Contractions?

This is a stupid question and I apologize in advance, but I was induced with #1 and never had natural labor. What does a contraction feel like? Is it like menstrual cramping or different? I keep getting cramps but it's nothing consistent, Just here and there. Will I know when I'm in labor? I'm so fearful that I won't know and won't make it to the hospital in time. I have a high tolerance for pain, so it scares me. Will I know?

Message edited 1/12/2015 12:25:33 PM.

Re: Contractions?

They always said it's like strong period cramps but for me it wasn't.
Maybe because I never really have period cramps with my period- like EVER.
For me it was like a strong tightening in my abdomen. Almost like a spasm.
It would sometimes stop me in my tracks for a second or 2, then subside.
When it got strong to the point of being uncomfortable (I had to get out of bed and walk around because I couldn't get comfy) and it got closer together, I called the OB who had me come in to L&D to get checked.

Contractions?

Ooh theyre much worse than cramps imo. Its a strong pain in you lower belly that comes and goes and when they come they take your breath away. AND why are you still here?! Was hoping this baby would make their arrival by now :)

Contractions?

For me, it felt like I had to pee. That's it. No pain, no discomfort. Just felt like I had to pee.
I was only 28 wks when DS was born. Because I only felt like I had to pee, it took a while to call the Dr. When I did I was told to go and get checked out at hospital. DS was born 30 minutes after we got there. I was fully dilated, water had broken and they basically had to keep him in until they were ready for him to come.

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I had the same concern but when it was time, I just knew it was time! I was getting the tightening and period like cramping for days but when I was actually getting labor contractions, they were cramps X100 and literally had me bent over unable to speak. It was a burning kind of cramp that peaked. You will know the difference when it happens! And my Ob told me not to pay attention to the minutes apart but more so the intensity if they are getting stronger. That's what made me go to the hospital gratefully bc mine were 15 minutes apart still but getting more intense so I just went in and I was already 3cm and jumped to 7cm in just an hour.

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My contractions were like a very strong menstrual cramp, that would go away and then kept coming back. That's how I really knew I was starting labor. They would go away for a few minutes, but then they'd start back up again.

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for me they were like cramps x1000 like Lilles explained.

Contractions?

On my way to work (7:30 am), I noticed that I had a tightening of my uterus. I didn't think much of it because it did not hurt. It seemed like Braxton hicks. When I got to work at 7:45. I thought hey these seem to be pretty regular. I timed them and sure enough they were about 4-6 minutes apart, but I still had NO pain. I called my Obgyn at 9:15 (I was still at work) and they told me to come in. When I got there, it was determined that I was in labor and my contractions were 2-4 minutes apart and I was 4 cm dilated and 90+% effaced. I went home and got my bags and my DH and I went to the hospital - I was still not in pain. We checked in at the hospital around 1 and the doctor came and checked on me at 2:45-3 - I was still not in any pain and I was over 5 cm dilated. He then broke my water and I went from being in NO pain to feeling like I was going to die! The contractions were so much worse than menstrual cramps and there was absolutely no relief. I got the epidural at 4 (longest hour of my life!) and started pushing around 4:45.

So, I think contractions can really go either way. If you are concerned, call your doctor.

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You're more than likely feeling the beginning of labor. I honestly only started to feel really intense contractions about 30-40 minutes before baby #2 was born. I only went to the hospital because I had a drs appt and I was 7cm and 100% effaced, same happened with baby #1.

The more fit you are, the longer it's going to take for you to feel that intense muscle cramping, so really pay attention to any kind of pattern or increase in strength or duration of the cramps. Hope this is it for you!!!

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Mine were only in my back and very easy to tell from the consistently strong BH's contractions I had been having for a few weeks. It felt like someone was twisting my tailbone out of my bum (graphic but true). They started out tolerable for the first 18 hours of labor and were completely out of this world painful/intolerable for the last 10 hours (then I pushed for 2). I think MOST people would say they are very distinguishable from regular cramping or BH's types of contractions and you will likely have plenty of time to get to the hospital (its less common to have a precipitous labor that is less then 3hrs for example) though it happens!

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For me, they were nothing like cramps. I was standing when they first happened and literally, could not move. Takes over your whole area from stomach and below. Very intense and when it was go-time, mine were happening every 3 minutes before I got to the hospital.

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Early on, I didn't even feel my contractions. Once I did, they were basically like a period cramp that would come for 15-30 seconds and then go away. Once you progress farther into labor, you would experience what others are describing (ie: cramps worse than a period cramp), but early on it isn't very strong.

I didn't even feel my contractions until I was about 4cm, so you never know. It's different for everyone.

If you're feeling cramps, then those are contractions. They just aren't consistent yet. Try to relax and let your body do what it has to do!

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I asked the same thing...I was told "you'll know when you're having them"...nice help right? I didn't feel anything until after my water broke. They were bad period cramps (and I got some doozy of period cramps pre-baby). They lasted for a minute and came every 4-5 minutes.

Contractions?

They didn't feel like period cramps for me...they felt more like the WORST gas in the world. And the "you'll know" I don't buy unless you are trying to labor at home. I made it to 5cm without even feeling a thing. But you should be able to time them. When I had contractions at home I was able to not even look at the clock, I knew it was 10 minutes later because of my contractions.

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Any update????

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Fingers crossed they keep going for you! Just to warn you sometimes even real contractions will give you "false labor" that fizzles out. Hopefully that is not the case and you will get to have your baby soon

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Posted by petvet

Fingers crossed they keep going for you! Just to warn you sometimes even real contractions will give you "false labor" that fizzles out. Hopefully that is not the case and you will get to have your baby soon