What Labor Contractions Feel Like From Start to Birth

When you're nearing the end of your pregnancy, it's important to start watching for signs of labor contractions—and to know what real contractions feel like. Understanding the key characteristics, as well as how to time them, will help you decide when it's time to call your OB-GYN or midwife.

"It's always difficult to describe what labor contractions feel like," says Paul du Treil, MD, director of maternal and child health at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans. "It's a little bit different for everybody, so you can't really say what you're going to feel."

Still, there are a few clues that indicate what you're experiencing is, indeed, labor contraction pain. This guide will help you know what contractions might feel like as well as how to time contractions.

What Causes Contraction Pain?

Labor contractions are caused by your uterine muscles tightening to push the baby into the proper position for delivery and then out into the world.

"A labor contraction is just one big muscle cramp, as the entire uterus contracts," says Bart Putterman, MD, an OB-GYN at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women in Houston. "And you may perceive that discomfort anywhere that the muscle is contracting."

Consequently, you could feel the discomfort deep within your abdomen, along your right or left sides, or even in your back. The severity of your contraction pain depends on many factors, including:

• How your baby is positioned within your body
• Your movements during labor
• Your own perception of pain

"Some people have contractions that make them double over in pain, while others don't even realize they're in labor—they just feel a little cramping or backache," says Dr. Putterman.

What Do Contractions Feel Like?

If you're wondering what to expect with labor contractions, we've got you covered. Here's how experts and parents describe them.

Some people describe them as tightening, pulling, or crushing.

When you have contractions, you'll likely feel pressure or a dull ache in your abdomen, back, and pelvis area that moves in a wave-like motion from the top of your uterus to the bottom. They may feel similar to the abdominal pain that accompanies gastrointestinal upset, or they have been described as an intense tightening, pulling, or crushing sensation.

They may feel like period cramps.

Some people describe labor contraction pain as intense menstrual cramps that increase in intensity, says Dr. du Treil. "It starts out like menstrual cramps—and the crampy sensation progressively gets worse and worse."

Contractions could resemble gas.

Strong gas pain is another point of comparison many laboring people make. If you have gas pain that doesn't ease up after a visit to the bathroom, you might actually be in labor.

Labor could be a pain in your back.

If your baby is facing up when they enter the birth canal, the pressure of their skull on the nerves of your back could lead to some incredible back labor pain, says Dr. Putterman. "You might feel tightening and cramping, along with a backache. It may be because of the position of the baby, or sometimes it's just the way the [laboring person] perceives pain."

Contractions change in intensity.

When monitoring the strength of labor contraction pain, you'll notice an increase in intensity, says Dr. Putterman. "If the contractions are not going away, and start far apart and gradually get closer and longer and stronger, it's the real thing," And that means you'd better be ready to welcome your new little one to the world!

How Long Do Contractions Last?

Each stage of labor is characterized by the degree to which the cervix has dilated, as well as the timing of contractions. Here's a rough idea of what to expect:

• Early labor: The cervix has dilated from completely closed to 3 centimeters (cm) in diameter. Contractions are mild—similar to menstrual cramps—and irregular. Each contraction lasts 30 to 45 seconds and occurs five to 20 minutes apart.
• Active labor: The cervix will dilate from 4 cm to 7 cm and contractions will be stronger and last longer. Usually, they will last 45 to 60 seconds, with three minutes to five minutes between each one. This is the point where you should generally call your provider and/or head to the hospital or birth center.
• Transition: During this final phase of labor, before the birth of your baby, the cervix opens completely—from 8 cm to 10 cm. Contractions can be so long and intense they may seem to overlap. Each one will last about 60 to 90 seconds with just 30 seconds to two minutes rest between each.

How to Time Contractions

There are apps for timing contractions, including stopwatch apps on your phone, but the good old-fashioned way of using a watch with a second hand or a reliable digital watch works just as well. Whatever you use, grab a notepad so you can do the simple math required to determine how long your contractions are lasting.

1. When a contraction begins, jot down the time.  
2. When a contraction ends, write down the time. 
3. Do the math—the difference between the beginning and the end of the contraction indicates the duration or how long the contraction lasted.
4. Write down the time as soon as the next contraction begins.
5. Note how much time passed from the end of the first contraction to the beginning of the second. This indicates the frequency or how far apart your contractions are.
6. Continue timing each contraction for a few more rounds to see if they've fallen into a regular pattern yet. If they haven't, take a break.

When to Go to the Hospital

During the last few weeks of your pregnancy, you'll want to discuss your birth plan with your provider so that you know what to do once your labor begins. But keep in mind that every pregnant person's individual situation may vary.

If this is your first baby, call your provider and/or head to your chosen place of birth when your contractions are five minutes apart and they last 45 seconds to 60 seconds over an hour, unless they've told you otherwise.

If you've already had one baby, start making your way to the hospital when your contractions arrive every five to seven minutes apart and last between 45 seconds and 60 seconds each. If you experience any bleeding, fever, or extreme pain, however, call your provider and head to the hospital right away.

How to Ease Contraction Pain

Some parents-to-be decrease contraction pain with medications, such as an epidural or spinal anesthesia. Others rely on natural methods including the following:

• Moving into different positions such as all fours or squatting
• Straddling a birthing ball
• Engaging in breath work
• Sitting in a warm bath or shower
• Using meditation or visualization
• Having their partner massage their back
• Trying aromatherapy or soothing music

Just remember: Whether your contractions are simply uncomfortable or downright painful, you'll know that something amazing comes out of them. And that makes your labor worth it!

Additional reporting by Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH.