Contractions...

[Emobarbie]

I feel so stupid asking this...but what do contractions feel like? Im 27 weeks preganant today and just entered my 3rd trimester and realized I dont know what im doing or what tp expect and my son will be here before I know it.

[babyhellokitty20]

Very much stonger then wen ur monthly friend comes,

[mommagosney]

You will probably start feeling what they call Braxton-Hicks contractions at any time. It is a tightness in your abdomen that can last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. They are not painful, sometimes uncomfortable and VERY sporadic. Drinking a glass of water can make them stop, or changing position sometimes works too. Later in pregnancy, they will become more frequent and possibly more uncomfortable, but are perfectly normal and your bodies way of preparing for the real ones.

When real contractions start you will fell the same tightness in your abdomen accompanied by power back pain and they will come at regular intervals, and no matter what you do they won't stop, and gradually get more painful and last longer. They can start out 20 mins or even longer apart, but will keep getting closer together and won't stop. When they are five minutes apart you should go to the hospital. If your water breaks you should go immediately no matter how far apart the contractions are. Once your water breaks there is a slight chance infection, plus the "stuff" in the amniotic fluid can cause your contractions to increase and you to dialate faster. If you haven't taken one, I suggest taking a childbirth class at your hospital. Most of them are free and you will get signs to watch for and most give you a tour of the nursery/labor/delivery rooms. Very helpful if it is your first child. Hope this helped!

[VaniDavila]

Oh, believe me, you will know when they come. There is no way you will miss a contraction if they are real. Some of the practice ones feel like your belly gets tight but the real ones feel like AF cramps times 1,000. Some even get lower back pain when the contractions come and those are the worst contractions. Good luck and believe me, you'll know when you have a real contractions!!