Crowning...

[Bo0tifuL]

Ok well with my DS i was given 2 locals, a big episiotomy and a forceps delivery. Im now 31 weeks with my next one and really wanted to know, Does it really hurt? i know contractions hurt and what not, but i heard stories of burning when the babies head is crowning. Does it just burn or is there more too it i havent been told? Im starting to get scared of it lol ( i know im a bit too late to back out now :D )
Also not to be rude, But what was it like when you had sex again? Was it the same? I had 42 stitches and it was like being a virgin again for me so to speak, but if i was to not get stitches will it go back to normal?
Thanks for my weird questions, but i keep coming up with all these weird theories in my head and i need answers!!!hehehe

[biscotti]

Ok well with my DS i was given 2 locals, a big episiotomy and a forceps delivery.

Hi - my first birth was just like that :yes:

Births no 2 and 3 were drug free and with baby no 2, I definitely felt the crowning and yes, it hurt a lot, a sort of stinging (ok way more than a sting) and a definite burning feeling but strangely enough when I had baby no 3, the contractions were way more painful and I didn't feel the crowning at all. I could feel her head in my vagina (sorry :o ) but the crowning I don't remember at all, she seemed to be born just so quickly after that.

Best of luck to you :)

[shed]

Its all a bit vague now, Mother Nature has done a number on me and made me forget a bit, but I don't remember it hurting all that much.

I thought contractions hurt but I don't remember crowning hurting much more than that. I don't remember it burning all that much. A bit, but not enough to be scared of for next time.

I didnt have stitches and yes, it all went back to normal, 100% back the way it was.

If I was you (not that you asked, but anyway) I would be doing perineal massage, particularly on your episiotomy scar area. Wait a couple more weeks and then around week 34 your body starts to prepare the area, releasing hormones that make the skin a bit more elastic, so if you get some oil and use massage and gently stretch the area you will be helping it along a bit and it might be just that little bit of extra stretchiness you need to avoid tearing.

also, don't let anyone coach you to push. Ask the midwife to protect the area with gently applied pressure during crowning and only push when your body tells you to. The baby will protect your body if you let him/her.

Good luck!!

[Hokey Pokey]

My first I didn't get any feeling of crowning! My 3rd I did. Once the head was out the pain just dissapeared! It felt like a bowling ball was trying to squeeze out giving a chinese burn on the way. As painful as it was, I'd do it again lol :rolleyes:

[shelle65]

Yes it was really painful BUT I was so thrilled to finally be at the very end I didn't give a toss!!

Felt exactly like you would expect to feel pushing a big round thing out through your bits...

[punkbaby]

I think the crowning hurt more so with the stretching stinging feeling but its over before you know it. I know that initial feeling of need to poo etc before hand when bubs is bearing down is worse LOL the feeling of hmm if i dont push it wont hurt but if i push it will stop these feelings

The stretching stinging got to me the less than this as i knew it was going to be over soon so i psyched myself up for that feeling and told myself Yes we are here!Its nearly over!!!

Sex (well havent had it yet with this one obviously LOL) was quiet normal i felt, dh said i felt the same after the others and it felt better just make sure you keep your pelvic floor excersizes up so you can control things down there i guess TMI i know.

[nayasmum]

Does it really hurt? i know contractions hurt and what not, but i heard stories of burning when the babies head is crowning. Does it just burn or is there more too it i havent been told? what was it like when you had sex again? Was it the same? if i was to not get stitches will it go back to normal?


Ok i had my DD drug free and OUCH yes it does hurt, the crowning for me was intense burning! And we didnt have sex for 3 months ( my poor DH ) but he was very understanding and it hurt quite a bit (sorry every1) and from mine and my DH's point of view nothing changed after having a baby so i must have gone back to normal oh and to clarify i didnt have stitches as i only had 1st degree tears (phew!!) :)
Hope this helps!!!

[prideNJoy]

When DD's head was crowning, yeah that hurt, it was a stinging/burning/ripping sort of feeling ( sorry i don't mean to scare you!) but i also birthed on my side :mad: which probably made things feel worse!

With DS i was in water, and i remember feeling a little panicky just before his head started to crown because i rememberd the pain from last time.
It was no more painful than the contractions and they were definately bearable in the spa!

Water helps immensly, makes everything alot softer and supple. :thumbsup:

ETA: After DD was born we did the deed again after 3 weeks, i didn't have any stitches though, just a couple of grazes. and yep everything went back to normal so to speak.

[Freya]

For me the contractions were ALOT worse yes it was a sharp burning pain but it was so quick and so fast because as soon as it crowned that was it the head is out then the rest comes. As for the sex I didn't have intercourse until 3 months post partum so everything was all healed and it didn't feel any different.

Good Luck!:D

[MissSparkle]

I thought contractions were way more painful then the crowning.

THe crowning did string but for me it was over very quickly (4mins and 5mins my bubs were out) and as soon as bubs slides out theres a huge sense of relief and u forget all about.

I went back to normal both times..maybe even tighter. We were back to havin sex within 7-10days

[reAllytee]

I dont think you can say one is more painful cause they are both totally different feelings.

At least with the 'ring of fire' feeling you get when crowning its over very quickly as the head is born whereas you still experience the contractions etc.

They are all bearable though because you go back & do it all over again :)

Whilst i felt like i couldnt handle my last experience with DS2 i honestly love re-living it because it was totally exhilarating & i cant wait to have another :eek:

[Bo0tifuL]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think things are getting so close now and the worrying is starting to kick in. But i guess this is normal! EEEp Im scared hehe. But yes its way worth every pain!!!!!!!! :D

[Milliner]

It was painful. I felt the burning that you are talking of with number 2, but the contractions hurt a lot more than the crowning. I had an epi with number 1 so I didn't feel a thing.