@taestasia, it is pain. early labor, it depends on your pain tolerance, but once REAL labor happens, it will be constant pain. with my son, I had to be rushed to the hospital from the birth center and the car ride was so painful I slammed my head up against the side of the car to try and get my mind off it lol

Is there always pain involved with contractions or can you just feel them and there be no pain? @emily18234 sorry to butt in.

trust me you will know lol. I had them mostly in my back. everything squeezes and the pain increases, hits the high, then decreases. it's like a roller coaster. you'll be able to go "here one comes" then you won't be able to talk from the pain, then it will gradually subside. like Braxton hicks, but the pain increases and peaks at the high of the contraction.

I picked up something super heavy earlier and pretty sure that's what is causing my back pain. I've had back problems forever but it's the worse today it's never been sharp like this and run down my leg. Probably is sciatic like you said , @emily18234 but it made me realize I don't know what contractions feel like and wanted to ask. But is it in the abdominal area generally? I've heard Braxton hicks cause your stomach to harden, which I've felt. I guess I'm worried I won't know when it's something serious lol

what your feeling is sciatic nerve pain. contractions aren't easy to explain, but there is no mistaking them. you won't have to ask and you'll be able to feel them come on, tighten and go down and be able to tome them