What does labor feel like?

Question

I've had a few Braxton hicks contractions, not often at all. Just like here and there, so I know what that feels like. I have a very high pain tolerance, I'm worried I will try and wait labor out if I don't know what to expect. This is my first child. And I'm clueless lol what did labor feel like for you all? I'm 31 weeks and starting to think about things like that.

Answer

With my first I was worried that I wouldn't know because I never even had BH. The most annoying thing people said was "you'll know". Well... I didn't haha. I was 39 weeks (last dilated 2cm 80% effaced at my 38 week appt). I woke up at 2am and felt like I had to poop. Sat there, nothing. Went back to bed. 30 mins later same thing... No poop. I thought I was just constipated. And then it started getting more painful. I thought it was poop cramps because I got cramps like that every time I had to poop when I was pregnant. At around 4am, something told me to time the intervals because my doc had said to call the on-call physician if I have contractions less than 10 min apart for more than an hour. I timed it at 9 min, then 8, then 7 min apart all within the same hour and by then it started hurting like period cramps. Finally, I actually turned on the light in the bathroom and noticed a tiny bit of blood when I wiped. Even though at 5am the on-call doc was a bitch and basically told me I wasn't in labor and to stop being a wuss, my husband said "You can't talk through them anymore, you're doubled over, and they're about 5 min apart... You're in labor". It still felt like period cramps, no "tightening". Went to the hospital 30 min later, water broke on the way, and I was 5cm dilated... It was pretty fast from there.

Answer

It's like Braxton but stronger. Your whole stomach will get really hard , it will become hard to move. I felt like puking a lot when it became worse.

Answer

The contractions will pull you into a crunch pretty much. You have to lean forward a bit and it's hard to breath full until it releases and you can straighten again. You may also start to feel more and more pressure down below like you need to take a serious bowel movement.

Answer

Fist I could say it's BH but feels worse but sometimes it doesn't.. I didn't feel my contractions until I was 7cm with my son and that was with pitocin! I am actually in the hospital now having them stop labor and I didn't even know I was contracting every 5 minutes, it just feels like small BH to me. One thing is for sure they will consistent. That's how I knew something was up. Good luck!

Answer

Contractions will be closer together and my experience is they haven't lasted as long as Braxton hicks.....
    Entire stomach will turn into massive hard ball and you can't breath till it's over. It'll pull you into a crunch position. VERY different from Braxton hicks I think.....same pressure just greater!

Answer

More than 4 contractions in an hour, call your doctor. Even if they're not painful. What I thought were Braxton hicks was actually labor with my last. Barely made it to the hospital, wasn't in pain until baby was crowning. I know this time just to time them regardless!

Answer

My second I went into natural labor and I have a high pain tolerance.... you'll be fine. It did take me a bit to realize that's what was happening but by the time I went it only took me 4 hours to have her... for me it felt like just cramps like potty cramps until later into the labor. When I went in to the hospital I also had other indicators like I felt like I had to poop so bad and it was my body preparing for birth. When you get close the pain will bring out a level of necessary concentration that may, as a pp stated make you hold your breath, I know I did and they kept yelling at me. I never realized that's how I coped with pain. Anyway eventually you will realize the pain is ryhmic lol... from one high tolerance person to another lol.

Answer

It hurts like hell!! Contractions are normally the worse part which are 100 times more worse than horrible period cramps! When baby is ready to come you feel more pressure than getting ur tooth pulled!! Excruciating!! This is my fourth and from my experience the pressure is the most liberating part because u know baby is comeing and it just makes you want to push even more to get him/her out safely!! Everyone's pain tolerance is different though. I personall don't like pain...it does get easier with the more deliveries you have....I guess because you know what to expect.. Good luck!!

What does labor feel like?

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