What do real Contractions feel like

[Jaysmom22]

Can somebody tell me what contractions feel like I keep getting pains in my upper stomach but I'm not sure if it's Contractions or not

[Lantiis]

I'm almost 38 weeks. My doctor says if I can't say "Yes" confidently, they aren't contractions. As of last night, I know he is right. Everything I have had up until last night has been braxton-hicks. For me (and they will be different for everyone) they were just annoying cramps almost like I had a stomach ache or heavy period that wouldn't go away. If I moved around some, drank water or went to the bathroom, the uncomfortable feeling stopped for a while. Last night, they went from uncomfortable to painful, started in my back and radiated through my whole abdomen, and nothing (and I mean nothing) relieved that pain (warm bath, heating pad, position changes, drinking water, going to the bathroom, massage, etc).

[txzee]

My contractions felt like a head freeze in my abdomen. I could feel them coming, increase in intensity and slowly calm down.

[CTMom37]

My rule of thumb has always been, if you have to ask, it's not quite time yet.  You will know you are in labor when you have "rushes" at regular intervals.  Some people feel pain and sometimes its just a tightening at the beginning, but it's steady and generally as labor wears on, they get stronger and closer together.  If you have been having regular prenatal care, the doctor should tell you when he wants you to come in and/or call.  We are planning a home birth, so I expect that may be a question I ask the midwife when I am getting closer...when does she want me to call.

If you are having Braxton Hicks (practice labor), which can happen anytime, it may be a reminder that you need to drink extra water and/or get off your feet a bit, as stress and dehydration can bring them on.

Take care!  

[Flickan]

I am on my first...had 3 stalled labors thus far...and each of them were a bit different. The first time was traditional in the sense it radiated across my belly and up into the top portion of my belly. The pain steadily increased in waves until they just died away after 4 hours. The 2nd time was all back labor and the most horrific pain..not only was I having pain in front, but my back constantly hurt and there were waves going between the back to the front and it covered from my tailbone up to the middle of my back. 3rd time was similar to the 1st just slower....that lasted 8 hours. Currently, my due date was today (the 10th) and since 4 AM I have had constant waves of pain from my back all the way around as well was period pain about every 7-10 minutes. They're increasing but so slowly you barely tell. I also feel over the past 3 days or so that my abs feel like I just did an intense workout.
I think it's different for everyone, except that they come in waves. I was told the 511 rule....Go in if you have 5 or more 'contractions' (or waves) lasting at least a minute long over 1 hour.

Hope that helps!!!

[1sttimemummy]

Mine started as like period pain in my lower abdomen which became more and more painful (but not unbearable) took my breath away at their peak and couldnt possibly concentrate on anything else at the time. I also had alot of cramping in my lower back which was pretty much constant. May be different for other ladies though because I didn't know I was in labour until I was 6cm dilated lol I just thought I'd overdone things again!

[ennya0301]

I meant to say if you are feeling constant pain and discomfort in your upper belly that's gas...sometimes gas pain also radiates from upper
Belly to your shoulders....of course goes without sating that any prolonged pain should be checked by doctor...this is just something I expexperienced with all of my pregnencies

[ennya0301]

They come from lower back and radiate across your belly...most pain you will feel in your lower back as your cervix is opening up....they come few minutes apart depending how far is your labor progressed....when contraction is over you feel no pain and then in few minutes you feel it come again...the pain is bearable for few seconds then it gets stronger peaks and then it slowly goes away...if they are real labor contractions you will not be able to do anything apart from concentrating on pain and the closer you are to pushing you will want to gauge your eye out...or someone elses