How would you describe contractions? And how do you know when they are real?

[soon2befamilyof4]

Benn having pains all day and even though this is my second baby, I don't know if they are contractions or not .

They are very, very painful, hard to move during one. No pattern as to how often they are coming, but they are getting more frequent I think. I am goign to start roughly timing them now, although I am trying to do cook dinner at the same time so not easy! I think maybe at a guess, every 10 mins or so now, lasting about 1 min each time.

Like being squeezed like a lemon by the hand of God

That may have been contractions under induction, though. I never had natural ones.

Like the worst period pain ever. But I knew I was in labour as my waters broke and contractions started straight away. Good luck

Hellooooooo soon

2nd timers can start off a bit slow, you do nothing for ages then 'bam' and you're off.

Baby moving ok, waters intact - then have dinner if you can
and reassess how you are feeling. But ring the unit if you are in any doubt at all.

Like very bad stomach cramps. Like when I has Dysentry!

I was at that stage for about 12 hours and then called the midwife (I was having a homebirth). By then I was 5cm and the baby was born 4 hours later. Contractions felt like yours sound. Had to concentrate through them by about 2 hours before I called the midwife. Good luck - I'm thinking of you.

Have been roughly timing and about 5-10 mins apart so not very regular yet. I have been having them since last night, but no where near as bad.

How long should they last?

They feel very similar to when I have had really painful trapped wind. Excpet trapped wind doesn't come and go every 10 mins for about 1 min like this is!

When they really kick of they are around a minute long. Even though you say they are 5-10 mins apart they may well be doing more than you think. Once you are unable to write on here any longer thats when you'll know it wont be long. Just carryon as you are the more relaxed and natural the quicker it will be.
Thinking of you good luck

Sounds like soon you WILL be family of 4!

Good luck!

They hurt too much to post DURING the pain iyswim. But I am fine to do it in between. I have started doing the contractionmaster and they are just so random (although they are not spot on as my PC is in the living room and I have been trying to do dinner etc.)

I have given up on dinner now though, was just getting too hard. Have left the spag bol cooking as the mince needed to be done but that will just simmer away in the background. I had a microwavable burger . DH takes them to work.

Maybe TMI but I have had a LOT of bowel movement today. Have litterally pooed at LEAST 10 times today, maybe more. Not got the runs though, all just normal but lots of it and very often! . Hoping that is my body clearing itself out!

Off to have a bath. I need to get through the next 2 hours while I am on my own!!

Had a bloody show now too but labour slowed down when my mum and sister came round. They have gone now as hubby back from work. Hoping things pick up a bit!

Yep, I agre with Starlight, I spent days in pre labour (not painful though, just annoying) and when it did get going it was lovely, 3.5 hours from start to finish Get your bag packed

Like I was being sliced in two by a red hot poker. Induced!

OP had her baby this morning

Ah congratulations Hope it was a brilliant birth

Yeah!!

Hope all went well. Congratulations!

All went really well and had a lovely birth. Obviously painful but couldn't have asked for much better really. Just gas and air, baby 7lb 6oz. Didn't get my water birth as the pool was still filling up when she was clearly coming out! Lol. But that was the only disappointment. Birthing centre absolutly lovely staff couldn't have been more helpful and kind.

VERY different to my awful experience of a hospital birth 16 months ago.

Fantastic news but I think you need a new name for yourself as well as little one! Let us know both! Congratulations