The standard way to describe a contraction is this: it differs from person to person, but in general, you feel a complete tightening of your abdomen and pain or cramps that often start in the lower back and radiate forward. The reality is that everyone`s experience and description of sensation is slightly different. Some people say contractions feel like intense menstrual cramps, while others describe a lot of pressure and back pain. These are Braxton Hicks contractions. This can easily be confused with labor, but they differ from labor contractions because they: « During my pregnancy, Braxton Hicks contractions looked like little Charlie horses above my belly. When I was in labor for my first child, I remember finally opting for epidural anesthesia and when the drug started working, it only worked for half of my body. One side was bearable, while the other side felt like it was being pressed and twisted as much as possible. I couldn`t believe the difference. I would have preferred all or nothing! Now that I have three children, I will say that the difference between contractions with and without Pitocin is day and night. « Before the 37th week of pregnancy, regular contractions (every 10 minutes or less) may signal preterm labour. Report any contractions to your doctor or midwife so she can determine what is going on.
Personally, I describe a contraction during active labor (6 cm and beyond) as a type of overall pain. There`s the telltale tummy tuck, but the sensation is hard to describe except for saying it was so intense that my whole body felt it. There is no way to « escape » completely, so succumb and use your best coping skills. And when a contraction is over, pain relief is immediate and complete! Overall, the experience was intense for me, but manageable. I could handle it as long as I could move freely and do what I had to manage. When I couldn`t move, the pain was more than intense and very uncontrollable. For example, the drive to the hospital was not correct. If you landed on this post because you were looking for « how does a contraction feel », welcome! I hope you will not be disappointed. It`s so hard to describe something physical to someone who doesn`t have a framework to understand it. For example, if you were to describe to me now what it`s like to climb Mount Everest, I`d hear you, but I wouldn`t really « understand » you. My typical hike is bouncing off well-traveled trails in the closed state park. « On my first one, I didn`t feel Braxton Hicks or at least I didn`t know how I felt.
My contractions began with what I could only describe as a « strange sensation » in my stomach. I didn`t feel any cramping or hardening until later. As I progressed, I really felt the feeling of firming and hardening with intense cramps, but all in my abdominal area. nothing behind my back. With this, I had bra contractions for a while. They started early for me and I felt like the baby was making a swirling or spinning motion. Eventually, I realized it was bra contractions and felt the classic hardening tighten in my abdomen. « Causes of early contractions include stretching of the ligaments around the uterus, dehydration, constipation and gas pain. If they are accompanied by spotting, bleeding and / or abdominal pain, you should consult a doctor to rule out an ectopic pregnancy or possible miscarriage. As your pregnancy comes to an end, you may be obsessed with the contractions of labor. Learn about the types of contractions you can expect, how they feel, and what they mean for labor and delivery. When your contractions start, you don`t always have to go straight to the hospital.
If you feel comfortable and have had a normal pregnancy, you can stay home and rest while you are in the early stages of labor. Actual contractions last about 30 seconds at the beginning of labor and eventually lengthen – up to 75 seconds. Simulated contractions vary in length and strength. The phases of labour encompass the entire birth process, from your first contractions (stage 1) to the pressure (stage 2) to the birth of the placenta (stage 3) after the birth of your baby. Learning the stages of labor can help you know what to expect during labor and delivery. During a contraction, your uterus tightens to widen (open) your cervix (the neck of your uterus) and move your baby down during the first stage of birth. « I think contractions feel like a combination of unpleasant menstrual cramps and terrible intestinal cramps at the same time. I know they say they start behind your back, but I felt like mine was starting everywhere at the same time. Women can experience contractions in different ways. Your contractions may feel like cramps in the lower abdomen and may feel like menstrual pain. You may have dull back pain or pain on the inside of your thigh that you feel in your legs.
Not all contractions mean you`re in labor. You can turn contractions on and off before actual labor begins. These contractions are called false contractions or Braxton-Hicks contractions. They soften and thin the cervix to help your body prepare for labor and delivery. You can feel them in the weeks leading up to your due date. Learning the differences between true labor contractions and false labor contractions can help you know when you`re really in labor. It can be difficult to detect a contraction, especially in your first baby. Many women have experienced menstrual cramps in the lower abdomen. They can stay the same or they can come and go. You might also have lower back pain that stays or comes and goes. Each contraction opens (dilates) your cervix and moves your baby into the birth canal so that he can be born.
« I`m an old woman, and my children are 14 and a half and almost 11, so it`s hard to remember the details of the work. I had a C-section after pushing for 5 hours with my fat, 9 pounds 37 weeks of direct baby surgery (posterior occipital – baby pointing upwards instead of back) and a non-medicated VBAC with my second, so I really have an idea of how things felt. They started with menstrual cramps and lower back pain that moved and increased in intensity deep in my pelvis. I didn`t have back pain with either one, not even with the surgical baby. I have to say I didn`t think they were that bad, I mean, intense, yes, deep focus and adaptation, yes, but the worst pain I`ve ever felt? No! It was very liberating to indulge in work and do what felt good for him, no matter how crazy or stupid it sounded. From my two data points, it seems like it takes me forever to work/extend to 3cm, then 3-10 very quickly! The contractions last about 36 hours each, in both contractions I completely immersed myself in the bathtub, except for my nose when I had the intense contractions, removed all sensory stimulation, ears underwater, eyes closed, really relaxed. Alternatively, I did a lot of deep vocalization. Like I said, hard, yes, intense, yes, encompassing, yes, tearing the body, yes, but incredibly painful – no.
If I could, I would blow and give birth once a year! No pregnancy, no baby to keep, just a big old job and birth! It was the hardest, most intense, but most achievable job I`ve ever done! At first, your contractions are short and spaced about 30 minutes apart. As your contractions progress, your contractions will strengthen and get closer. Your contractions eventually last up to a minute and come every 2 to 3 minutes. « I agree with Vanessa, the contractions with Pitocin versus without are so different. Black and white.