What should true contractions feel like

I kept jumping up and demanding to go to the bathroom, which was uneventful, and it was a process since I was being induced and hooked up to 1, things. Once I got an epidural at nine centimetres, I could still feel the contractions, but they were different. They were just painless waves of tightening in my stomach and were actually really helpful to tell me when to push. I have two children and, with the second pregnancy, the labor pain was so bad, I threw up.

While I was hooked up to the machine, I kept telling my husband that I was really hungry. I was confusing my contractions for hunger pains. I thought I was hungry, but I was actually contracting. I had contractions every two or three minutes for 14 hours and 45 minutes.

It hurts so much, my epidural did nothing—it was like putting a bandage on an amputated limb. After the first time, I threw up. I remember crying and asking my friend if it was too late to change my mind. I might have PTSD from those contractions. It was as if a ball was being inflated inside my womb and then being slowly deflated. Because every mom has a different pain threshold, and every pregnancy is unique, how they describe the sensation of a contraction can really vary.

Seriously, mama. In labor, contractions last for at least 30 seconds each. 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. Everest, I would hear you but not really "get it.

The standard way to describe a contraction goes like this: it differs from person to person, but in general, you feel an all-over tightening of your abdomen and pain or cramping that often begins in your lower back and radiates to the front.

The reality is that everyone's experience and description of the sensation is slightly different. Some people say that contractions feel like intense menstrual cramps while others describe lots of pressure and back pain. Personally, I describe a contraction in active labor 6cm and beyond as an all-encompassing kind of pain.

There's the tell-tale belly tightening, but then the sensation is something that is hard to describe other than to say it was so intense, my whole body felt it. There's no way to fully "escape" what's happening, so you just succumb and use your best coping skills. And when a contraction is over, the pain relief is immediate and complete! Overall, the experience for me was intense but manageable. I could handle it as long as I was free to move and do what I needed to cope. When I was unable to move around, the pain felt more than intense and very much unmanageable.

For example, the car ride to the hospital was not ok. But don't take just my word for it. Below, you'll find out how nine other people describe a contraction. When I was in labor for my first child, I remember finally deciding to get the epidural and when the medicine started to work, it only worked for half of my body. One side was bearable while the other side felt like it was being squeezed and twisted as far as it would go.

I couldn't believe the difference. I would have preferred to have all or nothing! Also, having had three kids now, I will say that the difference between contractions with and without Pitocin is night and day. I know they say they start in your back, but I felt like mine started everywhere at the same time. With my first, they were the textbook example of a contraction. The pain started at my sides and worked it's way to the middle of my stomach.

They started out like pretty mild menstrual cramps and then became completely unbearable. As your due date nears, you might find that they feel stronger than they did earlier on in the second or third trimesters.

They are more likely to occur toward the end of the day, after physical exertion, or after sex. 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.