What's the closest pain to childbirth?

The closest pain to childbirth is subjective and debated, as pain is personal, but many people who have experienced both compare it to severe kidney stones, gallstones, or intense menstrual cramps amplified many times. Medical professionals often cite kidney stones as one of the closest pains for people who have not given birth, as it involves intense, wave-like cramping pain in the abdomen and back that comes in surges, causes nausea, and is difficult to find relief from, similar to contractions. Other commonly cited comparisons include severe gallbladder attacks, ruptured appendix pain, and cluster headaches, which are described as extremely intense. However, childbirth is unique because it is productive pain with a purpose and is accompanied by hormonal surges that modulate pain, pressure rather than just sharp pain, and long duration with breaks between contractions, whereas kidney stone pain is often continuous and non-productive. Some people who have given birth say nothing else compares, while others say broken bones, severe burns, or trigeminal neuralgia are comparable. Because childbirth involves stretching, tearing, cramping, and pressure all at once, there is no perfect equivalent, but kidney stones and severe intestinal cramping are the most frequently mentioned closest pains by those who have experienced multiple types.