That is, assuming you had an unmedicated delivery. I remember before having children that you forget the pain once you're holding that babe, but I always thought it was bull. Then I had my daughter and I did forget... even going into labor with my second, I recall thinking "oh yeah, this is what it feels like". And again, 10 months from the delivery of my son, I can't quite remember how painful it was...

Anyone else?

Well I planned an unmedicated delivery, but 6 hours in the midwife practically forced me to have gas and air, and about an hour after that cos I threw the thing at her she forced the epi on me. But I definately remember the first six hours of pain. To be honest I can't wait to go through it again, though this time it'll be done my way and I won't be pushed around.

I forgot what the pain was like with my first. After my second came around I remembered. When I had my third, I remembered a fair bit, so I was prepared for when it got intense. I have a high threshold and remember crying from the pain by the transition stage. I had no drugs for any of them, had back labour for all three (I've been told back labour is 10x worse than front) and totally remember everything from the last one. That's why he's my last one.

If I think rather hard I think I can imagine what it was like again. I know that when I watched the video of the birth after there is a LOT that I do not remember, many things that just are no longer with me. I am sure that this is a protective thing in truth, or else not many women would go on and have lots of babies. But I am sorry that I have also lost so many of the nicer memories too.

People told me that I would forget once I held the baby in my arms but that didn't work for me. I was awestruck and overwhelmed by each of my babies but that didn't lessen the pain!

Is it worth it? Of course! I just never forgot one single twinge of my labors...lol. Of course, I had difficulties with each of mine so maybe that's why.

I am so sorry to hear that you still hold those memories so strongly. I personally have none and am very thankful for that. It was not immediately forgotten, but within a few days it was all behind me.

I was unmedicated so I had to make do with my breathing exercices and they pretty worked. I remember feeling pains but I don't remember what they felt like. I am happy about that because I want to go for another one.

What I remember from the first two is vomiting with each and every contraction, to the point that I got a shot of phenergan to stop it. Actually I missed the vomiting because I can tell you that without vomiting at the same time the contractions were a whole lot more painful, and it was after the first shot that I ended up having an epidural. I think if I had carried on heaving I would have coped better but apparently it was slowing my progress.

Yes. It hurt. Like, a lot.