Hellobee Boards Topic: Was birth harder or easier than you expected?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Was birth harder or easier than you expected? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Jul 2026 21:02:41 +0000 kml636 on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected/page/2#post-478355 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:18:55 +0000 kml636 478355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I got the epi at 7 cms, but up until then I was thinking, this isn't that bad... I kind of wish I had held off because the epi gave me a fever and stopped my labor. littlek on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected/page/2#post-478092 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:40:53 +0000 littlek 478092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Easy. But I also gave birth to a 4.5 pound baby boy after 3 pushes. I didn't realize I was in labor (because I wasn't supposed to be!) until I was at a 9. MsLipGloss on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-478059 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:25:54 +0000 MsLipGloss 478059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Harder. I was induced (due to complications), and the induction was long and complicated. I also lost an insane amount of blood, which made the exhaustion that much worse. winniebee on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-477282 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:07:05 +0000 winniebee 477282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I voted easier - but mostly because the pushing was easy for me. I had an epidural and LO came out in 3 pushes (but was only 5 lb 5 oz!) The contractions before I got an epidural sucked though - I got an epi when I was around a 5/6 dilated. ksnow on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-477266 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:59:51 +0000 ksnow 477266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Way easier than I thought. My water broke and I wasn't progressing so I had to be induced. I wasn't set on natural or epidural going in. With the inducement, they started me on an IV, pintocin, and I had to wear the heart rate monitors. The contractions weren't nearly as bad as I thought they'd be; just had to focus on them and breathing...but I was frustrated with all the cords/wires not letting me move around to help thru contractions. Got the epidural at 6, could still move my legs but couldn't feel the contractions at all. Pushed for 5 mins and there was no pain at all. BananaPancakes on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-477136 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 07:23:38 +0000 BananaPancakes 477136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Arden: The closest hospital that does vbacs is an hour away. I guess we could try, but the women in my family have a history of precipitous labor, so it's a bit of a chance to take. PrincessBaby on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-477122 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 07:11:27 +0000 PrincessBaby 477122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Easier. Much easier! The worst part was simply waiting to be dilated enough. I was induced and it took 34 hours to be "ready" but I had an epidural at 3cm, only felt mild discomfort with contractions prior to that. And I actually slept most of that time and would wake up when they checked me...The easiest part was delivery itself- I only had 3 pushes and my daughter was born! And I just had a few internal tears so no stitches. I still can't get over how different it was from what I expected! I think bc it was a lot easier, we'll end up with a baby #2 sooner rather than later;) SugarplumsMom on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-477113 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 06:40:23 +0000 SugarplumsMom 477113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Harder, much harder. I couldn't have imagined how hard it would be. Perhaps if the circumstance was different it would have been much easier. Andrea on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-477104 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 06:28:45 +0000 Andrea 477104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I choose easier. I have had one birth with meds and one without, though, so I need to vote more than once! sea_bass on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-477094 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 05:41:50 +0000 sea_bass 477094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I was scared to read this thread but it is is actually pretty optimistic! Arden on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-477092 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 04:55:35 +0000 Arden 477092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @bree72: Why can't you try for a vaginal birth with other babies? Is there a reason you aren't a good candidate for VBAC? oahujeni on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-477091 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 04:47:01 +0000 oahujeni 477091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Harder. Contractions until 8cm hurt, but I could handle them. Then the epi was wonderful until the last 5 minutes of pushing when I felt like I was being torn apart. The ring of fire is no joke. I guess I didn't expect that kind of pain with the epi hellobeeboston on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-476547 Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:47:55 +0000 hellobeeboston 476547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ hmm... easier I think! I was so terrified honestly. contractions started out slow & progressed and when I was in the middle of them starting to get really bad, I knew the epi was waiting for me at the hospital and it was so intense I feel like I blocked them out immediately! then I got the epi (sweet relief) took a nap, still felt some of the pain honestly, then pushed for 5 hours, and baby! The pushing for 5 hrs was pretty intense, and it was tiring & hard for sure - but again, i was so wrapped up in the moment it wasn't that bad, ha... so hard to explain, I'm not doing a good job. BananaPancakes on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-473075 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:45:19 +0000 BananaPancakes 473075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Harder, and I had a scheduled c section. I always had it in my mind that I could end up with one, but never did I think I'd have a breech baby and wouldn't even know what labor felt like. Nevermind coming to terms with the fact I'd never be able to have a vaginal birth later. Mentally, I felt robbed and really heartbroken, and the c section was terrifying and I think led to a lot of issues, including a slow bond with my son. I had a terrible time getting over it all. loveisstrange on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-473067 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:35:14 +0000 loveisstrange 473067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Harder. Much, much harder. boiledpnut on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-473066 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:31:40 +0000 boiledpnut 473066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It was definitely harder. I was expecting the epidural to take the edge off, but ds got wedged in my pelvis at 0 station. I couldn't feel contractions, but with each one the pressure was so bad it was excruciating. I felt like my pelvis was being pulled apart. I stalled at 6 cm and ended up with a c-section. I actually was begging for it at that point (18 hours after my water broke). Best decision I made because the doctor said he wasn't coming out any other way (didn't realize that until surgery). BabyBoecksMom on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472850 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:32:45 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 472850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It was easier. I got my epi at 3cm so I had no pain (or feeling) until it was time to push. I didn't even know it was time to push! And when I did push, it only took two pushes for her to come out. I don't think I could have imagined it to be easier. Tidybee on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472838 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:20:44 +0000 Tidybee 472838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I had a pretty easy and routine and relatively short labor and delivery so I would have to say easier than I thought. I didn't expect the break in between contractions where I actually felt normal for a few minutes. ETA: I would have to say that post epi (at 9 cm) was not as easy as I thought it would be. I think I had a really low dose. I could feel everything when pushing...even her progress as she came down the canal. The pressure was pretty unbearable. X0X0X0 on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472833 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:12:36 +0000 X0X0X0 472833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Way harder. But that's only because the induction/delivery lasted 3 days and ultimately failed, so I ended with a c-section. Bao on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472828 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:08:48 +0000 Bao 472828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I always thought it would be a very traumatic experience, like I was being sawed in half, but although it was painful, it was tolerable. I think more pain came afterwards! eeh on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472819 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 17:52:31 +0000 eeh 472819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I was induced so I got my epidrual really early on in the process didn't feel a thing. I was shocked when they told me I was a 10 and ready to push. In my opinion the recovery process sucks way more than the delivery. Way, way more. wheres_c on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472814 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 17:47:34 +0000 wheres_c 472814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The pain was way easier than expected. I was dilated to 9.5 before i even thought about pain meds. Dealing with the unexpected blood pressure issues was difficult though. My delivery ended up in an emergency c section, which was my worst nightmare, so both that and the recovery were harder than expected. I still get really depressed every time i read on here that a bee only pushed a few times before baby came out. Im really jealous of that . MsInformation on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472778 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:48:25 +0000 MsInformation 472778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ For me, it was easier. I labored at home for about 24 hours; the pain was bad but manageable. When I arrived at the hospital, I was hoping to be dilated to at least 4 cm (I had been at 1 cm for the last 4-5 OB appointments) and it turns out I was already at 10 cm! I got the epidural anyway because I was pretty tired at that point and worried about the pushing/tearing part. The pushing itself only took about 35-40 minutes, but I'm still glad I got the epi. skibobrown on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472729 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:10:17 +0000 skibobrown 472729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm not exactly sure how to answer this. It was *different* from what I expected. It was definitely very hard, but before going into labor, my understanding of the labor experience was so nebulous. When I was in it there was nothing I could do except confront the pain. No amount of reading about labor could have prepared me for the actual experience. It was horrific, exhausting, and painful, but it was also beautiful and empowering. Postpartum was another story though... hilsy85 on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472706 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:56:13 +0000 hilsy85 472706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Way easier (post epi). I thought labor was awesome! luckypenny on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472704 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:54:42 +0000 luckypenny 472704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It wasn't necessarily harder or easier than expected...just LONGER (which in turn made it harder to do it naturally). Pink Champagne on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472670 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:36:33 +0000 Pink Champagne 472670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Easier, no meds. I thought it would hurt more than it did. Mrs. Jacks on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472653 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:20:37 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 472653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Way easier and my baby was sunny side up. I though it was going to be horrible and it was a really fun experience. CupQuakeWalk on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472651 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:19:40 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 472651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Before meds: as expected if not a bit easier After meds: a cake walk, seriously. Exhausting but not painful. Post partum: like 100x worse than expected but yet, I was naive about post partum. I was "stitches!? No, not me." Weagle on "Was birth harder or easier than you expected?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-birth-harder-or-easier-than-you-expected#post-472642 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:06:40 +0000 Weagle 472642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Easier! I went through everything but pushing without meds. I was told I would be in the absolute worst pain in my life with contractions. I never felt that way and was shocked when I was at 9 upon arriving at the hospital.