Well, it hurts real bad. I remember being at the young age of 18 in the delivery room wondering what I have got myself into.I felt every contraction, rip and tear as I opted out of meds. I was in hard labor for 5 hours and truthfully I can't tell you how it was as I don't remember the bad stuff. I do remember telling my mom to get the doctor as I'm about to push a baby out. The nurse said there was no way I was ready, she went to look and guess what? there's his head. The minute he came out I felt so much better. With my second I was in labor over 24 hours before I even went to the hospital. I once again opted out of meds but they ended up giving me pitocin to speed the delivery and try to get him in the birthing position. After 6 more hours of hard labor they decided to do a emergency cesarean. I hated the recovery of the cesarean, it took nearly a year to fully recover. I'm about to go through it all again in a month and am starting to feel real scared as I know I will have another cesarean. I'd rather do it naturally any day.

First one (a little over 20 years ago) I was in labor all day, finally my water broke in the evening, and I was in the hospital all night in labor (total of 34 hours). It was miserable and I didn't get any drugs. Finally early in the morning I still wasn't dilating and the baby's heart rate was bad, so I got a spinal and had a c-section. The spinal is something I'd never want to go through again. Big needle in the spine then I it was like I was paralyzed for a few hours and I couldn't even move my toes and it was horrible. Second (almost 16 years ago) I went for a walk to try to speed up labor, then the hubby made me walk back even though it was bad! It was several hours still in the hospital and the nurses kept asking me if I wanted an epidural. I kept declining because I thought it was like a spinal, but they finally convinced me it wasn't. But, by then it was too late for it to work well and it was a lot of pain. (Hubby reached across the hospital bed to answer the phone and I bit his finger and had skin in my teeth.) It was more of a bad pressure than pain. The actual delivery went pretty easy, though...when I was finally able to push. Third one (almost 15 years ago) I had labor induced because I was late. I had an epidural very early on, and they pumped up the stuff to induce because I was hungry and wanted to have the baby before lunchtime. Had her right in the room instead of being moved to a delivery room. Watched tv through the whole thing, and the epidural worked so well that I couldn't even tell if I was pushing because I couldn't feel anything at all!

Damn that hurt!!

Oh, I'm not a lady. Uh oh, I should not have looke... *faints*

BLOODY PAINFUL

Well, I labor 730am - 4pm Monday through Friday, and my delivery of itineraries and invoices is through email... ...OH! you meant kids! I only have 4 legged ones! I like kids, but never was the "mommy" type. Now I'm too old and the plumbing is gone....

Depends on if you had the GOOD drugs or not before pushing that watermelon outta ya! I had an epidural and that part was VERY painful. The pain doctor hit my nerve and it shot straight down my leg and even after the birth of my child, I couldn't bend over to change a diaper for 4months. The doctor said it was ok, but I think he was on crack that night. Pushing my child out was ok, because of the GOOD drugs and even after they had to cut me down there, I didn't feel a thing. AFTER the good stuff wore off, I had to deal w/the stiches down there oh they make you walk after you've given birth (vaginally). Yeah try doing that with the good stuff still in you and you see if you can pee in the toilet the right way. That was not fun. But the DR's did think I was weird when I asked to see my placenta, LOL:) Oh and when I had a full hysterectomy, I had the DR's take a pic of that as well! LOL

My first one (21 yrs ago), my water broke but wasn't having any contractions until I got to the hospital and saw what they were going to use to induce me with, I saw that and boom here come the contractions...lol. My second (20 yrs ago), I was eating a ham sandwich in bed watching tv, all of a sudden I felt funny and told hubby let's get to the hospital, they broke my water but she was so stubborn she just didn't want to come out and they did an emergency c-section. My third (and last one 13 yrs ago), my water broke all over the kitchen floor, had to call my dad and sister to come and stay with my two daughters while we went to the hospital, she wanted to come out the regular way but couldn't (she was too big), so another c-sect.

I'm not going to say the old "Try pushing a watermelon out your anus" statement most women say but I will tell you like this: Grab a mens ten speed bike and go for a ride, Now about every 10 minutes fall smack dab on the bar get right back up and wait 8 minutes fall again but harder and get back up now wait 6 minutes and so on but the time amount gets less and less and falling on the bar gets harder and harder with every fall. That is a round about idea of how contractions feel. As for the pushing the kid out part - I wouldn't know, I had a Cesarean Section (C-Section) praise God!

Ouch Ouch Ouch AWWWWL

Reading all these stories, I wonder what would happen if c section wasn't invented! LOL!

age 15, scared and hurt like h*ll! age 17, scared and hurt like h*ll! But each time, the sweet, little face I seen after it was over made it worth it.

4 hours labor..easy-peasy delivery..piece of cake! :)

First child was no picnic. I was in what the docs called peliminary labor for about two weeks,I had mild contractions about every fifteen min for that period. When I went into full labor I was in it for twenty hours before that stubborn little boy decided to come into the world. My second was a breeze~ water broke on my sisters hardwood floor{still has a stain}and we were barely able to get to the hospital before she popped out. I was at the birth of three of my four adopted children and none of them was a pretty sight.

I had a normal labor that was ruined by much intervention and ended up violently, then with a c-section in which I had to be knocked out. Had I labored outside of a hospital it would have been wonderful, I'm sure. Next one will be :D

Hm. Wow. Everyone's talking about all of the pain, but it really only hurt me during the crowning and that lasted less than a minute. I did all natural birth, too.. noooo drugs, and I think it took an hour from the time they admitted me into the hospital and when it was over. I can only hope if I do it again, it will be that easy!

I'll tell you just like my Mom told me about labor & delivery pain. "There's no pain easier to forget". Although my daughter was born early & I had to go thru natural childbirth (NOT planned) because she was breech, my Mom was right. I don't much remember pain, just the pleasure of seeing a healthy child.

I developed a condition known as preeclampsia, this meant my son was delivered at 32 weeks by caesarian section. I had to be completely knocked out for the procedure. After wards I had some stitches and a draining tube. But for me, I found it a breeze, although I am aware that it is different for everyone. After 5 weeks in the neo natal unit I got to bring my son home and he is now a very healthy 21 year old out living on his own.

The short story. 32 hours, father threatened doctor and had to be held back by orderlies, I punched my mother in law. Not a cesarean, but 18 stitches had to be taken. I love that child. My poor terrified sister gave birth to my niece 6 weeks later. It was her first also, she was petrified after seeing what I went through. Thankfully hers was 8 hours, push, push, sweet baby, nappy time. I never share my story with first time mothers.

well my 1st one, was so scary, alot of back pain, I was asking the Dr, for a C- section wanted him to take the baby out, lots of payne wanted to kill baby daddy, thats how bad it was... yeah it just lasted maybe about 8 hours or more, thats about it..

14 hours, painful, and scary. And yet I get to do it again in July.. On the plus side, it is so worth it

very bloody painfull lol it lasted 35 hours the hospital sent me home twice so all in all cost £30 in taxi i fell asleep i thought i was in i space ship made of cheese with wallace and gromit ihad gas and air, pethadine, diamorphine, and needed stitches so i was just a big baby lol

bloody pinful and worth it

I personally haven't had a baby, but my friend has and she was in labor for less than an hour, and everything went fine. The nurses said it was the quickest delivery they had ever seen.

in a word - CRAP!!!!! but so worth it when you finally see the baby

No, I have a problem when I go into labor and hit the last stage of contractions before I am dialated properly and it goes on for a week. Of course I tried it naturally at first. Same thing happend with my 2nd child. Needless to say I wont have anymore. I have wonderful pregnacies except for the morning sickness, But the births nearly killed me and my kids both times. (Most doctors don't come across my problem and make things worse.) Luckly all women are different. I can go into more detail if you like, You have me e-mail Rickster. :)

I started out leaking water. Went to the hospital and was admitted. I wanted to have him without any drugs and the pain wasnt that bad. I went 13 hours with nothing until the hard labor pains hit. I had to have an epidural. It didnt take so I felt every bit of pain for the rest of the 2 hours of labor I had. After he was born they couldnt stop the bleeding and my doctor kept shoving her fingers up there which caused me almost as much pain as the delivery. They were about to rush me into emergency surgery for a DNC when a nurse looked at my IV and realized it have been placed wrong. I wasnt receiving the drug I was supposed to be because of that and when they placed another IV everything was fine. I couldnt sit comfortably for 2 weeks afterwards but I wouldnt trade the experience for anything in the world.

My first child (now 8) was an induced labour I was about a week overdue, and was told the day before that I would be induced in the morning. It was terrible being strapped to the bed for the first few hours and I thought the contractions were huge! but the nurse comes in and looks at the machine and says "oh there was another little one.." I knew then that this was going to be really difficult. Hours later, I had tried everything to get comfortable, but had not slept the night before in anticipation of my firstborn. So I sat in a glider rocker and rock through the contractions, between contractions I would actually drift off to sleep for a few minutes. It was a slow labour and about 17 hours into it, I decided I would try the shower I stayed in the shower for about an hour and a half, it felt sooo good, and woke me up a bit too. When I got out, I went back to the room and felt like I had to go pee, as soon as I sat on the toilet, I felt an overwhelming urge to push...started screaming for the nurse. 35 mins later my son was born, I looked at him and said "Hi Cole, what took you so long?" I nursed him right then and there while the doctor stitched me up, I had torn a bit. I went through 19 hours of labour with NO drugs, and my baby boy was wide awake when he came out.

My second son (now 4) I induced myself with Castor Oil. We were staying at my s/o's cousin's place because we lived an hour and a half from the hospital and it was January, terrible roads. So, after the inevitable thing that happens when you take Castor Oil (your bowels completely empty) I took a nice warm bubble bath and started to feel little contractions. Went up and down the stairs for a bit and after a while we were sitting on the couch and the contractions were becoming more painful and more frequent. It was time to go (12:30 am) Got to the hospital, nurse said only 1 cm dialated, go walk around. (1:30am) nurse said only 1 1/2 cm's dialated but cervix is paper thin now; (2 am) went straight to the shower. (4:30 am) lost plug in shower. (5:00am) 7 cms dialated, doctor broke my water, had to stay on the bed. (5:45 am) 10 cms, time to push!! (6:07 am) Healthy baby boy 8 1/2 pounds born, again with no drugs, completely naturally. Hurts like hell, but sooo worth the pain. :)

I had a very good labor. My water broke at 2:30 in the am and I never felt a contraction until they decided to give me pitocin at 8 am. Then I wanted to jump out of the window, Then at about 10 am I requested an epidural and let me tell you that is absolute HEAVEN. Never felt anything after that I had a beautiful little girl at 12:57 pm She is now five.

So, Rickster, is your wife expecting? How far along is she?

Lets see, I went in about 8am Thurs morning cause my contractions were non-stop. Wait I have to back up a sec, my last OBGYN app was the Tues before and she told me i was dialated at 2cm, she said dont have to go to hospital just yet. so back to the top. When I got there Thurs, they checked me and I was still at 2cm. Checked me again about 11am and I went to 4cm. So they decided to keep me. They stuck all those tubes up in me and kept checking me throughout the day. Nothing!! about 8pm at night they checked and I was still at 4 cm, they said if I didnt dialte soon they would c-section, I said no I wanted a anatural birht, so they gave me something and said they will check me in a couple and if I dialate then I can have a natural birth. I went to a 6 to a 9 quickly. This was about 1am and I forgot to say I got the ephideral at about midnight. At 2:10 I was pushing, and he was out at 2:25am. There is my story!!

Well, I like reading about other people's labor and deliveries too. They can be quite interesting. Mine was pretty quick. I had cholestasis when I was pregnant with my daughter, and because they were worried it would affect her liver, they scheduled me for an early induction at 36 weeks. I went in the day before for them to induce me, and they admitted me. The next morning, my doctor came in at around 9 20 or so to break my water. At noon she came back to check my dialation and said that it's still be a few hours. I didn't get the epideral, but they gave me some IV drugs to help with the pain from the contractions. It actually put me to sleep and I didn't even remember my dr coming in at noon. The at 12:28 my daughter was born! They had to hold her head in till my doctor could get there, becasue she wasn't expecting it to be so soon. SO 3 hours of labor, and 6 minutes after I started pushing, my daughter was born!

First child - Easy delivery with epidural. I actually said to my husband "Wow, that was easy! I could do that all over!" Delivery easy but recovery was tough b/c since the epidural numbed me, I tore more than usual. Second child - No intervention - totally natural, but the delivery went real fast and I felt I had no control and it was the most painful delivery for me. BUT...no tearing and very fast and easy recovery!! Third child - No intervention and totally natural. A great experience: fast, private, and hardly no tearing or anything. It wasn't very painful and I felt totally in control Fourth child - due in about a month...I want no drugs b/c that will slow delivery; but if it was my first baby, I would go for it!

I would rather have a baby than go to a dentist. Labor and delivery was simple for me. My first one I went in at 6 am to get induced and they started me on my IV at 7 am and my water broke on its on at 10:00 am and at 11:30 I got an epidrual and my son was born at 12:07 pm my doctor almost didn't make it. Took only about 3 or 4 pushes and ITS A BOY!!!! My daughter was eevn easier..... I went in at 5 am to get induced again. Doctor broke my water at 9:40 am and at asked for an epidural about 10 minutes after he left. When the guy was about to give me an epidural i asked him to wait until the contraction was finished and while i was standing up i pushed the baby out. Girl this time... Doctor didn't make it this time. OOPS :) I prefer natural birth over epidural...

with my first child, anna claire in 2004 i was induced and everything went great. i took no meds and pushed for nearly 3 hours... they started getting me ready for c section and i pushed like never before and there she came out! in 2005 i had my son,ezra when my daughter was 15 months old. i was induced and told the nurse something wasn't right and she said "honey, its contractions'. that made me very angry... the doctor checked me at 8 and said he felt something he thought was a cord sticking out so he put internal monitors on baby and put fluid back up in me. he did an ultrasound and guess what? it was baby face.. he was feeling his nose. he said there was a chance the baby's nek could break so we did an emergency c section. i had no meds and labored until i was almost a 10. that was really painfu because of all the things they had to do to me. the c section was horrible. the spinal was fine and when they piched me to see if i could feel anything i could a little so they basically knocked me out but i remember fuzzy memories. i had a hard time bonding with my son for awhile. taking care of a 15 month old and recooperating from surgery was aweful. i became pregnant sept 07 and just had my son 6 weeks ago..i was adimate on having vbac. i worried about it for 9 months. i always dilate easy easy weeks ahead of time and was dilated to 5 and still no labor 2 days before my due date. since i live and hour away from the hospital the doctor told me we could induce 2 days after my 40 weeks.. so i went home that day. the next morning, 1 day before due date i woke up a 4am with a contraction and knew it was time. it was awefully painful! so we checked in 1 hour later and i was an 8! i starting pushing 30 minutes after checking in and had baby eli quickly. it all happened so fast i couldn't beleive it. literally the next morning i was dressed with make-up and fixed hair by 6am . beleive me or not i wasn't even sore. i felt totally normal. it was awesome. i went to eat lunch in the basement of the hospital with my husband and everything. wonderful experiences! i would go natural anyday!!!!!!!!!

First one was 2 wks overdue, so the doctor gave me pitocin to induce labor. Labor was painful and frightening, and 23 hours long. I know I kind of went into an altered state for a while, and could hear my deep-voiced college professor reciting "the Raven" in my head. I focused on that to deal with the pain. When I was finally dialated enough to push, I pushed for what seemed like hours. I felt like I had a bowling ball stuck in my you-know-where. FINALLY, the doctor decided to do a c-section, so I was given a nice shot of something-or-other in my spine, and could no longer feel the bowling ball. Oh, blessed relief! I was so exhausted, I actually forgot I was having a baby. It felt like someone was drawing on my belly with a pencil (but didn't tickle), and next thing I knew I heard someone say, "I've got the head," and I heard my baby's sweet cry. I can still hear it now, almost 11 years later. They suctioned his lungs and cleaned him up a little, then showed him to me. He was so beautiful (and not squished like most newborns). His eyes made me think of a lion cub. He still has gorgeous eyes. With my second baby, I worked with a doula, and learned how to relax, in preparation for labor. One morning (exactly 7 years ago today) I woke up feeling odd. Next thing I knew, we were on the way to the hospital. I remember being at the reception desk, and the person asked how far apart my contractions were. I couldn't answer; I just squatted down on the floor, because that kid was coming OUT! Next thing I knew, I was on a bed/table thingy, and POP! The head came out. I breathed a sigh of relief that I didn't tear, and then RRRIP! the shoulder came out. Ow! And at that moment, I was in too much pain to hold my baby, so my husband held him, and got a nice warm shower! The nurse said, "Well, that works", and checked off "baby can urinate" on her checklist. I needed that tear sewn up, but that was no biggy. Peeing for the next week or so...now THAT was the worst part. Ow ow OW! But both kids are perfect. The first is autistic, but he's also a genius, and one of the most creative and unique people I've ever met. The second is so smart and funny, and helpful...also a genuinely interesting person. The physical pain sucks when you're going through it, but it's over soon enough. Of course, my belly looks like a deflated balloon, and I have a tendency to pee when I sneeze, but that's just one of the many perks of childbirth. LOL!

i went in to me induced with my first, and a lot of people say that when your induced you have a long labor. But in my case it went very quickly. granted it was very painful and bloody.

ugh no it's bad enough i had to endure it. I don't wish to talk of it too.

Nonexistent!

my only labour and delivery experience is working there. But from the screaming and swearing. Ive learned.... never have kids. Its less painful for you.. AND the economy! *nods* hehe

My first was due on Halloween, Oct 31 comes around and nothing no contraction dilating nada My Dr. induces me and still nothing not one single twinge she sends me home and says dont worry you'll be back in a few days in labor, 7 days later nothing Induced again with no results. My lil angel wasn't ever coming out so they gave me a C-section because my blood pressure started rising 8lbs 3 ounces. Second C-section 5 weeks early due to preeclampsia lovely 7lbs even, Both healthy thank god even though the youngets was a terror for the first 4 months. I think she wanted to stay in longer!

$Well I have 3 kids. My first was 6lbs 12 ozs., I went into labor at 11am and I had 7 hours of back labor. Back labor feels like an elephant is sitting on your back during contractions and it takes your breath away. I had my son at 620pm. My second child was induced. She weighed 5lbs 6ozs. She had inner uterine growth retardation, basically she wasn't growing as fast as I was. At 8 and a half months she was only 3lbs. When I was induced, I had my labor induced at 8am, with pills under my cervix, that didn;t work. The Dr. broke my water at 12 noon and she was delivered at 120pm. I didn't really have a hard labor. But I lost a lot of blood after she was born and I became anemic. I had to take iron for 6 months after delivery. My last child, who was 9lbs 15 ozs, was the worst one. He was induced, I went to my Dr that day and they didn't see any movements from the baby, so they sent me to be induced at the hospital. I was induced at about 2pm, had 8 hours of horrible and terrible back labor, I had the baby at 10pm. I didn't know it but they had a crash cart and the neonatal department waiting outside the door because they were expecting problems. He stayed a week in the hospital because he swallowed birthing fluid in the canal and ended up with psnumonia. He was the hardest with the back labor and not to mention the big weight difference in the kids. I still haven't lost all of the 80 pounds I gained with him.

With my 1st daughter, I was in great amount of pain. But I was only in labor for about an hour & a half. It was painful. With my 2nd child that was different. I went in the day before my 19th birthday. I was in alot more pain this time. The midwives checked me and said that I would be ready to deliver in another 3 hours. I knew they were wrong cause I could feel the baby pushing down. So i was telling them that I was ready but they didnt believe me. So I ended up having my baby on the hospital bed because they were not ready. But even with my 2nd I delivered in about 2 hours.

I went into labour the day before I was due :) . Sam arrived after 12 hours of labour, I had quite painful contractions but did not dilate very quickly. The doctors broke my waters about 2 hours before he arrived as they were concerned when they could not get his heart rate to increase. In retrospect I believe they should have let this go. After my water broke labour progressed quickly and was quite intense. I did not have any help controlling the pain (my choice). Our delightful boy was born soon after. I have since been introduced to an amazing way to help with your labour and delivery and when we have our next child I am going to try a hypnobirthing course. The birth stories are almost unbelievable but there are so many of them, have a look at http://www.thehypnobirthingcentre.co.uk/testimonials/ I think anything that helps control your pain in a natural way is brilliant and this is becoming more and more well known.

Hi i spent months dreading labour and delivery, i worked myself into a frenzy thinking the pains would kill me, i honestly believed this. i was in slow labour for a couple of days and didnt even know, i had pains alrite but i managed them fine, dont lisen to this- oh i was in labour for 5 days!!! thats people trying to scare u, u will only be in proper labour for 12-14 hours before the medical team intervene and if at any stage before that u need some help there is plenty!!! i had a very difficult time, had to be induced, epidural wore off after i reacted to it, got an episomoty, vaccume extraction, the works!!! but i was fine because i knew my baby boy was on the way. the point im trying to make is, yes its difficult but have so much strength inside u that will only discover when u need it. i promise u its worth it, when u see your baby u will understand! u will feel a love like nothing uve ever felt, think about that instead of labour ok!! and the biggie- sleep, u will need your energ if u have energy, its way easier :) so best of luck im just feeding my 2 month old bundle of joy )

Hey Rick why do u want to know? Anyways, my first born was my son, he's now 3 1/2. My water broke at home and we went to the hospital. I endured 10 hours of contarctions then finally opted for the Epidural. He was born like 6 hours later. It was painful. i was sore for 3 weeks after. My daughter who is now 13 months old was similar. the only difference is that i had the epidural before the contractions, i learned my lesson the first time. Same thing, lots of pain once the Epi wore off. I was sore for afew weeks. Something I never wnat to go through again, im happy with my two kids:). I had two 8 pound babies and im teeny, as u see from my pics, lol..so yes,, OUCH. But well worth it.

Induced with my first son 9 days early because of high blood pressure. Labor started at 5pm on a Thursday and after a night and day of labor and 3 hours of pushing he was finally born via c section at 6pm on Friday. He weighed 8lbs 12oz and they said he was to big to be born natural. I was induced with my second son 2 days after my due date because the dr knew he was big and I refused to have an ultrasound so they could estimate his weight. I was so determined to have a vbac and the dr had told me if an ultrasound estimated his weight higher than 8 lbs they wouldn't allow me to labor. I checked into the hospital on a Sunday morning, labor started at 12:30pm and he was born at 3:42pm at 10lbs 5oz! Induced again with my 3rd son 3 weeks early because of high blood pressure! I had went to my Dr.s appt and she immediatly sent me to the hospital. Labor started at 5pm and 1 hour later I was asking for pain meds but I didn't want an epidural. The nurse gave me something that went straight to my head and I do not remember a single thing that happened after that until about 2 hours after he was born. He was born at 10:24 pm and weighed 6lbs 13oz. I don't remember being in any pain but my husband said I screamed so loud and really carried on. I'm glad I don't remember the pain, but I really wished I would have been "awake" to see my son being born!

PIECE OF CAKE!!! I went and got a tattoo about 7 yrs ago on my ankle. And I said I would rather give birth AGAIN thana to get ANOTHER tattoo......they suck!!!!

Only for you, Rickster. It's a long one. I had it all planned. The beautiful birth center, the water birth in a private room, just me, Hubby, and my midwife...I tried to do everything right - eating right, exercising, drinking GALLONS of water, even taking the *gag* iron supplements. My son is proof that Murphy's Law exists... anything that can go wrong, will do so happily. I was so ready to go at 38 weeks. I served him the first eviction notice at 39. 40 weeks came and went without so much as a twitch. At 41, Ricci and I started pulling out all the stops. We tried Pulsatilla, moxibustion, reflexology, acupressure, birth balls, hiking for miles... Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Bea gave me her "Jungle Juice". Nothing. We tried castor oil. That was a very UNCOMFORTABLE nothing. Unfortunately, it came to a point where we had to admit that there was SOME reason that Ian wasn't willing to be born in the birth center. I transferred to Dr. Dinsmore - the obstetrician that Ricci worked for one day a week who did a non-stress test and an ultrasound. Baby's in good shape, it's a boy (We were TRYING to keep that a secret... *grumbles*) fluid's ok, placenta was starting to calcify, and he's about 7 1/2 to 8 lbs. (remember that, it'll be important later). That was Friday afternoon. I would officially be at 42 weeks on Sunday. Dr. Dinsmore suggested pulling strings to get an induction in that night. We agreed, though I was CRUSHED that I wouldn't be with Bea or Ricci. 9:00 I checked in to the hospital. 9:30 they started Cervadil. Two hours later they started pitocin. I was nearly maxed out on Pit by the time I started really feeling the contractions. Because I was being induced, I was hooked up to every machine imaginable, and couldn't move enough to stave off the pain. The total irony of the situation made me angry. This is EXACTLY everything I've tried NOT to end up as for the last nine and a half months. The Monty Python fan in me was wondering where the "Machine that goes 'PING!'" was. 24 hours later, I was still only 3 1/2 cm dilated. They broke my water. Meconium. Excellent. Then, the contractions REALLY started getting bad. Spine ripping out my back, make you throw up bad. After 4 hours, I asked for the epidural through clenched teeth, feeling like a total failure. It instantly made my legs numb and lifeless, but didn't take away the pain in my back. Several hours later, I could feel everything again, and begged the anaesthesiologist to give me another dose. It never took away the pain, just kind of dulled it for a while, and the anaesthetic wore off entirely JUST as I was fully dilated. Yay. Being a birth center client, I'd had it drilled into my head how WRONG it is to give birth laying flat on your back. Apparently, Dr. Dinsmore didn't know that. Not that I would have been able to do anything else, since my legs were still lifeless from the epi. Next time I break my leg, I'm getting an epidural. Seriously. Back/uterine pain? Maybe I'll put a cast on my leg, see what happens. I pushed for two hours, pulling on a sheet tied to a bar hanging over me, with the entire neonatal staff, a ton of nurses and aides, and some people who I'm sure weren't medical staff at all in the room. After the 37 hour labor and nothing to eat or drink for over 24 hours, I was out of energy, and caved to a vacuum. Dr Dinsmore used the vac for about 3 seconds total - she said I really did it 99% by myself. Turns out, Ian had shoulder dystocia - he was stuck behind my pelvic bone. Dr. Dinsmore freed him, causing me a 2nd degree tear in the process. She said I wouldn't have torn if she didn't have to unstick him. Remember that ultrasound? It was wrong. WAY wrong. Ian was 10 lbs, 5 ounces and 22 1/2 inches long. He had a 15 1/2 inch head and a 17 1/2 inch chest. They didn't measure his shoulders. He got cleaned up, I got stitched up, then we attempted to nurse. He took to the breast right away, though we had issues with latching for the first week or so. After the birth setup was cleaned up, they got me up to use the bathroom. That's when I started bleeding - and didn't stop for over two hours. I got my very own documented haemorrhage. All the pain I had been through for the labor and delivery PALED in comparison with the pain of the haemorrhage. I passed over 4 1/2 pounds of blood. They were talking about emergency hysterectomies in the hallway. I had nurses standing over me as pale-faced as my husband - who had NO idea what was going on and no one told him anything. I was in too much pain to care. They gave me morphine - it didn't do anything. I remember being so COLD. Shivering and shivering, and bleeding and begging for the pain to stop and all the heated blankets they piled on me did nothing to make me warmer. Eventually, one of the drugs they gave me took, and the bleeding stopped. Ricci showed up not too much later - though most of that time is a blur, so it could have been the next day for all I know. I was SO happy to see her. She helped me clean up, gave me comfrey tea and helped me move to a recovery room. It was nice to have someone I knew to support me besides my husband (who was as clueless and terrified as I was). In the recovery room, I was finally able to really take in my new son. He was so beautiful. Absolutely perfect, and so BIG! He had come through with flying colors on everything - was unharmed by the meconium and the dystocia, and didn't seem hurt by the anaesthesia I received, thank goodness. I think it's going to be a while before I attempt this again, but next time, I am REALLY hoping for my calm, quiet, uneventful water birth.

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!

when I had my son I had a c-section it was painless up untill I went home but they gave me pain med. and it was okay

My first one was the most painfull thing I have had in my enire life, though I was lucky enough to have some Reiki healers on hand, contractions going from one minute to two to thirty, very irregular..and painfull! Second birth was a peice of cake. Contractions were off the graph, so it was very Quick!! 12 mins I didnt even scream.. am very proud of myself!

one word painful

Painful but worth every second :D its true what people say when u hold ur baby the pain is non exsistent!!! :) Goodluck

i had my mother my fiancee and his mum inthe room , it was a warm day and the silly buggers in the hospitals had the heaters on i ended up getting naked apart from my bras coz i was just way to hot and thought who cares every1 is going to see my prv's soon anyway lol,, my mother inlaw said oh' i feel a bit sick , as she stood up she fall sideway hit her face on the corner of the wall slit her nose and broker her galsses and fainted about 10 nurses run into the room while i have my legs spread eagle for every1 to see i thought like saying are you all right are u can u give me a bit of privacy but i thought hey what the heck might as well invite every1 in lol joke, my mother inlaw went to emergancy to get some stitches and she was dehydrated , she did'nt end up watching me have my child but she was outside the room with a big smile on her face when he arrived even though she was in pain too lol ,, we all wont forget that ever i felt bad because she could'nt work for 6 moths after as she hurt her back to ,,, awww lol

I HAVE HAD 5 CHILDREN AND INJOYED THEM ALL MY LONGEST LABOUR WAS 9 HOURS THE SHORTEST WAS JUST UNDER 2 HOURS,IV HAD NO PAIN RELIF FOR ANY OF THEM, AS LONG AS YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR BREATHING AND LISTEN TO THE MIDWIFE YOUR BE FINE, YOU HAVE TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR BODY. AND NOY LET THE PAIN TAKE CONTROL OF YOU.

i wouldnt know - i was in a car accident coming up to 9 months of pregnancy and was unconsious for 23 hours and in that time the hospital had to take my son out as they thought he was at risk . luckily he was perfect . and i woke up to see him . so i would have no idea whats its like :D

i was 17 and 19 when i had my kids, 28 hours and 17 hours first c section second vaginal delivery, i tell u what im studying midwifery and all i can tell u is that its gonna hurt, no delivery is ever the same, it depends on how relaxed u are how well u can take instructions from ur midwife and best of all the pain wont last when u see ur baby it will be worth all the pain, otherwise why would women all over the world go bk for more, just immagine the worst pain u will ever feel and its never quiet so bad, c section recovery was ok prefered natural gas and air only and im a whimp when it comes to pain so if i can do it so can u, good luck

ouchhh but a beautiful experience and would do it all over again i am for the 3rd time lol

OMG, IT WAS AWESOME! HAHA I WAS SCHEDULED TO BE INDUCED BECAUSE I HAD HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, AND IT WASNT GOING DOWN. SO, AFTER I WAS ADMITTED IN THE HOSPITAL AND SET UP IN THE LABOR/DELIVER ROOM, I GUESS IT WAS ABOUT 7"30- 8:00 WHEN I WAS INDUCED. THEY HAD TO BREAK MY WATER AND I WAS STARTED ON PITOCIN. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I DID RATHER WELL. I WAS FINE UP TILL LIKE 4 1/2 CM AND I GOT A SHOT TO EASE THE PAIN. NOT LONG AFTER THAT I FELL ASLEEP AND SLEPT THROUGH JUST ABOUT THE WHOLE LABOR PROCESS. I WOKE UP IN THE MOST AGONIZING PAIN I COULD EVER IMAGINE. I WASNT GOING TO GET AN EPIDURAL, BUT I FINALLY DECIDED IT WOULD BE OK TO GET ONE. (THANK GOD I DID, ILL EXPLAIN LATER). THERE WAS A PROBLEM THOUGH. THE NURSE FAILE DTO CHECK ME BEFORE THEY ADMINISTERED THE EPIDURAL. IT HURT SOOOO BAD. (ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO) IT TOOK LONGER FOR THE PAIN TO WEAR OFF THEN IT SHOULD HAVE. MY CONTRACTIONS STAYED STRONG FOR LIKE 15 MINUTES. ( THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO GET STRONGER FOR LIKE 2 OR 3 CONTRACTIONS, THEN COMPLETELY GO AWAY). WELL COME TO FIND OUT THE NURSE CHECKED ME AND THE WHOLE REASON I WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN WAS BECAUSE I WAS SITTING UP FOR ONE, AND MY DAUGHTER WAS CROWNING!!! READY TO COME OUT THEN AND THERE! THEY GATHERED EVERYONE TOGETHER, CALLED MY DOCTOR TO GET THERE STAT, AND HAD ME "PREP PUSHING". ONCE MY DOCTOR GOT THERE, I GUESS I PUSHED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THE DOC SAID I WAS GOING TO RIP, SO TO PREVENT IT HE PERFORMED AN EPISIOTOMY. (THANK GOD I HAD THE EPIDURAL) LOL. I PUSHED FOR MAYBE 5 MORE MINUTES AND DELIVERED A HEALTHY 8 LB, 5 OZ BABY GIRL. I MUST SAY, THAT HEALING FROM HAVING A BABY IS ACTUALLY WORSE THEN HAVING A BABY.

I'm a teen and have never been pregnant, and dont plan on being pregnant until im happily married, but seriously, u want kids to stop having sex...show them this page! i'm so appalled i dont know if i ever wanna have kids anymore! lol : )

okay got induced the tuesday first swiped twice then waters broke then drip finally went into labour early wensday was 44 hours got my epidural took 2time of trying and 4 got to top it up so it wore off was agony not nice and had to call in another midwife because they tough i would need forceps was pushing for 5 hours and out came my beautiful girl 7.9oz