Start of labour feels like…

I think it is different for different people, because to me labour/contractions are nothing like period pains. I had no signs either time I went into labour, just started having contractions.

As for what the pain feels like, have you ever had extremely painful trapped wind? I found it very similar to that.

I had niggling pains in the week leading upto my first. Once the pains are bad enough you have to stop what you are doing and they start coming regularly, you'll know its for real. Also, if they start increasing dramatically and quickly, dont be fobbed off by the labour line receptionist who will try and insist that all first time Mums take ages. They really dont. Some labour fast, some slow. Listen to your body- you will know. And if you need to go into hospital to get checked, just go, even if its a nuisance to potentially go and be sent home, just go at any point if you feel you need to. You dont ask them if you can come in, you tell them (politely of course).

It's regular pain at the bottom of your bump, which lasts 30 seconds to 90 seconds. The pain is also very often felt in the lower back, too. The pain starts as a mild cramp then builds up to a crescendo, and then starts to die away.

At first, this pain happens every 15 minutes. In many women, the pain occurs more frequently, even at the start of labour.

The gaps between this pain happening get shorter and shorter as labour progresses. Eventually, the pains happen every three minutes.

You'll often get bloody show as labour goes on. Sometimes the waters break, but this usually happens at the end of labour.

If the waters break in the absence of contractions you should call your midwife for advice.

If you’ve had period pain it will be familiar, it won’t go away and will get stronger. Griping pain in lower abdomen as your cervix starts to dilate. You will just know. Some friends have said it started in their back. TBF I’m not experienced enough to know how many ways labour can start, just my own.

I don't get period cramps, but for me I knew it when I felt it. I didn't have any back pain, but had pain in a U shape under my bump. A lot like the stomach pain you get with a crampy stomach upset (and actually the same as toe cramp pain, but in a different place obviously!).

For me it was a kind of intermittent tingling in my thighs. Then like a band of tightness around my middle which was sudden enough to take my breath away.
Also loads of goo in my pants (the bloody 'show' I think it's called).
Neither labour felt anything like period cramps fo me. The closest thing I've felt to it was impacted constipation 😩

Period cramps but stronger, more rhythmic but I had braxton hicks towards the end.