They both hurt like hell, but pushing him out hurt more for me.

The contractions for me up until the epi...

The contractions weren't anything major for me until I hit transition phase - this is when your body is preparing to push. It's (usually) the shortest phase of labor, but the most intense. These contractions knocked me off my butt, and it was then that I got my epi. I was blissfully painfree after that, so pushing her out was nothing. I felt burning as she crowned, but that's about it.

The contractions hurt alot worse for me, but the were intense and back to back, I only pushed 4 times and she was here, I dont recall feeling the "ring of fire" when I was pushing her out that alot have felt, I had no epidural or any drugs at all

The contractions were the worst kind of agony and I have never been in such pain. My back was excruciating and the bloody midwife strapped a foetal monitor on me so I had to lie on my back when all I wanted to do was be on all fours with someone rubbing my lower back. The pushing was fabulous! I loved it. The crowning did burn a bit but nothing dreadful.

I only experienced half of what you're asking, so I don't know.

Being in labor for 30 hours wasn't fun though!

Hmmm cant really remember which was worse!!! think it was contractions!! Atleast when your pushing you have something to concentrate on!!! All I remember is it all bloody hurt!!

I don;t know. My labour was long but not horrible and then I had a c-sec so... ???

ditto! The contractions were by far the worst pain i've ever felt. The only relief I got was laying on my side with nick rubbing my back but because of the monitor I was forced to lay on my back. After 10 hours I was crying and begging for my epidural, which relieved all pain for about an hour then stopped working on half my body.

I ended up with a c-section so I can't answer the question though. I imagine pushing him out would have brought sweet relief though.

Yeah imagine having contractions for a week before having the baby.. I did.

It sucked.

So whenever I go into labor do you think that I should get the epidural first thing or do you think that I should wait until its almost time to push?

Why don't you see how you do and then get the epi if/when you need it? I don't think they'll give you one the minute you get there anyway.

i'm pretty sure they won't let you have an epi when you are near pushing stage because it can cause problems with the pushing urge. Usually they let the epi run out by that stage. At least, that was how it used to be done.

Yeah get it around 4 cm... If you wait too long they wont do it.

I hated getting it, bot oh my .God it was worth it lol

i totally agree!! I also went totally drug free and found the experience *amazing*!!!

Both aspects of the birthing process hurt. Of course. But feeling every part of it was my intention....

As long as you know that birth, reguardless of drugs, isn't a walk in the park. Either way, epidural or none, it's a hard task to push a baba out of a small 10cm opening.

I can't wait to have another one drug free!

Sarah

The contractions all the way!!! While pushing in the midst of a contraction you dont feel the pain...I didnt feel pain when my son was half way out but when I was contracting I thought I was dying .........It was the most horrific pain ....Drug free!! Lol

Who the hell has voted like 50 times for 'pushing'?!

no one can vote more than once...

ah. Furry muff then!