I swore I would never have anesthesia again because of how awful I felt afterwards. My second baby was born naturally. I found this labor to be much easier to cope with.
The pain was very intense, but it was a clean pain almost like a sports injury. Pushing was more difficult. It felt like my whole pelvis was made of breaking glass, but this passed very quickly and I felt terrific almost immediately after delivery. The good news is that in between contractions there is no pain, and the contractions only last about a minute.
I had four children with no pain medication. I kept my eyes closed and concentrated on my husband's voice and hummed through the contractions. It was the most empowering thing I've ever done. I would do labor over again in a heartbeat; the nine months preceding it is the hard part. Most moms said that by the time they got to the pushing stage, the worst was over. Some, though, really didn't like to push and initially had a hard time figuring out how to push effectively.
It was mostly vaginal pressure that was so painful. But once you get to the pushing stage and have that feeling that is similar to having a bowel movement, you are almost done. And you know that if you can just make it through the last little part, you will meet this wonderful little person you have dreamed about for so long!
And it felt good to push! The only real pain I remember was when my son's head crowned. That burned! I didn't understand what to do until my nurse told me to push like I was pooping. I thought she was crazy but once I recognized the right push, and where it felt like it was coming from, I delivered my daughter within a few minutes!
That's the only way I can describe it! It also felt as if something was going to burst through my back; I had excruciating back pain. I think I felt everything in my back rather than in my pelvis. Even though most of the moms felt that giving birth was the hardest thing they'd ever done, they'd still do it all over again. That's what keeps the human race going! I could feel every stretch, pull, and tear. The burning was like no other.
I remember feeling there was no way I could push the baby out, it won't fit. But once all was done, I was so happy to hold our precious baby. Most women's waters break during labour, but it can also happen before labour starts. Your unborn baby develops and grows inside a bag of fluid called the amniotic sac. When it's time for your baby to be born, the sac breaks and the amniotic fluid drains out through your vagina.
This is your waters breaking. When this happens, call your midwife or doctor, so they can ask you some questions and check your condition. You may feel a slow trickle, or a sudden gush of water that you cannot control.
To prepare for this, you could keep a sanitary towel but not a tampon handy if you are going out, and put a plastic sheet on your bed. Amniotic fluid is clear and a pale straw colour.
Sometimes it's difficult to tell amniotic fluid from urine. When your waters break, the water should be clear or slightly pink.
If it appears greenish or bloody, see a doctor or your hospital immediately, as this could mean you and your baby need urgent attention.
If your waters break before labour starts, phone your midwife or the hospital for advice. Without amniotic fluid your baby is no longer protected and there is a risk of infection.
The cervix needs to open about 10cm for a baby to pass through. This is called 'fully dilated'. Contractions at the start of labour help to soften the cervix so that it gradually opens. Sometimes the process of softening can take many hours before you're in what midwives call 'established labour'. Established labour is when your cervix has dilated to more than 3cm. If you go into hospital or your birth centre before labour is established, you may be asked if you'd prefer to go home again for a while rather than spending many extra hours in hospital or the birth centre.
If you go home, you should make sure you eat and drink, as you'll need the energy. At night, try to get comfortable and relaxed. If you can, try to sleep. A warm bath or shower may help you to relax. During the day, keep upright and gently active. This helps the baby to move down into the pelvis and helps the cervix to dilate. Once labour is established, the midwife will check you from time to time to see how you are progressing. In a first labour, the time from the start of established labour to full dilation is usually between 6 and 12 hours about 8 hours on average.
It is often quicker for subsequent pregnancies. Unlike the ebb and flow of Braxton Hicks, true labor contractions feel steadily more intense over time. During true labor contractions your belly will tighten and feel very hard. Some moms-to-be liken these contractions to menstrual cramps. Unlike Braxton Hicks, true labor contractions come at regular intervals and get closer together in time.
Look out for other early signs of labor too, like your water breaking. As your labor progresses, contractions can feel more painful, and you may also experience pressure in your lower back and rectum. It is a good idea to discuss options for comfort measures during labor with your healthcare provider ahead of time.
For example, some moms-to-be choose pain medication like an epidural and others opt for non-medicated relief — or a combination of both. Take our quiz on labor pain relief to tell us more! It's natural to feel nervous about what contractions will feel like and whether you'll know when labor has really begun.
Remember, your healthcare provider is there to help you know when the time has come and what to do then. I kept telling myself that the pain was temporary and that mantra made it better.
This story is meant to reflect individual contributors' experiences and does not necessarily reflect What to Expect's point of view. This content is not intended to be used as medical advice, for diagnosis, or treatment. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.
This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. What does labor really feel like? Moms who have been there weigh in on the good, the bad and everything in between. Continue Reading Below. Giving Birth by Vaginal Delivery.
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