Contractions?

[Ashmrtnez]

ftm, 37 weeks. What do contractions feel like?

[kylielynn]

Contractions are the uterus squeezing to help push out the baby. That's basically what it feels like. Your belly will get harder, feel very tight, and some can be painful and some are not. I've been induced with all 4 of my previous babies, so I don't know what it would be like to be out and about when labor actually starts. But I've heard it usually starts slowly and gradually. If it's real labor, I do know that they will be fairly consistent, gradually getting longer, stronger, and more frequent. If you do start having contractions, drink a glass or 2 of water and lay down. Braxton Hicks usually subside when you do that. Real contractions will not. I didn't have any contractions with my first until the day before I had him, but they were so irregular they still induced me. However, every pregnancy since then, I've had contractions starting around week 20. By this time (I'm now 33w5d) my Braxton hicks contractions feel like real ones. Except they go away. Don't worry if you don't feel anything...when you go into labor, you really will know. Good luck!

[cyrenalou]

My contractions don't per day hurt like some people, my stomach is just very hard like and takes my breath away for a few minutes. They are not irregular either, very consistent

[eesscott]

I'm the same way. My Dr asked if I've been having any contractions and I say I don't know.  She told me "oh, you'll know..."  *shrug*

[cyrenalou]

This is a hard question as for my first I was having active contractions and had no idea at all, 35 weeks and a few hours later finding my water was leaking I had my daughter. I now am 8.5months along with my second, been having active real contractions since 31 weeks. 36 weeks today 2.5cm dilated and active contractions are down to about every 10 minutes.

[tashavalois]

My doctor keeps asking if I've had any contractions and I never know what to say because I don't really know. I'm a ftm too,  so I just hope it's obvious when the real contractions come! :-P

[Destynee2015]

Im a mommy of 3 and my BH and regular contractions both feel like my stomach tightens up into a hard ball. Only way I can tell ifvthey are real contractions is if they become regular in timing, and become painful.

[Partyof4toBe]

There are active contractions and braxton hicks contractions. BH feels like your stomach is a bowling ball. Hard and tight. Active contractions are low into your pelvic, hips and backs. Almost like a period cramp. If you have more than 6 an hour of either you need to call your OB. Hope this helps!