How does Hilary Erickson compare the pain of kidney stones to childbirth in her discussions?

Hilary Erickson, in her discussions, compares the pain of kidney stones and childbirth in several ways. She mentions that both pains are severe, often rated 9 or 10 out of ten, and can cause people to act out of their norm in search of relief. Both can come on gradually or suddenly, and can vary in intensity. The pain can also come in waves, with periods of relief in between.

However, Hilary points out some differences as well. While kidney stone pain can be abrupt, pregnancy could have been painful for months leading up to childbirth. She also mentions that the pain of pushing out a baby is more intense than passing a kidney stone.

In terms of pain management, for kidney stones, she was offered Toradol or Morphine, and for labor, options include IV medications or an epidural. She emphasizes that the good news for both types of pain is that once the stone or the baby/placenta is out, the pain relief is almost immediate.

In conclusion, Hilary believes that the pain of labor is worse due to the baby’s exit as well as the mental load of the delivery and the life change it brings. However, kidney stone pain can be scarier because it's more unexpected and you may not be sure of the source of pain.