Seriously. What do labour contractions feel like?

Question

At eight months with my first pregnancy I have read loads of stuff about the birth but nowhere and no-one has described what it acutally feels like to have contractions. Is it like the bad cramp you can get in your calves but over a wider area, or severe stomach ache, or what? Serious answers only please. I have heard 'its like nothing you have ever had' so often.....I wondered if getting my legs waxed would be a good introduction to my pain threshold!....

Answer 1

It depends on so many things, and can be so different for everyone. My water broke with my daughter, and the contractions were unmistakable and very intense - like a very bad bout of diarrhea (sorry to be so explicit). I also experienced waves of intense nausea with each contraction, which is also common as your body tries to eliminate any process which may expend energy otherwise required for the delivery.

With my son (who came second), I just had a vague ache in my belly and a very sharp back pain. I sent my husband off to work the day he was born, because I actually thought I was just having more Braxton Hicks. Needless to say, he had to come rushing back as soon as he arrived at his desk, because at that point, I realized I was in a pretty regular pattern. Despite this, these contractions were totally manageable with just breathing and relaxation.

The common factor for both (and something my friends have also concurred) is that real labour pains, regardless of the intensity, were accompanied by a burning sensation throughout the abdomen and lower body.

Regardless, being nervous is totally normal, but rest assured, as a self-professed wimp, you'll amaze yourself with what you're capable of doing. When the adrenaline from the excitement of the event kicks in, you'll find you can handle anything. What's more, even though it hurts, when you hold that baby in your arms, you'll know how worth it it is.

Take care, mama, and good luck to you and your little one!

Answer 2

I had back labor, where your contractions are mostly in your lower back, not a lot of fun. Supposedly they are worse than regular labor, I don't know, I only have one child. I was in labor for 23 hours before they did a c-section and only had an epidural for the last 2 hours. I thought I could deal with any kind of pain, I thought I was tough. Now I know that I am not. It's not so much the pain, it is that it happens over and over again. Trust me it hurts like nothing you can imagine. Now to try to explain the pain. Let's talk hard labor, my contractions would start with a burning feeling in my crotch and then move to my lower back and then everything would just tighten up really really hard. It sucks, but I would do it again. Oh, and some advice, GET AN EPIDURAL!!!!

Answer 3

for me the 1st time i had back labour,it was like a pulling feeling from the center of my back to across my stomach,it was very painful and i asked them to let me die,not kidding,then i felt the urge to push that was a little better,but at the end it felt like i was splitting up the middle,in them days you didn't get the epidural till the very end.don't worry these days they give it to you pretty much when you wan't it,you will still feel the contractions but it won't hurt,also sometimes at the beggining you get an ache down your vagina thats how my second labour began,it was a much shorter amount of time tho
don't worry too much everyone is different,some babies come quick,you will forget all about it after the baby comes
just be prepared and make them have the epidural ready for when you wan't it,you will also be very sore after but it does't take too long to go away,you can bathe in epsom salts
goodluck!congrats!

Answer 4

I will be honest with you then it hurts like hell. It is the most painfull thing you will ever incounter. I felt like I was going to split in half. You can't talk you can't breathe. When someone tells you to do anything you have this weird since that you could kill someone even the nicest quite person does this. One thing you must remember though as soon as it is over and you have your baby you will not even think about the pain. Then years later you will remeber it hurt but you will not really remeber it till you go though it again. good luck and don't let it scare you you will do just fine!!

Answer 5

I did not take any lamaze classes. I knew from the start that I wanted to go natural, I made it very clear to my nurse and doctor. I put all of my trust into them and trusted their opinions so that I could relax. I was in labor for 12 hours. I didn't cry, didn't scream. The worst part for me was the "back labor", not every woman gets it, my son had just turned and had his head pressing against my spine. I had heat packs on my back and at one point I demanded a fan because I was getting sweaty. Overall, it was not bad. I thought the pushing would hurt but it really didn't, it was actually relieving. I think if you get yourself worked up, you're bound to cave into drugs. Just stay relaxed, its not as bad as people would like you to think

Answer 6

I will say that you will know. I was scared my first time because of that. Most women with first pregnancies are in labor a lot longer, so you will know you are in labor way before the baby starts to make it's way out. Just realax and it will happen when yuo least expect it. Good luck. also you can't do anything to prepare for that pain.

Answer 7

I only had one or two bad ones before i got my epidural. (i recomend taking the epidural) It was like a really bad menstrual cramp. i know you're thinking... oh, that's not too bad. It was BAD. I've always had horrible cramps with my periods... and this was like my worst times 100. Not to scare you, but it's some serious pain. (which is why i'm a big fan of the epidural)

Answer 8

They feel like your belly is tightening up...
Waxing doesn't compare to labor pain.
My advice is start walking. Alot. It speeds up the process.

My labor lasted 4 days. I was sent home on the 3rd day, went back on the 4th and when they were about to send me home again, I went outside the hospital and started walking. I dialated enough in 30 mins. to get admitted.

Answer 9

waxing your legs lol !!!!
no one can really tell you how it feels, mine start like someone is squeezing my belly really tight then slowly letting go. they gradually get stronger and more painful, once they kick in you can keep an eye on how far apart they are and how long they last.
most ppl will tell you when the real contractions start you will know. they will be the worse period pains you have ever had to start with.
good luck x x x x

Answer 10

Not that bad actually. It feels like a painful period. Maybe some backache too but you should be used to that already lol. I had a c-cut to deliver her, but was in labor at home for 14 hours.