Let’s Talk More About Contractions (Because Everyone Wants to Know)
Blog post description.
Doula Jannah
3/23/20265 min read
In my previous blog post about how to know when labour has started, I talked a little about contractions — mainly how to tell the difference between real labour contractions and those cheeky Braxton Hicks practice ones.
But today, I want to delve a little deeper into contractions, because this is honestly one of the biggest mysteries for first-time mums.
Almost every pregnant woman eventually asks: "But what do contractions actually feel like?"
And the honest answer is… It’s different for everyone.... I know that’s probably not the clear answer you were hoping for. But there are some common experiences that many women share.
Let’s unpack it a little.
First things first—what is a contraction?
A contraction is simply your uterus tightening and releasing. Your uterus is an incredibly strong muscle, and during labour it works in a rhythm – tightening, relaxing, tightening, relaxing – helping your cervix open and guiding your baby down into the birth canal.
So even though contractions can feel intense, they are actually your body doing exactly what it is designed to do. Every contraction has a purpose. It’s not random pain. It’s productive work.
Your Body Already Knows How to Do This
One thing I really want every pregnant woman to understand is this: Your body is designed to give birth.
Long before hospitals, monitors, and birth plans existed, women were already giving birth. Our bodies come with what I like to call "birth software". Think of it as a program that has already been installed in your body. And the funny thing is… Your baby is actually the one who presses "start."
So when baby is ready to be born, a beautiful hormonal dance begins inside your body. Your baby releases signals that tell your body it’s time, and your body responds by releasing oxytocin, the hormone that triggers contractions.
Oxytocin is sometimes called the “love hormone". It’s the same hormone released when you hug someone you love, when you breastfeed, and when you bond with your baby after birth. In labour, oxytocin is what causes the uterus to contract in those rhythmic waves that gradually open the cervix and help guide baby down.
Your body releases oxytocin…
The uterus contracts…
Your baby moves down…
Your body releases more oxytocin…
And the cycle continues.
It’s an incredible feedback loop that has been working for humans for thousands of years. Pretty amazing, isn't it, when you think about it.
And Just in Case You’re Wondering…
Sometimes when pregnancy starts feeling very long, very heavy, and very uncomfortable, mums say to me, "I feel like I’m going to be pregnant forever."
I promise you — you won’t be. Every pregnancy eventually reaches a point where the baby and the body decide together that it’s time. Sometimes labour starts quietly and it builds slowly. But eventually, your body begins that process of contractions, and once labour truly gets going, your baby is on its way to meeting you.
I often remind mums of this when labour feels intense.
Every contraction has a purpose, and every contraction is progress. AND every contraction means you are one step closer to holding your baby in your arms. And that moment — when everything suddenly becomes quiet and you hear that first cry — makes the entire journey worth it.
The Best Way to Think About Contractions: Waves
When I support mums in labour, I often describe contractions like waves in the ocean. A contraction doesn’t just suddenly appear and stay there.
It usually:
Starts gently…
builds slowly…
reaches a peak…
and then fades away again.
Then you get a small break before the next one comes. And those little breaks are incredibly important. Your body is so clever! It gives you moments to breathe, rest, and gather yourself before the next wave arrives. When women understand this, labour often feels much less overwhelming.
So instead of thinking, “I can’t survive hours of this", they begin to think, "Okay… I just need to ride this wave.” And then the next one. And the next....
What Early Contractions Usually Feel Like
Early labour contractions are often milder than people expect. Many women describe them as:
• strong period cramps
• a dull ache in the lower belly
• tightening across the stomach
• lower back discomfort
Some women barely notice them at first. You are still able to:
• talk normally
• walk around
• eat
• laugh between contraction
This is why I often tell my clients: It might be a good idea NOT to rush to the hospital too early. Distract yourself. Go about your day. IGNORE. Watch your favourite movies or series on Netflix. Scroll IG or TikTok. Take a walk. Go window shopping. Eat something nourishing. If it gets too much or too painful, have a looooonnnggggg warm/hot shower.
Distraction can actually help labour progress naturally because you are not focusing on the waves.
And the MOST IMPORTANT thing is to remember that you have THE BEST TOOL to help you: BREATHE... Take deep breaths IN through your nose and OUT through your mouth, nice and slow...
As Labour Gets Stronger
As labour moves forward, contractions usually become the following:
• stronger
• longer
• closer together
This phase is when women start turning inward. You might find that you:
close your eyes during contractions
focus deeply on your breathing
sway your body
lean on your partner or doula
stop talking during the wave
This is completely normal. Your body is entering what we often call “labour land.” It’s just your brain's way of focusing entirely on the process of birth.
Back Labour: When Contractions Are Felt in the Back
Something that surprises many women is that contractions are not always felt mainly in the belly. Some women feel them strongly in the lower back. This is often called 'back labour', and it can happen when baby is positioned facing your tummy instead of your spine. It can feel like intense lower back pressure that comes and goes in waves.
The good news? Simple things like:
• changing positions
• using a birth ball
• hands-and-knees positioning
• gentle back pressure
can often help relieve it.
This is one of the moments where having good support in labour can make a big difference.
A Little Secret About Contractions
Here’s something that surprises many first-time mums. Labour is not one long continuous pain. Each contraction rises… peaks… and then fades away. Even the strongest contraction eventually ends. And those little breaks in between are where your body recovers. I always remind mums during labour, "You only need to handle one contraction at a time. Take POWER NAPS in between, taking little sips of water and a bit of kurma (dates) for energy."
That mindset alone can make a huge difference.
Your Body Knows What It's Doing
One of the most powerful shifts I see in women during labour happens when they stop fearing contractions and start understanding them. Because contractions are not something happening to you. They are something your body is doing for you. Every contraction is bringing your baby closer to being in your arms. And that’s pretty incredible when you think about it.
Final Thoughts From Your Doula
If you’re pregnant and wondering what contractions will feel like for you, the truth is that you’ll discover your own unique experience when the time comes.
But here’s the important thing to remember: Your body was designed for this. With the right support, calm environment, and understanding of what’s happening, contractions become something you work with, not something you fight against. And you don’t have to do it alone.
With lots of Love, Doula Jannah