Hi Everyone

Rainbow17

FTM here. Attempting a natural birth. Kinda freaked out right now, because I just had the Group B strep test where they took cultures from my vaginal wall.  It was so painful for me.  Have no idea how I will survive a natural birth.  Need some positivity.

sschwege

They just did the GBS test?  That really shouldn't be painful it's just a q-tip swab, my office has you do it yourself.  Maybe they checked you for dilation as well?

Anyway, contractions are so different than any other 'pain' I've experienced.  I wouldn't even describe it as pain just highly intense.  It's different than what you feel when you bite your tongue or bang your knee.  In fact a few days before I went into labor with my first I had horrible sciatic nerve pain and I remember thinking, 'If this is what labor feels like, I'm getting the epi!" The big day came and I never entertained the idea of pain medication.  So I wouldn't compare any of your experiences thus far to how you will handle labor.

I would suggest a couple things 1) spend some time researching natural forms of pain relief and get a bag together of what might be helpful to you.  Soothing scents, flame less candles, massage balls (I used tennis balls), light snacks, nice music, etc.  2) read  or re-read the first half of "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" it has the most beautiful birth stories.

   Good luck mama!  You can do this!

jennypolkadots

Rainbow17 said:

FTM here. Attempting a natural birth. Kinda freaked out right now, because I just had the Group B strep test where they took cultures from my vaginal wall.  It was so painful for me.  Have no idea how I will survive a natural birth.  Need some positivity.

You'll survive the same way billions of women have for generations. Your body knows what to do. I'm a FTM so I can't speak from experience, but everything I have heard labor pain is not like other pains. It's a "clean pain" and you get breaks between contractions. Everyone's body deals with labor differently - some have short intense labors, some have very long exhausting labors. The word pain isn't really the right word though, you should try to learn to think of it as sensations with a purpose of bringing you your child. You should read a lot and attend birthing classes to learn more about natural pain management. Ultimately, the more you know about birth the more normal it will feel and you will be able to relax (which reduces "pain" and shortens labor). I would also recommend getting a doula if you are planning to deliver in a hospital. 

Good luck, you can do it if it's something you truly want!

painttheair14

Labor is a pain you can prepare for by learning coping techniques!

Plus that pain leads to a beautiful baby.

You CAN handle it.

Rainbow17

Thank you ladies. I have a doula and spoke to her after freaking out. I feel much better now. She told me instead of saying "I can" say "I am" because I already am in the process of doing all the right things.