What exactly do contractions feel like??

Question

Hi all, 40 weeks + 2 days and since this morning been having increasingly bad period like pains every 15-30 minutes. The last one was the worse yet but I don't know if this is labour as I've read that labour contractions are so bad you cannot even speak. I have always had bad periods due to endometreosis so have high pain threshhold. Everything I've read is so vague about what contractions actually involve. Thanks for taking time to read x

Thanks all, timed a few of these "contractions" and about 15-18 mins apart so maybe it's the start of something. Thanks again!

Answer 1

I always had the worst periods ever, I would actually pass out from the pain and cramps from time to time.

I labored 43 1/2 hours, 37 natural with contractions. Ive had worse periods, honestly.

Contractions feel like you're in the middle of a sit up, or like your body is trying to poop without you telling it to. Labor contractions start like a sit up, or back cramp (or both) and then feel like a really bad period cramp.

Just time them. You'll have these pains that get really regular for a couple hours and then stop. When they keep getting more and more intense and they keep up for atleast 1-3 hours call your OB.

Answer 2

Its very possible you are having contractions. Generally speaking, true labor contractions start in your lower back and move toward the front of your abdomen, BUT, every woman experiences contractions differently. Early labor contractions are often not felt, or mistaken for Braxton Hicks or BM pains. When my best friend was in labor, she was getting up all night trying to use the restroom, and figured she was just constipated, til she got nauseous, bent over the toilet and her water broke. I was clueless that I was having contractions, I thought the baby was just kicking a lot until I started timing the kicks. My mother in law, on the other hand said she was laying on the couch and suddenly felt a huge crampy like pain and knew instantly she was going in to labor. Everyone is different. If the pain becomes too uncomfortable, or your water breaks, call doc and head to the hospital. Worse case scenario, they send you home, which happens pretty often... Good Luck, the end is near!

Answer 3

If they are regular and you can anticipate the next one and how long it will last then I would contact your doctor. Braxton hicks should not cause any pain but it does depend on the woman. Since they are about 15-30 mins apart you should have some time since they say if they're 5 mins apart then you're close.

Good luck and I hope it comes out alright!

Answer 4

I wondered the same thing. I was 40wks5day and experiencing period like cramps but they weren't very painful and I could walk and talk through them. And some of them would come regular for a few minutes, then they'd get sporatic again. To be honest, I didnt even know I was in labor until my water ended up breaking, when I got to the hospital and they checked me I was at 8cm and still talking and walking through them! My labor ended up only lasting 1.5hrs, and since I got to the hospital at 8cm I didnt even have time for drugs. Sounds to me like your having contractions! Good luck, should be pretty soon now.

Answer 5

Congratulations! You are experiencing contractions!!!! You are well on your way. When they get to about 5-10 minutes apart or when you can no longer handle them, whichever comes first....get to the hospital (do not drive yourself...inform your spouse or family member right away whats going on so they can be prepaired to take you). You should have a baby by Christmas no doubt. Good luck!!

Answer 6

Contractions feel just like period cramps. Cramps that just keep getting stronger and stronger. Pretty soon the cramping pain gets strong enought that you don't want to talk while your having one because your body starts to concentrate on its task.