With Charlie, it was harder than I expected. I couldn't get my epidural until 8 cm because the hospital was so busy that night, then I pushed for 3 hours only to end up having a c-section.

With Olive, it was easier than I expected. I had a planned c-section and ended up with a vbac, but the amount of time I was in actual pain wasn't that long, and giving birth wasn't as difficult was i'd expected (of course she was a small baby at 4 lbs 15oz!)

I think you tend to remember things not being as bad as they felt when you were actually experiencing them, but I still remember how painful Charlie's labor was. It was the most pain I've ever been in in my life. And Olive's birth was pretty easy objectively. I mean it wasn't painless and easy and it was still a lot of work, but as easy as childbirth can be I suppose!

What about you?

ETA: here is a poll i created previously on which aspect of the birth process was the most difficult:

http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-the-worst-part-about-giving-birth