painful contractions?

[shelbynorma]

I'm 39 weeks and have yet to feel one painful contraction, I'm really nervous that I'm not going to know when I'm in labor since I haven't felt anything painful yet, I don't even know what contractions are supposed to feel like other than the tightening I feel from Braxton Hicks. Or if I get painful contractions and think I'm in labor then I get sent home because I'm not...

[Mamaofdeux]

When you start to notice that the cramp goes away and comes back is when you should time. When you feel the cramp start, take a peek at the time, when you feel the cramp let go or release, check the time again. It's very likely that the cramps will be less than a minute long in the beginning, and more than a couple minutes apart. My hospital recommends that if the cramps/contractions are lasting about a minute, and are five minutes apart, to go to labor and delivery for an evaluation.

[valeriagee]

I'm 39 weeks today and I've had non stop menstrual like cramps. I'm a ftm also so I'm afraid I won't know the difference or know when I'm in labor. Idk how to time then either. I just want to get this over with.

[Mamaofdeux]

My labor started off as a dull lower backache and then turned into what felt like period cramps and progressively got worse until I couldn't talk or focus on anything during a contraction. Basically think of the BH contraction and add pain and feeling you need to use the washroom because of the pressure down there.