Question about contractions

[Hazelnuttella]

I had my DS two years ago, (went into labour spontaneously).

Now I’d always heard that contractions are like waves - reach a very painful peak and then you get some relief before the next one builds up.

When I was in labour, from very early on there was no relief between contractions, I was in agony the whole time - it felt like someone’s knuckles were grinding against my spine from the inside. It was worse if I sat or laid down so I was standing up for 24 hrs. (12 hrs at home, then 12 hrs in hospital).

Midwife said it was due to the baby’s position and it would get better as he moved (it didn’t get better). I suspect he was back to back but don’t know.

Trying to get pregnant again now and just interested to hear if others did get the “relief” period between contractions.

Yes, I did get periods of relief between them. I'd feel it building and it would be awful for 60 seconds and then after, I'd go back to normal and be able to chat etc until the next one.

My two labours sound exactly like yours and both my babies were back to back.

A contraction would subside but within seconds the next one would start so hardly time to draw breath. I got epidurals on both

Yes, I definitely got relief between contractions. Neither of my DDs were back to back.

I was back to back when I was born and my mum says it was absolutely the worst of her three labours.

Sounds like maybe he was back to back then and that’s why it was so horrendous…

I did ask the midwife at one of my appointments if she thought he was back to back (I thought he was from where he was kicking). She said she didn’t think so, but did look very shifty 👀 think she was trying not to scare me.

It makes me feel slightly better that there’s a chance the next one might not be! 🤞

I had what you had OP and she was back to back, I ended up having an EMCS. It never occurred to me that the reason they were so painful was because of her position - contractions were unbearable!

Sounds like yours was back to back.

My contractions came and went. I remember during each one I'd think there was no way I could manage another. Then in the short respite I was totally pain free and somehow thought, yes I could do another one!

I think my baby switched at some point during labour because to begin with they were wave like and like period pains and I'd feel fine inbetween. Then I went on the hormone drip and hell broke loose. Contractions lasting 90 seconds and having 5 in 10 mins and the 30 seconds of relief in between weren't much less painful. Felt like my back and hips were being ripped open from the inside out.

I don't know if it's possible but I'm going to ask to know when in labour this time what position baby is in and if it's back to back then I'll ask for an epidural. Back to back labour is hideous!

Sounds like OP position (back to back). Women commonly describe it as searing pain in their back with constant pain in between.

I had the complete opposite experience in both my labours! I felt contractions as tightenings across my belly but they were just mildly uncomfortable, barely painful at all. I could walk and talk through them which the midwife looking after me the second time round said meant birth was days away at least. Baby was born within forty minutes after a drive home and a very stressful drive back!

Contractions only became painful when I was fully dilated and feeling the urge to push, and even then the pain came more from trying not to push (because I was desperately trying to get to a delivery room in time) than anything else. The only agony part was crowning. Yes, there was a definite build up and release for each contraction.

Crossing fingers for you OP that, if you have another, it's a different experience!

My contractions had 7 minutes of relief between them even while I was pushing 😅 it was nice to have a break but so annoying to have to wait so long to push again.

I don't think that is normal tho, I'm sure the gap is supposed to be much smaller when fully dilated 🤦🏼‍♀️

Yes definitely!
I’ve had one induced labour and two spontaneous labours resulting in home births.
My induction was hell. Literally like one massive contraction that never eased even a little bit. Whereas with my spontaneous labours (babies both in optimal position) there was a very clear peak and lull.
From what I’ve heard, labours with babies who decide to come into the world sunnyside up are notoriously tough!

Yes, I definitely had the waves of pain with not so much (but not no) pain between.

Hi all!

I'm 39 +4 with first baby.

Yesterday I had a sweep and midwife said I was 2cm dilated and 50% effaced. Minor cramping but nothing bad. This morning I woke up with strong kicks which then subsided. I then lost the bloody show at around 9:30am today.

Now I am getting a constant very mild period like cramp at the front and my back is aching constantly from just under waist line to pelvis. Water hasn't broken but I know water does not always have to break to be in labour.

The cramps are constant but get slightly worse for a bit then better. However, the feeling of cramps never completely go.

I'm getting induced Monday if he doesn't come this weekend anyway but I was wondering if these are contractions or just false labour?

Hi @ALBW you might be better starting a new thread.

It definitely sounds positive though, sounds like labour might be on its way. I lost my mucus plug about 12 hours before I started getting contractions (which started like period pain).

Waters often don’t go until the baby is nearly out so don’t worry about that.