So, I had the most painful stomach bug of my life last night, that I'm getting over today. It started out with excruciating mid-back pain and ended up with stomach pains that literally kept me up all night. Not to be a drama queen, but I didn't know if I had ever been in so much constant pain in my life. Truly.
I remember literally thinking, "If this is how painful labor is, screw Natural Birth - I am SO getting an epidural." I felt like I would have done anything just to make the pain stop. That thought was actually pretty discouraging! So, I got to thinking... most people aren't in *constant* pain while they labor, and it's definitely a different kind of pain than that of an illness. This is probably a stupid question (so, flame away lol), but should I take my inability to deal with the agony of last night as a clue that I am SO NOT READY for what I'm about to get myself into, as far as med-free birth goes? Or am I psyching myself out needlessly?
Just wondering what some of you think. Thanks
Re: Stomach virus and second thoughts
I went through the same thing with my first pregnancy. Then I got stung by a bee and cried. I thought between these 2 things there was no way on earth I could survive a natural labor. I was wrong. The pain is completely different, you can't even compare them. Don't psych yourself out. The difference is that the baby is SUPPOSE to come out! The mouth is an 'in.' It's not an 'out.' Don't worry about it, seriously!!! I would rather be in labor then pregnant with the flu or even bad gas for that matter! I hope this helps!
Definitely try not to psyhce yourself out. You cannot compare labour pain to anything else.
You also have hormones working with you to help your body deal with it.
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with cramp in your calf? You know that agonising pain that only lasts a few minutes? I would take hours of labour, over that calf cramp agony, any day of the week.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
I obviously haven't given birth yet, but I think you're psyching yourself out
I'm sure the pain itself and the situation will feel much different.
TTC #1 since 10/2012.
BFP#1 11/28/12, MC, BFP #2 CP
BFP #3 10/21/2013, EDD 7/3/2014
Beta #1 (4W6D): 1768 Beta #2 (5W1D): 5255
1st US at 6W4D HB of 112 BPM!
1/20/2014: IT'S A GIRL!
6/30/2014: Happy birthday baby M!
lol I think this from time to time as well. When I had the flu a couple of weeks ago and when I stubbed my toe I was thinking how am I going to make it through labor again med-free??
Honestly, it is such a different situation and I am a total wimp when I'm pregnant as far as regular bumps and bangs or stomach troubles. However, in labor you have a purpose and you are thinking for two people, it is a totally different mindset.
Try to think of labor as more as running a marathon. Your legs are going to hurt, your muscles will ache and you will acquire pains and struggles but you have a an end result in mind and know you feel that high.
Obviously when you are sick or hurt yourself with no end purpose you just want it to be over : ) Good luck and you can do it!!!
Natural M/c 12/13/08 at 8w5d
This.
It's pain with a purpose, and your body has natural, hormonal coping mechanisms that you don't have when you are actually ill. I like this article for it's explanation of endorphins during labor:
https://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10184
http://oi62.tinypic.com/2w73hq9.jpg
Can we nominate this board for most supportive posters EVER? Thank you all SO much for all the positive comments
I ended up in the hospital Christmas Eve and stayed overnight, because it wasn't a stomach bug... it was an inflamed gallbladder. Some women there who have both given birth and had gallbladder issues said that labor is NOTHING in comparison. So, I'm done psyching myself out. Yes, I think I *can* do this