Other than painful, how would you describe contractions?

kittenslingerie · Jun 22nd, 2008, 01:21 AM

I'm a first time pregnant mom to be. I was just curious what contractions feel like? I know painful, but are they like bad menstral cramps or like an upset stomach?

Just curious for when I get a bit further along.

Japster · Jun 22nd, 2008, 01:39 AM

They are like cramping and can start as lower back pain. Infact, with two of my kids I was 4-5cm and felt mostly back pain until I transitioned.

sophia618 · Jun 22nd, 2008, 01:46 AM

i don't know if you really want to know this ----

i gave birth without epi w/ my 2nd......and constraction pain at the peak time was like.....end of the world to me. my whole body was shaking uncontrollably and it was scary. but there was no turning back, i wanted run and hide though....but i couldn't take the pain anymore (i really thought i was gonna die!!! sorry to scare you) and only way to stop the pain was to push and give birth.....

2 hours labor no epi - i begged, but they said it was too late! (i was induced though! my first was 29hrs!!) and it was super painful...........and you just can't compare the pain w/ anything else! you'll see and you'll be glad after!!!

but don't worry, you'll forget the pain so fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

congrats, and good luck! it's piece of cake~!

everything posh · Jun 22nd, 2008, 02:25 AM

I had back labor with both my daughters. The contractions for me just felt like terrible horrible back breaking pain. It felt like menstrual back pain just 100 times worse. I had an epidural with both my deliveries...first time at almost 8cm and second time at 7, if i'm remembering correctly. Don't be scared by these comments though...as soon as you get an epidural (if you do) all the pain goes away! Not to mention as soon as you lay eyes on your gorgeous baby you forget all about the pain!!!!

bagaddict44 · Jun 22nd, 2008, 03:23 AM

I ended up haivng an emergency c section under general (due to a medical condition) but before that I had a night of natural labor with no epi..... they were like the worst cramps I ever had, my while body was in pain( I have nothing that I can compare it too or that was this painful).. they were on and off but they got closer together and stronger( I did get induced so I dont know if that makes a difference) I also threw up... personally with #2 I will probibly have to have another c section but If I can I will go natural but I will definatly request an epi... There is no way I could do natural labor but for those that can more power to you.

capulet · Jun 22nd, 2008, 09:37 AM

I think they are a little different for everyone. I was sort of induced (got cervical gel and was scheduled for pitocin the next morning but went into labor before that). My contractions were like really bad menstrual cramps, but I think because of the weird way DD was positioned (I ended up with an emergency c-section) they also put a lot of pressure on my rectum, which was BAD. I thought my butt was going to explode. At first, though, they were pretty mild. I didn't have contractions at all, that I could identify as such anyway, until the day I went into labor, so I really had no idea what they felt like, but by the time I needed to know it was pretty obvious.

Sternchen · Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:19 AM

I had a drug-free birth and to be quite honest...the contractions were AWFUL while I was outside of the tub. They weren't very similar to menstrual cramps...try imagining a REALLY BAD charlie horse in your belly, LOL. But once I got in that tub (I had a water birth) the pain wasn't as bad because the pressure on my back seemed to be gone.

If you can, move around while you're laboring...get on all fours, rock back and forth, lay on your side, walk around, use the birthing ball, hang from the birthing rope if they have one, get int he tub...whatever makes you feel better!

Swanky Mama Of Three · Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:29 AM

like you're in a very intense sit up . .. your tummy gets impossibly tight and it takes your breath away. Some people have "back labor" luckily I didn't.
It's not a tumy ache feeling though, at least not for me, more like strong menstral cramping.

kittenslingerie · Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:33 AM

I am actually not scared, although maybe I should be.

I will be getting an epi for sure. I was just wondering what the pain was similar to. It seems from most the replies, it is like cramps with back pains. I am 5 1/2 months and can't wait to get it over with.

emmalawyer · Jun 22nd, 2008, 12:17 PM

You know that feeling when you hit your elbow and it makes your WHOLE body feel weak & nauseated? Add to that the pain from the Charlie horse that Sternchen described and you've got my experience of contractions when I was about 7 cm dialed... I had it bad, though... STILL, I think having a challenging, unpleasant pregnancy is probably a stronger deterrent from having another baby than labor is... As bad as labor was, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat just to have another lil' one. It's the pregnancy I'm not sure I can go through again. So yeah, I think the poster(s) who said you kind of forget how bad labor was, were right...

juicy couture jen · Jun 22nd, 2008, 12:44 PM

Before I received my epidural, the contractions felt like menstrual cramps x 100, and it would surge into throbbing lower back pain. I was only 3 cm at the time.

Swanky Mama Of Three · Jun 22nd, 2008, 01:34 PM

you may not get back pain, my sister had it w/ one of 3 kids and I never had it.
Your epi will help before the pain gets too unbearable.
I also never had charlie horse pain.

Luccibag · Jun 22nd, 2008, 02:57 PM

I'd say menstrual cramps x 100 is pretty accurate!

galligator · Jun 22nd, 2008, 04:51 PM

Yep, like very strong purposeful cramps. Only at least I felt like they had a purpose. I tend to have low constant menstrual cramps that make me a little nauseous simply because they don't go away & build to an unbearable strain. Labor at least gave me 3 minutes in between to recover before they came back. No naseau during labor & for me, finding a good sitting position in the shower with relaxed breathing and visualization really helped me with natural labors (One did end in an emergency C-sect). For me, 'riding the crest' of the contraction was a lot easier if I envisioned the muscular work that was going on inside of me and helped keep me as relaqxed as possible- allowing all my energy to go into the contraction. If I slipped ino thinking about 'pain' instead of work, I tensed up & then contractions seemed more painful & harder to handle.

I was super single-minded & took it one contraction at a time.

Best Luck.

katkooty · Jun 22nd, 2008, 06:21 PM

so scary! ive been reading on epidurals and they seem relatively safe..but i have alot random people telling me how dangerous it is and how it can cause permanent paralysis.. anyone heard anything like this b4? Cause now im like..no epi for me but the thought of intense pain(like how u guys described it!) freaks me out!

Jun 22nd, 2008, 01:21 AM	#1
kittenslingerie Louboutin Addict	Other than painful, how would you describe contractions? I'm a first time pregnant mom to be. I was just curious what contractions feel like? I know painful, but are they like bad menstral cramps or like an upset stomach? Just curious for when I get a bit further along. __________________ My 3 Babies! Great lingerie and costumes at www.kittenslingerie.com

Jun 22nd, 2008, 01:46 AM	#3
sophia618 Member Location: it's always summer here!	i don't know if you really want to know this ---- i gave birth without epi w/ my 2nd......and constraction pain at the peak time was like.....end of the world to me. my whole body was shaking uncontrollably and it was scary. but there was no turning back, i wanted run and hide though....but i couldn't take the pain anymore (i really thought i was gonna die!!! sorry to scare you) and only way to stop the pain was to push and give birth..... 2 hours labor no epi - i begged, but they said it was too late! (i was induced though! my first was 29hrs!!) and it was super painful...........and you just can't compare the pain w/ anything else! you'll see and you'll be glad after!!! but don't worry, you'll forget the pain so fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congrats, and good luck! it's piece of cake~! __________________

Jun 22nd, 2008, 02:25 AM	#4
everything posh Member Location: Chicago, Athens, London, San Jose!!	I had back labor with both my daughters. The contractions for me just felt like terrible horrible back breaking pain. It felt like menstrual back pain just 100 times worse. I had an epidural with both my deliveries...first time at almost 8cm and second time at 7, if i'm remembering correctly. Don't be scared by these comments though...as soon as you get an epidural (if you do) all the pain goes away! Not to mention as soon as you lay eyes on your gorgeous baby you forget all about the pain!!!! __________________

Jun 22nd, 2008, 03:23 AM	#5
bagaddict44 Member Location: California	I ended up haivng an emergency c section under general (due to a medical condition) but before that I had a night of natural labor with no epi..... they were like the worst cramps I ever had, my while body was in pain( I have nothing that I can compare it too or that was this painful).. they were on and off but they got closer together and stronger( I did get induced so I dont know if that makes a difference) I also threw up... personally with #2 I will probibly have to have another c section but If I can I will go natural but I will definatly request an epi... There is no way I could do natural labor but for those that can more power to you. __________________ LV Wish list-2008 mono keepall 55 mono batignolles vertical-purchased 7/08 mono zippy coin purse- purchased 9/08 mono key and change holder-purchased 6/08

Jun 22nd, 2008, 09:37 AM	#6
capulet NUM	I think they are a little different for everyone. I was sort of induced (got cervical gel and was scheduled for pitocin the next morning but went into labor before that). My contractions were like really bad menstrual cramps, but I think because of the weird way DD was positioned (I ended up with an emergency c-section) they also put a lot of pressure on my rectum, which was BAD. I thought my butt was going to explode. At first, though, they were pretty mild. I didn't have contractions at all, that I could identify as such anyway, until the day I went into labor, so I really had no idea what they felt like, but by the time I needed to know it was pretty obvious. __________________ Dreaming of a Gao...

Jun 22nd, 2008, 01:39 AM	#2
Japster RAOK Mama Location: WI	They are like cramping and can start as lower back pain. Infact, with two of my kids I was 4-5cm and felt mostly back pain until I transitioned. __________________ BLACK FRIDAY SALE: 40% off all Jewelry with code: BF2008, sale ends 12/4

Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:19 AM	#7
Sternchen We're having a boy!! Location: Beauty RAOK	I had a drug-free birth and to be quite honest...the contractions were AWFUL while I was outside of the tub. They weren't very similar to menstrual cramps...try imagining a REALLY BAD charlie horse in your belly, LOL. But once I got in that tub (I had a water birth) the pain wasn't as bad because the pressure on my back seemed to be gone. If you can, move around while you're laboring...get on all fours, rock back and forth, lay on your side, walk around, use the birthing ball, hang from the birthing rope if they have one, get int he tub...whatever makes you feel better! __________________ My 2 wonderful girls, Nicole (5) and Julia (1) will be big sisters soon! My pregnancy blog

Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:29 AM	#8
Swanky Mama Of Three Location: Dallas Area	like you're in a very intense sit up . .. your tummy gets impossibly tight and it takes your breath away. Some people have "back labor" luckily I didn't. It's not a tumy ache feeling though, at least not for me, more like strong menstral cramping. __________________ Holy inappropriateness!!! - a la Bethenny

Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:33 AM	#9
kittenslingerie Louboutin Addict	I am actually not scared, although maybe I should be. I will be getting an epi for sure. I was just wondering what the pain was similar to. It seems from most the replies, it is like cramps with back pains. I am 5 1/2 months and can't wait to get it over with. __________________ My 3 Babies! Great lingerie and costumes at www.kittenslingerie.com

Jun 22nd, 2008, 12:17 PM	#10
emmalawyer BLITHERING FOOL Location: with the teething twins!	You know that feeling when you hit your elbow and it makes your WHOLE body feel weak & nauseated? Add to that the pain from the Charlie horse that Sternchen described and you've got my experience of contractions when I was about 7 cm dialed... I had it bad, though... STILL, I think having a challenging, unpleasant pregnancy is probably a stronger deterrent from having another baby than labor is... As bad as labor was, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat just to have another lil' one. It's the pregnancy I'm not sure I can go through again. So yeah, I think the poster(s) who said you kind of forget how bad labor was, were right... __________________ signature too large “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” --Dr. Seuss ( lil Bitsy's favorite bedtime reading)

Jun 22nd, 2008, 12:44 PM	#11
juicy couture jen Sale Hunter Location: Massachusetts, USA	Before I received my epidural, the contractions felt like menstrual cramps x 100, and it would surge into throbbing lower back pain. I was only 3 cm at the time. __________________

Jun 22nd, 2008, 01:34 PM	#12
Swanky Mama Of Three Location: Dallas Area	you may not get back pain, my sister had it w/ one of 3 kids and I never had it. Your epi will help before the pain gets too unbearable. I also never had charlie horse pain. __________________ Holy inappropriateness!!! - a la Bethenny

Jun 22nd, 2008, 02:57 PM	#13
Luccibag Member	I'd say menstrual cramps x 100 is pretty accurate! __________________ My collection pics http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...el-356589.html

Jun 22nd, 2008, 04:51 PM	#14
galligator Mostly Harmless	Yep, like very strong purposeful cramps. Only at least I felt like they had a purpose. I tend to have low constant menstrual cramps that make me a little nauseous simply because they don't go away & build to an unbearable strain. Labor at least gave me 3 minutes in between to recover before they came back. No naseau during labor & for me, finding a good sitting position in the shower with relaxed breathing and visualization really helped me with natural labors (One did end in an emergency C-sect). For me, 'riding the crest' of the contraction was a lot easier if I envisioned the muscular work that was going on inside of me and helped keep me as relaqxed as possible- allowing all my energy to go into the contraction. If I slipped ino thinking about 'pain' instead of work, I tensed up & then contractions seemed more painful & harder to handle. I was super single-minded & took it one contraction at a time. Best Luck.

Jun 22nd, 2008, 06:21 PM	#15
katkooty Member Location: Dubai	so scary! ive been reading on epidurals and they seem relatively safe..but i have alot random people telling me how dangerous it is and how it can cause permanent paralysis.. anyone heard anything like this b4? Cause now im like..no epi for me but the thought of intense pain(like how u guys described it!) freaks me out!