1. Is it really as bad as it is in the movies? Do people really scream/go crazy from the pain? Can you compare contractions to menstrual cramps to give me an idea of how much worse they are? I found it indescribably painful. Far worse than broken bones. Menstrual cramps? Don't make me laugh- I know some women say labour pains are like bad period pains, but for me, the difference between the two is like the difference between stubbing your toe and having it slowly burned off with acid. I screamed and swore and thought I might die. It was truly awesome pain, for me.
2. This is the big one... do a lot of women tear? How does THAT feel? Do they stitch you up or do you have to just let it heal or does it just simply depend? I didn't tear. Well, there were minor lacerations, but no tear. Which was sort of surprising, given that this was my first baby and my total labour had only lasted 2.5 hours- he fairly shot out of me (which is why it hurt so much, I think- I went from zero to active labour with the first contraction). I've heard that it's better to heal naturally than to have stitches, but I expect there are some tears which need stitching, so you have to go on a case by case basis, really.
3. After you give birth vaginally, is your vagina really never the same ever again? Is this only a physical, inside thing but also a visual, outside thing? It doesn't look any different to me! It feels a bit different, but it's pretty much back to normal in terms of tightness. Pelvis floor exercises are great.
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I found it indescribably painful. Far worse than broken bones. Menstrual cramps? Don't make me laugh- I know some women say labour pains are like bad period pains, but for me, the difference between the two is like the difference between stubbing your toe and having it slowly burned off with acid. I screamed and swore and thought I might die. It was truly awesome pain, for me.
2. This is the big one... do a lot of women tear? How does THAT feel? Do they stitch you up or do you have to just let it heal or does it just simply depend?
I didn't tear. Well, there were minor lacerations, but no tear. Which was sort of surprising, given that this was my first baby and my total labour had only lasted 2.5 hours- he fairly shot out of me (which is why it hurt so much, I think- I went from zero to active labour with the first contraction). I've heard that it's better to heal naturally than to have stitches, but I expect there are some tears which need stitching, so you have to go on a case by case basis, really.
3. After you give birth vaginally, is your vagina really never the same ever again? Is this only a physical, inside thing but also a visual, outside thing?
It doesn't look any different to me! It feels a bit different, but it's pretty much back to normal in terms of tightness. Pelvis floor exercises are great.