Yelling but not screaming, in answer to the OP, and maybe that’s why I tend to notice the acting that reflects that more than the ‘screamers’. I have my own horror stories, but I’ve told them before and everyone’s writing better than me today.
If you get the chance, have a look at “One Born Every Minute” which shows the huge variety of experiences women go through during labour.
Although be warned, the thick-as-a-plank hairdresser who refused any kind of classes (“they’ll just tell me what’s going to hurt and I think ignorance is bliss”) or pain relief, then had a water birth without so much as a grunt of discomfort - she made me want to throw things at my TV.
You know, throughout my epidural I could still move my legs and feel things touching them. It just took away the pain. I probably wouldn’t have had much luck trying to stand, either, but I didn’t try.
I never heard of Bradley classes, but I’m glad that the basic ideas that Dr. Lamaze developed are still being practiced, no matter what it’s called. I was so lucky – one of my obstetricians had actually gone to France to learn these techniques from Dr. Lamaze himself.
Back then (in the 1970s) it was difficult to have a baby *without *being given anaesthesia, often general, believe it or not, despite the fact that this made the newborn groggy and less responsive. Many doctors didn’t give a cr@p about what you wanted. There were real horror stories out there.
I had an epidural for my first labor and didn’t feel anything once I got it.
My second daughter came out like a champagne cork, though.
I had my first contraction at 1 am and I did scream. I screamed, “fuck, this hurts!” over and over again until she was born forty-one minutes later. Sadly, the door to the delivery room was broken so it was open and I had two other poor laboring ladies listening to me from their rooms. We laughed about it later.
My frustration was that I could not get into a comfortable position and I was self conscious about pooping on the midwife. I ended up giving birth in Linda Blair’s spider walk position. At least it was fast!
I had pitocin and no epidural, my choice. I did 3 or so hours with just gas, then couldn’t take it any more and got a shot of pethadine, which didn’t seem to do much in the 45 minutes before she finally came out. (In 8 minutes of pushing, combination of lots of Pilates and a desire to get That Shit Over With.). Burst all the capillaries around my eyes.
I did Bradley Method and Hypnobirthing with both (tens machine with #2 as well) - first labour was a long 39 hours at home, 45 min at the hospital and very doable. 2nd, Bradley was no hope against the pitocin!
Nope, no epidural. And my daughter weighed 8 lb. 14 oz, whereas I, post-baby tipped the scales at 85 lb.
I had tried, unsuccessfully, to find a doctor who would perform a c-section because I was so terrified of the impending delivery process and there was no explanation whatsoever as to why I should not have any painkillers. Afterwards, the doctor said “if we had known how big she was, I’d have given you a c-section.”
The episiotomy was definitely the worst part. It was over twenty years ago, but I still cringe thinking about it.
While actively pushing there was too much, well, pushing going on for the first twin. And then the second twin crawled way up in my uterus and refused to leave. I was plum tuckered out pushing out the boy and the overwhelming urge to push totally disappeared. I did scream, “Get the fuck offa me! I swear I’ll push-- get THE FUCK OFF!!!” when the nurse climbed on the table, straddled me and began pushing the baby down from the outside.
Transition was the real bitch. Lowering like a cow-- yeah, that’s a pretty good description. I was doing THAT loud enough for the doctor to threaten to send my husband home if I didn’t stop. To which I answered by getting up out of the bed-- to the surprise of everyone-- declaring I was tired of this shit and going home. I had to be guided back into bed.
In another room was a woman screaming her head off. The midwife told us (me and hubby) that it was a teenager who had no insurance and had no pre-natal care. They left her alone and no one wanted to touch her.
If I’m with my daughters while they labor and some healthcare provider gives them shit or threatens them for screaming “too loud,” you bet there will be screaming, after I give said HCP a good falcon-punch in the throat!
First labor: 32 week baby, water broke on a Saturday at 3 am in the middle of the night. The HCPs didn’t want to give meds to stop the labor or any pain relief, but they had me lying flat on my back or on my left side for three days to try to stop it naturally. Didn’t work and hurt like blazes at times. Did get an epidural 1.5 hours before I finally delivered on a Monday night - I was shaking like a leaf from weakness and relief from the pain for hours afterward.
Second labor: 36 week baby. Pitocin was started at noon but my epidural did not take. Daughter 2 was “sunny side up,” as the nurse said, so they decided to turn her, but a contraction hit as they were trying. The scream that came out of me was not voluntary in any way, but I’m guessing they could hear it in the southern hemisphere.
Ethan Robert showed up 2 days early. We picked up mom from the airport, had a great Korea BBQ dinner. Got home, my water broke in the bathroom. I had my first real contractions (they did start off feeling like really bad menstral cramps). Got to the hospital at 9, contractions less than 2 min apart. Checked and was 5 cm dilated. Admitted, sent to a room, requested epidural. Contractions got really intense, I didn’t scream I started counting. I knew at the worst, they lasted about 50 sec with only 20 seconds being hideous. I figured I could make it to 20. Got epidural, blissful. Checked again, 9.5. Started pushing right away, pushed for an hour. Pushing was hard work, but didn’t hurt, thanks to epi. Baby popped out like a cork at 1:03 am - 6 lbs 15 oz, 20" long. Had a more difficult time delivering the placenta, which tore and needed a senior doctor to come in. Thought I might need surgery but it came out okay. Super easy, fast labor and epidurals are woooooonderful. We should go home tomorrow!
WHAT!! You guys are whooshing me right?
Women aaaalways scream when in labor. 100% of the time. I’ve seen it for myself in every single movie and tv show over the past 40 years.
Next thing you’re going to tell me is that you didn’t suddenly have a growly gruff voice and wish a thousand firey deaths upon your husband while in labor. Again, this happens in 100% of the cases. It’s part of the package deal, is really really funny, and never gets old.
I had an emergency C-section with my twins 5 years ago, and the only time I screamed was when they made me get out of bed to go to the potty after my surgery and I told them I didn’t feel well, so I screamed at them to leave me alone, but they insisted and I proceeded to pass out on the toilet.
I had a spinal headache for 5 days after a botched spinal tap, then a rush to the ER on day 5 to get the blood patch saved me. I don’t want an epidural for that very reason. I think if they try I will either have to be heavily medicated already with pain killers and sedatives or I will refuse if I am not having a c-section. I think I would rather go all natural than have another needle stuck in my back.
