Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

I keep hearing this from people. Can anyone speak from experience?

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

I didn't deliver naturally but I can tell you that I had kidney stones last year and I wanted to die. Never felt pain like that. You can't get comfortable until you get some serious pain meds and / or they pass.

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

I had them and childbirth was definitely worse

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

I have had them and I have delivered without an epidural. The kidney stones were horrible (I had them when I was 6.5 mos pregnant with DD #1). I even threw up from the pain. I was stuck in the hospital for four days. I would not say that childbirth was a walk in a park in comparison but at least there was the reward of a baby when everything was said and done.

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

My BF had them while PG
She said her kidney stones were worse than child birth and she labored for a long time.

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

A friend had them while pregnant and she said childbirth was worse....but she also had a delivery from he!!, so I'm not sure anyone should go by her.
She actually had kidney stones when she delivered...and still has them today, about 6 months after her son was born....they have to be surgically removed, and she is breastfeeding, so she's putting it off a little longer.
(she's also a little crazy)

I think it all depends on the stones, the childbirth experience and the person!

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

I got kidney stones 1 month after giving birth...so it was still very fresh in my mind. I can honestly tell you, they were FAR worse than labor. I threw up and almost passed out from the pain. They had to give me 3 doses of demerol in the ER just to make it BEARABLE...and that was after they had already tried morphine which didnt work! I was writhing in pain begging for them to do something. Couldnt walk, stand, sit, lay down...nothing. I was in so much pain I couldnt even breathe.

I remember actually telling the nurse who was taking my blood that it was worse than childbirth and she said "oh you've done that?" and I replied "yea, last month...and trust me, this is worse!". I labored for 14 hours, had pitocin, and didnt get the epi until the end and I recall being in tremendous pain before the epi....kidney stones was still worse!

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

Horrible! Then again, both my babies were born while I had a spinal or an epidural, so is it a really fair comparison?? My stone(s) led to a kidney infection after my DD was born and I was in the hospital for over a week!

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

I had both and think they both have them same super sharp intense pain. However, I had the pain from kidney stones for 4 hours straight with NO break, so think about your most painful contraction and make it last 4 hours.

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

I'd have to ask my sister now, but the poor thing suffered BAD kidney stones through the last 6 months of her pregnancy. She was in PAIN and on antibiotics, they thought she'd have to have a laser break them up but they ended up not blocking anything vital. Some eventually passed after she gave birth but some are still in there.

She's had them before and said they HURT...but now that she's given birth, I'd have to ask her to compare them.

Message edited 10/18/2009 8:53:52 PM.

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

have had 4 kidney stones in my early 20's and think childbirth is more painful.

Re: Is it true that kidney stones are more painful than childbirth?

Posted by ChrisDee

I had both and think they both have them same super sharp intense pain. However, I had the pain from kidney stones for 4 hours straight with NO break, so think about your most painful contraction and make it last 4 hours.