help !! what does a contraction actually feel like ...think ive just had one !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kittenbaby]

hi girls xx
im 38 weeks think i may of just had a contraction
can you please tell me what they feel like
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[schneebly]

like a really crampy period pain or the feeling you get before bad diarrhoea! Ooh are you excited????

[schneebly]

and it kind of builds up before fading away

[ChipButty]

Perfect description, Schneebly. Excited for you, Kittenbaby! x

[flightattendant]

Hiya! Is this your first baby? How lovely! Mainly you'll feel like Schneebly says, like a crampy feeling, which will last a little while (say 30 secs?) and then go. The main thing to do is keep an eye on the clock. If you get another one the same, which comes then goes, that would suggest it is a contraction.

I had my second baby 2 weeks ago and didn't recognise the first one! Thought it was wind but kept an eye then started having them every few minutes, so I knew then.

ooh keep us informed!!!

BTW don't worry about being 38wks, that's classed as term, should be absolutely fine.

[kittenbaby]

hi
thanks for th replies yeah its my first baby !
been awake since 6amoh!!
yes it only lasted about 30 seconds

1st one happened bout 7am 2nd 8am
how often do they come !!!
but now its all gone quite

im prob being a drama queen as per ususal lol !!!

[suzi2]

You can have them on and off for days - either regular or not. In my experience there is no rhyme or reason... I had contractions every 5 mins for days with both mine before the real event. So much so that I was totally unconvinced that it was labour when I was in the late stages of labour (as my mw was).

Have you had any braxton hicks? I found that the real contractions felt like that but more achey and with a lot of pressure. The diarrhoea thing is quite a good description!

Anyway, no need to get too excited until they're regular and about 5 mins apart I would say... Best of luck

Oh, and when they are getting regular try www.contractionmaster.com for timing them!

[lulumama]

also, real contractions, ie real labour, do not stop until the baby is born...

when they are 3 minutes apart and lasting around 50 seconds , then you are most likely in established labour

this might well be the start, but try to potter around and do whatever you were going to do, don;t sit looking at the clock! if it is labour, your body will let you know when you need to pay attention

[suzi2]

lulumama - I 'skipped' contractions with both of mine every hour or so right up until the end. I was fully dilated without my waters going with DD - would this be why? Or was I not feeling them or something? Just curious lol

[lulumama]

how do you mean skipped? sorry, am not very awake!

if your waters are intact, does cushion some of the intensity...some women have a 'silent' labour, no pains at all !

[suzi2]

I occasionally didn't have a contraction. I'd be having them every 2 or 3 mins and would then go to 5 mins for the next. then back to 2 or 3 minutes. Perhaps I just wasn't feeling them right. I guess if I was fully dilated but not ready to go then the contractions wouldn't have so much work to do. They were pretty easy the last hour... Sorry - totally hijacked this thread!

[lulumama]

as long as the cervix dilates, i guess it doesn;t matter !

your body obviously did what it needed to do...

[suzi2]

lol yes. was just curious since it came up! i'm not planning on any more so will never be able to pay more attention with a third.

Sorry to the OP... hope you're doing well and having lots of lovely contractions

[twoplusone]

If this is it kittenbaby goodluck .. Lots of labour vibes to you hun.xx

[kittenbaby]

hi
well its midday now and its all gone quite
nothing since 8am
so either its not contractions or ive got ages to go x

[twoplusone]

Could just be your body preparing for th ebig event hun.. it ownt be long now..
Take care.xx

[TransfiguratingLily]

My labours were like that for a couple of days before it went up a gear. Try and rest and relax loads and eat and drink plenty...build your strength up!

[Judy1234]

It probably wasn't. I think you konw when they start and they tend to continue and they hurt.

[Lisa02]

I'm 35 weeks pg and just joined Mum's Net, it is nice to see that there are lots of supportive messages, just want to wish you lots of luck and hey, everyone is different try and trust your instincts as all my friends have told me and don't worry about the drama queen business, it's best to be safe than sorry! - best of luck, I hope for your sake it's on it's way and all goes well xx

[decafgirl]

Ooh, this thread has really excited me! I thought I'd imagined my pains but maybe not what do you think...

I started having pains on Sunday at about 3pm and they continued, getting more regular and stronger as the day went on so I sta on my ball and had a walk to the shop etc.(hubby was near hysterical by this point!) They continued on & off through the night but I just tried to sleep and they sort of died off by 11ish yesterday.

I'm still getting twinges but nowhere near what they were so I'd convinced myself it was wind(!) or braxton hicks but maybe just maybe it's the start...

By the way, I'm still at work (primary school teacher) and I'm 38 weeks + 4 !!!

[CoteDAzur]

It feels like having your big tummy squeezed like a lemon by a giant hand. Have fun!