Contraction pains vs regular pain?

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between contraction pains and the regular pains you get towards the end of labour?

I've heard contractions are like period pains, but lately my pelvis is so generally sore and achy that I wonder if I'll not recognise the real thing when it comes along!

I'm (sadly) pretty sure I haven't got contraction pains now, as it's more of an achey musclar soreness I've got in my pelvis and hips, rather than stomach cramps. I assume this achey feeling is just the bub getting heavy and ready to come on out at some point?

I guess when the real thing comes along, I'm going to spot it sooner or later anyway! I'm just getting impatient I think!

Hey Sally

did you mean...towards the end of pregnancy instead of labor?

contractions are felt differently be everyone, and depend on a number of factors
such as:
position and depth of the baby in the pelvis
stage of labor you are in
how long you have been laboring
how relaxed or fearful the mother is
the physical and psychological 'fitness' of the mother

in my personal experience with my first labor I was induced with prostins and had a posterior labor. I remember the contractions being very hot, sharp and all in my back...I was completely overwhelmed and became fearful, and ended up on the very slippery slope of intervention. My second experience was vastly different...the surges felt tight, but no pain (really) and I did not have any pain right up until transition, and at this stage it was a very intense pelvic heavy sensation with a dash of overwhelming pressure and period like feeling. The actual birth itself was a wonderful experience, no pain, just an immense, pleasurable release :)

Its quite hard to explain really...first time I was fearul and it hurt like hell, second time was an intense rollercoaster that I enjoyed (mostly)

hope this helps

xx yogababy

Sally i can assure you that you will know the difference between the aches that you are having now (which are perfectly normal) and the start of contractions. With all my pg's they all started the same,an ache like a period pain i suppose right along my lower pelvic area. Its very hard to explain if you havent experienced it before.
My aches turned to pain quiet quickly because neither of my kids mucked around. Keep in mind everybody's body is different so you may have contractions start but then seem to stop only to start up again later iykwim.

How far are you anyway? For memory those pains you are explaining are the bub moving into the pelvic area but it was like that for a few weeks before i was due. Its uncomfortable towards the end thats for sure and i dont miss it at all, Lol.
Good luck with everything and dont stress. You will be overwhelmed with love before you know it and your life will change like you could never imagine. They are well worth the wait.

Thank you for that!

Yep yogababy, I mean the end of pregnancy not labour, whoops! I'm 39 weeks so I'm guessing these aches are just normal.

Firefly - thanks for the reassuring words, it's nice to remember to focus on what's around the corner!

Yeah, I know contractions aren't the same for everyone, but I certainly wouldn't call them achey. And they are not constant - there are breaks in between them. They are like either period pains, or the pains you get with an upset tummy. I am pretty sure you'll know them when they happen, alhtough in all honesty I didn't know I was in labour the first time, but it could have just been denial LOL. Anyway, my DH knew, he had no doubts so luckily I did get to hossy in time.

Now that it has started for me I can kind of comment! At the moment it is definetly like period pain but more constant rather than sharp pains. It is different to the general pain I have felt the last week or so so I guess you would know. however as they say - everyone is different! Trust me if your waters break you will know!

JordieC - thank you for replying while in labour!! Very nice of you!! Now I'll let you get back to having a baby!!

..All my aches have since gone, ho hum. Thanks everyone for your comments.

Sally - I was one of those people who thought I was in labour when BH contractions were coming pretty regularly one night (thankfully didn't call the hospital so didn't need to feel embarrassed! LOL) but a few days later real labour started and the contractions started out feeling more or less the same as the BH.
The difference is that real labour contractions will get progressively stronger and closer together and will not go away if you start moving/walking around. BH contractions might be 5 minutes apart for a few then 7 then 5 etc etc. They are not regular and don't get closer and stronger and usually go away if you start walking or doing something.

HTH. Good luck for your birth!!

Thanks Hannahfroodoo - sadly these contractions ALWAYS go away once I've stood up and walked around. At least I now know what signs to look out for when the real thing comes along!

Sally, I'm at the same stage as you with getting nice and familiar with the early pains - massively sore pelvis and everytime the baby moves there it makes me gasp with pain and feel completely sea sick - also sessions of period like pains over the last week or so. I'm fairly sure that we'll recognise contractions by their intensity when they happen. Still, it's really difficult to know the difference when you haven't felt any contractions before, and I've stopped describing the niggly pains to my DH because he gets a bit panicky. I figure if the pain gets so intense that I can't bite my lip and not mention it - chances are it's a real contraction. ;-)

I got braxton hicks regularly late 2nd trimester to mid 3rd. They were just tightenings - quite massaging and soothing really. But at 41wks (1am) my hind waters broke in bed. I called the hospital and after 2 showers and my husband popped the washing on while I grabbed what I thought I needed (and quickly jumped on here to let everyone know what was going on), was finally on the way. Only then (around 2-2:30am) did the contractions start - they were nothing like bh! More like bad period pain in bursts. Only once we were there did they get bad! and omg - does moving make it worse! I had to stop walkign to the delivery room a few times! Looking back and knowing what they were like (and there's nothing else like it!), I reckon if I had to, I'd do it again!

Good luck! Baby is almost here!