Here's why: For most women, labor is more painful than pushing because it lasts longer, gets gradually (or rapidly) more intense as it progresses and involves a large number of muscles, ligaments, organs, nerves and skin surface. read more
In fact, epidurals and other pain-relief drugs are quite safe, says William Camann, M.D., director of obstetric anesthesia at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and co-author of Easy Labor: Every Woman's Guide to Choosing Less Pain and More Joy During Childbirth (Ballantine Books). read more
To me, it felt like a menstrual pain that was more painful than normal but not excruciating. Actually, the worst part was how a contraction would kick in whenever the nurse put the baby monitor on my stomach! Beth, Georgetown, MA. Labor pain was not that bad. It feels like cramping when you get your period, just a little more intense. read more