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For me, contractions feel like this - the uterus gets really tight and hard (and you feel pressure) accompanied by lower uterus cramps and sometimes low back pain.

Good luck!

For me contractions were like really intense diarrhea-like cramps. My bowel emptied itself with my initial contractions and it progressed from there. Best of luck if its time!

Uh oh!! I would time the cramps! My contractions felt really different and I just knew I was in labor. I had a massive BM right after the contractions started too.
Sounds like you're gonna be having your baby soon!!!!!!
Exciting!!

ooh la la!!! For me, I had Braxton Hicks for weeks and that just felt like my bump tightening and getting super rock hard. When labor started it was like that, but a lot more uncomfortable, and all night long. When I started actually progressing they turned into menstrual-like cramps. When I couldn't walk or talk through them I knew it was definitely not Braxton Hicks anymore. I would time them but mine were NEVER regular-- some were 2 mins apart, some were as much as 15 mins apart! all the way up til when we got to the hospital.

@regberadaisy: Just wanted to wish you luck in your final weeks!! So exciting...I remember when we were both having a hard time TTC and now the end is almost here for you!!!! -(Lotam from WB)

With my first, I had cramps and tightening 1 day before my son was born. It happened all morning and went away for the rest of that day. The next day I went to the hospital. Sounds like baby will be arriving soon! Hope you have a quick and easy delivery!

@regberadaisy: Aww you're a cinco de mayo baby!

My labour began with cramps. Sounds like it'll be soon-ish for you!!! So exciting!

@regerberadaisy So weird I had a very similar night! Kept waking up with cramping finally woke up and couldn't go back to sleep at 2 so I stayed up and sat on my birthing ball and watched tv til 530. Went back to sleep til 8. Gah how miserable! Are you still cramping this morning? Mine has gone away and just the backache has stuck around. I hope your appointment goes well today and that baby is near

@regberadaisy: sigh but honestly it was a good decision to take the day off. You may end up starting your maternity leave now...! My Braxton Hicks kept me up til at least 5am every night for the last couple of weeks of pregnancy. I was in this vicious cycle... I'd sleep in, then that night my BH would keep me up and I'd finally fall asleep out of exhaustion around 5am, wake up at 8am to watch Wagon Sr. get ready for work, fall back asleep and finally get up around noon. It was awful-- I was basically nocturnal. Blowed when I went into labor at 5am and delivered the next day at 5am-- I basically didn't sleep for 2 days straight!

@regebradaisy
Glad your appt went well, it sounds like your dr thinks your close, that's really encouraging that hopefully the crampiness and lack of sleep will turn out to be something more soon! Here's hoping!
I am 38 weeks 4 days how far are you? Yea my crampiness seems to be when I'm still for longer, so I know what you mean I see the doctor tmrw morn so I'm anxious to hear what she thinks.

My early contractions literally contracted my body -- bent me in half at the hip. Once things got going, they felt more like menstrual or intestinal cramps.