What do contractions feel like?

Question

I feel silly for asking but I get period like cramps on occasion and they don't hurt at all. I can't really tell when they start or stop because it's not supper noticeable. I'm just wondering if this is BH or not. I'm 29 weeks tomorrow and I get these cramps a couple times a week or so. I thought maybe it was my uterus still stretching but I don't know?...

Answer

I get those same cramps that you're talking about, and some of them stop me if I'm walking. I'm a teacher and my students and colleagues can always tell when I'm having them because I'm a little hunched over. I've assumed they're BH but who know. I will say I bought a maternity belt and it has helped a lot!!

Answer

I asked this question about a month ago too and I was embarrassed because this is my third pregnancy and still didn’t know! Some of us don’t feel them 🤷🏻‍♀️ I have to do non-stress tests and they have picked up contractions (BH). The nurse has told me when I’ve had them, and they just feel like the babies are moving around. Not really painful, just uncomfortable I guess. Kind of like things are tight in your belly. Sometimes like a mild period cramp.

Answer

Yeah sounds like Braxton hicks!

Answer

Painless, non rhythmical, cramping is BH. I honestly didn't realize I was having real contractions until I was 5cm and they started to get painful lol. Mine were the exact same as BH but a touch of discomfort and they were rhythmical. So every 5 minutes I would have one, then they started to get closer together as I progressed obviously.

Answer

My Braxton hicks feel like part of my stomach tightening up. I get them most often during exercise or when I first get up after sitting for a while. For a long time I thought she was just shifting her weight in me, and her little butt or head was leaning up against the outside wall of the uterus, but according to the non stress test, those are BHs. During the NST I also got some menstrual-like cramps down low and they said those were "real" contractions. The cramping lasted several minutes but the contraction was only 55 seconds of that... I was 35 weeks at the time. Now I'm 37. The cramps were painful for me though... not super painful but just like those on the first day of your period. And they explained "real" contractions can happen weeks or even months before real labor though... so it's nothing to be concerned about unless they become super regular. I now get those several times a day, but not on any consistent schedule.

Answer

contractions feel very strong and painful - when you're in true labor. your tummy tightens up, back, hips, stomach, legs all hurt horribly. when a contraction comes on, just do your best to breathe through it and focus on something. there's some women that aren't sure exactly if they're in labor, but for me I knew. it wasn't period cramps or stretching cramps, it was way more serious than that.

Answer

I'm wondering the same thing I'm a first time mom, and it's making me scared because I'm mainly at home by myself when my boyfriend is at work and we live south of everyone that can rush and help me lol. I've been getting the cramp feeling, and like small pressure pains down there and I'm sure it's Braxton hicks. But I'm like I'm getting closer to being due so I pray he decides to come when his dad is home 😂 a girl can dream right?! I'm 31 weeks, 32 on Sunday 😭

Answer

Thank you for responding! I'm just scared I'm not going to know when it really labor. I know I shouldn't be worried about it yet because I'm only 29 weeks. I'll talk to my doctor at my next appointment and see what she says. I have a higher pain tolerance so I'm just nervous I will wait too long to go to the hospital.

Answer

For me I had terrible back cramps like I had to poop really bad.

What do contractions feel like?

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