What does a contraction feel like?
A contraction may be experienced differently by each woman. Generally, a contraction feels like a painful tightening involving your entire abdomen that comes and goes. Early labor, however, may just feel like a persistent menstrual cramp. Some women may also experience contractions in their lower back. Labor is when you are having strong enough contractions to result in cervical dilatation. Many women will contract frequently throughout much of their pregnancy, but typically these contractions (Braxton-Hicks contractions) are not painful or persistent. They may occur more frequently when you are dehydrated, active, have a full bladder, or in the evening. They may be noticed only occasionally and should resolve with rest and hydration. If you are preterm and have 4-6 contractions per hour that don’t improve with rest & drinking water, please present to labor & delivery at the hospital.
