where do contractions hurt?

joyco

I'm wondering where I'll feel the pain (please stop laughing at me) when I have a real contraction.  I still have the "irritable uterus" sort of contractions where the whole tummy just gets really tight and hard and then goes away.  I'm the kind of person who minimizes pain and thinks there will be something even worse at some point so I'm not a good judge of anything like that. 

But last night I had a contraction and it kinda hurt down in my lower back (up to now, I have not had any lower back pain) and was wondering if it was just how I was lying in bed or what.  Other than the back pain, it reminded me of the BH contractions, so I'm a bit confused.  

I should probably be reading a book that explains all this, shouldn't I?  Eh, it's just easier to ask y'all.

Abrooks

I had back labor and the contractions started in my back, like spasms every 10-15 minutes. I didn't realize they were contractions for a while b/c I expected them to be up front.  I had BH daily starting at 6 months until I delivered and those were always in the front.  When active labor started I had the contraction in the front (like where you have menstrual cramps) and in my low back together.

Kristen&Doyle

I had back labor, I believe due to Colton's head being engaged wrong. ?I ended up with a c-section, again, I believe due to that problem, but he did have his first BM when my water was broke by my doctor and his heart rate was fluctuating, so it was probably a combination of things. ?But anyway, my back labor contractions hurt bad! ?It was very on and off, just like contractions are suppose to be, but it was horrible pain. ?Of course I have no idea what regular contractions feel like, but I really just felt miserable the whole time I was in "early labor"...yeah, I never even dialated much. ?I hope your labor goes much better anyway. ?Take care, Kristen

Abrooks

I second Kristen...it was horrible, horrible pain when active labor started.  As in can't talk, doubled over about to puke everywhere pain w/ each contraction. 

amyinaustin

I had BH contractions from about 5 months on - and those were like you described- all over tightening of the uterus.

When labor started, it was more of a twinge in my lower abdomen - like menstrual cramps - but it had a definite start and end (whereas my menstrual cramps were kind of a dull ache for a long period of time).

Once labor progressed and we were at the hospital- the twinge turned into an OMG.must.sit.down.no.stand.no.sit.no.ok.captian-morgan-pose...phew.  pain in that same area. 

I did NOT have back labor, just regular old labor.

I found the "Captain Morgan pose" to be very nice - relieved a lot of pressure and opened up those old pelvic bones.  You can also call it the yoga "tree" pose but DH liked calling it the Captain Morgan pose. 

SaraLouiseBride08

Oh my gosh. I thought I was going to open this and read that you were in labor. Which would have been horrible timing since I just came from your blog and saw you not-so-finished nursery

JessHeath

As I was decideding how to explain "what labor feels like" I realized that to be honest, I don't remember.  It is *like* a really bad cramp and can be anywhere in your lower tummy and radiate to your back, but to be honest it is like no other pain I've felt before.  I hope those babies stay in there long a while longer!!  Definitly want to finish that nursery!!  Hope you aren't in too much pain though.

joyco

I haven't had another one like that since then and now thinking about it, it wasn't at all like a cramp, just a dull pain that was just there for a bit and didn't remind me of period cramps.  Geez, I'm going to be questioning all the twinges and cramps from here on out! 

Thank you all for the responses, I think I'm well-informed now.  Maybe.