The first contraction!

[NotYetBaby]

Silly question but when you had your first contraction, did you know it was a contraction? Or is it a case of if you’re in any doubt then it probably isn’t

I’m 37 weeks and in pre-labour (I think), had my plug and symptoms but assumed still had a while to go as I know you can get cramps and diarrhoea etc for days and weeks. But I’m getting tightening for about 30 seconds at a time and wondering if it’s anything kicking off.

Don’t think it’s braxton hicks as I’ve had those. It’s more painful, but perfectly bearable.

I only ask because I have various logistics to sort out before I can go into hospital eg childcare for our toddler is currently 2 hours away and don’t want to summon them if I’m being totally ridiculous! (Didnt go into labour for that birth).

I had on-off contractions for days before my baby was born. For 3 nights I had mild contractions lasting 30 seconds and getting to 5 minutes apart, but they tailed off after a few hours. My 'actual' labour started in the same way but the contractions then intensified after a few hours. But there was no difference in the early stages of the times it tailed off and the real deal to be honest. I know everyone says you know when it's the real thing but I wasn't convinced I was in established labour until about 2 hours before he was born! Not very helpful for your situation

I had about 30 minutes where I was like hmmm not sure.. Then I was sure! Good luck 😊

One of my labours started with painless tightenings. The key thing really is are they regular? Braxton Hicks tend to just be random, whereas when it's the beginning of labour they will be persistent and regular. Mine were coming bang on every 5 minutes from the start which is how I knew it was something more.
Good luck!

I thought ooh, 'is this it' for about 3 weeks up until labour. Went to sleep one night and jumped up about 2 hours later with a very clear contraction. Much lower than I expected it to be and could not be mistaken for anything else, I couldn't ignore it, had to be on all 4s. I did get fully dilated in a couple of hours though so think my labour was fast.

I first started getting period-like twinges at about 8pm, maybe a few every hour or so.
Then by 2am I was being woken every 9 minutes, then 8 mins, then 7 mins.
I was fairly sure when I was getting DC1 ready for school about 8am that I was in labour but the 'pains' were still manageable..
I was on the phone to my DM about 11am telling her to stay local and keep her phone with her (she was coming to the birth with DH) when I had one that completely took my breath away! When I came back to the phone my DM said 'yes that's it! You're in labour now ' and DD was born that same night!

Good luck OP! And just FYI, we all love a live birth thread 😜

Thank you so much for responding everyone! Sounds like I might be in for a bit of a wait yet but if anything does happen I’ll be back with updates @VodkaAndDietCokePlease !!

I had a big contraction that was like nothing I had ever had before. I waited thirty minutes before telling anyone to be absolutely sure baby was on his way, born about two hours after that

I had regular tightenings for about 48 hours before proper labour. But that was my first, it could be quicker with a subsequent child? (My next was born by CS.)

It could be the start, good luck!

I knew my first contraction was a contraction because my waters had just broken.

It didn't hurt very much, it felt like I imagined a Braxton hicks would feel, although I never really had those that I noticed. Obviously subsequent contractions got more painful.

Thank you! Funnily enough, nada so I’m pleased I didn’t summon the childcare