What will a contraction feel like?

[beijingaling]

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!

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!

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

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

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

hth

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!

'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.

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.

Thanks everyone. Baby born at 6.12 this morning. Were both doing really well!

Aw - congratulations

Congratulations :)

Congratulations! So what was a contraction like?!