I am in last month and every cramp makes me wonder if labour is starting. Sometimes pain comes in back and then goes away. How did you know it was real labour pain?
It is the body's way of telling baby is coming, the tightening that comes and goes in a rhythm. Sounds scary but your body knows what to do and the doctors guide you fully. Just keep your hospital bag ready and dont panic when it starts.
Honestly I am also waiting to find out what it feels like, currently just getting practice cramps that scare me every time haha. From what everyone tells me it comes in waves with a rhythm. Following this thread for my own peace of mind.
I started feeling tightening pains that became regular, and my water broke too. Mine ended in a C-section so I didnt go full way, but those early contractions were real and rhythmic. If you start feeling regular tightening with timing, call your hospital.
Labour pain is contractions, your uterus tightening to push baby down. Real ones come in a pattern and get closer together with time, unlike the random false ones. Time them, and when they are regular and strong, go to hospital.
One thing I want to add, if you feel very strong cramps too early before your due time, or bleeding or water leaking, dont wait to time it, just call your gynac right away. With me they wanted me in early because of my history. Better safe.
My doctor explained it as the uterus muscles contracting to open the cervix. She told me true labour pains are regular, get stronger and dont go away when you change position, while false ones (Braxton Hicks) settle down. She said watch for water breaking or bleeding and come in immediately for those.
For me labour pain came as waves, like a strong cramping that builds up then eases, then comes back stronger and closer together. It started low in my back and tummy. It is intense but the gaps in between really help you breathe through it.
