What does a contraction feel like?

Question

I am 41 weeks pregnant and have been getting tummy aches and period-like pains. And sometimes a feeling that feels like trapped wind. Can someone please tell me what a proper contraction feels like?

Answer 1

to me, you are describing the early stages of labour, i would go to your hospital x
everyone has a different labor, my waters (with no 2) broke 24 hours before i had any pain i then had gradual pain in lower abdomen getting more and more painful. starts like a bad period pain easing off then coming again in waves getting closer and closer
43 minutes and 2 hefty pushes later i had a little pink bundle.
oh and GOOD LUCK :Od

Answer 2

a contraction usually starts in your lower back, but not always and it moves around to the front of your tummy, usually right around your belly button. It feels like you cannot breath right and it tightens. If you put your hand on your stomach you will be able to feel it harden. Its not always painful and sometimes you wont even know you are having them. But i would say you are probably having contractions from what you describe :) Trapped wind sounds like the hard to breath thing i just said :) when they get stronger and closer together head to the Hos because you will be a momma soon :) try walking, that will bring the contractions closer together and strengthen them :) Goodluck!!!!

Answer 3

My contractions felt like period cramps.

The day I went into labour with my daughter, I had periods of discomfort throughout the day and then by evening I could time the "discomfort" as being at about about 20 minute intervals and then by 7:30 the next morning I had a baby.

I would suggest at this point that you get as much sleep & rest as you can because you've probably got a long night ahead of you.

Answer 4

for me it felt like i was just getting my period you know that feeling when u know. then it was like cramps like i was on a period then i felt uncomfortable i couldnt sit down or stand up i just couldnt get comfortable no matter what. i had back labour so all the pain went to my back rather than my front so for me after all that uncomfortableness it just felt like back ache that slowly got worse. if you start to feel uncomfortable phone you midwife and explain how you feel you might be in the begining of labour that lasts a while or your body is getting ready for the next couple of days when you give birth. good luck x

Answer 5

Your tummy will go really tight, and depends on your pain threshold as well, it is like period pains, put your hands on your tum and feel when you think your having one if it goes tight and the pain is like cramp then you more than likely are good luck x

Answer 6

Its just like period cramp and then it starts to get more and more sore, makes you double up in pain. Once the pain is like every 5 mins or so then its time to go to hospital. Good Luck!!

Answer 7

Like a period cramp to start off with. When you get a cramp every 5 minutes and they last for more thaqn 45 seconds each you should go into hospital.

Answer 8

they damn well hurt i had it all in the back i was told it would be like bad period pain but it was a lot worse than that. and anyway when u get a proper 1 u will definately know!

Answer 9

Sounds like you're having mild contractions. Get onto your midwife and explain to her what you're feeling, she'll tell you what you need to do. Wish you the best of luck, may your new arrival bring you lots of happiness. x

Answer 10

All I can say is that I kept going to the doctor and she was telling me that I contractin gby the machine but I couldn't feel it. I did not feel my actual contractions until about 7 cm. But let me tell you that you will know.