Poll: Which is worse -- Labor or a BAD Migraine?

tarmar81

Obviously this question applies to those of you who've a) already given birth, and b) suffer from migraines. I may need to ask on other boards but wanted to start here.

I'd especially appreciate answers from women who meet the above qualifications AND didn't use an epidural.

When H and I were discussing pain tolerance and doing a med-free birth, I looked at him and said "I wonder if it'll be worse than my worst migraines."

I've had migraines in the past that were so bad I prayed for immediate death.  The kind that made me cry in agony and walk in circles and not know what to do if the pain didn't stop.  I couldn't think, I could barely speak.  I can't imagine anything worse than that, and I'm starting to think I'd rather have that pain in my abdomen than in my head!

MrsHadley

My migraines at there worse were equal to labor.  However that was in the moment of a contraction, in between you feel normalish.  Once it was time to push I kind of went numb in my head, and the pain turned into more urge to push.  Still hurt like hell, but doable.  No epis either time...

tarmar81

MrsHadley:

My migraines at there worse were equal to labor.  However that was in the moment of a contraction, in between you feel normalish.  Once it was time to push I kind of went numb in my head, and the pain turned into more urge to push.  Still hurt like hell, but doable.  No epis either time...

That's why I'm thinking I can do it without the epi, especially after the hypnobirthing classes. At least you get SOME relief between contractions -- there's no relief from a migraine until it plain goes away. Even the burning sensation of the head coming out sounds better than the blinding pain in your forehead/temples a migraine can cause, but I guess I'll find out in 6 months...

tarmar81

Sorry, somehow double posted.

aniceucchik

I have had worse intestinal pain due to IBS than my contractions, however I did get an epi at the 35th hour and it was so great. You do get moments of clarity in between contractions, but i was beyond done at that point. The pain was in my rear and had nothing to do with my tummy. It was like I was about to shat a watermelon, not push it out my lady bits.

luckyluvr

IMO, nothing is more painful than labor. I've only had back labor though, so I may be in a different category. When the pain is so intense you can't even breathe, and don't realize you're not breathing, yeah, that's bad.

c4162

I had a C section (so def. Not the same as labor) but the c section pain was much, muxh easier than one of my bad migraines. Then again my abd migraines are horrible: my blood pressure drops, my vision blurrs and the side of my face feels numb. (that's besides the actual pain)

MrsHadley

I should have said I have fairly quick labors and every person is different.  Though I was able to get through without meds I thought about it both times ALOT.  I will totally never say never, because a flipped baby or a stuck baby or pitocin could and would change everything. 

And for hundreds of years women had babies without drugs, and so it is totally do able.  Just not comfortable, like at all.

Sazhrah

personally, give me labor over a migraine any day. labor is bad but not nearly as bad as wanting to take a hammer to your head.

kenyakeetah

not really related to migraine as such but a few months back I had to have two wisdom teeth removed as they were causing me sooooo much pain my mum had said to me if you can live through tooth pain like that child birth will be easy!

just thought it was funny

Becky262

Maybe I'm biased because I had to be put on pitocin, but nothing I've felt even comes close to labor.  Labor before the pit was very doable (but then again, I never got past 5cm on my own), but afterward getting the pit I was begging for drugs like a blubbering little b!tch.

I'd rather run a marathon, have a migraine, have a kidney stone, and then run another marathon before laboring with pitocin again.

mommy411

back labor here also, nothing compares to the pain. I also had no drugs. Oh I should add that I was given pitocin which was the devil...

you can do it! It all goes away the second the baby pops out.

lovesazzie

I think migraines are worse. Looking back at labor/birth painful is not a word that comes to mind. I know that it was in the moment, but it was really just intense more than painful. You also have breaks between contractions instead of constant head pain with the migraine. I think the biggest difference is that it is productive. Your muscles are contracting and releasing - pushing the baby out. I think it is much better to think about it like the kind of pain you get when you work out really hard - it is productive, not just meaningless pain like a migraine. The only time I felt like I couldn't do it, I was already in transition and it was TOUGH. I used Hypnobabies and that helped so much! Once I got to pushing, it was a lot of the same feelings as pooping! Then at the end, you get such a rush (also similar to working out) and getting that baby at the end is so amazing. I'm really thankful that I went without the epi because I could move around/change positions, didn't have to deliver the baby while lying on my back - I got to be in a position with gravity to help. I also felt SO empowered after and it is an accomplishment I will always be proud of. If you want to go natural, get a care provider that is VERY supportive of your desires, prepare in advance (hypno, bradley, etc) and believe in yourself.

 

edit: I want to add that I had back labor due to posterior baby  - I needed crazy pressure on my lower back to cope with that - DH was massaging as hard as he could and after, I noticed I had welts on my back because he was pressing so hard! Crazy. I think being able to move and deal with it myself vs being stuck in a bed made a huge difference. I would have flipped out if I had to stay laying down in a bed.

NYMOM2005

I totally fit the qualifications here and I have to say a Migraine is WORSE than labor... now to be clear I'm talking about the migraines that you can't even open your eyes the light hurts so bad etc!  I've been through pain med free labor 4 times (with petocin to speed up contractions) and I'd prefer that hands down to a migraine!

Syncronicity09

Becky262:

Maybe I'm biased because I had to be put on pitocin, but nothing I've felt even comes close to labor.  Labor before the pit was very doable (but then again, I never got past 5cm on my own), but afterward getting the pit I was begging for drugs like a blubbering little b!tch.

I'd rather run a marathon, have a migraine, have a kidney stone, and then run another marathon before laboring with pitocin again.

My sisters first was induced with pitocin, and her second was completely natural. She said the induction was far more painful than the natural. In fact she thought there was no way she was actually in labor with the second because it was so much less painful than her first.  My Doctor can definitely expect some protest from me if she wants to induce.

Syncronicity09

Sazhrah:

personally, give me labor over a migraine any day. labor is bad but not nearly as bad as wanting to take a hammer to your head.

 

I've never been in labor, but this was my thought when I saw this. At least contractions give you a break now and then. Unlike a migraine which has me wanting to slam my head into a wall around the clock.

tarmar81

This is good to know, thanks ladies!  As long as I don't get induced, this is sounding more and more doable, especially after hypnobirthing classes.  I guess that's the one thing I can thank a migraine for -- giving me the strength to realize that almost any pain is better than feeling like your head's in a vice.  Thank God I haven't had one in a long time...I can't imagine having one while pregnant!