How do Contractions feel? Please Help!

Hi I am 28 weeks pregnant w/ boy/girl twins and have had 2 previous children via c-section. I have never felt contractions and have been experiencing some cramping , like I am going to start my period. My doctor has advised me to learn the signs of pre-term labor since twins often come early. So can anyone please describe in detail what contractions feel like, I am afraid I wont even know I am in labor and will have the babies at home...LOL !!! Also, I have been having alot of discharge that looks yellow-greenish w/ no odor and my doctor tells me its totally normal. I know this sounds gross but its like I blew my nose. PLEASE HELP!!

 

I don't know if its different for every person but I've been having contractions since I was 24 weeks. They feel like a tightening of my whole belly. When I was 24 weeks, it wasn't the entire belly because my uterus didn't fill the whole thing yet, but its pretty much wherever your uterus is. It will get really tight for about 30-40 seconds and then go away. Some would be worse than others. The ones that were worse would make it hard to breath, kind of take your breath away until they go away. When the contractions happen, its almost like it contracts around the babies so there will be a protrusion of baby on one side of my belly, or both depending on where they are positioned.
The only time I ever had significant discharge was when I had a yeast infection. But I'm sure if your Dr. says its ok, then it is.

 

I agree with PP. Contractions feel like a cramp that you would have when you start your period, but at the same it contracts your uterus. Kinda like a cross between a period cramp, really bad gas, and a constipation cramp. Sometimes you can walk through them and sometimes you feel like it's best not to move. The cool thing about contractions are that they are not comfortable for us, but it feels like a hug to your babies. Sometimes they will start at the bottom of your uterus, the sides or the top. As you get further along, they will start more at the top and work their way down around your uterus until the entire thing is contracted. It will last for a few seconds to a minute or so, and then it will ease up. It will fluctuate as far as contracting. It may start at the top, get really tight and as it moves around your uterus will loosen and retighten, until it's over. If you have ever gone through any child birth classes, use your breathing. These contractions are great for practicing for the real thing. Close your eyes, and take slow deep breaths out as it contracts. Drink lots of water and lay on your left side it you are getting a lot of contractions. If they don't go away call your doctor or the hospital.

As for the discharge, I asked my doctor about it as I have had more mucus lately. He said that the hormone levels are so high that my body is making extra mucus and that is why I have had more. It is normal and nothing to worry about. If it gets bloody or has more color in it than you think it should talk to your doctor again. If you are concerned about it, he will probably be able to do some kind of test to make sure it is not a yeast infection. You could have a higher amount of yeast or bacteria growing because of the hormone levels being so high, too. It could be the "good" bacteria keeping you from getting a yeast infection.

Sounds like you will be fine and like you are doing a great job! Hope this info helps!

 

I've had contractions that all felt different! Some, I would just get a tightening of the belly that was sometimes uncomfortable. Others were a tightening of the belly, but also crampy.

Make sure you drink lots of water, empty your bladder often as this can also bring on contractions! And call or go in if you have more than 4 an hour.

 

With the twins, I felt EVERY contraction with them. I probably had them from about 25 weeks on. It would just be a tightening of the belly. I also had a ton of mucousy discharge...I had to wear a pad most days after about 28-30 weeks. I think the discharge you have to be concerned about is if it's blood tinged (mucous plug), but I would ask your dr. just to be on the safe side.

With my singleton pregnancy, I had a few contractions, more towards the end (36-38 weeks), but I had a ton of cramping during my pregnancy. Never any bleeding, just a lot of cramping, like I was getting my period.