what do contractions feel like?

Question

humm .....some people tell me that they dont remember feeling there contractions up until time to have the baby but then some tell me that is so painful....the whole time.....do contraction feel like the baby is sticking its but up in the air? does it mean that your stomach gets tight ...will i be able to tell , what one feels like without never haveing one before?

Answer 1

well, it's not the perfect way to describe it but clench your fist real hard, and then multiply that about 100x. that will give you something of an idea. The intensity of contractions vary from woman to woman. For some it's a discomfort, others it's excruciating. Since it's been 25 years since I've given birth, I can't honestly say I remember if it was really painful, but I know I bit my husband's hand in labor so it must have been lol

Answer 2

Contractions feel like your tummy is so hard, harder than a basketball, like your body is trying to squeeze the baby out a non-existent hole. For several weeks before, you'll have not-too-bad contractions like this, called Braxton-Hicks. That's not a problem, it's a trial run for your body, and they don't hurt.

However, when it's time, the contractions turn from gentle and friendly to strong and "I mean business!" They are a whole different game. Believe me, you will know what's going on when this starts.

It's not painful at first, but as they progress, and as you become tired, the pain increases. Some people have babies so quickly that they hardly have pain. For the rest of us (23 hours) an epidural is manna sent from God. No pain at all. Even if its just for an hour to let you rest, it's absolutely great.

Don't worry about the birth. It's not important. What's important is the beautiful little child that will be born, a child completely relying on you to love, feed, take care of, etc. That is awesome.

TX Mom

Answer 3

I Had contractions and didn't even know it. My doctor told me I was having them. It just felt like I lightly tightened my stomach muscles and then released them. Doing Sit ups hurt worse than these contractions. I was in labor for 3 months and 10 days with my first pregnancy. They were not Braxton Hicks either. So when I started to have contractions closer together I didn't even realize it. Finally my water broke. The contractions really weren't bad until 3 hours before I delivered my baby.

Answer 4

No now not even near. braxton hicks is whilst your complete stomach will get truly tight for seconds to mins,appears like stress,cant breathe and a bit of tiny cramp. Real contractions believe EXACTLY like your interval cramps however soooo a lot more excessive. U will obviously understand whilst it's truly hard work or now not. The suffering is not going to get greater however simplest worsen...consider again to whilst u had particularly dangerous cramps together with your interval and multiply that by means of one hundred...with an epidural and a few suffering meds u will control...well success!!

Answer 5

I never had the back pain. My back was sore, but I never felt any cramps back there. To me, the contractions feel like a really horrible charleyhorse all around your belly, similar to a period cramp, only it burns and tightens and you can't move, like you would have if you had a charleyhorse in your leg. Once they started getting stronger, the breathing exercises really helped. If you put your mind off of them, it changes your concentration. Consider taking birthing classes and learning how to focus your concentration that way you can use it during that time.

And if you think you can go without the epidural, do it. I had one, and it messed me up big time. I couldn't feel enough to figure out where to focus my pushing. I couldn't feel my BUTT. LOL

Answer 6

you may not know. and you could be in a position where you cant even speak they hurt so bad...Mine fell right in the middle of that..it was a shooting back pain..that kept radiating from my lower back to the side of my hips...all contractions are different.. My cousin had contractions 2 minutes apart and NEVER FELT A THING....dont be scared...when your in labor you will know it..contractions can last for a few days before hand....you can do this!

Answer 7

Well everybody feels things different, my contractions started off as just a bit of a niggle and ache in my back and then became stronger, i`m trying to describe it as best as i can, it feels like really bad cramps that become really intense then slowly subsides, i felt it in my back as well and also felt quite nauseaus, but then all pain does that to me, anyway yes you`ll defo know your having them and you`ll be totally fine, i`m a total woose when it comes to pain of any kind and i managed without pain relief, just think of every contraction as bringing you a step closer to meeting your cute little bundle of joy!!

Answer 8

You will be able to tell!! My contractions would take my breath away and stop me dead in my tracks! My belly got really hard too. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to tell when I was having contractions too, but believe me you can! Mine were all in my lower back, not in my belly. Good Luck!

Answer 9

To steal a line from Bill Cosby who stole it from Carol Burnette ...

She said to feel what a contraction feels like ... Take your bottom lip and pull it over the top of your head ...

Answer 10

Believe me you'll know! It is difficult to describe because everyones feel a little different. But, definately your stomach gets HARD! Kinda like squeezing. At first they don't hurt. Not until later in labor do they get uncomfortable.