At the top of the peak it was almost unbearable and just as I thought I couldn't take any more it went away. It was a positive pain though as you know it will end and they will get closer together. I found that they only 'hurt' when I was frightened and tense and overwhelmed, if I concentrated on keeping all my muscles relaxed - my jaw especially - it wasn't too bad. My labours were long, at 22 and 19 hours each. Gas and air was great for keeping my breathing calm as you can hear it more, plus it makes you woozy and floaty which is a great distraction.
It was definitely not the worst pain ever. But the way I approached it was just one bit at a time - or 'this bit feels like period pains , I can handle this', then 'this bit is really painful but the gas and air is helping and the next stage will be soon' - and I actually coped really well.
That got me through. I suppose what helped was really a kind of mindfulness now I think of it - just focus on what's going on in the moment and don't think of it as a whole.
Both times I had a point where I felt panicked and overwhelmed - I think this was probably 'transition'. Also, the pain really does go away in between contractions which I couldn't get my head round beforehand. But I certainly ticked the pooing box.
I didn't see it, [my husband] politely assures me that he never saw anything, so I might have convinced myself that nothing had happened after all if it hadn't been for the bloody midwife saying loudly, 'oh good, I can see someone has been taking their iron tablets then! It started off very manageable, what I thought were braxton hicks intensified and became more regular. Back in the s, researchers tried to employ a device known as the dolorimeter , which used the heat from a light source, to establish levels of pain.
Your healthcare provider will likely ask you to track and quantify your pain by rating it on a scale. They may discuss the intensity of the pain and your feelings about your ability to work through or manage it. This information will help them determine the appropriate pain relief options with you. Although, you may notice though that it increases after your water breaks or as labor picks up, and that some elements of the pain are temporary while others continue for a period of time after giving birth.
During pregnancy, you may experience Braxton-Hicks contractions , which are usually irregular and inconsistent. They tend to be felt in the abdominal area and make the belly feel tight, causing discomfort more than pain. If you would like to reduce the discomfort of Braxton Hicks, you can try drinking some more water, changing position, or resting on your left side.
In the early stages of labor, contractions will increase in intensity and frequency as they fall into a steady pattern. Early labor contractions will usually cause the abdomen to feel tight to the touch. You may also experience a dull backache, feelings of pressure in the abdomen and pelvis, and sensations similar to those of intense menstrual cramping.
When contractions begin, they may only be 30 to 45 seconds in length with several minutes of rest in between. As labor progresses, contractions may feel like they are wrapping around your body from the back to the front. You may also begin to notice cramping and discomfort in your legs as the contractions become more frequent and last closer to 1 minute in length. Other parts of the experience may also cause discomfort or pain, including an episiotomy or vaginal tearing.
You may also feel muscle pain or fatigue from pushing or experience uncomfortable side effects from medications used during labor. Regular exercise during pregnancy not only helps control your blood pressure, mood, and weight but also can help keep your body in shape for the work of labor.
Most birth preparation classes include instruction on comfort measures during labor , so you and your partner can get ideas and practice before the big event.
If your baby is breech or transverse , you may want to consider actions that will encourage them to shift their position… before you go into labor! Pain relief during labor is a personal choice. You can try any combination of the following methods. Whether you choose to follow a particular breathing routine during labor or just need to do some low vocalizations to help you through the more intense contractions, focusing on your breathing can help you manage the pain.
Being in water has been found to be particularly effective in the first stage of labor. It can help relieve both pain and anxiety. Contractions during this phase are usually intense, spaced about one to three minutes apart.
Increasing fatigue, shakiness, and nausea are all common in this phase, as your body does the hard work of reaching complete dilation and effacement. You may feel a strong urge to push or bear down, along with pressure in the rectal area and stinging in the vaginal area as the baby's head moves down toward the vaginal opening. But you should NOT push—wait until your practitioner gives you the go-ahead, which will happen when the cervix is fully dilated.
How Long It Lasts : This is the shortest but most intense phase, typically lasting from 10 minutes to 2 hours. You may feel overwhelmed, and it's also normal to feel discouraged, as though labor will never end. What to Do : Imagine you're in a place that makes you feel safe and relaxed—lying on the beach, resting against a tree, or sitting in a rocking chair in your baby's nursery.
Breathe deeply and develop the scene, filling in the details. What do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? If you're in more pain than you expected, it's usually not too late to ask for pain relief at this point.
However, whether you get any will depend on whether an anesthesiologist is available. The second stage of childbirth begins when the cervix is fully dilated. Your baby is moving down the birth canal. Contractions continue to be strong, lasting for about 60 seconds and coming 3 to 5 minutes apart. You will likely feel a strong urge to push. The overwhelming urge to bear down continues, and as soon as your cervix is fully dilated, your practitioner will probably give you the go ahead to push.
Contractions don't stop now, though they often come farther apart. Some women experience nausea and vomiting. As you begin pushing, you may become increasingly breathless and fatigued—you're getting what is likely the hardest workout of your life. How Long It Lasts : The pushing and birth stage spans 1 to 2 hours for a first labor, and 15 to 30 minutes for subsequent labors. If your baby is in distress at this point, or if she doesn't seem to be making her way through the birth canal, your doctor may decide to deliver her by C-section or use forceps to help her out.
Eva Amurri. Charles Johnson and sons. During active labor, the mother is encouraged to labor out of bed, changing positions often to reduce pain. Olivia Campbell and baby Caleb.
The author's husband took this photo during quarantine at home. Lauren Wellbank at doctor's appointment. Isabela Pereira de Jesus. Newborn baby breastfeeding in hospital. Load More Giving Birth.
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