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September 2012 Moms
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Stupid Contraction Question

Jenniefer2008Jenniefer2008 member
in September 2012 Moms
Okay ladies... I feel so silly, and please don't poke fun. I have read so much and heard so many individual stories of what contractions are supposed to feel like: tightening, menstrual cramps, abdominal cramping (like gas or diarrhea or whatevs), back pain, blah blah blah. However, we are 39 weeks on Monday, and I can honestly say that I have no idea what braxton hicks contractions even feel like. I mean, I've felt my tummy tighten here and there, but nothing serious, scary, or crazy. I just assumed after others saying it's tightening, that ohhh hey I think I had a BH. Pretty much everyone says that you'll know when you are having contractions. Well, I'm afraid I won't. I've even seen on this board and from a few individuals that they didn't even know. So, please, I need like exact details. Lately, I've been feeling like I'm going to start my period. But, to me it's not really crampy persay. It's more like my hooha feels tired and like it's opening? And the part where you feel like everytime you go to the bathroom you'll wipe and there will be blood. Know what i mean? Also, every so often I keep getting this awful pains in my hooha. Not stretching. I know what those bad boys feel like. It's more like her head shoving into my hooha and it takes my breath away and it's there for a bit and I almost feel like i could freaking push her out (seriously, as weird as this sounds I had to take a mirror and make sure her head wasn't right there, that's how freaked out I was). But, anyways, I don't want to rush into labor and delivery everytime there's a weird pain or twinge or what I think I'm timing are contractions. #1 I don't want the nurses or doc to be like "chick be stupid" and #2 I don't want multiple labor and delivery bills simply because i'm paranoid and don't know what to expect. Help me out mommas!
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Re: Stupid Contraction Question

  • mikeyfrogmikeyfrog

    I doubted the  "you'll know when your having contractions" story...Until I went into labor last night and let me tell you, YOU WILL KNOW! It was intense and unbearable. Ofcourse I skipped the lighter, far apart contractions and went straight to the HOLY CRAP these are fast and hard and I need drugs type. 

    If you are unsure though, go in. the l&d nurses are there for a reason and usually prefer you to be safe than sorry. 

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  • KKSBeansKKSBeans member
    I am in the same boat as you. I have had uncomfortable "tightening" all day long, but nothing I feel it necessary to breath through. There is signficant pressure like her full weight is on my cervix, so I"m just waiting to see what happens I guess lol
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  • LegallyBlonde217LegallyBlonde217 member
    I had tightening throughout my pregnancy and I already knew what menstrual cramps felt like. When I felt them at the same time, it was contractions. And the cramping during contractions was the same pain but MUCH stronger than menstrual cramps.
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  • MichelenDave06MichelenDave06 member
    With my first pregnancy I never experienced a BH. I was also induced with high BP, so I didn't experience going into labor. This time, I get BHs all day, every day since month 4. What happens is serious tightening in my belly. Sometimes they hurt mostly now that I am further along but most of them were uncomfortable. I will also get weird hard buldges sticking out the of my belly each time. If I move, they ease up. They aren't very regular either. The omg ouchy feeling that you are getting is the baby moving against your cervix. There are hours sometimes when LO is living there and every movement leads to that sharp pain. "Real" contractions can be different for everyone. Mine actually ached all the way down my legs. But the intensity is much worse than anything else. Mayne not at first, but eventually they will hurt so bad, you will know.
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  • enjoylifeenjoylife member
    Ditto po that you will know when it is real labor. With DS I never had any bh and when labor did start I was confused thinking it was my stomach not agreeing with my lunch that day, but within about 30 minutes and a phone call to my mom she told me that it was labor and as soon as she said that I found I couldn't talk or really move during contractions. This pregnancy I have had bh some painful and timeable for the last month and it sucks because I keep thinking this is it and it fizzles out after a few hours. For me the bh feel like menstrual cramps or my whole upper abdomen will get hard for a bit. Oh and LO totally likes to head butt or punch the cervix too and definitely makes me go ouch.
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  • rpt06rpt06 member

    For my first I didn't have any BH but definitely knew I was starting to have contractions when the time came.  Honestly I don't really remember what contractions feel like (although I do remember the pain of back labor which started after the contractions) so I can't help with a description but trust me, you'll know when they start.

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  • Jenniefer2008Jenniefer2008 member
    thanks for being so sweet! all of this is really encouraging. i'm just going to pray to the good Lord that my water just simply breaks haha. if only it were that simple.
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  • mamaHippo23mamaHippo23 member
    Don't be afraid to ask your OB this question too. Describe the sensations you've been feeling and they'll tell you how it compares to a real contraction. They'll also tell you of other more specific warning signs to look for that means it's hospital time. I was worried about this too since I'm a FTM, until I had a couple contractions last week and it was absolutely like nothing I've ever felt before, so by instinct you know that has to be it.
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  • danicharbdanicharb

    Oh my gosh thank you for posting this! Haha, I feel the same exact way.  I really haven't had the crazy pain but I've had crampy feelings too. I understand I have time but I ask my OB all the time what it will feel like and its always the same response -- its different for everyone.  It will start up top and go down -- lol. 

    I agree... I hope my water just breaks like a big gush so I know - but for now I guess I'll trust that we'll just know! Smile

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  • TaylorP5TaylorP5 member

    It is very frustrating not knowing what is going on in there and knowing if this is it or not. Last night I was having horrible lower back pain for atleast 5 hours and woke up this morning and nothing! My contractions spread out and still none today! But it's not quite time for my babe to make his appearance so he is just hanging out in there!

    Yes everyone says you will know and I believe yes you will probably know but not everyone is the same and every pregnancy is different so its hard to say when it is time! Hopefully my water breaks so I will know for sure! 

    Good luck!

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