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 like that horrible pain you get when you've got intense diarrhoea which hasn't made its way to your back passage yet; it's percolating around inside and hurts like fuck. Eventually that became constant. It was tres jolly

All my pain was in my back none in belly. sharp stabbing pains right across lower back. Also lost plug day before.

In my memory it wasnt that bad but I remember at the time describing it like someone was chopping my stomach up with an axe! I was also vomiting with the pain and that was only 2cm but I was also induced. I ended up having an epidural at 6cm before being prepared to start the drip. I found with the induction it really hard to get in any kind of zone as you're on a shared ward and spent a lot of the time on my back being monitored which I'm sure made the pain harder to cope with. It was still the most amazing experience ever and I'm so excited to do it again even if I'm induced!

All my pain was in my pelvis ( but then I hadSPD and the machines were picking up my contractions)

Weren't

They don't feel any different to braxton hicks at first which it sounds like you've already had.

The difference is they get more intense, and you'll notice that they are regular and don't stop. Braxton hicks might go on for an hour or two but then they go away.

Don't worry, for a first time mum labour is normally really slow and it's much more common to go into hospital too early and to be told to go home, take paracetamol and have a bath :o than to not realise you're in labour until it's too late.

Once things really get going you won't be able to talk/laugh/etc through the contractions. They are just all encompassing. But it takes hours to get to that point.

Started with very mild period pains that grew in intensity, still completely manageable! They became very painful during the transition stage but still manageable using gas and air xx

I can't remeber anything in the front but the peak of the contraction was always in my lower back,it felt like someone is trying to split it open(last 2 births but suffered with SPD)
I had one water birth and it felt like a mild tightenings all the way,Braxton Hicks type ,loved it.It's actually funny,as when we drove to the hospital they were really painful,can't remember were it hurt though

@Comedycook

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

That's how I described my first labour to friends. On my second I felt like you OP, quite sick and a bit crampy so I went for a sleep for 2/3 hours. I was in hospital because of my pregnancy so they were really keeping a close eye on me. They called a specialist midwife who kept her hands on my belly and asked me to let her know when I felt a cramp. They were so mild I had to really concentrate. I was 1 min apart and rushed for emergency c section straight away!

When I used to ask my mum, she said it was just a bit uncomfortable. Tbh now my DS are both early 20s I'd probably describe it the same way. Memory fades it!

I do remember it being at the front like a really tight period cramp. It kind of builds up and when you're just heading to the peak it's kind of a 'yay!' moment because you know that's another one done, you're cresting down the hill and can relax and get your breath before the next tightening.

Like a PP said, it's like having the cramps when you have the runs and period pain merged into one.

But it's so worth every minute of pain (until they become teenagers and you seriously consider shoving them back from whence they came!!) 🥰

@Hillbillyhotel

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

Same here!

Good luck OP xx

Ps. DS1 arrived on his due date. About the only time he's ever turned up when he's supposed to! Good luck OP, look forward to a baby update!

Mine never felt like period cramp so I never understood that. What it did feel like was someone hitting my spine with stones repeatedly whilst pulling a belt tight. My first was back to back and felt like a red hot poker up my bum!

DD very quick. Got very painful very fast. Like someone was pareing the bone from my hips. Truly excruciating. All the pain was front and hips, tens machines helped. Hospital told me off for making a fuss because first baby's don't come that fast then they all freaked out because there was a head and rushed me into delivery.

DS was back to back pain was not too bad to start. Then he didn't drop enough so I had to stop pushing while my body was screaming to push this was so intense I would have writhed off the bed if dh wasn't there, tens machine made it worse. Then the midwife had to shove her had up me while I had a contraction to push my cervix over baby's head this was the worst pain I have felt during either labour. After this it was crampy and ouchy but not unbearable.

I would do both again in a heartbeat my babies are amazing!

@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 😩)

If your periods are painful then period pains that start from your back. I was in agony (and second stage) before I even realised I was in labour

Quick tip: try to think of them as 'waves', not 'contractions' - it was a trick hypnobirthing taught me and genuinely it helps! Let them pass through your body, don't fight them. And deeeep, loooonng breaths. You've got this!

Maybe a bit crude but it's like sex that has gone past good and become so intense as to be painful.

Mine felt like my body was bearing down and tightening. I wouldn't have said they were painful either and they did come in waves.

Like pushing and pulling at the same time. Very weird. But do try to breathe through them, or walk through them. Once you start panicking or fighting it all those lovely endorphins get washed away.

I've had four, and labour has proved very useful in managing my current gallbladder issues. One of the biggest and most important lessons is making sure you feel safe and the correct temperature (warm if you need it, or perhaps striding around stark naked).

One big difference between period pains and labour is the reach. A big contraction goes from your ribs seemingly to your knees!

It was nothing like bloody period pain. Well not for me anyway. It was like constantly having electric shocks complete with someone shoving a red hot needle up my vagina. I'd have given anything for it to have been just like 'intense period pain"

I remember being shocked at how close together they got. Literally as soon as one finished, the next started. Just keep breathing and go with the flow. What your body can do is amazing.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it.. I was induced and the pain was NOTHING like period pain.
I would say my contractions felt like @20viona description. Coupled with small periods inbetween and then another oh no oh no ohhh nooo.. and it all starts again until they were back to back and the midwife suggested an epidural.
I’m pregnant with my second though so can’t be that bad lol 🤷‍♀️...

Started as period cramps that just built up to more and more intense period cramps.
At the transition stage it was the most intense but just let your body guide you and if all goes well it knows what to do.
It’s a positive pain. Don’t freak out, time contractions and get to hospital when they are 5 mins apart. If they are not regular (mine weren’t) then stay at home for as long as you can stand before going in for gas and air / other pain relief

When they start coming it is important not to give into the pain.

My own account. I was induced so it's all a bit synthetic. Natural labours tend to be better.

Initially they're fine. Mild, short cramps with a long gap between. You can breathe through them. If I didn't have drip making it happen I don't know if I would've noticed at first. In the very early stages you probably won't need gas and air. You'll get in the swing of breathing G&A in deep so that it hits right when the contractions at it's peak.

They gradually get stronger, last longer and closer together. You will know at this point.

When you're in active labour they're strong. It felt like the most horrible, cramping, pain that takes your breath away. Like your womb being pulled and they last longer, you don't really get a break in between. The sensation is similar to cramp but the pain and intensity is what's different. Once that drips up full everything I learned in birthing class went out with window, but still tried to do the breathing no matter what. G&A didn't do it for me at this point. I wasn't allowed morphine so I got an epidural and slept until baby came out.