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January 2016 Moms
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What do contractions feel like?

Hrc724Hrc724 member
in January 2016 Moms
yesterday when I was working out I started having cramps like I was getting my period, are these contractions?
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Re: What do contractions feel like?

  • Cricket99Cricket99 member
    Contractions will make your abdomen really hard and rigid for a minute or so. I have had a few Braxton Hicks and they haven't been painful. I also have been having "cramps" that are more like round ligament pain. It feels like I'm about to start my period, but I've really popped out in the last week or so. Every week or so I get really bad RLP, warm baths help immensely. Good luck!
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  • JoJoMama730JoJoMama730 member
    And I will add to the PP that a contraction has a peak. So if you feel pressure/discomfort that starts out small (and on the side) and becomes more More MORE MORE (as it travels across your abdomen), then peaks, then becomes LESS Less less, that is a contraction. A sharp stabbing pain, or a general constant ache, is not my experience with them.

     

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  • Hrc724Hrc724 member
    Thank you! It sounds like what I had was round ligament pain.
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  • leap_frogleap_frog member
    If you lay on your left side and drink water Braxton hicks should go away. If not, call your dr.
    You'll know what a contraction feels like ;) ((I was told this when I *thought* I went into labor last time by the nurses.)) #truestory
    N (2004), A (2007), N (2010), and L (due 1/2016)
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  • blessed2bemommyblessed2bemommy member
    With ds I didn't get much warning (when mine started they were immediately 2 minutes apart and he was born an hour and a half later), but I agree with the posts about the tightening in your abdomen with pain, and I had them bad all they way into my back. I couldn't find a position that I was comfortable in.
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  • lauralongerolauralongero member
    Also, contractions really hurt. You'll know when they're real!
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  • jeanbug12jeanbug12 member
    When I went into labor with DD I thought I had to use the bathroom, the contractions felt like cramping I get when my stomach is upset but a bit more intense. I had lots of Braxton hicks contractions during my pregnancy where I could feel my whole uterus tighten up, but those weren't actually opening my cervix. It was about 3 AM and I was going back and forth from the bathroom, then after a few trips back and forth, I realized the cramps were pretty consistent and about 5 minutes apart.
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  • FrancookieFrancookie member
    I remember contractions feeling like my entire body but especially my midsection getting involved in an intense workout without my own participation :)  
    About me: Daughter turns 4 in Feb 2016... second baby due in mid-Jan 2016!   
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  • cerafina205cerafina205 member
    My first, I back labored. Felt like my back was ripping open. Period like cramps are not contractions. Just take it easy and drink water. You WILL know when you are having real contractions....there will be none of this " I can't tell if these are contractions."
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  • Grace213Grace213 member
    Honestly before I went into labor (when my water broke) I had been having contractions for about a week but they were so mild I thought it was just the baby moving and kicking me hard. Doc hooked me up to a machine for an hour to monitor them. Once labor actually started I KNEW what contractions were! It's like horrible gas pains meets the immense pain from when I popped my hips out of joint when I was 15 times 100!
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  • ByeByeSpottsByeByeSpotts member
    I was at the movies on Saturday night and had a horrible cramp on my left side. It felt similar to a cramp I would get when I would go for a run back in the day, but worst. Wasn't sure if it was weird bad gas pains or ligament pains or maybe my first Braxton hicks. Any ideas?
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  • KimberlyainKimberlyain member
    I went to the doc on Friday for pelvic pain and she gave me a good tip regarding tightening of the uterus.she said if you feel your stomach and it feels like poking the tip of your nose it is not a contraction. If it feels like poking your forehead then it is a contraction. I hope that helps!
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  • jtk4lifejtk4life member
    Kimberlyain said:
    I went to the doc on Friday for pelvic pain and she gave me a good tip regarding tightening of the uterus.she said if you feel your stomach and it feels like poking the tip of your nose it is not a contraction. If it feels like poking your forehead then it is a contraction. I hope that helps!

    Totally just poked both my nose and my forehead.  Good thing no one was looking.  :D

    Pregnancy Ticker

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  • ctmamaoftwoctmamaoftwo member
    @jtk4life I did the exact same thing! Haha
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