At the risk of sounding like an idiot- contraction question

[gk1701]

So I had one of those terrible leg cramp/charlie horse things this morning. Where you stretch your leg out and it hurts like heck!! There was no possible way I could breath through it, relax or focus on anything. My entire body went stiff and all I could say was ow, ow, ow- there was no breathing or calmness even though I was thinking, "now would be a perfect time to practice for a contraction."

What am I going to do when I have a real contraction if I can't even manage a 30 second leg cramp???

I'm really starting to doubt myself here.

 

[aliss]

I have to admit I found them very comparable to severe leg cramps (I was on pitocin).

However, a 'leg cramp' causes fight or flight, IMO. The response to an unnatural pain out of nowhere, with no expectation. A contraction is mentally different, there is no fight or flight going in your brain. It's impossible to explain. I'm not one of those who can say I found the pain 'manageable', but I will say that you need to use your mindset to get through it

 

[solitaire89]

What am I going to do when I have a real contraction if I can't even manage a 30 second leg cramp???

Cramp is far worse IMO than contractions! You can relax through a contraction, but no way through a severe bout of cramp

You will be fine; relax, keep calm, and trust your body to do what it is designed, planned and built for!

 

[MrsHedgehog]

Cramp comes on suddenly and unexpectedly. Contractions start off mild and get gradually stronger. They come in waves, you know one is coming and you get a chance to prepare for it. I imagined the pain just washing over me. I almost enjoyed the pain! A bit like pushing yourself to the limit at the gym, it hurts but it feels good! I did get to a point where the pain was unbearable (the dreaded ring of fire!) but then LO was born and it was over.

 

[gk1701]

Thanks for all of the replies. It definitely gives me hope that I can do it too!! My baby is coming next week (or maybe a couple of weeks after that) so I definitely need the extra encouragement!

 

[minties]

What aliss said

 

[lozzy21]

I got cramp in my leg in labour and that hurt worse than the contractions.

 

[preg_pilot]

My mom said the same thing.
She got a leg cramp while having me, and said that that was way worse than the contractions.

 

[belle254]

Oh my god gk1701 i had this! The other night i stretched out my leg and the cramp pain was so intense i just moaned and wriggled til it stopped after about 20 seconds. I then lay there thinking i was pathetic and how i was supposed to get through a home birth with just gas and air if i cant last through a leg cramp.

I like mrshedgehog's way or describing it though- that's what i'm going to aim for!