What do contractions feel like?

MarineWifey1106

I tried to use the search to see if this had been answered recently, and didnt find anything.  I know its been posted before but like a dummy since I was near ready for them to happen I usually just skipped those. 

For about three days I have been having cramps (like a mix between really having to go to the bathroom, and painful period cramps).  Now i went to the restroom yesterday and thought that would stop them, but if anything I feel like they hurt worse today.  One earlier actually took my breath for a second, but for the most part I can walk and talk through them.  Now my lower back kinda hurts during the cramps, and I'm just wondering if these are contractions? 

I know Im not "in labor" because they are really inconsistent, but I'm just wondering what ya'lls contractions feel like.  I was always told they felt like BH just that there was a pain along with it... mine are cramps and nothing like BH... so just curious...

JCM083009

I was told by my midwife they feel like menstrual cramps on steroids.  I've been having some cramps over the past few weeks (nothing regular though) and was told they are contractions and my body is just getting ready.  Sounds like that is what's happening for you as well.  I was told if I get more than 6 in 1 hour (before I hit full term) to call.

thetwistedwillow

Cramps are contractions. So are orgasms. Anytime you feel crampy or feel your stomach getting rock hard/bunching up, that is a contraction. A true contraction will most likely double you over and you have to breathe through it. Sounds like your body is gearing up for due date.

MarineWifey1106

Alright thank ya'll I was curious and had read in my books about the tightening, but didnt know if cramps counted as tightening.

christina627

I didn't have contractions that made me "double over and have to breathe threw them" until about 3 hours after my water broke which was about 3 hours after I was induced.   I had "early labor" contractions on and off for about 2 weeks before LO came...they were consistent and time able for up to 13 hours at a time during those 2 weeks.  The worst were 2 weeks and 4 days before he was actually born.  The "real" ones weren't even as bad as those until a couple hours after water broke.  I wasn't feeling like I was in "active labor" until I was about 5-6 cm dialated and then a hour later I was in transition and then quickly went into pushing but I started pushed at 8cm (big babies sometimes need extra to mold head and my body said "push") and I pushed for about a hour and half but only about 30 minutes once at 10.