We got three mums and three non-mums to answer the same questions about the stages of labour, childbirth, and birth plans. Needless to say, the answers were very different.
Non-mums have a lot of questions about childbirth, but every woman’s birthing experience is different.
One brave woman trying for a baby asked a Mumsnet forum just “how painful labour is”, and we’re going to go out on a limb here and guess she’s now wishing she’d never brought it up.
A lot of mums said the pain is indescribable.
“It was a pain I’ve never felt before and I can’t describe it to anyone,” wrote one mum.
“I can remember the pain but I can’t explain it really,” added another.
Others couldn’t understand why the woman would even want to know – especially before she’s even fallen pregnant.
“Best to be blissfully unaware,” commented another mother.
And then there were others who were rather, um, graphic with their descriptions.
“It felt like being crushed to death,” wrote one mum matter-of-factly.
Way to not mess around.
“I think there is or are points when most people think they might die aren’t there? That might sum it up neatly…” added another.
“Apparently doctors say it’s equivalent to the pain of an amputation (without an anaesthetic of course)… If anyone ask [sic] me I just say ‘take the drugs,’” wrote another user.
Seriously, make it stop already.
You can read what more Mumsnet users had to say about how painful childbirth is (if you dare).
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