could you tell me what contractions feel like?

Question

I have read many books. None too specific. Could you explain how real and braxton hicks feel different?

Answer 1

It felt like a rubber band was around my stomach and every once in a while, the rubber band would stretch really, really tight.

Don't believe this business about you can't walk or talk through contractions. At first, you can. I remember during the first five or so hours thinking "This isn't so bad. It's painful, but it's nothing I can't handle." It wasn't until later that the can't-walk-can't-talk pain started. Every delivery is different, but don't just pass off contractions just because they aren't bringing you to your knees at the very beginning.

Answer 2

Braxton Hicks are light contractions - like cramping in the stomach - just a deeper cramping feel. They are irregular so they are not timed like contractions. Contractions are VERY painful I have four children and that is my limit. The only really, really bad labor I have ever experienced was my first born daughter. I started out with back labor and I will be the first to tell you that is the WORST kind of pain and I didn't get an epidural for 14 hrs. then my water finally broke. Then I had dilated enough to have an epidural. SHEW!!!! I am not going to lie contractions are painful - some people can breathe through them - me I just screamed - The twins weren't so bad though. My last daughter my mom's legs were bruised where instead of screaming, I breathed through them and pushed on her legs with me feet in a way to focus. She didn't mind at the time but I felt horrible. She was standing at the end of my hospital bed trying to be there for me and I would press my feet into her legs to try to focus, because sometimes if the contractions weren't too bad it worked. Real Contractions will grip you with intense pain that could radiate from your back to your stomach to your groin. Depends on your own tolerance for pain.

Answer 3

I've never experienced Braxton Hicks contractions, but the real ones are sort of difficult to explain. It's like a tightening in your belly. You'll know when it happens that it is definitely a contraction.

Answer 4

braxton hicks were kinda crampy the real contractions was a little more uncomfortable and my stomach would tighten, it's not that bad tho I had 3 boys all over 8lbs and no pain medication. If I could afford another one i would do it in a heartbeat.

Answer 5

For me, Braxton Hicks ones felt like my belly was tightening. The closer I got to the due date, the more frequent and stronger they were but they were never really painful. You'll know when you have a labor contraction!

Answer 6

If you think that you're having a contraction, if you can talk or still move during the contraction, it's likely that you're not in labour. When I was pregnant, my midwife told me that contractions will feel like very strong period pains or diarreora. When my contractions actually came though, I had to wonder what terrible period pains or diarreora she had that made her think that's what they felt like. They are very low pains and the hurt. There is no pain in the world like it. If you think your having contractions, get as much rest as possible, if you can have a snooze during the contractions, than you're not ready. Trust me, they'll wake you up when the real things come around.

Answer 7

braxton hicks just feel like your stomach is tightening. It doesn't hurt. Your stomach even feels kinda hard. Labor pains feel like you are holding a massive crap that needs to come out. Have you ever had the flu or something and you feel like you need to **** and your stomach hurts and you get cold sweats?..kinda like that..but way worse. Like you are going to have diarrhea. Sorry if I disturbed anyone..lol. Pretty bad..but I too, went all natural.

Answer 8

Braxton Hicks is like period pains-- you feel them in front.

With real contractions, the pain comes from the back and it curls around your front. Then you feel the pain all the way down to the tips of your toes, and your arms--- your whole body is engulfed in an unbearable PAAAAAAAAIN. All you can do is clench your fists/scream/vomit/writhe in agony all at the same time.
Thank God for epidurals! (I only got to 3 cm without one. I'm such a wuss. Lol)

Answer 9

Don't listen to anyone who tells you if you can still talk and walk you're not really in labor. I went to the hospital & they told me that & sent me home. They told me when my contractions were 5 minutes apart to come back. They never got 5 minutes apart. They went from 10mins, to 7mins, to 3mins. When they hit 3mins we jumped in the car & flew to the hospital. Thankfully we only live 5 minutes away. I did not get to the hospital in time to get an epidural. THAT is how fast my baby was born after I got to the hospital.
As far as how they feel, you will feel like you're having the worst menstral cramps of your life. And may have pain in your back too.
I know every woman's experience is different, but as painful as contractions were, they weren't nearly as bad as what I was expecting!

Answer 10

I'm a wussy when it comes to pain....major....and it basically feels like someone is trying to kill you...oh and that breathing thing...a man had to think of that because its a joke....whoever came up with that I would like to smash their hand in a door and go "now breath"...."it will all be better if you breath"...the only thing that makes it feel better is to push...pushing through the pain is great....just dont push until your fully dialated....you will know when...