Advise about contractions. Please.

cherith104

I have like 7 weeks left and I was just wondering what some of y'all's opnions about contractions might feel like if you've given birth before. This is my second pregnancy but will be my first baby. I have heard that they feel like period cramps but ten times worse and whenever I got my period, the cramps were so bad I couldn't even walk or anything like I thought I was dying they hurt so bad and I had a miscarriage first time around and I know those cramps are awful..It felt like my period but a little worse.
So please share if you don't mind. I would like to at least be somewhat mentally prepared. Lol.

tdart14

I label mine as feeling more like pooping pains in the beginning. And then as I got further I don't think I could compare them to anything. At 6 cm dilated I had to be holding on to something as my head would spin a bit and I couldn't talk through them.

kynbar5

They are like very, very bad cramps with me. Some women say they radiate around the belly and even back. Mine have just always been like an extremely bad cramp/tightening all over my belly and abdomen. When you can't walk or talk through them is usually active labor.

Ceridwen77

They started off like really bad menstrual cramps for me, then turned into a pain I can't even begin to describe.

Achae

Mine were just like really bad period cramps. I've been used to awful periods and crippling cramps, although I did get an epi later so I don't know if they would have intensified!

Mousie93

Have you been diagnosed with endometriosis? That can cause very painful periods like you've described. I believe that endo does not normally affect labour pains - the endo pain is caused by the lining of your uterus coming away whereas labour is muscle contraction. So there is likely to be no correlation between your painful periods and a painful labour. However, I haven't had my baby yet! I'm due in 7 weeks too. I also get quite painful periods but do not have endo - to my knowledge. Lots of midwives and mums have been telling me that if you go into labour feeling frightened and expecting the worst it will be more painful because you're so tense. Just relax and remember you'll soon be holding your baby in your arms. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and I hope your labour goes smoothly

cherith104

I have an aunt and friend who have endometriosis. I haven't been diagnosed with endometriosis. I have told my doctor I had very painful periods once but they acted like it was important. They haven't always been painful it started about three years ago, I thought I did have it but since I mentioned it to my doctor and they never did anything about it I just thought I guess I didn't.
I'm not scared about labor or anything I'm just a little nervous about the pain. Lol. I have a pretty high pain tolerance though I'm in pain everyday so I think I'll be fine. I always tend to overthink things and it turn out not to be so bad so when that day comes it probably won't be that bad.
It can't come fast enough. I'm starting to get impatient. Lol

Bigboobsmcgee

cherith104 said:

I have an aunt and friend who have endometriosis. I haven't been diagnosed with endometriosis. I have told my doctor I had very painful periods once but they acted like it was important. They haven't always been painful it started about three years ago, I thought I did have it but since I mentioned it to my doctor and they never did anything about it I just thought I guess I didn't. I'm not scared about labor or anything I'm just a little nervous about the pain. Lol. I have a pretty high pain tolerance though I'm in pain everyday so I think I'll be fine. I always tend to overthink things and it turn out not to be so bad so when that day comes it probably won't be that bad. It can't come fast enough. I'm starting to get impatient. Lol

Are you going for a med free birth? I also agree with other posters that the pain of contractions was something I cannot even describe. It doesn't even come close to period cramps.

If you do want to go med free then I strongly recommend some classes that will teach techniques to get through it. If you are getting an epidural then get your ass to the hospital at the first signs of labor!

cMichelle0423

I'm pregnant with baby#3 and either my other two I never experience the "period like cramps". My contractions felt like a sharp stabbing pain that started from the center of my stomach and wrapped around the rest of my back. (But not back labor). I don't think there's any way to mentally, physically, or emotionally, prepare for the pain from labor. Even with my second labor, already knowing how it felt, couldn't prepare me.

cherith104

Yeah I guess there isn't a way to prepare for it though. I do have Braxton hicks ,they aren't painful but I know that's no where near the real thing. I do plan on having an epidural though, honestly I don't think I could do it without one.

kabnpauj

Mine felt like my butt was going to explode and is nothing like period cramps. I also didn't get epidural until 5 hours later and I was dying. I cried out loud with each contractions. Pain went away right after epidural. It's one of those where you'd have to experience to know.

PrimRoseMama

cherith104 said:

I have like 7 weeks left and I was just wondering what some of y'all's opnions about contractions might feel like if you've given birth before. This is my second pregnancy but will be my first baby. I have heard that they feel like period cramps but ten times worse and whenever I got my period, the cramps were so bad I couldn't even walk or anything like I thought I was dying they hurt so bad and I had a miscarriage first time around and I know those cramps are awful..It felt like my period but a little worse. So please share if you don't mind. I would like to at least be somewhat mentally prepared. Lol.

It can vary from person to person. For me it felt like menstrual cramps and the hardest vice around my belly.

cmerribury

It does vary, as many PPs said. Mine came on instantly and felt like the worst cramps ever, so bad I couldn't catch my breath. I also felt I like I was pooping knives. (Just being honest.)

red3ye

If your lucky and get some warning contractions, think of when you tighten your gut to poop: icky I know, but it's that all over tension that started it for me. Those only lastrd about 20 or 30 minutes for me though as I was induced. Then they became more like period cramps with back pain: remember though contractions start up then fade out after a minute to start back up after 1-7 minutes, depending on how far along the labor is. The pain does continue to grow as pp said. The pain really cannot be compared to anything else once active labor begins

cherith104

Oh my goodness. I always hear that everyone has a bad labor experience and I'm just like I hope I don't have one. Lol.
I know everyone is different so their experiences are. My sister in law didn't have a bad experience, she did have some bad contractions that I know about, whenever we arrived at the hospital she was in a hot bath to help wth them before she could receive her epidural. When we arrived she was like 3cm dialated so we waited for like five hours or more before she started pushing. She only pushed for like 30 mins (maybe less) and out came the baby. Lol. So I think I might try a hot bath if they get too bad before I can get an epidural.