What do first contractions feel like?

[sorpresa_bea]

I know this may sound a really dumb question, but being a first time mum, I'm well clueless.

For those who went through normal labour, can you tell me a little about how your first contractions felt like? I've read from ladies who said they were very mild, yet they still knew labour had started.

So I suppose they start by not being too painful, and gradually escalate? And what is it like? Like a pressure down in your lower abdomen, around lower back? Or more like a sharp pain that goes away regularly?

They've also been compared to period cramps, but I don't get much of that usually, so again, not sure what to look for and how to know that labour has started....

It's my DD today....

 

[i.love]

Hi,

I would,d definitely describe them as period pain that comes in waves. But if you don't get that normally it won't help much sorry.

It's like a slow tummy pain down below. I guess a little bit like if you have eaten something really bad. It's not sharp. Each wave starts slowly, then ramps up, and then dies away. And then there is a break with no pain.

 

[Rose83]

When I started I woke up at 5am with a bit of an upset tummy as I had taken some Lactulose to get my bowels moving. At 5.25 I got a tiny bit of plug. 6am I felt a tightening in my stomach like someone tightening a rubber band round my stomach then what initially felt was like a massive kick from the baby but instantly realised it was the pop of my waters going. From that point I knew I was having contractions rather than upset tummy. So basically for me, at first they felt like when your tummy is contracting when you have diarrhoea. Until I woke at 5am there had been no other signs and baby wasn't even engaged so I thought I'd be waiting another couple of weeks but this all happened the morning after my due date. Good luck! And remember no one gives you a medal for going without pain relief so if you want it take it! X

 

[CARNAT22]

Mine have been period pain like both times.

First time they gradually ramped up (I'd lost plug but not waters) until they were incredibly painful but they still came in waves and it was definite pain that 'radiated'

Second time waters went and period like pains began almost immediately. They started off very painful this time though. That was the main difference.

X

 

[stephj25]

I was induced with my first and didn't realise I was getting contractions. It felt like period pains. I got the same pains after having a sweep so didn't think much of it until my husband timed them and they were every 2mins!! I was just walking back to hospital from McDonalds (despite being told not to leave the hospital). When I got back I was 5cm and then the poo pains came along with it and my body had a clear out.
I know a lot of ppl say you'll know when it happens, but I certainly didn't!!

 

[Sprout]

Period type pains here too, sort of a stretching/burning pain.

 

[mummywanabe]

Stronger period cramps

 

[Demaris]

For me I noticed first when I felt my stomach harden and it was painful all over (like braxton hicks but more crampy), it made me stop what I was doing and think oooh that was a bit ouchy. I don't remember getting any pain before that, or else I didn't notice it

 

[Foxy456]

I haven't had braxton hicks - what do they feel like?

 

[stephj25]

Braxton hicks are when you have tightenings in your bump. It usually makes me feel like I need a wee too. My bump normally aches slightly at the top when I have BH

 

[sorpresa_bea]

Thanks everyone for sharing.... This gives me a good idea what to watch out for.

I also have Braxton hicks very regularly, but they feel like my bump goes really hard, and no pain. they pass within 30 seconds or so.

Last night, after a long walk, I thought labour contractions had started, as they were every 20 minutes or so, but they came with some mild pain, a bit like when your stomach hurts during period... I got all excited and tried to stay awake in bed... They continued for about an hour, and then I fell asleep.

This morning I woke up as pregnant as ever and no more "pretend" contractions.... Bugger!

1 day overdue now.

 

[MissLauren]

Mine felt completely different to the Braxton Hicks I had. They also didn't start for me until after my waters broke! They felt like, for me, a really strong burning sensation across my pelvis and hips and huge pressure in my lower back with a massive urge to poo x

 

[roxyroo]

My waters broke first at about 2am and my first contraction was at about 6am and it just felt like a really strong period pain, you'll just know when it's the real deal lol mothers instinct x

 

[sorpresa_bea]

Well, having now gone through labour and the birth of my gorgeous baby Rio, I now know exactly how the first and the advanced contractions and the urge to push all feel like. The craziest experience and pain I've ever felt but everything was over in a few hours and now I'm just loving being a first time mum.

Thank you ladies for your useful tips. They did help.

 

[Rubydoo]

Aw congratulations

How would you describe them now?

My description isn't as polite as the rest, I thought they felt like the cramps you get when you're about to have diarrhoea!

 

[sorpresa_bea]

That's a good description Rubydoo. Initial contractions felt like quite painful period pains... I could get on with my day, but just had to stop occasionally to breathe through it... Quite regular, every 15-20 minutes, for about 30 seconds. They gradually escalated over 12 hours to feeling like I had a huge vice griping on my uterus, and a burning sensation that became extremely strong once in established labour