Please help! What do labour pains feel like?

[Tweediewalker]

I am so confused as to what to look out for? I don't want to be jumping at every twinge but i have no idea what is what! I am 37 weeks pregnant and this afternoon I had really painful stomach cramps, almost as painful as leg cramp. They were from my belly button upwards. It happened twice in 15 minutes but didn't come again. Only now the top I my stomach feels achy, what could this be?
Thanks ladies xxxx

That could be Braxton Hicks contractions you've had, but keep an eye, if you have more, it might be early labour (quite possible at 37 weeks).

I reckon every labour feels different. With DS contractions only ever felt like period pains and were in my back.

With dd they felt like someone was doing a tug of warm on my womb, and it was one long pain, not on/off like you are led to expect.

sounds like Braxton Hicks

contractions start off like period pain - if you put your hand just above your pubic bone that's where the pain should be.
it might feel like indigestion cramps, or when you need to fart and your bowel are "churning".

it's unmistakable.

it's also like a wave - the pain is fisrt like a dull ache which gets worse, peaks, then dies away.

you should make a record of when each such contraction starts and how long it lasts.

that's the beginning.
later on these "waves" will become longer, stronger and more frequent until eventually there are not gaps between them and you'll feel like your lower abdomen is being cut in half with a saw.....yay!

When I was in early labour with my first baby I kept changing into bigger and bigger PJ bottoms thinking they were digging into me. They weren't . Contractions for me felt like a very, very tight pair of pyjama bottoms! Sort of like a metal band gripping the lower half of my stomach and pulling in.

It's hard to explain!

Thanks ladies! I am just about to get into a warm bath to see if the ache goes away :-) xxx

Best of luck! Exciting times!

I remember being rather disappointed with mine, when I realised that, of course, labour pains are going to feel like period pains! I had horrific periods as a teenager and remembering being v. cross that no-one had told me this was all that they were - I think I expected something a bit more exciting!

Don't be confused - you'll know exactly when you're in labour! Those pains you had will become more regular and consistent and you should keep an eye out for that. Could be sign of onset of labour. When pain starts taking your breath away, you'll know your on your way to meeting your baby. Smile and be excited!

just remembered - as the contractions get stronger the "peak" of it is more bearable if you take a big bresth and slowly blow the air out as if you were trying to slowly blow out a few dozen candles, or blowing on your nail varnish to dry it.

it is immensely helpful in not only keeping on top of the pain, but having something to focus on which will also help you to stay in control.

i am 38+6 and got back ache and sort of tummy ache. Not sure whats going on. . Desperate for baby to arrive as i have no patience....
Wondering also if this feeling is the start of labour. Baby is very low and when i was examined at 38 he/she was head down and half engaged but doc said i had some way to go.... so i ahve been walking, boucning and even did some aqua aerobics to get him moving.....

i have some increased discharge but no 'bloody show'.
gosh i have no patience!

Hopeful, don't make any plans for the next few days ;-)

Well thought things were moving last night, lots of BH, some cramps etc. And nothing. Could cry. I know i have another week but had convinced myself it could happen this weekend :(
Still having slight tummy ache this am..... more rasperry tea i think

When I had my baby I thought my waters was piss and had 'a little bit of back ache'

It got more painful quite quickly and I went to get checked at the hospital. When I got there I was nine centimeters and was only just starting to think it might be labour. From waters to birth was only 3 hours 40 and I had no pain before the waters, just felt like I had a big fart to do about 5 minutes before they went.

Not everyone 'just knows'. (I was only 31 weeks tho so wasn't expecting labour at all, maybe that makes a difference)

For me, it started as mild period pains on and off for nearly 3 weeks, then stronger period pains which were regular enough to time. The big ones though came in waves and felt like someone was wringing out my uterus like a wet towel.

Was a very distinctive feeling in the end - but everyone is different. The key thing to contractions is to keep an eye on the time to see how regular they are...

I've just had my 3rd 3 days ago.
I never saw any show ( even though I was checking the loo paper every time I went!)
Mine have always been like very painful period pains as they come and go with a peak which then fades.
They become very intense so that by the time you need to go in you Will not be able to walk or talk through them.

It was like period pain for me but it took a while for them to really start .. So was a dull achy feeling for a while. Like a mild flu if that makes sense.

All 3 times mine felt like someone was opening and closing a umbrella in my arse. I also had constant ache in my lower back and thighs.

It wasn't unmistakeable for me, was exactly like period pains and I nearly didnt go to hospital but just as well I did!

We'll I saw the doc today and said il def be giving birth this week.
Came home and put sheets on crib etx and the dog has been hounding me for ages trying to climb on me for a cuddle.
I had a bloody show about 1 hr ago and just had cramps and diarrhoea . Sorrytmi!
So now I am sure baby is coming- am bouncing on ball waiting for contractions!!!!
My hubbie gone to bed which is wise as nice to be on my own for a whole.... Am not tired at all but full of energy!