What did your FIRST contraction feel like?

SomersIsles · March 2014

@pepperedmoth‌ made me curious about this bc of another thread.... So I'm wondering....

For those who have had babies already, if you can remember, how would you describe the very first contraction? Was it obvious or did you have to wait for a bunch more before you realized it was actually a contraction?

I'm a FTM so I have no clue... And here I sit, overdue, so curious what it'll feel like.

Eta.. And by first contraction I mean the real ones that eventually led to a baby.

carrieandtim · March 2014

My first contraction with DS felt like a menstrual cramp. Not a horrible one - just regular. Down low. I wondered if it was the start of something...but didn't know for sure until it went away and had another slightly more intense one about 3 minutes later. Then when that went away and the next one was a little stronger and 3 minutes from the last, I knew.

alicat85 · March 2014

For me like a really painful menstrual cramp - it started in my lower abdomen and wrapped around to my back. I actually remember thinking "I can't believe I ever thought my Braxton hicks were real contractions".

I definately knew it was the real deal.

My water broke before contractions started so I was also expecting them.

nlane0723 · March 2014

Like a menstrual cramp. It didn't hurt at all, it was just uncomfortable.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

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theluckiest9 · March 2014

Laura8388 said:
I might have missed a few cause I was asleep. But menstrual cramps woke me up. Very low.

This. They inserted cervadil. I took an ambien and slept for a little and when I woke up I was cramping. They started dull and would intensify and slowly back off each time.

nblondheim · March 2014

My first was a menstrual cramp. I kinda thought it might be something but wasn't sure. It wasn't long before I knew they were something even though they never showed up on the monitor!

sebullows · March 2014

Like a gassy menstrual cramp.

Pankers · March 2014

Same as others, menstrual cramps. Mine took a few hours till I'd admit to myself they were contractions.

karacakes98 · March 2014

Just tightening and loosening like clenching a fist. (First contraction/first pregnancy.)

This time it was like the menstrual cramp from hell, but my water had already broken

rockopera · March 2014

Same as PPs. Menstrual cramp the intensified and then went away. Similar to contractions I had the day before that fizzled out. My real contractions came after breaking my water did nothing for me, and neither did the first dose of pit.

The biggest thing for me was the ramp up and down in intensity. BH were irritating and could last 45-60 seconds, but I didn't feel the wave.

Eventually they went from cramps down low to all pelvis/lower back encompassing.

Mskris66 · March 2014

My water broke before I ever felt a contraction so it was pretty clear they were the real deal. within minutes felt like intense menstral pain, within the hour I was done for.... Super painful!

lazyreader · March 2014

I never had period cramps. But the vice like fist clench down low is exactly what it was like. I could sense when one was coming and then feel it build up. I could also sense when it was peaking and fading off.

I think it was similar to BH. But instead of high and suddenish. It was lower and deeper.

farmrose · March 2014

Started out like menstrual cramps. Not terribly painful or very notable start/stop-I was able to do other things when I sat and paid attention to them I could time a start/stop to them vs the BH I'd had the entire day before. They started around 7-8am and I was still in bed, they were uncomfortable enough I couldn't go back to sleep.

SurpriseAt39 · March 2014

With baby #1 - belly tightening, non painful - but I was induced.

Baby #2 - first contraction felt like something trying to rip my cervix open. I didn't know my belly was tight until I put my hand on it.

Baby #3 - induced again...belly tightening...once the pitocin was really up there I felt the cervix ripping pain again.

DTNZ4Ever · March 2014

Mild period cramps down low.

saisongbird · March 2014

@jsmath - what does back labor feel like?

clo1982 · March 2014

Mine was mostly in my back. Once it went around to my stomach it was already nearing the end. It felt like my spine was being burned and it would start by my tailbone then go about halfway up my back. Then it would wrap around my sides and down my hips and upper legs then go up my lower abdomen then it would taper off. When another one was starting I could feel a tingle in my lower back then it would change to the burning. Even though I had this for about 6-7 hours and some bleeding I never actually progressed. I think my cervix is broken! Didn't matter though as I was having a c/s but geez I expected SOMETHING to progress after that crap!! Kudos to you ladies who had long painful labors...those contractions sucked and I didn't even get to the close/intense ones!

aLsMay24 · March 2014

They were just different. I was not feeling the tight belly like I did with all the other ones. It was like bad poop cramps/menstural cramps but short. It took 10 hours of super sporadic, anywhere from 6-30+ mins apart, before the for super strong and closer together.

Ceventa · March 2014

It felt like a combination of strong menstrual cramps and pressure. As the contractions intensified the pressure got stronger and stronger.

linzerd · March 2014

All my contractions, that I ever had, even BH, all felt like period cramps.

talitha712 · March 2014

With both kids, contractions felt like strong period cramps. They eventually got painful enough that I had to stop what I was doing and just focus on breathing, but still felt like cramps.

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