Where do you feel contractions?

[canor10]

I am currently 38+5 with my 1st baby and am desperate for her to come out! I keep thinking i’m having early labour signs but I don’t even know what to expect. My main question is, where do you feel contractions, is it in your bump or in your groin or both?

I don’t think I’ve had any BH, but I don’t really know what I’m feeling for honestly. Baby Girl has been head down since about 25 weeks, and at my 38 week appointment, the midwife said her head is at about 3/5ths. I have felt very sick and have constant reflux for about 5 days and I keep waking up with awful back pains. Very loose bowel movement for the past 2 days and I keep having shooting pains in my groin. Really sharp pains down there that always give me a bit of a shock. The baby also feels like she’s been going crazy. I was lay on my side in bed and it felt like she was about to rip through my skin! I’m off my food and just feel sick all the time.

Also, my midwife didn’t mention this to me but when I read back through my notes that she had written up at the 38 week app., she had put “all numbers and signs of labour”.

Do these sound like good signs?

Loose bowels is something that's happened for me each time. Period like aches for a few days before another sign. My waters broke fairy early on in each labour though, so that was a pretty solid sign for me!

Best of luck OP! You'll have your baby in your arms soon, but I know this last part of pregnancy really drags. Try to get some sleep if you can.

I felt period pains first which ramped up slooowly over about 12 hours and then shifted to be back as dd turned back to back last minute

P.S. once you have a proper contraction, you'll know. It's just one of those things where you're like "yep this is it". I'd describe them as really strong period like pains that increase in strength to a peak and then fade back, I can't really describe exactly where you feel them and it differs for most women but I guess I'd say low down but they kind of radiate and are completely all encompassing when strong.

It can be different for different people. Mine was like period pain that built up, eventually it was just kind of generalised pain I think, not specific to a part of the body.

Don't worry, you won't go through labour without noticing!

That does sound like it could be the start. I felt it more in my back, like a pain coming in waves and my bump tightened at the same time. Hard to explain but you just know when it happens.

Yes, period pain feelings that ramp up to full contractions.

With DS1 they started in my bum, it was most odd as I was expecting them round the front so I dismissed them at first.

With DS2 they were traditional 'period pain that gets worse' but we're much more manageable.

Both times after my water broke they really ramped up, there is no mistaking them when they get going.

Was it labour OP?

@TitsMcGeeee Nope, still waiting, 39 weeks today! Even more frustrating that my cousin who was due to give birth at the beginning of September has just given birth 😆 My little girl is just too comfy in there. I’m booked in for a sweep at 40+1 but hoping she comes before then!

Oh I hate a queue jumper!
Hopefully not too much longer for you. It does sound like you're getting lots of good signs.

In my first pregnancy, I got induced and my labour pains were like a radiating feeling around my bum and pelvic and hips.. that gets more painful then peaks in my womb then radiates back down. I never thought it felt anything like a period pain! It was so intense and you can feel the pain peaking!

In my second pregnancy, which ended early anyway, I started getting contractions which felt like period pains ! Then the feeling became similar to above but it felt more "periody"

I was waiting for 'contractions' so completely missed the point that I was in early labour. I had period pains and disturbed sleep, which ramped up into intense period pains that went around the back as my DD was back to back.

Good luck! It sounds as though things are stirring