Friday, September 19, 2008

Advice anyone?

I have now hit 32 weeks. WooHoo! Looking a little more like Buddha every day- and yes, i am proud of that. My problem is, I'm realizing that I have no idea what is coming. To all my female (and male if they feel so inclined) friends- what on earth do contractions feel like? Is it one of those things that once you have one you know you have? I'm getting ready to fly home and want to make sure I recognize any "caution" signs.

11 comments:

Whitney R said...

I haven't gone through them.. but I think you'll definitely know when they hit ;)

I have heard that they are somewhat like menstrual cramps, but of course, much much worse.

You'll do great!

Tia said...

The nurse I talked to the other day said you should feel them start in the lower back and move around to your abdomen. And it's that crampy, tight muscle feeling. When you feel one, let me know if that's a good description. It was nice to have her tell me though, because I was in the same place thinking, how do you know????

X said...

For me true labor contractions felt like menstrual cramps, but more intense- just picture the worst cramps you've ever had on the first day of your period and dial them up a little bit. I had back labor too because of Caleb's position so I had a lot of pressure and cramps in my lower back too.

Chad and Amber said...

For me it was pretty much the same as what the others are saying- just like cramps. I was actually in "labor" for about 6 hours before I realized it because they felt exactly like cramps, and then gradually got stronger and closer together. They started in my lower back. I'm sure you'll be able to tell, and really everyone's different. I'm so excited for you! We miss having you guys as neighbors!!!

Kelly said...

TIGHT TIGHT TIGHTNESS. (not always painful) but also they can feel like bad cramps, like menstrual cramps, the worst you've ever had.
If when you change positions or do something different, or sit down and rest if you're not already, and they go away, its most likely not active labor. If they don't go away, it might be! Good luck!

Jen Bowen said...

I agree with most of the descriptions. I didn't know I was in labor until I called my mom and asked her what contractions felt like and by that point they were only 6 minutes apart. Other signs to watch out for in regards to the baby coming are discharging of the "mucous plug" (gross name) and water leaking or breaking. The hard thing is it's different for everyone. Please call me if you have any questions or just want to talk. I'm VERY open. My number's the same as when you were here in Provo and I'm free to talk most of the time:)

Melissa Zuber said...

mandy! You look so cute prego! I am so excited for you! Everything will go great.

Bekah said...

I guess I'm weird. My contractions didn't feel like cramps at all. They weren't low enough on my abdomen...I felt them higher and didn't feel much in the back until I was well on my way to having Asher...like 6 or 7 cm. Mine felt like my entire tummy just turned to steel...extreme, tight, heaviness all of a sudden and just as quickly, it would relax and feel more soft like a normal tummy should. You'll probably know though. I had premature contractions starting about 23 weeks and my doc told me to drink over 30 ounces of water as quickly as possible (just chug it) and lay down. If it doesn't stop, then it's the real thing. Luckily, mine always stopped until I was 38 weeks 6 days along! :) You look awesome by the way! We need to come visit before you have this little guy!

Mark and Adrienne said...

Look at your cute baby belly! You are such a cute pregnant girl! I remember you worrying about that...well, worry no more! We're doing good in New York besides the fact that we live in the ghetto. Oh well, it's not forever. We love being back East and close to our families. Law school is going ok, it's a lot of work and Mark is gone for about 12 hours a day. And I'm enjoying being a stay at home mom. How do you guys like Texas? I'm so glad you found our blog! We've been thinking about you too!

The Spanns said...

I've had the same thoughts... and it sounds like every woman has a completely different description! Whats even better is that even those "signs of progress" - like losing the plug, how far you're effaced/dilated, etc - don't necessarily mean squat either (could still mean weeks, days, hours until you actually go into labor). haha Gotta love the unpredictability of it all!

Katie C Kirkham said...

Mandy! Congrats first of all. Let me just tell you that you will know when you have your first contraction. Mine Braxton Hick's feel like my stomach has turned into STEEL and my ouchy ones feel like my stomach has turned into steel and Im having menstreul cramps all at the same time. But...I knew exactly what I was feeling the first time I felt them.