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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

What do contractions feel like?

60 replies

Rnm62 · 31/07/2021 23:34

Hi everyone,

I’m curious to know what contractions feel like. All examples and experiences welcome!

Also the most painful part of childbirth. The contractions? Crowning? Transition? Pushing?

OP posts:
Waferbiscuit · 31/07/2021 23:40

Like being stabbed in the back. Spiky!

Not like period pains!

Givemebackmylilo · 31/07/2021 23:42

How long is a piece of string

Pandasarecool · 31/07/2021 23:44

The whole thing hurts but I was drip induced so can’t compare to a natural/spontaneous birth.

However I can’t remember it enough to describe the pain now and I would do it all again to have my dc. Smile

SherlockandJohn · 31/07/2021 23:45

I was induced and missed most of my labour as I mistook it for an IBS attack 🙈

texasss · 31/07/2021 23:53

Exactly like period pain*.

*I used to get period pain so bad I would vomit and would have to leave school/work early as I couldn't sit or concentrate.

AnneLovesGilbert · 31/07/2021 23:57

Like really bad period pain. DD was back to back and the back ache was extreme, like I get with period pain but off the charts.

slippersandprosecco · 01/08/2021 00:02

Just an other worldly level of pain. I remember telling DH I wanted to die. That was whilst transitioning and on the drip though.

I opted for a c section for DC2 and I think they're the best thing ever in comparison!

Misp · 01/08/2021 00:04

Mine were like incredibly intense period pains but which I remember thinking felt ‘bigger than my body’. Transition was basically the point at which I felt like it had become unbearable and there was simply no way I could get through it. I almost forgot I was in labour and panicked I think because I was then in almost nothing but relief once I was pushing and able to do something. Crowning stung for me but nothing unbearable. More uncomfortable than painful. I do remember saying I would never do it again straight after but I’m now pregnant with number 3!

whereislittleroo · 01/08/2021 00:04

For me, contractions felt like my stomach was being squeezed really hard. For my first baby I could also feel my pelvis widening. Contractions were the worst part for me but not unbearable.

BikeRunSki · 01/08/2021 00:07

@texasss

Exactly like period pain*.

*I used to get period pain so bad I would vomit and would have to leave school/work early as I couldn't sit or concentrate.

This
MonkeyPuddle · 01/08/2021 00:10

Cunting agony. Back to back, drip induced fucking torture. No idea about the rest as I ended up having an emergency section.

RowanAlong · 01/08/2021 00:12

Contractions like large tight period pains coming in waves. Most painful part definitely transition - crowning not so bad. Pain isn’t really the right word though on its own. It’s intense, exhausting, overwhelming and magic at the same time as just painful. 😁

RowanAlong · 01/08/2021 00:12
Smile
Prettybubblesintheair · 01/08/2021 00:16

Early contractions for me were like the kind of cramps you get when you’ve got an upset tummy!! They just get more and more intense and closer together as labour progresses. With my first and second the pushing was the worst, absolutely exhausting and I never actually felt the urge to push I was just told to! Both were induced back to back Labours though. My third was easy peasy! Went into labour at 36 (almost 37) weeks and it was about 6 hours active labour and she was out in two pushes, the midwife had to run across the room to catch her! I actually had the urge to push with her, it was the easiest part of the labour. My fourth all went tits up and ended in emergency c-section.

MyGrassIsBrowner · 01/08/2021 00:22

I went into spontaneous labour. Back to back baby which I birthed in 4.5 hours. The back to back labour pains for me were off the scale but I was in the pool for the majority with a shot of pethidine (just made me sleepy) crowning was the worst part for me overall. But then again my baby wasn't small at 8lb 6oz. Saying that, I pushed through the pain as I knew she needed to come out and I was adamant I was having no interventions! I'm 30 weeks pregnant again so guess labour can't be that bad 😆

lljkk · 01/08/2021 00:24

Ctx: Mostly just like period pains but from the boobs into the thighs. Very long intense ones late on just before the uterus gets pushing.

Ctx are the most painful bit. Pushing didn't hurt at all. Crowning was merely a bit uncomfortable.

Feelingmardy · 01/08/2021 00:42

For me - period pains which just got more and more and more intense and painful. Transition was the worst and was also the point I was hanging on to my husband and saying 'help me, help me'. Soon after that I was into the business of pushing which was intense and painful and much more manageable. I steeled myself for the crowning as it gets such a bad press but it was fine and really no more painful than everything else which had been going on.

Kathy2020 · 01/08/2021 00:46

Like the worst period cramp ever
For me it was a feeling of being stabbed in the stomach and up the bum simultaneously… thankfully with contractions the pain eases and you get a complete break before the next ones begin

Ruthietuthie · 01/08/2021 00:49

I had an induction that went terribly wrong (they misjudged the amount of drugs and I was given far too much). No pain relief.
It felt like repeatedly being run-over by a truck, across my pelvis and back.
It felt like being an animal caught in a trap.
I was CERTAIN I would die.
(Should add, I didn't die, but I wouldn't wish my labour on my worse enemy).

Mymapuddlington · 01/08/2021 00:50

Period pain times a thousand.
I have a strong pain threshold, I’m also super shy and anxious.
I howled. Literally howled like a wolf with the pain. It wasn’t an easy labour though and I’m sure a lot women have it easier.

The most painful part is contractions.
The head is like peeing out a large watermelon covered with razor blades, it stings but doesn’t last long.

Strangest part for me was after 26 hours of contractions, I had him and immediately the contractions and pushing and pain all stopped. I had a moment where I thought I’d died because the pain had gone 🙈

Mother87 · 01/08/2021 01:07

I "love" some of these descriptionsShockand agree with some of the "wanted to die" "truck running over my pelvis" etc... But I was just thinking - 3000 years ago when I had my first, it felt like a conspiracy... No one ever said anything 'scary/extreme' - it was all "as soon as you hold that baby, you forget about it instantly" "it's nothing you can't cope with" NOPE... I don't know whether it's "better" to know or hear these stories - or worse. Although if I'd known myself how 'excruciating'/agonising/horrendous some parts of it MAY have been - maybe I wouldn't have been in so much shock or trauma... But of course it varies considerably...

PigeonPink · 01/08/2021 01:12

Depends who you ask. For some it’s not too bad. Personally I was unable to move because I was in such severe pain. I lay on the floor and couldn’t get up. Even diamorphine didn’t take the edge off. It’s made me afraid of dying because now I know what level of pain my body is capable of suffering. And I did feel like I was dying too.

Mymapuddlington · 01/08/2021 01:14

@PigeonPink
My mum was doing a grocery shop during labour with me apparently, she said it was uncomfortable but fine, no pain relief etc
I went into my labour with that happy thought only to nearly die. So yes different for everyone for sure!

Original poster
Rnm62 · 01/08/2021 01:15

I had an elective c section with my first and will have one this time to (currently 25 weeks pregnant) so I’ve never experienced a contraction before. Going off some of these descriptions, I’m glad! I’ve had what I think is called braxton hicks before and that was bad enough! ShockBlush

OP posts:
Nillynally · 01/08/2021 01:24

Gel induced, like someone was wringing my uterus like a wet flannel, agonising for first few hours then I was sent to ward and put on that lovely gas and air and the rest was a breeze!