Contractions

[Lissaleigh]

What does a contraction feel like exactly? I've probably asked this a thousand times but never really got a response that makes sense to me. I just want to be prepared for when the time comes since it could be any minute

[Bri_1985]

Its when they get 5mins apart that you really feel 'em.

[Lissaleigh]

That did help and I am experiencing some of that right now just no pain in my back. They are about 12 to 15 mins apart and the last two were pretty strong

[Bri_1985]

Think of contractions as watching a roller coaster. If you watch a screen thats monitoring them there is a starting point - typically feels like a period cramp, mine starts in my lower abdomen. Then it climbs - like how the cars of a coaster climbs that first hill, agonizingly slow. Around this point I feel my stomach muscles tighten from the top of my bump down to my pelvic area and it sorta radiates across.

Then you have the apex - this is when I feel it in my lower back and its painful enough to take my breath away. This is where birthing classes are VERY helpful because they teach you how to breathe here without hyperventilating. In keeping to the rollercoaster image - your car is at the top and teetering over the edge. Then you have the descent... via rollercoaster this is the fun part... in a contraction, this ***** like the start lol. I feel pressure pain here as everything slowly lets up until it goes flatline again. As you get further along, the longer the excruciating apex part gets and the shorter time you have between contractions.

Hope this helped :) It sounds scary but its easier to handle than you think.

[Lissaleigh]

I can't wait till my second pregnancy when I l ow what the hell I'm doing LOL

[Franky91]

If they dont get any stronger I think thrz braxton.hicks

[Lissaleigh]

Ive been having On and off period cramps for the last hour not too strong but noticeable.

[Franky91]

Am confused too cause I get period like cramps too, but before this pregnancy I had a miscarriage and I had contractions with tht and they were painful so am confused and pretty much expectin the same pain as a miscarriage but worse

[mummymelza]

I found they had a definate start. Then build up and a definate finish. If that makes sence. Almost works up from your cervix through your lower back and then through your bump. But everyones different. I didn't think i would be able.to tell but trust n your body and you will.be fine. Good luck.

[Lissaleigh]

Same here!!

[shak_436]

thats what I been told that ig feels like period cramps,I get those every now and then,not for long just for about a minute and then it disappears.im not sure if there actually practice contractions,I have no idea for defo if its contractions or not.

[Lissaleigh]

Everything I've felt so far is just kind of mush mashed together lol. So when it's the real thing I will be able to tell when it starts and stops right?

[Caddy1992]

Your stomach will tighten hard like a rock, and you'll get a period like cramp that will radiate from your spine to your belly button depending its different for everyone... it will eventually get stronger and closer together..