What do contractions feel like? Sorry if this sounds stupid!

[sweetangel7]

I was in L&D on Friday because I fell on my belly, and I was having some minor cramps, nothing I even thought to mention because I've been crampy for awhile, and they told me they were contractions because they showed up on the machine.  Well, this afternoon/evening, (and  I've had this a few times before) I started to get this like stabbing pain that seemed like it was in my vagina but not my vagina itself, higher, deeper, more like the cervix.  They'd come strong and almost radiate and I'd stop what I was doing and half double over and then they were gone...Does this sound like a contraction?  My doctor asked me today if I was having any and I said no...but when I got home, this happened and it made me wonder...

[smjmekg]

They definitely sound like contractions!!! But not labor contractions, I had Braxton Hicks contractions for 16 weeks!!! Believe me they can fool you, I ended up having a c-section, my son was breech...and I was in so much constant pain one night, I thought he had flipped, I got so excited...until I was having them every ten minutes...then rushed to the ER (I was told to come in if they were 10 min apart) only to find out that BH contractions can actually feel like REAL labor contractions, and to have them conveniently go away right after I arrived. I still got checked out, and that stabbing pain, yeah...had that for at least six weeks. I heard it called a "dilation pinch". Don't know for sure what it was, but I do know it's quite uncomfortable...good luck!!

[sweetangel7]

I just thought of that this a.m. and I'm going to try that the next time it happens.  I know they aren't TRUE labor contractions but I'd be excited if they were at least contractions just getting started =)

I grabbed the couch, the counter, and the wall...I should have grabbed my belly!  Oh well...I'm sure they'll be back sooner than later!

[spade22]

Place your hand on your belly when this happens - if it tightens while this happens its a contraction.

[chantal21]

Once they become consistent, that's how you will know! =) You are sooo close! It just means that things are starting to happen now.

[Roz1977]

sounds like contractions to me! its the doubling over that gives it away. good luck!!!

[sweetangel7]

Well, they were just happening once in awhile...every couple days...but I had several close together this afternoon after my appointment and then they stopped...If it picks up again, I'll call my doctor to let him know...if it stays sporadic the way its been, I'll just mention it next week when I go for my appointment =)  I was hoping that I'd start some dilation or something...I'd like to be moving forward towards having my baby!

[chantal21]

It sounds like! Contractions, once they pick up, tend to stop you in your tracks. Definitely mention it to you doc. Are they consistent? Or  does it happen once in a while?

[worriedbabe]

possibly contractions...definitely something you should tell your dr about