10 Experiences People Say are Comparable to the Pain of Childbirth

Childbirth is often held as the gold standard for extreme pain, a towering peak few other experiences can match. Yet, there are several other intense pain events that rival the agony of delivering a baby.

While pain is subjective and varies widely from one person to another, these ten experiences come close to or even exceed childbirth in terms of sheer intensity.

1. Battling Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can bring even the toughest souls to their knees. These tiny, jagged stones form when minerals and salts in your urine clump together, and passing them can trigger waves of pain comparable to childbirth.

The pain is so severe that it’s often described as stabbing, and it comes in intense waves that can last for hours or even days until the stone passes.

The agony doesn’t stop at the physical sensations; the emotional toll of dealing with persistent, excruciating pain can also be overwhelming. Many who have experienced both conditions report kidney stones as being equally, if not more, painful than childbirth, underscoring the severity of this condition.

2. The Agony of Cluster Headaches

Often referred to as “suicide headaches,” cluster headaches are excruciatingly painful and occur in cyclical patterns or clusters. They are marked by intense, debilitating pain on one side of the head, often accompanied by watery eyes and nasal congestion on the same side.

The pain is described as piercing and can be so severe that sufferers are unable to stay still, often pacing during an attack. (ref)

The intensity of these headaches is reflected in their nickname and the drastic impact they have on sufferers’ lives. Attacks can last between 15 minutes to three hours and may occur several times a day during a cycle.

Despite their transient nature, the pain level is such that it’s often considered more severe than that of childbirth.

3. Gout Attacks

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, and redness, usually in a single joint. It often strikes the big toe but can affect other joints like the knees, ankles, and wrists.

The pain arises from the buildup of uric acid crystals within the joint, causing intense inflammation and discomfort.

An acute gout attack can wake a person from sleep with the sensation that their joint is on fire. This level of pain is profound and all-consuming, often rated close to childbirth in its intensity.

Managing gout involves medication to reduce uric acid levels, but during an attack, few remedies can fully ease the pain.

4. Abdominal Assault of Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis involves sudden inflammation of the pancreas and can lead to life-threatening complications. The pain associated with acute pancreatitis is severe and often starts in the upper abdomen before radiating to the back.

It can be constant and sharp, significantly increasing when the abdomen is touched or when lying down. (ref)

Patients often require hospitalization for pain management and treatment, which may include IV fluids, medications, and sometimes surgery. The comparison to childbirth is particularly apt due to the sudden onset and unrelenting nature of the pain, which can incapacitate a person for days.

5. Heart Attacks

Heart attacks involve not only a life-threatening condition but also significant pain. The pain, typically felt in the chest, can spread to the arms, back, neck, or jaw. It is often described as a crushing or squeezing sensation and can be accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, and cold sweats.

Despite the differences in nature, the intensity of the pain during a heart attack is sometimes compared to that of childbirth. The fear and severity of the situation can amplify the pain experience, making it a profoundly harrowing ordeal.

6. Lingering Pain of Severe Burns

Severe burns, covering large areas of the body, can cause excruciating pain. The initial injury is just the beginning; the recovery process, involving skin grafts and the risk of infection, can prolong intense discomfort. Pain management is a critical part of treatment for burn victims, reflecting the severity of their suffering.

The pain from severe burns is intense, especially with the prolonged period over which it must be endured. Rehabilitation can be a long, painful process, where even air touching the skin can cause immense pain.

7. Harsh Bone Fractures

Breaking a major bone, like the femur, is not only immensely painful but also shock-inducing. The sudden onset of acute pain, swelling, and the inability to move the affected limb can be overwhelming. The treatment often requires surgery, followed by a lengthy period of immobilization and rehabilitation.

The intensity and management of pain in such situations often need strong pain relief measures and a significant recovery period.

8. Debilitating Throbbing Migraines

Migraines go beyond typical headaches by presenting throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, along with sensitivity to light and sound and sometimes nausea and vomiting. For many, the pain is debilitating and can last for hours or even days, significantly disrupting daily life.

The level of pain experienced during a migraine can be very severe, especially in cases where traditional pain relief methods are ineffective.

9. Agonizing Shingles

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. The pain, described as tingling, burning, or electric-like, precedes the rash and can be extremely uncomfortable. It affects only a small section of the body but can be intensely painful, especially for older adults.

The pain associated with shingles has a severe, piercing quality. Even after the rash clears, some sufferers experience postherpetic neuralgia, a condition where the pain lingers for months or even years. (ref)

10. Sharp & Sudden Appendicitis

Appendicitis pain starts around the navel and often moves to the lower right abdomen—a hallmark of the condition. It intensifies quickly and can become severe within a matter of hours. Appendicitis requires immediate surgery to remove the inflamed appendix and alleviate pain, which, if not treated timely, can lead to a ruptured appendix and more severe complications.

These experiences illustrate the vast spectrum of pain that human beings can endure. Understanding and acknowledging these conditions not only broadens our perspective but also increases empathy toward those enduring such severe discomfort.