What do first contractions feel llike?

[Nick47]

I know this may sound odd but...

What does a first or early contraction feel like?

I have heard it described as similar to period pain- but believe it or not, at the grand old age of 32 I have NEVER had period pain- so this description doesn't really help :o

So now at 38 weeks- I'm looking for the signs- but would appreciate some pointers...

Nicki

[Peaceangels]

Its a hard one to answer because everyone's labour and pain threshold is different..................but I will go from my personal experience. For me my contractions started out as similar to mild period pain (or a niggling sharp pain in my uterus) and were 1/2 hour apart, which is probably the best sign that you are in labour (the coming and going of a contraction).
For both labour's my water didn't break first, so I was a little unsure if they were the real thing. It's probably best to ring your hospital and tell them your symptoms, then the midwife will give you advice on whether to go to the hospital or stay at home.
Hope this helps? and may you have a wonderful birthing experience ! :D

[Maxs_MumMy]

Hi,

Hrmmm how can i explain it without refering to period pain...umm...okay have u ever been running soo much that you get massive stiches in your side and absoutly kills you to walk??? if so then double that by bout 1000 times...prolly not the best idea but only one i could think off ...

but trust everyone when they say "you will know"

Hope everything goes well with your birthing experience

[Kamaikia]

Everyone is completly different. My contractions started as my waters broke and it wasn't painful. More like the muscles in my stomach tightening - not painful at all - just a bit weird. Mine stated out like this at 6 minutes apart and to be honest it took a long time until I would say they were painful.

[charlyrose]

In my experience.. the "first" lot of contractions felt like a sort of a burning
sensation down low, that started off dull and worked up in pain level before hitting a peak and eventually dying down till its completely gone. with each contraction getting worse...

wow, it really is alot more harder to explain than i thought it was going to be!! haha

that prolly didnt help at all! i guess everyone is different. ! it is so easy to explain it like a period pain.
I can't believe you've been lucky enough to get away without them your whole life!!
maybe your contractions will be real easy as well!!!
Good luck :)

Charlize

[Worm'sMum]

This might sound a little silly, but mine were similar to when you need to go to the toilet and you get that small sharp pain right across your lower belly? But without the need to push - well not yet anyway!

[charlyrose]

i agree with you charlibum ! i just wasnt sure if i should say it! haha so glad you did, but yeah.. another great way to explain first contractions would be ' a feeling of needing to go to the toilet"
did anyone else feel like that? :confused:

Charlize

[jaydensmum]

Its very hard to try and describe it without saying its like a period pain. Maybe try and imagine your stomach tensing up that hard that it takes your breath away for a second then goes. Thats what happens in a contraction. The pain comes regularly and it gets stronger each time. Its starts off with intervals at 10 minutes apart then progressively gets closer together with the pain lasting longer. I hope that helps.

jaydensmum