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May 2016 Moms
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Do bad menstrual cramps = Easy/Hard labor?

nasalot188nasalot188 member
edited April 2016 in May 2016 Moms
Hi Ladies,

I guess this is more a question for STM's and beyond.

I'm wondering if you found any correlation between the severity of your menstrual cramps and the pain during labor.

I have always suffered from heavier periods/severe menstrual cramps (fetal position, hot baths at 2am) they've always been very unpleasant and hard to handle without Advil.

I have heard contradicting theories.
1) bad menstrual cramps = a painful labor 
2) bad menstrual cramps = relatively smooth labor (not as painful as they were expecting).

Part of me is hoping that having coped with severe menstrual pain over the years, my body might actually handle contractions easier (developed a higher pain tolerance)

What have your experiences been? Any correlation or none whatsoever??

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Re: Do bad menstrual cramps = Easy/Hard labor?

  • doozer1345doozer1345 member
    I had brutal brutal periods with very debilitating cramps. I ended up having back labor with DD1 but that was due to her position. I can tell you back labor makes those cramps a walk in the park. I will say that being schooled in the severe cramps makes it easier to go with the flow of the contractions coming and going. You're able to remember to breathe through them and stay calmer (at least this was the case for me).

    I will say that once I had DD1 my period was soooooooo much better and to be honest I can't remember menstrual cramps that came close to the ones I had prior to pg. The bleeding after birth is a walk in the park too considering the fact of having a hard period before birth. All in all I'm not sure if what you've heard is true but I will say you are better prepared with coping skills without realizing it due to having hard periods if that makes sense??
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  • kbrands7kbrands7 member
    Ditto @doozer1345
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  • slfezzslfezz member
    Labor is going to be extremely painful by the end no matter what. There are baby positions that can make it more or less painful overall (back labor really really sucked) but that is out of our bodies control. Its more about what you do to manage the pain (mentally and physically) and your expectations that really determine if it is a hard or easy labor
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  • Bltbear82Bltbear82 member
    Everyone always compared contractions to cramps and it was definitely different for me. I've had bad cramps before but contractions once you're dialated to a certain point are a beast of another nature. 
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  • hellogoodbye2hellogoodbye2 member
    Bltbear82 said:
    Everyone always compared contractions to cramps and it was definitely different for me. I've had bad cramps before but contractions once you're dialated to a certain point are a beast of another nature. 
    This was me too. I never felt like contractions were like menstrual cramps. Painful tightening of all over my belly was the way I'd describe it.
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  • LovingLife!LovingLife! member
    I feel like it is absolutely ridiculous to compare menstrual cramps to contractions! There is no comparison at all. Contractions mean business! They are meant to help you get a baby out!! 
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