what does a contraction feel like?

Question

i am 8 months pregnant and i wanted to know what contractions feel like. so i will know whta they r when they come. any help please.......

Answer 1

It just feels like all the muscles in your stomach are tightening up, can also feel a little crampy. It's one of those things, even if you've never experienced it before, you'll probably be able to recognize it pretty easily. Most women start to feel the lighter Braxton Hicks contractions first which is your body's way of preparing for the real thing. As far as telling the difference between BH and real labor, you'll be able to tell because the real thing will start to happen in regular intervals and begin to get stronger and stronger. If you haven't already, I'd recommend going to a birth class so you are prepared. They will educate you on this kind of thing and give you ways of coping with labor. Good luck! Don't worry, you'll do fine!

Answer 2

I think they felt like strong period cramps in the early part of labor, covering the whole uterus and the lower back. Sort of like a tightening for about 45-60 seconds. They tend to build up to a peak of "tightness" or pain in the middle of that time, then relax back down. Between contractions you feel pretty normal. Some women feel a little breathless or constricted during contractions, so watch out for that if you have more than one "braxton hicks" contraction - you may be facing the real deal. I found early labor contraction to make me feel a littel nauseated, but then EVERYTHING makes me a little nauseated, so that might just be me.

Later labor contractions, such as around centimeter 7 and beyond of dilation, are pretty intense. The pain is usually in the front, but could be mainly in the back, if the baby is "backwards". They tend to be a total-body experience. You may be shaking, vomiting, etc. Just let each one come, and it will pass again soon. This phase of labor is usually pretty short, (15-40 minutes, even for a first baby) and then you'll be pushing.

To help you "see" what contractions might look like in a laboring mom, I would say this. In the beginning, you will feel like yourself- chatty, optimistic, perhaps a little nervous - between contractions, then you will become quiet and still for a moment when they come. You will often need everyone to be quiet so you can concentrate and keep calm, but after the contraction passes, you will probably be open to some light chatting again.

Later labor contractions, such as those after about centimeter 6 or 7, are the opposite. Women seem a little trance-like between the contractions. They may not hear you or respond to questions, they often are very still, and they often no longer want to eat or drink anything. During contractions, they are usually more vocal and active, yelling or moaning, (or swearing!), changing position on the bed, etc. This is because the contractions, again, become more of a whole-body experience, and they sort of take you over. Don't be scared by this, though, as it is a very normal and necessary part of labor.

It hurts, It's hard work, and You Can Do It!

Answer 3

Your stomach gets tight and then releases. When this starts to happen you are to count the time between contractions and also count how long your contraction was. The Dr told me that when my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and lasting about 1 min I needed to go the the hospital. Don't worry, they aren't as bad as you see on TV. I never screamed with any of mine, even when they got more intense. Yes it's work, that's why they call it labor, but you will know when you have a contraction. It generally starts out feeling like a sit-up(except you feel it over your whole stomach and not just lower stomach) and then releasing.

Answer 4

No no longer even near. braxton hicks is whilst your complete stomach will get truly tight for seconds to mins,looks like strain,cant breathe and a bit of tiny cramp. Real contractions believe EXACTLY like your interval cramps however soooo a lot more excessive. U will undoubtedly recognise whilst it's truly exertions or no longer. The ache won't get larger however handiest worsen...suppose again to whilst u had relatively unhealthy cramps along with your interval and multiply that by way of one hundred...with an epidural and a few ache meds u will control...well success!!

Answer 5

I think it may be different for everyone. At least that is what I have heard.

As for me- When they first started and weren't that strong, I felt a rippling sensation that started in my lower back and came around to the front of my belly. This happened every ten minutes on the dot for about 12 hours. They started to get stronger and stronger and closer together. Towards the end they started to feel like really really strong and painful menstrual cramps and were about 5 minuteds apart. That is when I called my doctor and went to the hospital.

Answer 6

They make your lower back (the small of your back) hurt with a dull ache that comes and goes. Your entire stomach will become rock hard off and on with each contraction. Sometimes they hurt, sometimes they don't at first. When they become stronger, they hurt like a really bad menstrual cramp. You won't question whether the strong ones are really contractions or not, you will know instinctively.

Answer 7

Well...if you're talking about the first signs of contractions then they are right cramping, lower back pain, but sometimes it can just feel like an upset stomach. I had a friend who thought she had eatin something bad. She had 2 kids already so she thought she would recognize a contraction, but she never even realized she was having them.

Now when you get to the final stages of labor...thats when you feel like you have a midget trying to punch its way out of your stomach!

Answer 8

Different women have different types of contractions, but mine was more like an uncomfortable feeling all around my stomach. Some women have lower period-like cramping where they normally would have cramping during a period. You could also have lower back pain. It might be minimal pain or it could get painful real fast. Mine didn't hurt, it was just comfortable. I had my baby 20 hours later :)

Answer 9

Well, for me, the early contractions felt like cramping feelings in your lower abdomen, they kind of felt like period pains and i only knew i was actually in labour because i started timing them and they were coming every 12-15 mins! in established labour - well, you can't really describe the feeling but you will def know you are in labour! if you go into labour it wont hurt much at first, just have slight cramping pains, some women get back pains but i didn't and if you think you are in early labour - start timing them, that way you will know it's definatly labour pains and not just gas or braxton hicks! even if they are only coming every 20 mins or so, you will know you are in labour! early labour could be quite quick, however, mine lasted 30 hrs before the pains got really bad, my friend was in early labour for 2 days, but if you are timing them, when they get to about 5 mins between contractions it's time to go to the hospital! don't worry, you will know when it happens! best of luck with the birth!

Answer 10

Well, Braxton Hicks contractions just feel like a tightening in your uterus. Kind of like light cramping.

REAL contractions feel like the worst period cramps you have ever had. They come in waves. You can feel them coming. So, you'll feel your body start to tense and say "Here we go!" and then it will build and build until you think you're going to die, and you have to breathe through it (heeee-heee-whooooooooo, hee-heee- whooooooo) or whichever one you like, and then it goes away. That's the neat thing about labor. The contractions aren't constant. You get a break after each one.