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This might be a silly question, but what do contractions feel like?

Melissa72777Melissa72777 member
in 3rd Trimester
I'm a FTM and my doctor told me at this point in my pregnancy to be aware of pre-term labor symptoms such as more than 4 contractions in an hour. My question is what does a contraction feel like? I've never been through this before so I'm not sure what to expect. I have had some days where I have some pressure or what feels like stretching/light cramping in my lower abdomen but that doesn't really come and go. It will stick around for a while then eventually go away if I lay down or sit w/my feet elevated. There are also times when the baby moves & it is more uncomfortable than just the normal movement but again I don't think that's a contraction. Can someone just tell me what it feels like so I know what to be on the look out for? Thanks!

Melissa

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Re: This might be a silly question, but what do contractions feel like?

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    bossyfnpbossyfnp member
    It sounds like your having BH contractions, mine feel like a balling up or tightening sensation, not painful just annoying and last for about a minute. I was taught in school to feel your abdomen, your uterus relax is like the tip of your nose...when your having a contraction it hardens like your forehead.
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    Melissa72777Melissa72777 member
    Yeah, nothing that I would call tightness yet.

    Melissa

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    dglvrk2dglvrk2 member

    I'm a STM.  The contractions for DD#1 were extremely painful.  During a contraction, you cannot do much but sit, lay down, lean against something and breath deeply until it's over (about a minute).  You can let out a word or two, but talking is difficult.  Braxton Hicks are much more managable.  I have a lot of these this time around.  Like PP's say, it's more of a breath-taking tightening than a pain. 

    You'll know when you have a contraction :-)

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    ChichigoChichigo member
    My labor started with minor cramping, less than I have with a period. They grew stronger and longer during the day. They also felt co,pletely different from the BH.
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    ktpaladinoktpaladino member
    Contractions can feel different for everyone, so although people can tell you what they feel like for them, it may be a different sensation for you. With my first, they began around 33 weeks randomly. They were sometimes like a period cramp in the middle of the night, but most of the time they were like horrible pain and pressure in my rectum. Like the baby was trying to push its way out my bottom. Once my water broke, everything was "a pain in the butt" and lower back. As my labor progressed and I was dilating more, it moved to the front and felt like the most awful menstrual cramp you could ever imagine, but that was pretty far into labor. This pregnancy, they started at 31weeks, and I am experiencing the same feelings again. Sometimes the period cramp sensation, but more commonly the intense pressure in my butt. They are mild compared to the intensity they reach in labor, but there is no mistaking them the second time around- with my first pregnancy I was unsure if they were contractions or not, but now I know that they are!

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    redhead610redhead610 member
    Mine felt like the worst menstrual cramps you could imagine. Had to pause what I was doing, take some deep breaths to get through. I think the tightness and crampy feelings you have are just your body starting to get ready, and possibly BH. Active labor contractions are one of those "you'll know it when you feel it" things.
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    YummeeCookeeYummeeCookee member
    Its not a silly question. It was something that really mystified me too prior to the birth of DD. To me they felt like period cramps. The thing is, they intensified (more pain and lasting for longer) as the labor went on. I didnt experience tightness or back pain, just what felt to me like extreme period cramps.

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    emonforte4emonforte4 member
    Thanks for posting this, I've been really curious as well seeing as this is my first baby. :) I've always heard you kind of just know when they're real contractions because they hurt more than they are uncomfortable and it's more in your back, kind of like period cramps, as PPs have said. Also, my mom told me that she had a burst of energy right before she was about to go into labor? Not sure if anyone else has experienced this considering everyone's pregnancy is different.
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    PrimRoseMamaPrimRoseMama member
    They feel like menstrual cramps from hell. Trust me. You'll know.


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    cMichelle0423cMichelle0423 member
    PrimRoseMama said:

    They feel like menstrual cramps from hell. Trust me. You'll know.

    For me I didn't think they felt very much like menstrual cramps... that's what everyone told me they'd feel like (more intense of course) but I just got more of a sharp tightening pain.
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    Tassie06Tassie06 member
    When you're in active labour it feels like your insides are being pulled apart. Like a wish bone. Sorry, but it effing hurts. But we all get through it! And then we're dumb enough to do it again!! Lol
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    Melissa72777Melissa72777 member
    Tassie06 said:

    When you're in active labour it feels like your insides are being pulled apart. Like a wish bone.
    Sorry, but it effing hurts. But we all get through it! And then we're dumb enough to do it again!! Lol

    Yeah I'm a FTM at 36 years old. I'm definitely one and done so i will not be going through it again. Lol

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    BuckeyeWife07BuckeyeWife07 member
    I hated hearing this my first pregnancy because it doesn't help much.. but you really will know if you're having contractions. They are like the worst cramps ever that wrap all the way around you (not just down low or in one spot) and make your stomach rock hard. They are something that you honestly just know when they happen. I'd say you might be having some small braxton hicks, but even those will tighten your stomach muscles and usually take your breath away a little (at least they do for me). 
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