What did your contractions feel like at the very start of labour?

[Duesept20]

Hey everyone!
40+2 here and I keep getting really weird pains/sensations this afternoon....it sort of feels like period pain, it sort of feels like trapped wind....but it's not regular or anything. I can feel it in the bottom of my bump, and in my back mostly...Not painful, just noticable.

But, it has got me wondering, what did your contractions feel like at the start of labour?
Every twinge I get at the moment I think "What's this?! What's going on?" 😂😂😂

For me, The early ones for me were just like period pains. I had lots very strong of braxton hicks at the end. They were quite painful and regular. They sound a bit like what you are describing but the actual ones that led to dull on labour were like period pains. The later ones were quit different.

The early ones were little niggles, just a bit softer than a Braxton hicks. Slightly further on they felt like you're describing. I was lucky and my waters broke first so I knew for definite what was happening. But I do have a friend who was having what you're describing, and she gave birth in the hospital car park because she didn't realise she was in labour until last minute!
I'd start tracking and timing them as if they were contractions.
Good luck! 😊

I felt like I needed to run to the toilet for a poo but when I got there I couldn't do anything, bit unfortunate that I was in hospital with high blood pressure and wasn't allowed out of bed and had to keep ringing the bell frantic I would shit myself, while waiting for someone to turn up with a wheelchair.

Good luck x

I never believed everyone when they said period pains, and then when the contractions came, I was like oh yeah, it does feel like period pain! But then very bad period pain

Both my labours were back to back, so mostly in back. Felt like period cramps and I honestly thought I might just need a massive poo - embarrassing as it sounds!

@Duesept20 I've had the same for the last 4 days on and off, OP (39+3). Plus really uncomfy movements from baby. And some definite pelvic burrowing and headbutting.

Following with interest!!

Like period pains, but I had them on and off for a few nights before going into labour. Then woke around 4 am with what was definitely a contraction, though at that point wasn’t too painful- and it progressed from there

Backache, which I eventually realised was coming in waves. Gradually got stronger, but I was fine at home for 24 hours before I needed pain relief at hospital.

A bit like a mild period pain and also felt a bit like I might have an upset stomach. Gradually got more intense and regular and then I knew for certain it was happening

Period pains

My early contractions just felt like a tight muscle/stitch I only knew they were contractions because I was hooked up to a ctg monitoring because my waters had already gone.
About an hour later they were undoubtedly contractions and 3 in 10 ~30 seconds each from the start.

Period pain

My waters broke and it was only once I was at the hospital an hour later hooked up to a machine that I noticed period cramps . I was told I was getting contractions already but I couldn’t feel them . About 3 hours later I felt
my first contractions and it was strong, sudden and obvious.