Contractions

[coneywonder]

I know they are different for everyone but could you tell me how they felt for you?

Everyone's telling me ill just know and I am sure I will but would like to know your experiences. Thanks

[Ashwinder]

Started off like a mild period pain that came and went. By the end was like a really bad period pain combined with a sort of vice-like clenching of my abdomen and lower back.

[cookielove]

Really really painful cramps across my bump, to be fair I didn't think I was in labour (thought it was a severe urine infection) and neither did the midwives (had DS at 34+1) so it was a.guessing game :)

[LaceyLee]

For me it was really obviously a contraction. Felt like a really really painful/intense cramp. It was unmistakable so sometimes you do just know.

[TerryTheGreenHorse]

Starts out just like mild period pain, that could go on for ages.

Then they build in intensity and start to come at more regular intervals, you can get apps etc to time them.

I knew with both mine from ages before that it was starting, first time the baby came the morning after it started and about 8 hours after the second.

[coneywonder]

Yeah I'm sure I will just know I'm just doubting every niggle at the moment. I'm 39 plus 4. Had what was about 10 seconds of an intense cramp like feeling before and couldn't carry on walking but nothing since. That was about 15 minutes ago? If I have another one of those ill be certain I reckon that it was a contraction

[coneywonder]

I've been having mild cramps for about a week or so and nothing has happened so far :(

[quesadillas]

It felt like my insides being twisted. Mine were just on the bump, not really round the back. I didn't have many though before being taken into theatre.

[MumOfOne14]

I thought I had trapped wind & braxton hicks for an hour or so.. Then the pain got worse... Then I had a show about 3/4 hours later!!

[coneywonder]

And did they come in waves and get worse throughout the actual contraction like everyone says?

[MumOfOne14]

I felt mine went pretty bad pretty fast, I jumped into the bath as advised by the midwife, but that didn't do anything, so I lay down in bed, but when I got up I had the show then, so went straight into hospital. Contractions were regular &painful but unfortunately I wasn't dilating fast enough 24 hours later.. Emergency c-sec & a beautiful DS everyone is different tho.. But I think you will know. Good luck!!

[applecore0317]

Mine started off as regular tightenings, then I woke up with period type pains that came and went for an hour and a half. Then my waters started to go and forty minutes later I got my first contraction.

It was like no pain I have ever felt and was so strong that I immediately had to breathe through it.

[applecore0317]

She was born approx five hours later

[CuppaSarah]

I started with one painful contraction on the evening of 39,3 then had a weird feeling all evening. Woke up at 6am to a mild period pain like tightening and instantly knew, they came every 3-4 minutes after that. I was probably contracting throughout the night but they were mild enough not to notice.

I think you're going to go into labour very soon. Did you have a very rest full nights sleep?

[WorldsBiggestGrotbag]

Mine were completely in my back, absolutely nothing in the front at all.
As to 'you'll just know', I did know with DC1 because I hadn't had any form of cramping up until that point. I'm now 39+4 with DC2 so you think I'd know what I'm looking for but I've had so many niggles/cramps/pains over the past few weeks that I'm constantly thinking I'm in labour, but it was come to nothing.

[Indomitable]

I had BHs daily from 20 weeks, and by 37 weeks they would start at midday and be every 5 minutes till about 8pm. I started to get quite concerned that I wouldn't know the difference when real labour actually started. My colleagues assured me I'd just know.

And in the end I did. First contraction cane about 5 minutes after the show. And it felt completely different to BHs. At some point I remember them feeling like a hand was gripping and slowly twisting my cervix.

Oh, and despite all those BHs and midwives and everyone saying "oh, you'll go early", I had him at 40+3 in the end!

[coneywonder]

See I've had no BH I don't think. Not in the way of tightenings or anything the only niggles I've had is these period type pains but these haven't been much to shout about.

I've had a few occasions where a pain or sensation in my belly has taken me by suprise and last night I had like a cramp feeling which lasted about 10 seconds I was walking to the sink and I had to stop my legs wouldn't do it!! I definitely though "oh here we go" but then nothing.

Nothing at all today apart from diarrhea and sickness (sorry) I think I need to chill out...hahaha I don't know how to do that!!

[applecore0317]

initially I thought my BH's were just her wedging herself into an odd position, but when monitored it turned out it was actually BH's