what does early labour feel like?

[vegaenglit]

honestly i have no idea whats going on. my general torso area hurts and im getting some achy feelings low in my pelvis. i couldnt sleep last night (nothing really new there) and my stomach was sore-er than usual. i tried doing some pelvic rocks but crunching, even the slightest bit was painful.

laughing hurts like a sonofabitch and sometimes in get nauseous in the middle of eating.

they all say "you'll know" but im just totally clueless.

[glittergirl816]

i think it feels a little different for everyone. i have heard of early labor contractions feeling like an acheiness. my hypnobirth instructor/doula told me a really good saying- if you *think* you might be in labor, then you aren't. If you *KNOW* you're in labor, then you're in early labor.

good luck to you!
emily

ps-as much as it stinks to hear- you WILL know when it's time!

[vegaenglit]

thats what i figured.

[Clementine]

don't you hate that saying?
unfortunately, it's true.

i remember i wanted more than anything to be told what early labour or contractions felt like. You really do just know. I had contractions for six or seven hours (coming very regularly) before I went to the hospital. It's a feeling unlike any other you can imagine. Mine felt like they started in the center of my abdomen then blossomed and spread outward until the pain covered me. Thepains have a beginning and then get steadily harder up to a peak of severity, then gradually go down, down, less and less pain to the end of the contraction. It's like a wave.The nurse told me not to come to the hospital until I couldn't talk through my contractions. I did as she said and had made good progress when I got there.

Wishing you all the best during this last week (or however long!)
[hugs]

[Rose Bud]

When I was in early labor, the contractions started out feeling like period cramps. Nothing too out of the ordinary so I didn't pay attention to them.

Until a few hours later.

The other ladies are correct, you *will* know when its time.

[Sheri]

Yup, you will definetly *know* when you are in labor....there is no mistaking it, believe me!

My contractions were very much like Clementines...like a wave of pain.

My stomach also drew up torward the middle, it was a horrendous shape that I had no idea I could even make with my stomach.

Good luck!!! That baby is going to be here ANY day now <3 Woohoo!!

[vampandora]

Mine also started as menstrual cramp-like feelings. But once they really started there was no doubt i was in labor...well, also my water had broken but that didn't change the feeling ;) A lot of people have the pain start in their backs and radiate around to the front. I had hip labor though, my contractions went from my hips which was not fun at all...but i got a wonderful baby boy from it! :)

Good luck vegaenglit...you're sooo close!