter until i thought i couldn't take it anymore and then they would begin subsiding, 'untwisting'. going through labor is something u can't imagine until you've experienced it urself. its sooooo hard and painful but the reward of having ur new baby in ur arms is unbelivable. i would do it 10 more times if i had to.

I thought I had to pee every 3 seconds and those were my contractions. I don't believe the "if you can talk, you're not that far along" theory. That's exactly what the doc on call said and told me to just come in for my scheduled c-section at 8 a.m. Good thing I listened to my instincts. The nurse came to check me, her eyes got big and she ran out of the room. Needless to say, I had an "emergency" c-section. I was 8 cm and totally afaced (sp?) and could easily talk and walk.

labor felt like I was going to poop the baby out- So much pressure down there. I got the epidural but I don't think it worked well because I could still move my legs and feel all the contractions. It is such a big relief once the baby is born but I was in pain for awhile after that, but I also ripped and that's why it hurt so bad. I don't want another baby for a while but I know would do it all again :) The baby is worth the pain!

The pain is just like everyone has stated. The epidural is a great relief. I got it fell asleep then was woken up by the nurse who told me it was time to push. It was great! But afterwards,the healing where they cut me was the worst.

I was in labor, unmedicated, with my son for fifteen hours and pushed for four. By far the pressure in my abdomen and the heat of the room were the only things that made it difficult. My husband and I were already discussing our next child a couple hours later.

I have often described contractions as feeling like a less intense Charley horse. If you have ever had a spasm then it won't feel unfamiliar. It's not quite as painful as a Charley horse but very spasmodic, intense, deep and muscular. The labor was much easier to endure than the buffoons who were delivering my son.... If they hadn't dropped the ball I wouldn't have either!

I thought I was pretty tough until my first contraction...then thought; well I made it through that one...6hrs later I was in tears from the pain and fear of the next contraction when I was offered the drugs & I couldn't believe what a relief it was to have the epidural!!

Take 2: My 2nd labor,the word painful does not describe it.I was so anxious to have my daughter that finally my doc stripped my membranes at 39 weeks and 3 days.The next day, after working a full day of work,I started contracting @ 7:30pm, 4 minutes apart by 11:30pm.I felt nothing except the most horrible pain I have ever felt around my C- section scar,cannot describe it. I waited for a labor rm for 2-3 hours with no pain meds, finally got epidural, took a nap, woke up rested and delivered at 11

When i delivered my twin boys, 6 weeks early, i thought labor was nothing. my water broke at 830am,@ hospital by 1130, no contractions, given pitosin (sp?) 2 hours later, I got an epidural after about 2 crazy intense contractions and felt nothing from there on out. my boys were born at 5:30 pm approx. One vaginally and one by C- section, which I never considered was a possibility. But what they say is true you really forget all about the pain, though you will NOT forget immediately.

my labor started on sun morning & the contractions were about every hour. By sun evening the contractions were about 7 mins apart & lasting for 30 sec.i dilated very slowly & they had to break my water.i was in labor for 32 hrs.my son came at 3am tues morning.no pain meds by choice.the last 2 hrs were unbearable.it felt like i had to poop bad the closer i got to delivery.by the end contractions feel like the worse cramp x100.i pushed for about 3 mins but it felt like 4ever before he came out.

My OB said to not listen to all the crap about timing contractions. if your contractions are so strong that you can not walk or talk during them then you should be worried. i thought labor was more pleasant then the pregnancy. LOL!!

i was in labor for 6 hrs from the time my water broke to delivery...the pains at first was bearable but when it came to the last 2 1/2hrs i taught i was going to loose my mind...pain was in control of me,my eyes were turning up and stuff..but the pushing was a relief.i pushed my baby out in 10 mins and it was my first..i do hope with my second one now that it will be the same or less..i'm a bit scared.:)

i dad my contraction for almost full 24 hrs and i didn't reach the full dilatation until i was for actually 20 hrs in contraction that reached as far as 100 in its intensity and felt like that someone is squeezing your inside organs terribly,after all that suffering i had my epidural but not more than the test dose because i was only 1 cm dilated,finally i got my wonderful son.but i am sure that every one has her own experience and my next baby will not be as hard as my first one.

By 9am my mucous plug came out.It doesn't actually mean you're in labor. Within a couple hours I rushed to the hospital with my contractions 7 mins apart but was sent home. Next day contractions 5-6 min. It's very painful,the pain takes your breath away and you cant talk to much.I had tears in my eyes and felt very uncomfortable.To my surprise I was already 7-8 dialated when I arrived.Within 30 mins I was ready to push.No pain meds.It's a relief to push.You forget your pain when you see the baby

I started feeling some cramping at 3:30am that resembled menstrual cramps and after a few hours we left for the birth center and I went into transition in the car. By the time we got to the birth center I felt like I had to poop really really bad (that's the baby pushing on your rectum and means you are ready to push). Good thing too! I was dialated to 10 and my water broke. 3 minutes of pushing and my daughter arrived in the bathtub

If giving birth was that horrible everyone would be an only child :)

After two kids. Labor for me was painful but worth it. I had to be induced both times. My girls didn't want to come out. Lobor for me wasen't to bad. I did have pain killers but only in the end. One the girls came out. I forgot all about the labor pains. I would do it all over again.

I had contractions for 3 days before actually going into labor it wasn't all of a sudden like the movies.They were small nudges and gradually got stronger.I did not scream like the movies i don't understand how anyone could scream while pushing. Took me less then 1 1/2hr to push him out and i didn't think it hurt.i was so proud of myself and my doctor was shocked saying that he thought it would take me at least 15hrs because this was my first,i am young and i didnt take any classes he recommened

My water broke at home at 39 weeks. Went into the hospital at 12am and was 3cm and I decided to use the bath till about 330am and when I came out I was 9cm! The nurse on duty was very stressed because neither of my doctors were there and she was the ONLY nurse in the ward.Doctors got there and I was ready to push! 4 hours including 30min pushing I had a healthy boy. I dont remember any pain! Hope this next one is just as easy :)!

I went into labor at 28 weeks with twins, but since it was my first pregnancy and so early, I didn't know it. My low back was hurting a little worse than usual but not enough to worry me. Actually, I thought I was just severely constipated. That's exactly what it felt like. I even told my doctor's nurse that's what it felt like which didn't send off any signals for her. The bells were ringing when I ended up at the hospital an hour later with my water breaking.

Denisse- I delivered my son after waiting for him to come out but took 10 months and 1 day and decided to swollow ginger with hot water at 11:00am and castor oil 1 tablespoon and Bingo... My son came out in a mater of 20 minutes. Broke water and it splashed on the doctor's face I replied sorry... With no medicine everything was natural. My Second baby was no pain at all that I showered, got dressed, and was ready to leave with my baby.

My labour story was horrible actually it was so tough , it started with contractions , then water broke 2 weeks early so i went to the doc. she gave me artificial induction for 36 hours , all this time horrible pain can`t be described , she gave me epidural shot which was non effective , then finally she decided to go for sugery ??!!! i had post partum depression , it was a terrible experience for me , but when i saw my little angel baby boy all the pain went away.............

I had a natural birth and it was the hardest thing I have physically ever done. But I was on cloud 9 for the longest time after my baby was born. I am looking forward to having another natural childbirth. It is practically addicting. Oh, and if you or anyone you know are nay-sayers of natural childbirth, just look into it and read the incredible feelings and stories from mommies who have actually had a natural birth. They might surprise and you might just want that for yourself!

Thank God for that thing that happens after you deliver, that makes you forget the pain of labor, otherwise we would be an entire race of single children and no siblings.

After having 2 beautiful children 10 years apart, the first one was with Demerol, she was born after 10 hours it took a while to get over that pain. My son was a Duzzy after labor pains for 24 hours, water broke and an emergency C-section. After 2 children and 2 very different experencies, Drugs are King in my book.

I was induced. Labor was bad... But I don't know if it was as bad as TV portray's. I was in labor for 10 hours. Did not have good nurses. The first nurse I had was good and she checked me often. T=The later nurse was horrible, all snotty and what not. I was 8 centimeter's when I received the epidural. There was no reason for me to get one. It takes an epidural 25 minutes to work its magic. After they gave me that I started pushing like 10/15 mins after.

Yes, the pain was like everyone else (BAD CRAMPS) really bad ones. Then once my baby was ready to come out, I started feeling a real BURNING feeling and that was the trigger to start pushing. I pushed as if I was going to move my bowels and I used my head rest on the bed to get my strength. My arms were very sore for the next few days. But no epidural or meds were given to me. It all happen so fast and it was all worth it. It all took 4 hours total for my 1st baby.

For months before the birth I use to cry just of thinking about it. The day of my due date came and went and no contractions. I was scheduled for an induction, we tried for 2 whole days and no baby with the induction, and also the pain was very manageable not nearly what I expected. Then they decided to break my water, that's when all the pain really started, however I immediately asked for an epidural. They decided a C-section was best. I had general anesthesia, woke up to a beautiful baby boy.

I just had my second child in May. Both of my labors were induced. It is my understanding that pain is worse with induction than when natural. There were complications with the epidural both times in that the hospital had to order additional blood tests before giving me the epidural. I was in so much pain that I was in tears. They did give me some other drugs but they did not kill the pain, only made me dizzy. I strongly recommend an epidural!

I had contractions a day before 30 minutes apart.It was a tough night i didnt sleep.A nice massage from my husband was the only thing that would help. Having the epidural really relaxed me and gave me energy to push the next day. I really believe that everyone makes a really big deal about the situation when in reality all you need to do is stay focused and CALM. Once the baby is born then then the party should start.Every woman is different as long as you dont freak out everything will be fine

Hi Everyone! Don't be afraid of the contractions. Everything WILL be okay! I began having contractions 5 minutes apart and I gave birth 12 hours later. Everything was very fast and intense yet easy to manage. The hardening of your belly just means you are closer and closer to meeting your baby! I bought Kwan Loong chinese oil to breathe in deep when the contractions would begin. It worked! I suggest the epidural, but it didn't numb me "down there" I felt everything stretching when pushing!

the pain was unbearable and intense but after its over you dont even remember what the pain feels like all you know is that it was horrible but its like magic you felt it and then its like it was an imagination b'coz u cant explain the feeling anymore ...well thats how it was for me and it wasnt b'coz of the joy of seeing my baby it just..... i dont know lol.

I just took some really good pre-natal classes that described all the stages of labor really well. I had no idea what to expect but these classes really helped me know what I should be looking for and what the different stages of labor are. Here's the link for more info on these natural child birth classes - http://www.birth-education.com/

I started having my contractions the night before i went into labor. i had them every 5-6 mintues and they were constant. it felt like a extremely bad period cramp. then the next day they got worse when i went into labor, felt like my whole insides was getting ripped out. but i got the epidural and that made it alot better, til it started wearing off. but labor aint as bad as you see on tv.

I took a birthing class did my practice breathing & pushing & thought I was prepared. I was surprised when labor pains started in my lower back. After 12 hours of contractions I finally went in. Once the pain really intensified everything I learned in class & was hearing from my doula went out the window. I did manage without epidural, though. I feel that if I could handle that L&D which the doula said was an extremely hard one, I could do anything. Probly would do again drug free.

I had all five of my children in the 1980's four of them by vaginal delivery and my last by C-section. The options for pain were limited either way it meant a needle in my spine which scared me more than any pain...however the pain was intense and jokingly I used to describe it as a mini truck parked on my pelvis while a bowling ball was attempting to escape my vagina.Whenever I found out I was pregnant I would cry in fear of the pain but I did it again & again because the end result was amazing

My baby was coming out face up so it was painful right from the start. After 18 hours and 3 cm, I was falling asleep in between contractions. It was very painful with his back against mine. He ended up getting stuck mid turn on my pelvic bones (because the nurses just had to insist on turning him around so he would come out face down). If the nurses would've let us be, he wouldn't have gotten stuck and I wouldn't have had an emer. c-section. I would never wish a csection on anybody, so painful!!

i just reread my comment i just entered..do ya think i used the word "weird" enough? Ha ha! I don't htink i can redo it either..oh well..

it hurts beyond imagination, but it's so weird as soon as that baby comes out the pain is gone and it's like the pain never happened..weird!! It's so weird to have that level of misery and then all of a sudden it's over.. I was making phone calls right after and felt great!

Early labor the night before wasnt so bad. Even when contractions were 3-4 minutes apart. When it progressed and the REAL pain started it felt like someone was ripping my stomach open with a jagged kitchen knife. Anonymous you're lucky, cythiahoots, I'd do it again in a heart beat... a 3 year heart beat.

What amazes me is how painful this was for all of us and yet... we usually go and do it again! It is interesting how soon you forget exactly how bad it was. If we didn't, there would be a lot less kids out there.

I had no contraction at all. I still don't know what they feels like, or what I'm suppose to expect. I started pushing at 1pm kid was out at 2:30pm. Funny, i was in severe pain the next day.

I had back labor with both of my kids. Felt alot like horrible back cramps, but when it eased I would feel ok. I never had contractions right on top of each other.

My labour was 38 hours long and was all in my lower back the pain became untolerable towards the end with hot flushes starting at my feet and rising through my whole body like a wave till it reached my head, i didn't get any pains in my stomach that i can remember but the pain was worse than i imagined it would be and i could not of carried on without the epidural (scary thought) and then after that i had an emergecncy c-section and went into shock. It was traumatic but i would do it again!!!

Ripping and tearing inside that gets progressively worse over time. There were no wavelike cramps.

I found contractions painful, but tolerable. When I tried to put my fear and tension aside, and focus on the productivity of them, felt like they were powerful waves of intense menstrual cramps, rising and falling in intensity. I felt fine in between them. I had expected to feel contractions from the top of my uterus down, but mostly felt them lower than my navel in my front, back and sides. The worst of them was when I was confined to the bed and attached to the monitor.

I wasnt sure if i was in labor or not, the cramps i felt were odd, I thought i had to have a BM, once i did the uncomfortable feeling never went away. As i was cristmas shopping that day they got more intense and i started to have a strong feeling i was in labor - sure enough i was.

every single women is differrent and before i had my baby i would here tones of stories and not get scared at all but when the day came for..at first i can handle contractions even tough they were not strong its not so pleasent, i got the epidural after a while,but for my luck it wored off i got to feel the strongest contractions the pain is just simply something you cant describe until you experience it i ended up getting a c-section it was horrible!!

my contractions were the worse they were the most horrible sharp pains ever the birth went by fast for me it was a lil pain but not as bad as the contractions.

Labor started out as diarrhea that lasted about an hour, but the pain you normally feel with diarrhea didn't go away, it got worse and worse. I sympathize with Rebecca; I couldn't tell when I came down from a contraction. The pain was never ending. It did however give me a good laugh a few months later when my husband had a bad case of the runs and had to wait to get to a bathroom. He was in agony. I said, "Oh good honey, now you know a little better how my labor feels."

I had contractions running down my hips and thighs, not in my middle at all. I am not going to say it was pleasant by any means but labor was not as painful as I anticipated. I thought the contractions would feel like a Charlie horse leg cramp but in the mid section. Charlie Horses are much more intense.

My labor pain felt like someone was pulling my skin off one piece at a time. My contractions were one on top of the other, with little down time between them. I was glad to get the epidural.