Contractions
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You want to start tracking them. I just felt off for the first few hours. Then it's like a tightening feeling. They should get stronger and longer and closer together. I didn't say anything to my husband for hours.
I had my daughter at 38w5d... my contractions started off like mild period cramps that were coming about every 30 mins or so. It happened in my sleep, so they were intense enough to wake me up, and then they started to come more frequently.
For me they started out feeling like typical period cramps, noticeable/uncomfy but not super painful, however mine QUICKLY turned painful lol like after an hour there was absolutely no mistaking that they were textbook painful contractions.
Thanks ladies! Your experiences are definitely better breakdowns than what I’ve googled. My belly has just been getting more periods of tightening and what feels like waves of pressure. And what happened earlier felt like a painful cramp that covered my whole belly, but it hasn’t repeated I’m just going to see what happens tonight 🤞🏽
@Ashley I feel like I’ve been feeling those other indicators, nauseous, increase bowel movements, and bursts of energy these past few days but no consistent painful cramps. So I’ve just been telling myself that I’m delulu and my baby in reality wants to stay inside longer 😭 helps me still get things done during the day
Mine are very different than "textbook". I don't feel them all over my entire tummy. Just very low and in my pelvis. Even in active labor. It's like really severe menstrual cramps, or honestly, to me, stomach flu! Lol Mine also never follow a pattern or timeline like they tell you. Everyone is different. If you think they are legit, and not BH, time them. Watch how you feel with other things, too. Like nauseous, lots of bowel movements, or even feeling AMAZING all of a sudden (that's what happens to me). Anything that is "off" from your norm. Really tune into your body. You'll know!