We asked 10 women to describe birth in one sentence. The results were eye-opening.

For someone who is NOT pregnant (and doesn’t plan on it anytime soon) I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about giving birth.

What will it feel like? What will I see? What are the strongest drugs I can procure? What if I *gasp* tear down there?

I figure for women who actually are growing a real live human being in their womb, the fear must be magnified to the point where they simply cross their legs and say, ‘not today!’

So being the intrepid journalist I am, I went out in search of some mums who could share what birth REALLY feels like.

LISTEN: Bec Judd shares her own birth experience on the Hello Bump podcast.

Here’s what these wise women had to say…

“My body went into primitive mode and I couldn’t control anything, the contractions were so involuntary they just took over my entire body and I could do nothing about it except ride it out.” – Saengtip

“To steal a line from Johnny Cash, it feels like ‘a ring of fire.'”  – Laura

“It’s confronting, transforming, exceptionally painful and two days of my life I wish I could live again.” – Holly

“I was really hurling and on the second hurl I felt a ‘pop’ between my legs.” – Anon

“The contractions felt like heavy period pains and got steadily worse, until all of a sudden I felt like I needed to push.” – Jessica

“It was short and intense, I ordered the epidural after 30 contractions, I was like, ‘this is disgusting, I hate this pain.'” – Tiffiny Hall

“It was really beautiful and empowering, I felt so strong.” – Cindy

“It should have been really scary but I felt so safe and I felt so supported.” – Kate

“I felt like I was drunk, the world never stopped spinning.” – Anon

“When your water breaks it’s just oozing and oozing and oozing, it’s gross!” – Bec Judd

Listen to the full episode of Hello Bump, all about the big event, below:

This content was created with thanks to our brand partner Westpac.

In 2018 Mamamia is launching a new community called Ladystartups for women who work for themselves or dream of doing so some day. We’re already on Instagram (come join us @ladystartups) and we have big plans to help women grow their businesses, turn your side hustle into a full time gig or empower you to pursue your dream. Tell us what you want and need from us by taking this five minute survey and register at ladystartups.com to be the first to be updated when we launch.