What hurts more? Contraction v.s Birth

Question

For those with experience, what hurts more? The contractions up to giving birth, or the actually pushing the baby out?

Answer 1

Contraction

Answer 2

I would have to say, actually pushing the baby out.

Answer 3

i would imagine pushing the baby out if u dont have the pain meds.

and the contractions if u do

Answer 4

I agree with Michelle, I had a natural birth without drugs also & they seemed about the same for me.  However, when the doctor had to break my water, I honestly felt that was more painful than the contractions & the actual birth.  I'm not looking forward to that this time, i hoping that my water breaks on its own (as embarrasing as that can be..lol)

Good Luck with your experience!!!

Answer 5

The entire labour hurts more than the actual pushing. The pushing is involuntary, if that makes sense and doesn't hurt so much as sting. Especially since the labour can last hours and hours and the oushing can be over in ten minutes!!! All of my children were born without an epidural so I felt the whole thing, but the cheesy thing is you really do forget the pain when the baby is out...Until next time, that is... Then you;re like 'oh yeah, NOW I remember!'

Answer 6

I would love to know this question!!!

I would think the contractions. Hey! It's life!

Answer 7

Contractions.  But then again, I had an epidural and didn't feel a thing when it came time to actually give birth.  Those contractions before the epidural were HORRIBLE though.

Answer 8

they both hurt differently. I found the contractions more painful over all, once I got to the pushing stage it was such a relief to have something to focus my energy on. Plus the adrenaline kicks in big time when you push, which help to relieve the pain. I won;t kid you, it hurts a lot when the baby crowns, but its over very fast. And then there is this big rush of hormones that gives you a natural high, its the most amazing thing I have ever felt!!!  

Answer 9

both (trust me ) ( mom of 3)

Answer 10

sorta both, the contractions hurt the worst in general, but when pushing at the point when the head is almost out is the most painful (the ring of fire is what my midwife called it) but this passes in a couple of pushes.

Answer 11

I had a natural labour with only gas and air for pain relief which i didnt get until 5hrs into my 8hr 45min labour....I found my labour bearable all the way thru i would say the contractions wer slightly more painful than the birth as the contractions lasted longer and for most of the birth..The pushin was only for 20mins and this was only 3 pushes and this was ok, the head stung a lil but the body slid out and felt ok.I enjoyed my labour and i feel that as long as u listen to midwife, stay calm and dont over-react ul be fine.It only hurts as much as u let it.

Answer 12

Well, I had natural birth with no epidural and I would say that it's actually the same. The contraction hurts and it does last long but when my son came out, ish, I felt everything, but sooooo worth it.  

Answer 13

I would say its hard to judge, because they go hand in hand.  I had my second son 12 days ago, and my epidural became blocked 3 times, so I had to do it naturally.  It hurt  like h**l, but the contractions are so much a part of labor, and when you're pushing, it helps relieve the pain a little, and I do mean LITTLE.  

Answer 14

It is hard to judge which hurts more because thye are two very different pains..Conctrations definately suck but are more mental then physical and puushing is more physical then mental..It depends on you really..