What do contractions feel like?

Question

So im 35 weeks and i every time i ask someone how ill know im in labor or if im having contractions they just say "oh you'll know" but like that doesnt help very much. Ive had tightness in my stomach on and off since about maybe 28 weeks. I assumed that was Braxton hicks. It wasnt painful but it was uncomfortable. Im just curious what actual contractions feel like and will i not realize its the real thing until its too late? We live about 30 minutes from the hospital and im just scared i wont realize its the real deal

Answer

Contractions are painful and get more and more painful as you progress. The “you will just know” is absolutely true. I was worried about that as well, until I was in labor lol. 😊

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The first contractions were like period cramps and I was like; oooh I can handle this 💪🏼. And then slowly they became more painful.

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They feel like period cramps in your lower abdomen that will wrap around to your back. They'll come every few minutes, 10min for 30 seconds then every 7min lasting one minute ( just examples). It's true that when ppl say you'll know because you will know. They're painful unlike uncomfortable Braxton Hicks.

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To me contractions feel like a period cramp but on steroids like 100x  . You can get front/belly labor or back labor or both of your”lucky” it’s the worst  . They usually start off not so intense and not so close as your in labor they progress closer and stronger . “You will definitely know” . I’m on baby #3 and with my two kids I knew . It’s the kind of pain that takes you to your knees 😩 
With my second child I got to the hospital at 7-8cm dilated already . 
I now live 30-45 minutes away from the hospital I will not be waiting that long this time 😭

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Contractions make me wanna get undressed and take a bath until eventually I’m up walking around holding my belly in pain.. oh I’m so dreading this 😩😩

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I've had 2 babies and contractions were different both times. All I can say (and i know it doesn't help) you will just know 🤷🏼‍♀️ 😂

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The pain is undeniable and debilitating. Trust me. You can’t even talk at one point is how horrific it is. It is nothing like BH

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For me, it was like getting a hot sensation and pressure in my pelvis (similar to period pain). It got more intense as labor passed. Definitely made me feel like I needed to bare down at times but overall I felt they were a manageable pain.

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When I had them with my last three it would start in my lower back a slight pulling feeling and wrap around to the bottom of my stomach. From there the pulling feeling would feel tight as it worked up to the top of my stomach. My whole stomach would stay tight for a moment and then release. Eventually that would just become more painful as my labor increased.