Talk to me about contractions/lack there of...

PooDanga · April 2012

I feel like a moron for not knowing more about this, but I need some insight...

Is it normal to be 39 weeks and have had no noticeable contractions? I keep reading posts about people talking about having contractions, and I really don't know that I've had any so far.

What do early contractions feel like?

mrs_j_may_08 · April 2012

I don't believe I have had even 1 real contraction. Back around 30w, I was having a lot of BH. I don't even think I'm having those any more. I've been sitting at 1cm and thick since 36w.

I am in the camp that is hoping things start and progress quickly for me, maybe you'll be the same!!

ImThisBabysMom · April 2012

I had my BH off and on but never felt them. I only knew I had them because everything would get really hard for a minute then fade. I am 40 weeks and 2 days and have only knowingly had real contractions once. That was Saturday after being up all day doing stuff for the move. I had back to front pressure/cramps that faded but came back like every 9 minutes but it only happened maybe 4 times. ETA I was 2cm, 80% effaced and station 0 at my 39 week check. I'm not sure what I was at 40. We just scheduled my induction so I'm guessing it didn't change much.

andricjl · April 2012

I'm a little under a week behind you, and I haven't had any contractions that I know of either. So I'm curious what others say :-)

Jessica

Keeks14 · April 2012

If it makes you feel better I am almost 41 weeks and I haven't felt one yet. Just baby movement.

jamaicam · April 2012

I'm another one who has had no contractions and no signs of anything happening.

My DH dreamt last night that the baby is coming on Monday... I find that doubtful!

Mabillon · April 2012

I asked my doctor about this today since I haven't had any contrax (BH or otherwise) since the few days before my 37 week appointment. She wasn't particularly concerned and said it was as normal as anything else.

I've barely had any contractions this whole pregnancy though. Even with my BHs, the only reason I know I'm having them is when I touch my tummy from the outside.

That said, I was finally a fingertip dialated at my 37 week appt (after the contrax) and I won't know if I progressed this week since we didn't do an internal. My birthday is tomorrow and my doc didn't want to send me into labor

PooDanga · April 2012

All of you make me feel so much better! I thought I was just totally missing something and wasn't paying close enough attention to my body.

I agree - I hope things progress quickly for me once it's time. I'm ready to get this party started!! Smile

WildcatPrincess · April 2012

First time around I felt nothing until the night I went into labor. This time I had a ton of BH the whole pregnancy and a few "real" contractions here and there. I've heard people are aware of/feel contractions more the 2nd time around.

lindy27 · April 2012

I don't think I have felt any either but when I went in for my 36 week check and my doctor was feeling around on my belly she mentioned that I had a contraction while she was doing that, but I felt nothing. At that point I was 2-3 cm dialated and very thin so I guess I had had contractions that I missed?

MsCat19 · April 2012

WildcatPrincess:
First time around I felt nothing until the night I went into labor. This time I had a ton of BH the whole pregnancy and a few "real" contractions here and there. I've heard people are aware of/feel contractions more the 2nd time around.

This is pretty much the same deal I had - except I had no "natural" contractions the first time - I was on pit, so I THINK I've had real ones, but I doubt myself because of my first experience!

Johlise · April 2012

I'm glad to know that I'm not alone!

westrose · April 2012

I am just as clueless as you. I assume I will know when they are serious and it is time to go.

laurack · April 2012

I'm just not really sure! I feel dumb for not knowing.

Every night for the past two weeks pretty much, I have a couple of hours of discomfort/pain, it feels more like cramping, with more painful baby movements and a lot more stabbing pain in the vagina & butt.

But I don't know if I'd call it contractions, it's not something that hurts for a minute then doesn't hurt for a while, it is more like it just hurts for a couple of hours.

At this point I'm hoping my water will break so I KNOW i am in labor, ha.

ccd122psu · April 2012

laurack:

I'm just not really sure! I feel dumb for not knowing.

Every night for the past two weeks pretty much, I have a couple of hours of discomfort/pain, it feels more like cramping, with more painful baby movements and a lot more stabbing pain in the vagina & butt.

But I don't know if I'd call it contractions, it's not something that hurts for a minute then doesn't hurt for a while, it is more like it just hurts for a couple of hours.

At this point I'm hoping my water will break so I KNOW i am in labor, ha.

This is me too! I'm not sure if I've had any or not.... I do notice sometimes my belly gets super hard, but I dont realize when it relaxes again. It doesn't hurt, it's just really, really tight. And I am also having painful baby movement and pains in the vag and butt! I

Annie234567 · April 2012

I'm 39 weeks and 4 days and I haven't had contractions or made any progress. Plenty of people I've talked to said everything just happened all at once for them, so I hope that happens for me so I can avoid an induction.