How do you know if your having contractions when your stomach feels right all the time?

Question

I’ve been having lower public bone menstrual pain and full lower back ache. How do you know if your having contractions if your stomach just feels tight & discomfort all the time?

Answer

For me real contractions felt a lot like a muscle cramping up - and they usually would be a lot more wavelike than Braxton Hicks. With Braxton Hicks I’d sometimes have my stomach tight for ages. Contractions would come and go. And hurt a lot more.

Answer

For me my back and pelvis feel like it’s breaking along with tight belly. It’s almost impossible to be able to walk or say anything but ouch…. Also like someone else said they come in waves… that seem to be getting worse….

Answer

If you’re only feeling the tightening, it’s most likely Braxton Hicks. Once you start to get real contractions, you will know because they are painful. ￼

Answer

For me, I feel a lot of pressure and my stomach squares off. I can literally see the tightening and feel my belly lifting off of my thighs if I'm sitting up.

Answer

If you can talk through the tightening, it’s not a true contraction. I have some pretty intense Braxton Hicks, it may make me walk uncomfortably but they aren’t painful and I can continue with whatever task I was doing while they’re happening.

How do you know if your having contractions when your stomach feels right all the time?

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