What do contractions feel like?

nycnola · March 2010

I am a lurker from 3rd Tri, and I have NO idea what to expect! What do they early stages of labor feel like? How will I know I am starting the process? What do painful contractions feel like? If the OWT about bad menstrual cramps is true, I am made in the shade! Haha! TIA!

Osment · March 2010

I hear that everyone is different. For me, it was like the worst AF cramps i have ever felt, did not think it was possible to have cramps so bad.

sarajo317 · March 2010

Osment:

I hear that everyone is different. For me, it was like the worst AF cramps i have ever felt, did not think it was possible to have cramps so bad.

Same here! and I had terrible periods!!!! and I also did not have back labor.. until right before I got my epi...

justrachet · March 2010

Mine weren't at all like cramps, but my belly got very tight and hard. They were exactly like my BH that I'd been having daily for the previous 3 weeks, but kept getting stronger and closer together.

ETA: On the other hand, it reminded me of having a cramp in my foot or calf (which I often woke up with during 3rd tri), except it was in my belly. But still, nothing like my period cramps.

MrsStu · March 2010

Early contractions were just a tightening of my stomach/mild crampy feeling. Strong contractions felt like my pelvis was ripping apart along with the tightening/extreme cramping.

Hopefull11 · March 2010

Osment:

I hear that everyone is different. For me, it was like the worst AF cramps i have ever felt, did not think it was possible to have cramps so bad.

This exactly. I couldn't feel my belly getting hard during them either, unlike BH that my belly did get hard. Once I started having them, I just kind of knew they were the real deal.

hterry85 · March 2010

MrsStu:
Early contractions were just a tightening of my stomach/mild crampy feeling. Strong contractions felt like my pelvis was ripping apart along with the tightening/extreme cramping.

This...

Diananisaac · March 2010

Mine didn't feel like AF cramps at all but they just like a bad charley horse cramp you get in your calf but not in your calf in your stomach.....this is the best comparison for the pain I felt.

CapitolBaby · March 2010

For me, the real contractions felt like my insides were all tightening up. It hurt. The first contractions I had were painless, and just felt like pressure down there. The only reason I knew those early ones were contractions was because it was timeable - every 8 minutes.

pammi2003 · March 2010

I had back labor. And it felt like a hot knife being twisted in my back over and over. Worst pain I have ever went through. Epidural wore off and the pain meds were not working so I thought I was going to die. Sounds a tad bit dramatic but it makes me appreciate woman who opt for natural labor. You ladies are my heroes!

Chelle0112 · March 2010

pammi2003:
I had back labor. And it felt like a hot knife being twisted in my back over and over. Worst pain I have ever went through. Epidural wore off and the pain meds were not working so I thought I was going to die. Sounds a tad bit dramatic but it makes me appreciate woman who opt for natural labor. You ladies are my heroes!

This describes mine perfectly. The pain meds didn't touch them and my epi wore off as well.

mbgreenwalt · March 2010

Before they broke my water it felt just like BH contractions, not painful. After they broke my water I only had to deal with them for 30 minutes while I waited for my epi, but it felt like I was getting the worse case of diarrhea. It was all in my lower abdomen.