feeling left out-contractions

[PPK]

I have yet to experience contractions and I'm due Aug. 4th... For the past week I've been getting what feels like bad menstrual cramps, but I don't think they're contractions..they're just down low, and not an all over pressure like I hear people describe..they aren't pleasant, but not horrible either.

Do some women never experience any contractions until actual labor? It seems like everyone is getting them! I'm just hoping that because I'm not feeling anything that my due date isn't going to be much later than this weekend.

[BeckyPCo]

With my first I never felt anything not even Bh until my water broke. With this one I have been having preterm labor starting at 31 weeks. But when the Dr. checked me today I am only at 2cm. My due date 8-30

[danotoyou2]

Those menstrual cramps are... braxton hicks contractions!!

The 'real deal' contractions, when they really get going, are more intense and feel more like the all over tension. But those period like cramps are probably your body preparing.

And FYI: when you get 'period cramps,' it's your uterus contracting too.

[birdiefu]

I didn't notice any contractions before labor with my 1st pg either, not even cramps. I was induced at 39 weeks for pre-e, when the pitocin was first started (before it *really* kicked in : ) I was watching the monitor and saw that I was having contractions that were really, really mild. I had felt them for a week or two before but didn't know they were contractions, just thought DS kept pushing his butt hard against my belly .

This 2nd time around is another story, though! Been having contractions since 33 weeks- some crampy, some just tight, some like light 'real' labor contractions.

[Jster]

For me, BH contractions are all over, not low and menstrually. I can feel my uterus tighten, but it doesn't hurt.

"Real" contractions involve tightening, and my uterus tipping forward and downward. You can actually watch it move. They also cause some crampiness like menstrual cramps.

When you have the crampy feeling, can you time it? If so, those probably are contractions. Or can you put your hand on your uterus and feel it tightening? You may be having contractions...just not knowing what they are.

And it's perfectly normal not to labor until you actually are in labor...so don't worry about that! If this is your first baby, the average gestation is 41weeks1 day...so give yourself some time! (Hard, I know!)

[PPK]

Originally Posted by Jster

If this is your first baby, the average gestation is 41weeks1 day...so give yourself some time! (Hard, I know!)

I haven't heard that , but hope he comes soon. I'm trying not to rush the little guy, but we're excited to meet him...and I noticed I've just sprouted two little stretch marks !

[Twinklefae]

And if your baby is very active, you may not realize that some of the more painful mosvements are contractions. This happened tomy good friend. She didn't realize until after birth when she was nursing that some of what she assumed was the baby moving were actually contractions. (Her little fighter was aslo 11lbs 2oz. so she didn't have any parts of her that weren't full of baby)

[twilight girl]

With my first I didn't have any kind of contraction, BH or otherwise, until after I lost my mucous plug on her due date.

This time around I've been having BH since about 18 weeks! For me, BH are not painful, my uterus gets rock hard, but there is no pain or discomfort.

Don't worry, it's all withing the realm of normal!

[mamamoo]

Those menstrual like cramps are contractions!

I've been having lots of them the last few days, though still have some of teh other kind too, just tightening of my whole belly.

[wendyland]

I just had my baby saturday morning. I had no increased mucous and no contractions ahead of time that I noticed. All my births have been like that.