https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 13:39:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088841 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 21:13:29 +0000 maybebaby 1088841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Easier, it was the recovery that was so beyond anything I expected! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088738 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 20:29:26 +0000 Espion 1088738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was easier and harder than I expected. In a nutshell, because of how he was positioned, I suspected that things wouldn't progress. After a multi-day induction, indeed, things did not progress, despite enduring 9 hours of unmedicated pitocin contractions. Then I got an epidural just to see if "relaxing" a bit would help. So the c-section at the end sure as heck wasn't a surprise. All the ladies in my immediately family had c-sections, and I really, really wanted to avoid it. But the recovery was super easy and while I didn't get to have one rite of passage, I avoided others. And I got the perfect little budgie in the end. All worth it. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088671 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 19:56:30 +0000 Mrs D 1088671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think easier...I am really not sure what I was prepared for but I was expecting serious pain. I went into labor at 2am...contractions picked up around 3:30...the car ride to the hospital was the worst ever...</p> <p>Once I got to the hospital I got some morphine pretty quick (amazing) which took the edge off. I was 6cm in just over another 1.5 hours and got the epi then around 9am. Around 12:45pm (they broke my water at 8cm, around 11am) the contractions really picked up. Bless my mom's heart for standing next to me counting through them with me - at 1pm I told my mom I thought it was time for her and my grandma &amp; dad to leave DH an I alone (how we wanted it for pushing). The Dr came in at 1:05 and I told her I thought it was time to push - she checked me real quick and said "yup you're ready" I pushed for 15 minutes and she was out. I needed oxygen at some point in there - but didn't remember that until days later.</p> <p>I agree with others that the placenta and stitches was worse than the labor. I had a second degree tear and a resident stitched me up which I think took a little longer than if my Dr would have done it. My placenta was being a bit difficult - so I feel like they pushed on me a lot and harder...</p> <p>All in all...I am pleased with my experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088604 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 19:16:53 +0000 lizzywiz 1088604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced at 37 due to HELP syndrome. Med free- except for the pitocin.<br /> The contractions were WAY easier, the pushing was exhausting but doable, the ring of fire SUCKED. I still remember how hard it was to push when I knew each push equaled a strong tearing sensation, ugh. I tore in all four directions, but luckily only like 3 stitches for each tear. Postpartum was hard and sex still hurts, though.<br /> Regarding the contractions being 'easy' for me, I honestly think people have different amounts of nerve receptors down there and I lucked out with less. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088489 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 18:04:09 +0000 MrsStar 1088489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A bit of both! The contractions were worse then I imagined - was induced and no epidural with horrible back labor so that sucked. But I went from 5-10cm in the space of 10 minutes, I pushed a total of 2 times and out she came, no tearing, just a labial graze so the actual pushing part was easier since I was expecting it to take at least an hour, and the pushing actually helped to relieve the pressure and I don't remember experiencing the 'ring of fire'. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088226 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 13:36:01 +0000 Maysprout 1088226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess overall it went pretty smooth, luckily the worst case scenarios didn't come true, but it was still way harder than I expected. I thought my experience in sports would help. I can run a 5 min mile, bench more than I weigh and already been in situations where it's like I can't handle this anymore and come out the other side just fine so I thought that would have been good prep. But childbirth was like WTF was that, def more pain than I thought possible and still survive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088161 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 11:30:33 +0000 Mrs. Taco 1088161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Easier!!! I went past my due date and was induced with Pitocin...I spent the first few hours just fine. When I got uncomfortable, they suggested to start with pain medication in my IV, that was my biggest regret because it made me feel sick and SO out of it...I remember waking up and feeling so out of control. It also didn't help curb the pain. I wish I would have just started with the epidural. </p> <p>Once I got my epidural (which wasn't painful AT all!), it was smooth sailing. The whole process took awhile (around 20 hrs but only 30 min of pushing) and while I was in pain, I totally went into it thinking I may or may not die hahaha. </p> <p>The hardest part may or may not have been not being able to eat for more than 24 hrs. I totally was thinking of the turkey sandwich I had waiting for me while I was pushing :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088153 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 11:18:19 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1088153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Harder, for sure - and I thought I was really well prepared. But, 48 hours of back labour was exhausting, and it got exponentially worse when they broke my water. I also stalled out at an 8/9, because my cervix started swelling. </p> <p>I actually think I'm dealing with some post-traumatic stress surrounding the entire event. IF (with a huge capital I F), I get pregnant again, I am going to have a really tough time getting prepared for the birth, I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088151 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 11:15:31 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1088151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LittleFox: I must not have read all the replies well! But yes, I had a scheduled section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088147 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 11:11:05 +0000 LittleFox 1088147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: Do you mean the first with a scheduled c-section? Several of us on the first page had unplanned sections and talked about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088102 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 10:10:36 +0000 Lindsay05 1088102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Harder! At first I thought contractions were a breeze and could handle it no problem. Yeah, I was wrong. It hurt. And it was a lot of work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088099 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 10:09:46 +0000 Ginabean3 1088099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Easier! But probably since I went into preterm labor at 30 wks....so DD was READY TO COME OUT! When I went to the dr because I felt funny she was like, "um, you're 3cm, don't you feel contractions?" I was like, "ohhhhh...."</p> <p>Girlfriend popped out 5 days later (after being put on mag so baby could get steroid shots etc) with 30 min of active pushing. I did get an epi and it was great. Because she was small I only got one little tear and recovered really quickly.</p> <p>For me the emotional part was a lot harder than the physical part...I was not expecting to have a preemie. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088093 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 10:04:12 +0000 sarac 1088093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LazyLightning: I think a lot of women react to pitocin that way. I think we'd find an unmedicated childbirth easier, to be honest. That was a hellish 24 hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1088090 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 10:01:35 +0000 cascademom 1088090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Easier. I'm a prepared for the worst type. I got my epidural early, got antibiotics, and a good doctor through the night. he was the one where our initial meeting sucked, but he was great during labor. LO was delivered by the attending because of a shift change. so surreal when the next doctor comes in with a cup of coffee while you're getting stitched up. I got really lucky with my labor and delivery of 14 hours. It still hurt a lot, but was relieved I didn't get a c-section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1087999 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 08:39:30 +0000 MrsF 1087999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Easier. I got a very early epidural because my platelets were dropping so it was my last chance. Was induced (36 weeks) at 9am, water broken at 1pm pushed fro 30 minutes and delivered at 5:07pm. I had bad pre-e and HELLP syndrome so they weren't surprised it went quickly. They say when the baby really needs to come out, she comes out quickly. </p> <p>I had already been admitted for a few days with terrible referred pain from my liver. At least once I was induced I jnew what the pain was and that I was getting towards getting the baby out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1087991 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 08:29:06 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1087991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I'm the first one with a c-section to reply!</p> <p>My section was pleasantly and surprisingly easy, and I say that as the person who had tears at her flu shot the week before I delivered! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected/page/2#post-1087979 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 08:19:44 +0000 Tidybee 1087979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: wow! I am cringing for you!<br /> For me, I'd have to say it was overall easier. I was able to walk and talk through contractions and the nurses told me it was probably too early because I was so comfortable. Then I was checked and they confirmed my water was broken and I was 4 cm. I got to 6cm relatively easily and my doc said we'd plant o have a natural med free delivery since I was handling it so well. She then disappeared (major influx of patients) for 3 hours and the contractions were not stopping and off the carts. I was 8-9 cm by the time she came back but begged for the epidural. 45 min later, epi came in, at which point i was shaking all over, sweating, and puking, so that was a lot more uncomfortable than anticipated. After the epi was in, doc checked me and I was 10 and ready to push, but DD was sunnyside up so my doc tried to turn her manually before my epi really kicked in and i was in so so so much pain. I then had to lay on my side trying to get DD to turn and it felt like a boulder was coming out of my butt. That was harder than I thought it would be. Pushing was exhausting and I only remember hurting when my doc "stretched" me. Out DD came, only 2 stitches, and Iwas up and walking after an hour or skin to skin. I am on video a few hours later, telling my sister it was hell and I'll never do it again, but 10 months later, I'm like "oh labor is not that bad!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087960 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 07:36:23 +0000 LazyLightning 1087960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: this. Whole time shaking and throwing up. For 21 hours. Awful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087959 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 07:35:38 +0000 LazyLightning 1087959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Much harder. From the pain killer for the epidural placement not working, to nobody telling me that pitocin's most common side effect is nausea (hence, no sleep for 36+ hours, too sick), to the high fever I got and then the 3rd degree tear.. It was possibly the worst day I've ever experienced. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087937 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 07:09:18 +0000 Bao 1087937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say easier minus the pressure and pain of the pushing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087931 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 07:04:32 +0000 Smurfette 1087931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Easier. I got an epidural when I was at 5 and I didn't feel contractions after that. Her heart rate would drop so it was more stressful then I thought it would be. But they would move me and it would be fine. Pushing was way easier and faster then I was expecting. I was expecting to keep pushing and the next thing I knew the doctor was holding her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087925 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 07:01:42 +0000 Bookish 1087925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both easier and harder. The first few hours of contractions were not as bad as I expected, but the hell of 3 hours of unsuccessful pushing with a worn off epidural was absolutely awful. I also did not expect a c section, which, until the epidural finally kicked in, was not fun. I'll just say that I'm really glad your body has you forget the actual pain. </p> <p>@Cherrybee: recovery was definitely harder than I expected! I had no idea how dependent I'd be on DH for those first two weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087911 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 06:48:05 +0000 anewme 1087911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm gonna say much easier then I expected. I never knew what I was feeling were ctx with my first until I happen to go for my 38 week check and my ob was like "we're admitting you today. You're 4cm dilated and regularly contracting every 5 mins." I still took my sweet time getting there. Once there I was fine, up until they broke my water then my ctx came fast and hard. I got my epidural and all in all I was ready to push within 3 hours of getting into the hospital and it only took 3-4 pushes and 1st baby was delivered.</p> <p>2nd time was a longer story but because they were less then 2 years apart, 2nd baby pretty much just slipped out. Never even had time for epidural. I felt ctx, got to the hospital, got admitted delivered 15 mins later. Whole thing took under an hour. No cuts, no tears. Up walking right after delivery. </p> <p>But I had sucky pregnancies with both so maybe the easy deliveries were to make up for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087910 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 06:47:57 +0000 Dandelion 1087910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With DS it was easier than I expected. Because of that, S was WAY harder than I expected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087907 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 06:46:15 +0000 looch 1087907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Easier, I had prepared for the worst and was delightfully surprised with how my body handled the while process. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087880 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 05:01:48 +0000 Cherrybee 1087880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't say it was harder exactly - I expected it to be really, really hard and it was! It was a lot more *brutal* than I expected.... but after 4 days of induced labour, full dose pitocin with only nitrous oxide for relief, an hour of completely med free pushing and a cut from front to back I'm sure I would say that! </p> <p>Now recovery... that was harder than I expected! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087870 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 02:43:46 +0000 loveisstrange 1087870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Way harder. I did not anticipate induction and full dose pitocin that cause hours and hours of back to back, super hard contractions that couldn't even be relieved because none of the epidurals worked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087857 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 01:05:50 +0000 StrawberryBee 1087857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Easier. I was expecting pain beyond measure, but I labored at home through manageable contractions (back labor, no less). When I got to the hospital they had me wait until a bed opened up in triage, told me I was way too comfortable to be admitted but would "check me anyway." I was a 6. Got the epidural soon after, progressed quickly, and after an hour and a half of pushing she was out. The belly pushing thing for the placenta wasn't fun, but I still had the Epi so I could ignore it and stare at my daughter to distract. The worst part of l&amp;d was the pushing; I was exhausted by the end of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087854 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 00:58:27 +0000 sandy 1087854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Much worse than I expected...when I got to the hospital it felt like I had no relief between contractions and I was only at 4cm...I had no shame as was screaming my head off "my butt, my but...please help me!!!"...bc it felt like the baby was going to break my tailbone...it was awful...I could not think straight </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-childbirth-easier-harder-or-about-as-hard-as-you-expected#post-1087838 Sat, 14 Sep 2013 23:59:50 +0000 deerylou 1087838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was...different than I expected it would be. I had planned for a natural, med-free birth experience, but had an induction scheduled if DD hadn't come on her own by 42 weeks. She stayed put.</p> <p>My induction worked *very* quickly. After 90 minutes on cervidil, my water had broken, and I was in full blown labor, vomiting like the exorcist. I anticipated pain beyond measure, but what I didn't expect was the lack of down time I would experience between contractions. As soon as labor began, those things were off the chart, and right on top of each other. It was only two months ago, but I still can't adequately describe what contractions feel like - basically, just no thank you, ma'am. I lasted until I was almost 7 cm, and then practically begged for an epidural. I was *so* exhausted (like other posters, i labored overnight), the biggest push I could have probably manged at that point was a weak fart, lol. </p> <p>After I received the epidural, I felt really chill. Baby was low and ready within 30 minutes, and 40 minutes of pushing later, she had arrived. The "ring of fire" was definitely no teddy bear picnic, but overall, I found pushing to be absolutely exhilarating. Would do that part again in a heartbeat. </p>