Labor Pain (55192)

[NerdGirl]

Those of you who have actually given give birth will probably think I'm crazy. But I would actually like to give birth without any pain meds (at least the first time), because I want to know what it feels like. Let me explain a bit. I have celiac disease, and if I accidentally eat gluten I get really bad abdominal cramps. They last for several days, and in the beginning they're usually bad enough that I can't even stand up. The first time it ever happened (long before I knew I had celiac), I went to the emergency room (my roommates basically had to carry me into the car and wheel me in in a wheelchair). I thought my appendix had ruptured or something else really bad was happening to me. They didn't find anything wrong with me. And after that I kept getting those cramps maybe once every couple of months. Now I only get them when I accidentally eat something with gluten in it. Back when I was still eating gluten they were just a really random occurrence, and I still haven't ever figured out a pattern to them, but I assume they were from a gluten reaction since that causes them now. Anyway, I'm getting away from the point here. I've always been really curious about how labor pain compares to that pain. Is it more or less intense? Is it the same spot? All kinds of questions like that. So in a way I guess you could say that I'm sort of looking forward to it, just out of weird curiosity.

[Sky Bones]

I don't think you're crazy at all, of course! More power to you! If you can go all natural, you seriously feel like you can do anything and nothing will stop you. Sounds like you've had some good prepping, so it might be cake easy for you.

[TheAnswerIs42]

I know there was a long debate on natural childbirth on here before, so I won't go into crazy detail. But I second Sky Bones- go for it! It's not for everyone- some people have horrid labors, and some people like me are short enough that you can do just fine naturally. I'm so glad I did! And then it is like a badge of honor the rest of your life. Drop me a line if you ever get to that point and want tips!