What did your labour pains/contractions feel like?

James was also lying posterior so I had Back pain - in fact I never felt contractions in my abdomen at all. That was part of the reason that I didnt believe that I was in labour until quite late on. It was intermittant back ache throughout the day, getting worse. My waters never broke and when my midwife arrived I was laready 8cm, so she broke my waters for me. All I can remember even from the active/pushing stage was how sore my back was....

With my 1st child my surges felt like abdominal cramps - like I needed to empty my bowel. then became more crampy & had some very intense ower back ache which rather unpleasant. Otherwise they felt pretty powerful & amazing.....
My 2nd labour I had absolutely no sensation in my abdomin except the feeling on tightening. I felt most of the sensation in my cervix which made every surge feel like I was "close to orgasm" which was incredibly arousing to the point that we actually made love mid -labour!!

Very much the same as the ladies describe. Early labor pains feels like bad menstrual pains, those ones that you get in your back.. then the pain gradually gets worse and feels asif it moves across your sides and into your belly. The backpain was much worse than any contractions or pains in my belly. And then I had epidural so cant help from there Also my baby was posterior so not sure if that changes the pains you get.. xxx

My water broke at about 17h30, and from there on I only had my first "pain" at about 18h00.

I had severe lower back pains (just above the butt), and it would stop completely, then the same pain would start in the front on my stomach and my sides. Then it would stop. And go to the back again.

Never had the chance to time them, as they were "severe" immediately. Only gave birth at 01h00 the following morning.

I do think it very differente for each and every woman. I am still waiting for my period type cramping and taking a shower etc. before heading to the hospital.

Mine felt like tummy-ache cramps, didnt even suspect labour until my water broke. then they became like period pains cramps.
I honestly expected "severe" pain, so thought that was just managable

With Kayla I had like period pains that started very low on my belly and moved over to my back and then down my legs. I never really felt my tummy contracting (as expected). With Megan my first pain was just one hectic contraction and they were immediately 5 minutes apart - there was no build up - she was born 3 1/2 hours later.

Mine felt the same as Yaz - a hectic period pain type cramp.