What do contraction feel like.

[lizziemun]

I know this is a very silly question, but do contractions feel like.

This is my 3rd pregnancy and am 41 + 3 and have back ache and today am having contractions/bh with sharp pains and the tops of my legs. When i went to the day assessment unit on monday and was 3cm dilated and the midwife did a 'sweep'. My plug came away yesterday.

I know i should know what contractions are like but with my 1st i only had contractions to push dd1 out and was induced at 41+2wks with dd2.

For me it like an almighty breathtaking crampy spasm that is so intense that you can't think of anything other than that for the duration that it lasts. Sort of in your back and abdomen.

Earlier on they aren't so strong, but once they're coming every few minutes they feel like that.

Well for me..they're one of those things that everyone has a slightly different take.

Don't feel silly - I totally failed to notice I was in labour with my second having been induced the first time. If the pain you are feeling has a definate beginning and end then it sounds like a contraction to me. I found them quite sharp and consuming - a good rule of thumb is that if you can't talk through them then they are likely to be doing something. As your plug has come away and you are so far on I think you are in labour - good luck!

and whatever you do don't assume that if they're only 30-40 seconds long at the most it's not labour, I didn't realise I was in labour with DS3 (despite getting ot the stage where I was kneeling on the floor burying my head into the sofa through each one) as they were "too short" (in my mind)

Good luck - sounds like things are happening

Yes, good luck!

for me it's pain all through my pelvis.

it builds in a wave and feels like giant hands are pulling my hips and back apart.

think it's differant for everyone though, lots of people seem to get the pain in the bump but i never have in all 3 labours, always hips and back.

Thanks for your replies.

Hopefully it is finally labour then [thank god face].

I'll let you know if anythink happens and it doesn't just stop.

any more updates??

Yep done the ironing and everything stopped again.

Hopefully i get a date for an induction tomorrow when i see the consultant.

Sorry to high-jack - I think me and Lizzie are in the same boat (although I am less far on in terms of dates - due tomorrow)...

So have been having what I THINK are contractions all day, but they seemed to have tailed off this afternoon. Now when I sit on the sofa or on my ball, they go away, but when I stand up and move around, they seem to return (particularly in my back and hips)...

So... should I sit down so they ease up and I can rest until things really hot up, or should I keep trying to walk around because that brings them on and will hurry labour on? Contractions seemed to have started this morning at 6am (got me out of bed) and my plug went at about 11am. A couple of the cons have really taken my breath away but nothing too unmanageable yet.

Sit or stand?