Contractions without tightenings

[anxioussmum]

Is it possible to have contractions that consist of stomach and back cramps without tightenings? Had a sweep over 24hours ago, painless tightenings I don't usually notice but since the sweep I've had cramps that are becoming more intense as time goes by. 40+3

I never had any contractions at the top of my stomach at all. Nearly my whole labor was back ace. Got to hospital at 8 cm in pain but not bad like I could stand there and act normal haha. Then my contractions completely stopped and never had another one. Pushing without contacts or your body helping was not easy but you would be surprised how little pain there is pushing a baby out without contractions. Good luck xxx

I didn't believe I was in labour because the contractions were nothing like everyone had described. My stomach didn't tighten at all even though I'd had plenty of Braxton Hicks in the weeks leading up to birth where my stomach would turn rock solid. My birth also escalated extremely quickly and the pains immediately started coming no more than 3 minutes apart but then the pain never lasted more than a minute at most. It was only once my water broke did I actually believe this was labour. From the first noticeable pain my baby was born 4 hours later, 2.5 hours after my water broke. So I would say it is certainly possible for contractions to feel very different to different women and not necessarily involve tightenings.

Thank you both for sharing.
I've still had no luck, i'll have the odd bursts of contractions, tightenings are still relatively unnoticeable. No show, no waters breaking. No sign of anything happening apart from these random aches. I'm so fed up

Keep active and moving, with DD i had an ache in my lower stomach and when i rested or stayed still, they went off. I was hanging and had slept for 2 hours but i got on the birthing ball and walked laps of the hospital and went back to the ball. Got things going!

Finally gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy

I'm due on Thursday I've had a few tightenings but no pains or anything else... how did you bring labour on in the end? I've been doing lots of walking and bouncing!! Got a sweep booked for Thursday, want the baby out before they start moving towards not allowing birth partners! X

Jen keep on walking! I took a few walks around the block, kept on my feet cleaning the house top to bottom, I had an additional sweep when I went into be examined a few days after my first sweep and it took less than 24hours! Good luck, I hope you get your baby with you safe and sound. It is scary times but it's for the best

Never had a bump tightening