Can anyone describe contractions?

[RLou3]

Hi all,

Due date is tomorrow and I'm working myself up.. I had acupuncture yesterday, followed by a tiny bit of mucusy blood a few hours later.. ive been having period pain bellyaches for 2/3 weeks now... felt unbelievably nauseous last night and was sure I was about to start... but then nothing... I just wondered if anyone can describe what contractions feel like... everyone I've asked can't seem to describe but tell me "you'll just know"... also can anyone relate to my symptoms, and went into labour shortly after?

Thanks (can't bare the not knowing/ waiting 😩)

For me it was an intense cramp, like someone trying to pull my uterus out of my back with a knitting hook.

Good luck! I hope you get to meet your lovely new baby soon.

For me it was a period/diarrhoea cramp which progressively become more aggressive. Wishing you a smooth labour OP!

You will know. I can’t remember what they felt like now (yay! The human body is an amazing thing) but at the time I described it to my husband as like a very wide thick belt being pulled around me from back to front and then back again.

Yes for my they began as strong period pain type sensations.
Hint, try to "welcome" the strong contractions. The stronger they are the more work your body is doing to bring your baby into the world. Best of luck.

Tightenings, is the best word I can use to describe it.

If you've ever tried a tens machine or one of those slimming waist belts that cause you're muscles to spasm tightly, it felt like that.

Yeah it started as really strong period-like cramps and each one got stronger with tightening/squeezing feelings and a sort of feeling like your uterus is turning inside out, they reach a peak of pain and then subside.

I know you said not to say this but... I'm gonna be that person, sorry! You really will just know!! I also worried I would 'miss' it but you won't, you really won't.

Good luck!

Basically like being stabbed repeatedly with a burning hot serrated knife 🥴 but the human body is amazing and you do truly forget the pain. Good luck!

Yes I would say it's like an intense period pain - I loved labour, every moment of it with both my kids. Yeah it's not the most comfortable feeling but I felt like a strong tiger birthing my babies lol embrace the pain of it, it's not bigger than you because it is you and it makes the joy of it that much more special. Enjoy meeting your baby xxxx

Like a very tight squeezing around the bump, that gets progressively more frequent and painful uncomfortable.

Everyone is different

I was induced but for me it started as an unbearable pain in my left leg that left me unable to walk

Then it felt like someone was trying to remove my insides with a corkscrew, it was absolutely insane. Thankfully I was only in active labour for 4 hours - mine was intense!

For me it was a very strong intense period cramp and a really tight squeezing around my bump, honestly you will know your in labour
Good luck op wishing you a smooth delivery, I also felt really sickly and my stomach felt off the day before I went into labour properly

Mine had no peak first time round. 2 mins long with a 30 second break and were the same intensity throughout. That went on for 24hrs. It felt like the pain was everywhere, in my hair and hands and teeth and behind my eyes. It was like being consumed.

I do remember it. Vividly.

I then had dc2 and the contractions didn't hurt at all!

Like the worst period pain that comes in huge waves

Oh and to add I thought the contractions were far far worse than crowning, an episiotomy (without pain relief) and being stitched up. That was all a breeze in comparison. I had not expected that!

It’s the weirdest thing that you feel absolutely fine between them and get that ‘oh no…oh noooo another one!’ Feeling as they build up and then tail off. For me it was like a really severe period cramp but really really low down. FWIW I ‘enjoyed’ Labour both times (far more looking back than in the moment ) and had the most amazing sense of ‘I’m doing it! Experiencing Labour!’. I can’t describe it but it felt quite empowering and it made me feel connected to other mothers who have gone through it.

Like the worst period/upset tummy cramps ever!

Don't panic. Yes it's painful. Like the worst period pain ever. Like someone ramming something up your arse, BUT it's only for about a minute and then you get a break. By the time it even gets that bad you could have had an epidural and then you will hardly feel anything.

Your body is made to do this. It knows what it's doing. Good luck

Nothing like period pain for me.

It was more like when you have a tummy bug or food poisoning and you have stomach cramps before diarrhea (sorry tmi!)

A contraction starts off mild then increases in intensity and fades off...you then get a couple of minutes break in between them

I’m the same as Smed. Don’t clearly remember where the pain was but they were like waves that started mildly and had me thinking “was that one?” Like period pains. And then gradually built in strength and time. They do hurt but it’s more an intense pain that has a definite peak that then recedes away (I pictured a wave crashing on a beach then drawing back out - hippy dippy I know!) You get a break in between and you cope because you know it will be over soon with the best reward at the end! In that sense it is unlike any other pain.

When it happens you will be ok! It won’t be like Eastenders where you have a twinge and are then suddenly screaming “it’s coming!” Well some women labour like that but it’s rare especially first time..

My first labour was back to back, my second I coped better but I don’t think it was any less intense really, I just knew what to expect a bit more. I know it sounds really patronising and easier said than done, but try to relax as much as you can and don’t fight your body. Imagine yourself as a big muscle that needs to unclench and do it’s thing!

Hope it all goes smoothly for you ❤️

I do t get period pain but it felt like it sounds

Contracting of bump muscles and tightening in waves

Don’t that is

My labour ended in EMCS so I don't know how bad the end is but I went up tp 5 cm dilated (It took me 8 hours to go from 3-5 cm) and it really wasn't the worst pain ever. I had heard that it would be but it wasn't. It felt a but like a hill of pain/cramping, so it begins which is quite doable, gets harder, at the top you make a weird face because of the pain and then you quite quickly fall down in pain levels. And then you feel absolutely ok till the next one. There was no screaming, no drama, I could handle it. Yes, there is pain but most of the time there isn't if you see what I mean. You can handle short periods of pain. Also, the deep breathing came naturally for me, I don't think I could have breathed any other way at the time.

Mine felt like when you a stub your toe, but over my abdomen.

It wasn’t like my period pain at all.