Contractions what do they feel like

Looking for the best items for your growing family? Add all your favorite baby products to ONE registry with Babylist. When in doubt, go with the rule. Go to the hospital when the contractions are five minutes apart and last for a minute each, for at least one hour. Braxton Hicks contractions are practice contractions that you have randomly before you go into labor.

Braxton Hicks contractions can feel like a cramp to some women, and sometimes they get really uncomfortable, where you have to pause and catch your breath. The main difference between these practice contractions and real labor contractions is that Braxton Hicks go away—usually when you change positions, rest or drink a couple glasses of water.

Ah, back labor. My mom literally never knew when she was having contractions, just knew that she 'felt funny. I had a c-section after pushing non medicated for 5 hours with my fat, 9lb 37 week direct OP baby occiput posterior -- baby who is facing up instead of back , and a non-medicated VBAC with my second, so feel like I really got a sense of what things felt like.

They started as menstrual cramps, and an ache in my lower back, moving around and increasing in intensity deep in my pelvis. I did not have back labor with either, even the OP babe. I have to say that I did not think they were that bad, I mean, intense, yes, requiring deep focus and coping, yes, but the worst pain I ever felt?

It was very freeing to surrender to the contractions, doing whatever felt good, no matter how crazy or silly it seemed. Labors last about 36 hours each, in both labors, I immersed myself in the tub, completely, except for my nose, when I had the intense contractions, removing all the sensory stimulation, ears underwater, eyes closed, remaining really loose.

Alternately, I did a lot of deep vocalization. As I said, hard, yes, intense, yes, all encompassing, yes, body wracking, yes, but incredibly painful -- no. If I could, I would labor and birth once a year! No pregnancy, no baby to keep, just a big ole labor and birth! It was the hardest, most intense, but doable work I have ever done! Tags Birth Birth stories Coping with pain Contraction. Lamaze Home Contact Us Login. Return to Giving Birth with Confidence.

Theme picker. Contact author Message sent. Name: Please enter your name. Please enter your name. Email: Please enter a valid email address. Please enter a valid email address. Please enter your email. Subject: Please enter a subject Please enter a subject. Try not to worry — orgasm itself is a contraction of the uterus, after all. Many moms experience contractions after sex that can be powerful and last as long as a half hour. If you've passed the week mark and are officially overdue, you might be wondering how you can start contractions and get this show on the road, already.

There are a few techniques that may induce labor naturally , including acupuncture and walking. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Medically Reviewed by James Greenberg, M. To relieve the pain or discomfort of Braxton Hicks contractions, try walking around or changing positions.

Resting may also help make them go away. Staying hydrated helps make Braxton Hicks contractions less likely to occur, so keep drinking plenty of water. For you, early contractions may feel quite painless or mild, or they may feel very strong and intense. Typically, real labor contractions feel like a pain or pressure that starts in the back and moves to the front of your lower abdomen.

Unlike the ebb and flow of Braxton Hicks, true labor contractions feel steadily more intense over time. During true labor contractions your belly will tighten and feel very hard. Some moms-to-be liken these contractions to menstrual cramps. Unlike Braxton Hicks, true labor contractions come at regular intervals and get closer together in time. Look out for other early signs of labor too, like your water breaking. As your labor progresses, contractions can feel more painful, and you may also experience pressure in your lower back and rectum.