Can anyone give me a Good description of what a contraction feels like?

Question

Im 38 weeks pregnant today and Last night i think i may have been having contractions whether they were braxton hicks or not im not sure but at the same time im wondering if its just mild pregnancy pain...Ive gotten so many descriptions of what a contraction feels like but none seem to match completley what im feeling...HELP!!! P.S. my stomach felt slightly hard and my back was hurting a lot it felt like i had eaten a whole whole lot but hadn't eaten anything and there was a lot of pressure on my pelvis...Thanks all...

Answer 1

Contractions are different for everyone. Many people have described them as "bad menstrual cramps." (i.e. pressure on the pelvis and sometimes anal region, inability to move around with ease, etc.) I will tell you from personal experience, they were not as bad as I expected. When I was having contractions (aided by gel on my cervix to efface) I didn't even know that's what they were! They were very much like cramps. Nothing went on in the belly region like the tightening your experiencing. Additionally, your back hurting is a good indicator, as is the urge to "go to the bathroom."

Your best bet is to call your doctor to discuss what's going on. You can experience these type of things intermittently until you're in active labor. But seeing as you're now considered to be full term, it's best to consult a physician.

Answer 2

Generally, I would say they feel like menstrual cramps, only more painful, and you have a break between them. They start slowly and then peak.

In fact, towards the end of your pregnancy they feel a lot like Braxton-Hicks contractions and sometimes it's hard to tell the difference, except that BH always go away at some point - real labor contractions won't.

Ultimately, that may be the only way to tell, along with other signs labor might be starting like your waters leaking/breaking, losing the mucus plug and having bloody show.

You will feel that pressure on your pelvis a lot in the last weeks. It doesn't have anything to do contractions but more with the fact that the baby's head is engaged.

Answer 3

kind of like trying to pass a melon. there is back pain, for me, and pulling/exertion from the lower abdomen. I read that for some women childbirth is like a big orgasm. I hoped, but two times it was just hard labor. Then there were the babies at the end. I had real contractions for days building up to the final effort. Remember to breathe and be positive!

Answer 4

Imagine excruciating pain starting from the bottom of your uterus working its way to the top and holding itself for about a minute or two. It's like the worst cramp you've ever felt times a thousand.

Answer 5

With mine, my stomach gets hard all over, and I get a crampy like feeling that goes up my stomach. When I have a strong one I can feel it on the back of my uterus and in my back. When I first started getting them I thought it was just him streching but he isn't that big and I know he is head down so his butt is sticking up and he can't make all of my tummy hard as a rock. It is almost like you really have to go potty (#2) and then you go to the potty, sit down the pain goes away and you don't have to go. But that is just how it is for me. ( sorry if that sounds gross)

Answer 6

Your stomach will start tightening up starting at your pelvis and move up. It will become very hard and should last 15-30 minutes but can last as long as a couple minutes.

Answer 7

Mine felt like a really BAD cramp

Answer 8

Well no one can really describe it, you will definitely know when you have one. To me it felt like I had just been ran over. Its much worse than a cramp.

Answer 9

Indescribable pain.

Answer 10

probably a hevy pressure