Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?

Gosh do I feel stupid...I think I've been having some irregular ones today.

My sheet from the DR says it may feel like the baby "balling up".

Also some AF like cramps underneath my belly.....

I've been drinking more fluids and taking it easy but I'm alone today, so I can't necessarily lay down for a whole hour

Re: Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?

I think its different for different people and at different times.

My first PG, it was a bad cramping from my back forwards to my sides, Like 10X worse then a bad menstrual cramp.

This time, i get a cramping sensation in my lower stomach and it spreads upwards and the top of my stomach tightens into a hard ball and releases after 45 seconds-2 minutes....

Those are the starting ones..

Then All I remember is horrid pain, and no real rhyme or rhythm or way to describe it

Re: Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?

It's so weird that you posted this because I have been feeling this ball like position since yesterday but wasn't sure exactly what it was.

My stomach will tighten and I'll feel him almost scrunch together and then a little while later it will almost release.

I picked the dog up onto the bed yesterday when I was laying down so I assumed that I maybe pulled something. I'm 34 weeks tomorrow so this kid has to cook for a little while longer.

Re: Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?

Posted by dm24angel



Then All I remember is horrid pain, and no real rhyme or rhythm or way to describe it

Re: Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by dm24angel



Then All I remember is horrid pain, and no real rhyme or rhythm or way to describe it

Thanks Donna!

Re: Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?

Posted by dm24angel

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by dm24angel



Then All I remember is horrid pain, and no real rhyme or rhythm or way to describe it

Thanks Donna!

Im sorry, Im honest....

Re: Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?

Re: Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?

Real contractions usually radiate in your back and tightness will travel to your belly. It will kind of take your breathe away. If you move and it goes away then it's BH.

Re: Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?

I had pains starting in the front that radiated to my back and down my leg. TOTALLY different than AF cramps. They were consistently every 10 mins, then every 5, then every 3-4 mins. That's when I called my doc.

Message edited 5/4/2007 11:30:41 PM.

Re: Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?

It really can feel different for everyone...

The way I always know is that the pain seems to radiate from my back, to the tightening of my stomach, to down my legs...there is additionally an achiness that stays in my back and legs.

Re: Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?

The ball like contractions are Braxton Hicks but they are still a contraction. Contractions are muscles tightening.

Shana - you'll experience more contractions with your second pregnancy (which is why I believe second labors are so much shorter).

Also I didn't know until I read it afterwards, with second pregnancies you may drop much later in the pregnancy. I didn't drop until I went into labor.

Re: Ok...I sound so dumb asking this....but what does a real contraction feel like?