How do you tell the difference between contractions and kicks?

Question

Okay, this is my first pregnancy, and i'm 23 weeks...I've either felt some really strong kick/somersaults, or small contractions...i don't know which...what are they supposed to feel like?

Answer 1

A kick will feel like a quick bump. A contraction will feel like a hardening or tightening of the abdomen. If you touch your tummy, it will feel quite hard to the touch. This early, contractions are likely to be painless. Most women will have mild contractions throughout their pregnancies. Some things to watch for though, as I went in to preterm labor at 20 weeks and had to remain on bedrest, are as follows:

1) frequent tightening of the abdomen, more than five times in an hour

2) a sensation of pressure in your pelvic region

3) increased watery discharge

4) any pinkness or blood

5) discharge of heavy mucus

Good luck with your pregnancy, and just be aware. Many women do not know they are in preterm labor until it is much too late. It does not feel the same as a regular labor, and many times is not painful.

Answer 2

a contraction is a really tight squeeze, and painful. When you have a contraction, you will probably know it, but just to be on the safe size, time these feelings. Contractions will get more and more intense, and will happen at regular intervals if you are going in to labor. they will start every 30 minutes, and then every 15 and when they are less than 15 minutes apart you need to immediately go to the hospital. There are also something called "Braxton Hicks" contractions that are sort of "practice contractions" and this is very natural for your body. These, however, are not regular in intervals, and do not get more and more intense. If you are still not sure and they are very, very painful, go to the hospital, just to be on the safe side. You may also want to check out books like, "What to expect when you are expecting" they help youunderstand the changes that your body is going through.

Good Luck, and Congradulations!

Answer 3

usually, this early in a first pregnancy, you wont feel braxton hicks contractions. They feel like an uncomfortable tightening of your uterus and the uterus will be hard to the touch for a few moments, and then it will relax. Your probably feeling strong kicks as the baby continues to grow and get stronger. Good luck.

Answer 4

Contractions feel like menstural cramps, they are crampy at first, and than you feel tightening. I know whatyou mean though, I've had 3 kids and even with my last one I wasn't sure on how to tell about the contractions. Just remember tightness, pressure and your back feels tight too. Good luck!

Answer 5

If you had a bad contraction it would feel like someone is stabbing you with a knife. I would say its just the baby kicking. Good luck.

Answer 6

contractions should feel like a tightening of the abdoman and the baby moving feels sometimes like a flutter(like your intestions rumbling)or as the baby gets bigger they will get stronger and you will know it's the baby. Sometimes you can feel the baby's body parts.(a foot or elbow pushing out your belly, etc.)Sometimes they can kick your bladder also.(you'll know). Good luck. Enjoy! Oh by the way, if you are in doubt, please tell your doc. immediately!

Answer 7

In my experience, kicks feel like bubbles or thumps (depending on how hard. A contraction, for me, had my entire abdomen go hard like i was tightening all my muscles. and it lasted longer than kicks.

Answer 8

Well, you can ask your OBGYN. There is slight chance that it is contractions. I have taken one girl to the ER with that though and she ended up losing the baby cause her body was aborting it. But she had blood show up after the summersault feeling. Better to ask the OBGYN then us.

Answer 9

From what I've heard....if you were having contractions you wouldnt be sitting there typing questions into Yahoo.

Answer 10

babys are really active around that many weeks, i think its just the baby kicking. good luck :)