I know every person is different, but can someone give me an idea of what a contraction feels like in the beginning stages of labor??

I noticed last night while I was watching TV that I was having cramping type pains in my lower stomach and the pain would radiate down my thighs. This happened probably 4 times in an hour. So, I went to bed. It's been happening again this morning.

I may just be paranoid. But, I'd rather know than not know. TIA!

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 08:50 am:

I forget, how close to due date are you?

When mine started, it was cramping but with a very distinctive hardening of my belly and sort of a feeling of pressure. As it progressed, it was more like intense period cramps, and rather than thigh pain, mine radiated to my back.

I think everyone is a little different. If it is still happening, and they are regular, time them and call your doc.

By Kolbysmom on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 08:56 am:

I'm due May 11th, I have about 7 weeks left.

Ok, thanks for the info. I'll keep an eye on them. I may call my doctor soon just to be on the safe side.

By Mrsheidi on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 08:57 am:

For me, it felt like I had really bad diarrhea. I kept going to the bathroom and *nothing*. Then, things progressed to more pain, etc. I don't remember having pain in my thighs. I would just be patient and wait it out a bit?

By Dana on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 11:46 am:

Sounds like the Braxton Hicks are starting for you. That's a good thing, getting your muscles ready for delivery.

The easiest thing to do is to lie down when this starts. Place your hands on your belly. Does your belly get hard? Then as the feeling passes, your belly returns to its regular hardness. If so, that is a contraction.

Mine never went into my legs. with my first, it was all in one spot of the belly. With my last one (only a few weeks ago) they started in just the belly. then in weeks later, the belly radiated into my back where I could feel the full roundness of the uterous. I actually liked the feeling . I had them early on in pregnancy. There were times when I would have several in a row. None of them were preterm. All were just those practice contractions. When the real thing came along, I wasn't guessing "is this it?". I knew after they had continued for hours and were getting stronger and quicker, it was real.

If you are concerned, go ahead and call your OB. They won't mind calling you back w/ an answer. You aren't the frist one to call w/ questions and I'm certain they would rather answer your question than have you worried.

By Palmbchprincess on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 12:20 pm:

I contracted all day without any pain, I timed them by keeping a hand on my stomach. I didn't go into the hospital until they were less than 5 minutes apart, and they didn't become painful until the last hour or so before I went to surgery. Mine were a rythmic, steady tightening of muscles, like clenching my abs, and they get longer and closer together as labor progresses. 4 times in an hour is most likely nothing to worry about. Oh, and the day I went into labor (the kids were born late in the evening) I had mucous discharge, not bloody like some people have, just a bit when I would wipe after using the restroom. Some women never have that, but I was already 3 cm by my 26th week, so I did. Just something to pay attention to.

By My2cuties on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 06:25 pm:

I hope all is well. I had 8 contractions in an hour and had to be put on bed rest "just in case", I have made it this far so everything must have been okay. My doctor told me if I am having more than 7 in an hour (even Braxton hicks) to go in. We don't have much farther to go, I have always went by the "You'll know when it is real" rule. Have you been walking alot this pregnancy? I walked with my first but not with my second and I could tell a BIG difference, I have been walking this time again. Keep us updated!

By Kolbysmom on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 07:44 am:

I called my OB yesterday and they told me to come in to get checked. I wasn't dialated or effaced so she said just to lay around and drink a ton of water. They have seemed to ease up some.

By Kym on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 08:32 am:

I never had braxton hicks, so for me true labor started after I lost my mucous plug, and diarrhea set in, I also got very warm with contractions. And unlike Crystal mine hurt

Good Luck

By Mara on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 08:52 am:

I woke in the middle of the night in labor with all three of my kiddos. I would wake up thinking I had to go poo, sit on the toilet for a few minutes, realize that the contrations were coming in regular intervals. Then when I would wipe I would have mucusy/bloody discharge. This happened to me ALL three times! I would labor for a little while in my sleep, I would toss and turn before I would finally get up.
I went into labor around 2-3am all three times. Went to the hospital around 6am. My first baby was born at 6:40pm the same day, my second was born at 11:20 am the same day, and my last was born at 7:30 am the same day. My labor got shorter and much easier with each baby.

Good luck to ya
Mara

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 08:58 am:

Dehydration can bring on contractions. Make sure you stay hydrated.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 09:43 am:

Kym, no Braxton-Hicks? Lucky you. They drove me nuts!

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 10:26 am:

I never had Braxton Hicks with DD either. 2 weeks before her due date my water broke, contractions started an hour later and I had her 4 hours after that.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 11:38 pm:

Boxzgrl, I don't want to hear that either! I got to sit there all day, make no progress and then have 2 c-sections! LOL!

Water broke around midnight, went to hospital around 3am, born at 8:18 PM!

Water broke around 6am, to hospital around 7am, born about 4:30 PM!

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 07:48 am:

LOL Dawn! With Jeff, I was in labor for nearly 3 days. They kept sending me home, kept telling me it was Braxton Hicks. I had already been hospitalized at month 6 for early labor, put on meds to stop it, on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy. 3rd night, no sleep, they admitted me, gave me meds to help me sleep. 4 hours later, contractions still happening, not sleeping, gave me more meds. 15 minutes later my water broke. 18 hours later, FINALLY delivered him, just before they were going to do an emergency C-section.

Problem with him was he was face up instead of face down and he was stuck. The injuries he received almost cost him his life. *Back then* they didn't do ultrasounds like they do now. All that could have been avoided.

That's why, if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't take it too lightly if I was having contractions.