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What do contractions feel like?

I know this seems like a weird question, but this is my first pregnancy and I'm not sure what all my different aches and pains are. I am 25 weeks pregnant and sometimes I feel like my uterus wads up into a ball. This happens most often when I have intercourse and have an orgasm (I know TMI). You can visibly see a knot in my abdomen and I have to stay still and breathe deep for it to go away. At first I thought maybe it was the fetus wading up into a ball. Sometimes it hurts more than others. I've also experienced menstrual-like cramps in my lower abdomen and in my lower back. This is different that the "ball" sensation. Other times I will feel more stabbing-like pains in my abdomen. None of these pains have persisted for long periods of time and I haven't had any bleeding or anything like that. I was just wondering what to look out for. Can anyone describe what contractions actually feel like and how to differentiate between other aches and pains?
6 Responses
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187316 tn?1386356682
Sounds like braxton hicks contractions to me which is just your uterus practicing for when you actually go into labor. Completely normal for you to have them at this point in your pregnancy. Also, like NikkiCC said it is EXTREMEMLY common for you to contract after you have an orgasm. Anytime I have sex I get BH contractions for a little while after. When you start having real contractions (labor contractions) they will be very rhythmatic and increase in frequency and pain.
Helpful - 0
1303813 tn?1303159362
When I found out I was PG I couldnt keep it (I was seriously ill, if you have any questions I will be happy to answer in Private message) and so I had a termination... to save my life basically... and I was basically induced which hurts and had 6 hrs of contractions.

Basically mine felt like Seriously bad period pains all I wanted to do was push... but couldnt...But its different for everyyone... You might be having braxton hicks?

Congrats

xx
Helpful - 0
1244180 tn?1325899111
Before my first child I would ask people what the contractions felt like.... Well none of the answers actually justified what they felt like....yes they are cramps but they are unlike anything you have ever felt in your life

good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you ladies. Both responses are very helpful. The last couple of doctor appts my doctor asked me "Have you had any contractions" and I said "Umm, I don't know, maybe?" Like I said nothing has been very painful yet, but now I have a better idea of what to look out for.
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1293887 tn?1332702847
I think the way people interpret contractions are some what the same but also different.  I know this may sound stramge but before I went into labour with both of my kids I felt electric shots go up my whoo haaaa.  It was a weird sensation to explain and I also felt that 2 days before I miscarried naturally.

Contractions can be a range of things.  With my first two it felt like my tummy was tightenting.  It would tighten and then release when the contraction finished.  I also felt that with braxton hicks several times before I initially went into labour.  The tightening isn't too painful, it is bearable.

The next part of the contractions would be best describing it as severe, severe constipation.  I tried several times to go toilet but nothing ever came out.  You could also compare it with severe menstrual cramps or pms with the constipation and the tightening of the tummy.  That is what really wears you out.

With my son I miscarried I had no cramps whatsoever but my pain was very, very uncorfortable.  It didn't matter what position I lay in for about 5 days before I miscarried it was always so tense and sore.  As soon as my son came out the pain in my back went away just as fast.

The other pain you feel is when pushing the baby out.  I guess you don't want to know all the details but it can't help lol.  That pain is a BURNING sensation - that really hurts but when you push the contractions tend to minimise in pain.  I felt every bit of pain with both of my children because I chose not to have pain relief.  I delievered my first as a water birth and my second on my knees with the water running down my back.

I really hope that helps.  The best thing to do is to imagine the most excrutiating pain as possible and set that in your mind and relax through it.  Congratulations on your pregnancy
Helpful - 0
1281211 tn?1303352665
So contractions are both diff and similiar to period cramps. A contraction has a regular cramp feeling, but when it happens your stomach will tighten and if you watch and they get strong you can actually see it. They area that you will feel the tightening is all the way from one side to the stomach to the other right in the center where your belly button is. Kinda like if you put a belt around you belly where your belly button is.

Now if you are getting these after a orgasm that makes sense. This is because when you have a orgasm your uterus actually "does" contract. It doesn't mean your going into labor it just means your uterus is contracting because of the orgasm. When I am preg I get the same thing. I personally think the ball feeling is because after the orgasm your uterus contracts together and it moves the baby towards the center like that.

This is normal for me, but I would definitely mention it to your doc just to put your concerns at rest!
Helpful - 0
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