What are contractions exactly?

Question

I thinkkk I’ve been having  Braxton Hicks since yesterday, stomach gets pretty hard through out the day not painful at all, today lost my mucus plug, still thinkkk I’m having Braxton Hicks except with some pressure near my pelvic area? Will I know when I’m having contractions? Also been having low back pain for about 3 days now Im a FTM so I’m not really sure what they feel like

Answer

You will definitely know when your in active labor. Active labor contractions take your breath away and are pretty hard to walk through. They typically tighten and then feel like a period cramp that have a peak and then release and the pain subsides until the next one starts. Sounds like Braxton Hicks to me! And towards the end Braxton Hicks can be really intense. It’s a good sign, it means body is starting to get ready! I’ve been going through the same thing. Today they were a little painful as well, I’m over it 😅 been sitting on my birth ball all day long trying to get this point engaged and ready!

Answer

Period like cramps that only get stronger

Answer

Sounds like Braxton-Hicks, real contractions would feel similar but also painful like period cramps. Braxton-Hicks can be the start of pre-labor though if they’re getting consistent and close together, but they can also become more frequent with stress or dehydration, so I would try relaxing and drinking a lot of water first, and if that doesn’t slow them down, then start timing them and give your doctor a call.

Answer

Also FTM and posted a super similar question today! I’m 36 weeks and the Braxton hicks feeling is so strange and not as obvious for me as it was a month or so ago.

Answer

Probably Braxton Hicks, I’d say the uncomfortableness is unrelated to them though, baby probably just dropped so you’ll feel pressure and i got bad back pain when my baby dropped.

What are contractions exactly?

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