What does a contraction feel like?

Question

I'm scared I won't know if I'm having contractions. 😳 I've read so many stories of women who had no idea they were contracting until they got hooked up to monitors and were informed that they were indeed contracting.. I haven't had any Braxton Hicks at all this entire pregnancy either so I have no idea what to expect.. (is that normal?)

Answer

So in my experience here’s the cool part: whatever your contractions feel like (menstrual cramps, back pain, tightening etc) the important part is that it cannot be ignored. This is me second pregnancy and I have had more “false starts” than I can count. But each time if I can ignore the discomfort, fall back asleep, or go on with my day then I’m not in real labor. Yet. The vast majority of us will be uncomfortable when the real thing hits. Very very uncomfortable. You will probably WANT to go to the hospital. If the pain/discomfort is coming in regular intervals, if it doesn’t go away when you change positions, drink some water, go for a walk, etc. and if it’s getting more and more intense? Give your doc a call. If something’s not feeling right? Give your doc a call. We all have different labors. The sensation is different for each of us. But it’s a safe bet if you can’t ignore it and you can’t stop it, it’s the real deal. And don’t ever hesitate to call your doc, day or night. That what they’re there for!

Answer

For me it felt like someone was twisting my intestines with their hands. Like poop cramps but so much worse. And that was at the beginning. And then I got an epidural and it was AMAZING.

Answer

all I know is back labor is TERRIBLE! it's this constant stabbing in your back. doesnt go away with each contraction. it just stays until your contractions completely stop. if anyone was wondering what that's like. the absolute worst.

Answer

Active labor contractions will be ones that you cannot walk, talk, or text through.

Answer

With Braxton Hicks contractions, your belly gets really hard - usually with little or no pain...although they can be uncomfortable.
Labor contractions can feel like menstral cramps of varying degree - where some women say labor pains are less intense than menstral cramps and others feel like it is menstral cramps on steroids.
If you have back labor, you might not feel menstral crampy at all...just back pain.
The monitors that are picking up contractions people are not feeling are most likely picking up Braxton Hicks contractions.  Active labor contractions feel different than Braxton Hicks - usually more intense and painful.

Answer

This is my second pregnancy, currently 37+6, and I have never had Braxton Hicks in either pregnancy. In my first my water was leaking so I went to L&D; at 3:30am. By 9:30am they had me in a bed and hooked up to the machine which recorded contractions but I wasn’t feeling a thing. They had to give me pitocin to help speed things along and I didn’t actually feel my first contraction until like 11:30am which came very strong and hard (apparently because of the pitocin). So I have no idea what to expect either and am worried that I’ll be actively in labor and not realize it. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Answer

I can totally understand I’m the earlier stages not knowing you’re having contractions but once you’re in active labor you’ll know because it’s hard to sleep, talk, move through them.  :)

Answer

my doctor says that a lot of women explain it as the baby balled up. that's how I felt at the beginning but as you get farther along it feels more like period cramps with the tightness in the top like the baby is balled up and eventually it goes around to your back when your in labor.

What does a contraction feel like?

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