15 Moments People Thought, ‘This Must Be What Childbirth Feels Like’
Childbirth is often cited as one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. However, there are other intense pains that some say rival or even surpass the agony of labor. From severe medical conditions to accidental injuries, these experiences can leave a lasting impression. While pain is subjective, and each individual’s threshold varies, here are 15 experiences that people have compared to the intensity and endurance needed during childbirth.
1. Kidney Stones
Passing a kidney stone is one of the most frequently cited experiences compared to the pain of childbirth. The sharp, cramping pain caused by a stone moving through the urinary tract can be agonizing and may last for hours or even days. Many who have experienced both say that the relentless, stabbing pain of kidney stones rivals or exceeds labor pains.
2. Gallstones
Gallstones can cause severe abdominal pain, often described as a stabbing or squeezing sensation under the ribs or in the back. This pain can be as intense as labor contractions and may come in waves, lasting anywhere from minutes to hours, making it one of the closest comparisons to childbirth.
3. Migraines
While migraines may not involve the same physical strain as childbirth, their intensity and duration make them comparable. A severe migraine can cause throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound, lasting for hours or even days. Some people describe migraines as being just as debilitating as labor.
4. Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches, often referred to as “suicide headaches,” are known for their extreme intensity. They cause excruciating pain around one eye or on one side of the head and can occur in cycles. The relentless nature of cluster headaches has led many to compare them to the unyielding pain of childbirth.
5. Severe Burns
The pain of a severe burn can be excruciating and long-lasting, often requiring weeks or months of treatment and recovery. The initial pain, combined with the discomfort of healing and potential for infection, has led many to equate it with the extended agony experienced during childbirth.
6. Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can cause severe abdominal pain, often radiating to the back. The intensity of this pain, which can last for days, has led many to compare it to labor, as both involve relentless pain that can be difficult to manage.
7. Broken Bones
While not all broken bones are equally painful, certain fractures, such as compound fractures or those involving the femur, can cause intense, sharp pain that rivals that of childbirth. The shock, along with the throbbing pain that follows, makes broken bones a common comparison.
8. Appendicitis
Appendicitis involves the inflammation of the appendix and causes sharp, severe pain in the lower right abdomen. The pain can escalate rapidly, resembling the contractions of labor. Those who have experienced both describe appendicitis as equally intense, with the added fear of a potential medical emergency.
9. Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia, often called the “suicide disease,” causes sudden, severe facial pain that is often described as an electric shock. The intensity and unpredictability of the attacks have been likened to labor contractions, but without any predictable end or relief.
10. Shingles
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash and nerve pain. The condition can result in a burning sensation and extreme discomfort that lasts for weeks. Many who have suffered from shingles describe the pain as continuous and relentless, similar to prolonged labor.
11. Herniated Disc
A herniated disc in the spine can lead to intense, radiating pain that affects the back, legs, or arms. The pain from a herniated disc is often compared to the intensity of labor, especially when nerve compression is involved, leading to shooting pains and numbness.
12. Sciatica
Sciatica, caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, results in sharp, shooting pain down the leg, often described as unbearable. The intensity and persistence of sciatica pain have led many to compare it to labor pains, especially when it flares up during activities or rest.
13. Tooth Abscess
A tooth abscess can cause throbbing, intense pain in the mouth or jaw. The pressure and swelling can feel relentless, similar to the contractions experienced in childbirth. Those who have dealt with an abscess often compare its pain to labor due to its unrelenting and sharp nature.
14. Endometriosis
Endometriosis causes severe pelvic pain as tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside it. The condition often leads to chronic, stabbing pain that can last for days or weeks. Many women describe the pain as comparable to or even worse than labor contractions.
15. Fibromyalgia Flare-Ups
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body. During flare-ups, the pain can be sharp, intense, and long-lasting, affecting daily activities. Some sufferers liken this widespread pain to the exhaustive, all-encompassing discomfort of childbirth.
