What is contraction like??

[PJen]

My gf just recently gave birth and she was early and told me that she didn't know she is contracting as the pain was in her upper tighs and no pain in her back or belly!!! She got to hospital late as she didn't recognize the pain. Eversince I am confused as I always thought contractions are period like pain intervals. Could those of you, who have been through this explain to me how your contractions were and what they were like? How did you know you are contracting?

yeah mine were like period pains initially, then got stronger.

Mine started in my back. I knew they were contractions because they were regular, and got stronger. Then they moved into my stomach/entire body. I could feel them in every cell of my body!

mine were like period pains and they got stronger and then spread to my lower back, ouchy but i did all with tens machine, gas and air, and in birthing pool.

Initially it's like low backache and dull griping pains at the front, like having the shits really badly. Then at it's strongest it's a bit like vomiting, in that it's a completely involuntary overwhelming muscular spasm that wracks your whole body, but it feels like it's going downwards and trying to force a melon through your back passage, rather than upwards from your diaphragm. Oh, and it hurts more than vomiting as well.

All clear now?

Everyone is a bit different though - depends on how the baby is laying, size of baby, size of lady, etc.

I completely understand your gf's pain.

All of my contractions were in my thighs... like really really really bad stabbing pains (how I would imagine being stabbed to feel like). Because of this, the midwife thought I was in early stages of labour... I had my beautiful little girl an hour later!!!

People experience contractions differently...

Hope the birth went well and congratulations!!

Mine were like food poisoning. I wasn't expecting that, but apparently all the muscles in your middle work to help open the cervix. But I also think it's a bit of a lottery - you won't know what it will be like or how you will experience it until you get there.