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Childbirth

What will a contraction feel like?

13 replies

beijingaling · 03/01/2011 09:53

Due to sickness I missed the one childbirth class that was available to me. I'm 39+4 and I have no idea what to expect when labor actually begins.

I've had lots of totally painless moments when my tummy goes completely hard. I've had a bit of lower back pain (probably 3 times in total). I've had period like cramps that have lasted anywhere between 1 minute and half an hour.

Do contractions feel like period cramps? Are they like period cramps that keep getting worse? My dr said I need to come to hospital when the contractions last 30 seconds and are 6 mins apart. That seems like quite a long gap between them... will I miss it when it starts?

Sorry this is probably all really stupid!

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Meglet · 03/01/2011 09:56

yes, period cramps that get worse. You might need to go for a few poo's as well as the body has a clear out before it gets going.

You will know a proper contraction when it happens!

good luck!

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supergreenuk · 03/01/2011 10:00

Yes period cramps that come and go. They last about a minute or 2

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rubyslippers · 03/01/2011 10:04

A real contraction as opposed to a braxton hicks will not stop when you change position

Also, the latent phase of labour can last for a while with CX stopping and starting

With my first, I leapt out of bed and was on my hands and knees in minutes when my labour started - he was back to back so had a lot of back pain and pressure in my lower back and bum

With DD, I knew again - CX started and just gathered pace

With

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megsophandemma · 03/01/2011 10:05

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megsophandemma · 03/01/2011 10:05

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StartingAfresh · 03/01/2011 10:50

You won't necessarily know when labour starts, but you'll know that you're in labour hours before you actually give birth.

hth

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beijingaling · 03/01/2011 13:41

Thanks everyone. I've been getting back pains every 10 minutes or so and some cramps at the front at the same time. We'll see what happens!

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StartingAfresh · 03/01/2011 13:57

'My dr said I need to come to hospital when the contractions last 30 seconds and are 6 mins apart'

Can I ask if there is a medical reason for this?

It's just that there is a relationship between going in early and intervention (as when you arrive you are on a countdown to have delivered)

I went in at 70second contractions at 2 minutes apart and still had two hours in the actual hospital before I gave birth.

The first time I went in when contractions were 15 seconds long (which never got longer) every 3 minutes and spent 10 hours in hospital.

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StarExpat · 03/01/2011 14:02

You'll just know. People said that to me. I didn't believe it. When first one came, I knew. No worries. You will know. It hurts. But it's worth it in the end. Everyone told me "it's not that bad" and "just like a ba period cramp". I think they forgot. I wish someone just said it hurts a lot. It does but it's temporary.