On what contractions really feel like

HeyStVincent · January 2016

I thought this article was great: https://nymag.com/thecut/2015/03/18-women-on-what-contractions-really-feel-like.html#

For those of you who have had contractions previously, what did they feel like for you? I was induced and was having frequent (every couple minutes) mini contractions prior to my induction. I would describe the non-pitocin contractions as feeling like diarrhea/bad food poisoning-type cramping. The induction (the insertion of the balloon into my cervix) felt like someone was literally ripping apart my entire lower abdomen (which, is essentially what was happening). Once the balloon came out the pitocin-induced contractions felt like child's play. After I was about 6cm (or maybe it 7 cm) dilated my nurse recommended that if I was going to get the epidural, we not wait much longer. So, we did the epidural, which was amazing, until the last 45 mins of pushing (I pushed for two hours) when the epidural shifted and I was only getting pain medication for half of my body. For the side with sensation, it felt much like the extreme pain I had with the balloon insertion, but it came in waves instead of being constant (so, end of labor contractions were still not as bad as that damn balloon).

Last but not least, the very last paragaph of the article linked to above made me bawl my eyes out. So good.

bananers · January 2016

Yep, totally crying from that last paragraph.

For me they felt much like Lydia described. At first just a tightening. Then it felt like diarrhea or really horrible gas pains, only you couldn't shit or fart to get some relief. Then they became this intense all-consuming pain that made me want to peel my skin off and run away from my body. Have you ever kicked the coffee table with your little toe and you just want to run away from the pain but you can't? It's kind of like that, x100.

And then I got the epidural and all was right with the world in a matter of seconds. Epidurals rock.

amandazap · January 2016

At about 11 PM I went to lay on my bed and as soon as I laid down it felt like I stretched a muscle in my abdomen. I literally leaped off my bed (my husband had the biggest eyes) and was doubled over the end of the bed making funny breathing noises. I was able to walk a little then all of a sudden a contraction would come and I would be doubled over. I've never had food poisoning so I can't compare it to that but I will say, when the nurses or doctors tell you "You'll know when it's a REAL contraction" they aren't lying!! I was admitted at 2 am and had an emergency c section at 6:34 am. So I really didn't labor for that long (thank God).

babaylo · January 2016

Ah, great article! I was also induced, and mine started out feeling like period cramps, just pressure/tightening. They broke my water after 5 or 6 hours of that, and then immediately they felt like really REALLY bad gas pains. That's when I got the epidural and life was good again

. I still knew when I was having contractions with the epidural, but it didn't hurt...more of a pressure. After reading that article, I'm glad I got the epi when I did, so I didn't have to feel the later contractions!

My labor/delivery was so perfect last time...hoping it's as good in August!

Ceventa · January 2016

Great article! I remember being so scared about what labor would be like because no one could tell me. It was so frustrating, I wanted some kind of inkling as to what to expect. When the time came they started off like really, really strong cramps in one spot. Then the pain just got stronger and stronger in the one area until I felt like my son was trying to break straight through my lower abdomen like in Alien. Oh, and I kept needing to pee! Every time I peed it was like, sweet mother of God that feels nice.

Itsally1011 · January 2016

Mine started out just like minor menstrual cramps around 9pm. They very slowly escalated and got stronger and stronger. I remember my doctor told me not to head to the hospital until I couldn't walk or talk through them. I remember thinking that was going to take forever bc these weren't so bad! Around 2am they got really bad and we left. By the time I go to the hospital I could not walk......soooo painful. They feel like cramps times 10000000 in your back, front, legs etc. etc. I got an epidural when I was about 6 cm and felt nothing after that. They hurt like crazy!!! Cant wait to do it again haha!

Bookhousegirl · January 2016

I went into labor in the middle of the night and when the contractions were just one an hour they felt like really bad period cramps. Once they became regular (every 10/15 min) it was like someone was tearing my insides out. I went from wanting to attempt a natural labor to begging my husband to call the hospital to have them get an epidural ready (I wish that was actually possible!) in 15 min flat. The epidural wore off while I was pushing so I was a wreck at that point but besides that, the epidural was amazing and it was definitely the right choice for me.

1faceinacrowd · January 2016

Okay, who else is now super stoked for labor.

lol.

In all seriousness, I tried to keep moving/walking/bouncing on the ball as long as I could throughout labor and I think that helped move things along. I feel like the worst part was the last 30-60 minutes or so, when I felt like I NEEDED to push, but I was only 9 cm and just couldn't yet. It was like trying to hold in the most massive poop of my life - the kind that makes you want to sprint to the bathroom - and just having to sit there and NOT poop my pants.

Fremdschamen · January 2016

I was induced and had back labour, but mine felt like something was pushing my hips apart in opposite directions. I was positive they were simply going to crack apart.

bananers · January 2016

1faceinacrowd said:
Okay, who else is now super stoked for labor. lol.

LOL. Actually, I kind of am now. As intense as that pain was, the rush of birthing a baby is like nothing I've ever felt before. I wanted to bottle up that feeling and take it like a drug every day. It's so cliche, but the pain is totally worth it.

kattyleigh · January 2016

Like the worst Charlie horse in your abdominal area. Knowing it completely goes away between each contraction is so helpful to controlling them. I've had one totally unmediated birth and one with an epidural.

texasmama2014 · January 2016

Period cramps x's 1 million, and I wasn't allowed to move around because of the hrm on baby's head. I loved my epidural so much...

jmknox · January 2016

Period like cramps that came in waves. I didn't need to be told to push because my body was doing it for me - I agree.... Like taking the biggest poop in your life. The pain for me wasn't bad until the very end, and then it was over. I needed no pain meds afterwards either, the endorphins were amazing. I plan on going natural for #2 as well. Our Bradley classes really prepared us along with reading lots of natural birth stories.

ThePax89 · January 2016

Yep. Period cramps. I didn't even know mine were contractions because I expected to feel them up higher in my belly like Braxton hicks. Instead I felt them in my upper thighs and pelvis.

Toricharline · January 2016

Strong period cramps for sure. But more intense than with Braxton hicks. And it definitely felt like holding in a massive poop lol
All in all, it lasted about 10 hours, but was only super bad after i hit 7cm. I just kept moving and getting in and it of the tub. It helps move things along for sure. I'm so glad I didn't get an epidural, otherwise I think it would have been worse because I would have been bed ridden. The pain sucked but it's child birth, so I mean, it's going to be painful and hard.. But mean, nothing wrong with an epidural if you think you need one

the worst part was transition, right at 9cm. Then I totally wanted to push but they told me not to and that was the worst part for sure. But, within a few minutes my water broke, I pushed a couple times (which totally didn't hurt, compared to contractions) then I had my baby and it was all over. I'm super stoked to do it all again. I LOVED being in labor lol. I used hypnobirthing though, so I suggest anyone planning an all natural med free birth to look in to!

Sekerambo · January 2016

I had back labor that felt like an on and off Charlie horse in my back. Bradley classes definitely prepared me for everything I went through.....the days of contractions and hard labor. I felt like I could do anything afterwards.

rosieo52 · January 2016

@ThePax89 this is exactly how it was for me! And everyone who tried to describe contractions to me told me I would feel them either in my back or across my entire abdomen. Plus my water broke at home so as I drove to the hospital every I contracted water leaked out. No one told me this happened so it all scared the crap out of me!

ThePax89 · January 2016

@rosieo52 haha. Seriously. I was at the hospital, I was supposed to be induced the following morning and called the nurse in to ask her about my bizarre cramps. The second I found out they were contractions, I got MAD. They weren't supposed to feel like that!

Pepper6 · January 2016

If you imagine your uterus as a blanket that's pain free when flat, contractions felt like someone grabbing a big handful and twisting and pulling on it. And then I had an epidural and all was right with the world...

DragonMom2 · January 2016

I got induced with my first too and it was horrible... I want a more natural birth this time.. But I was able to talk and walk and everything with my contractions. Until the pitocin kicked in and I said screw it and got an epidural. But I don't want pitocin and I don't want an epidural this time around.

Ya Never Know · January 2016

I was induced and had planned to get an epidural. Because of high BP they also gave me the epidural early, and by the time I had to push it was wearing off, but they added something else in to my line to take the edge off (can't remember what it was). The contractions that I felt before the epidural felt like really bad period cramps.

SkiChic626 · January 2016

Once I finally got them (it took breaking my water to make them happen - the balloon and pitocin did NOTHING for me but give me constant BH), they felt like really awful diarrhea or gas pains, like the worst ones ever that actually stop you in your tracks. Once I got the epi I felt nothing, not even the tightening....but the epi slowed me down so much that I ended up with a c-section.

LacieMac · January 2016

Prior to induction, they felt as was said before- like bad period cramps. When I reached a 7 and had been on pitocin for 12 + hours it became very intense. The only way I know how to explain it is that it was the worst pain of my life. Toes curling, eyes watering and praying to God to make it stop kind of pain. I didn't scream, I didn't freak out but I begged God to help me through. My DH held me and it was so helpful to have someone comfort me but the pain truly is unimaginable in my opinion. This was only 5 months ago but I am not scared 1 bit to do it again because although the pain is ....wow, it is the most amazing experience and 100% worth every second of the pain.

greendogs1993 · January 2016

After reading many of your experiences I am so thankful I didn't experience being induced. I won't share much because every woman I tell my labor story to ends up being a little jealous and I don't want to bring in any negativity. My water broke in the middle of the night, but my son's head acted as a cap so not much came out and it wasn't a huge deal. So I knew something was started but went back to sleep knowing how much work I had ahead of me. So I slept a couple more hours until it was like intense period cramps. I did a home birth so my home was my play ground and I tried all different positions that felt comfortable to me. However, the urge to poop made me speed most my time on the toilet because I just didn't want to crap in my house no matter what was underneath me. I spent 90% of labor on the toilet or in the bathroom. I would describe the pain as going from intense period cramps to having the stomach flu but being constipated. Stuff wanted to get out of your body but it just wouldn't yet. They there was a brief pause followed by my body pushing. I could not control the pushing, it was all being done by my body. Then I moved to my bed to deliver on all 4s and after 2 pushes my son was born. And then after a little while you push once more to get the after birth out but that's really nothing at that point, you are already experiencing the biggest high in your life. At the end you feel so accomplished and whole. I couldn't say I was in pain during labor, it was more like discomfort because you need to get something out. I was terrified of labor last pregnancy, but this time I am excited for it :-)

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