My ob says that contractions feel like intense menstrual cramps and the
top of your
belly will feel really tight. You might also have pain in your back, sides
of your belly, and down into your thighs. At 35 weeks I was already dilated 1cm and had no idea. I had felt some stabbing pains in my cervix but my ob says that may be the aftermath of the contractions and I didn't feel the actual contraction itself. It'll hurt more when you get to 5-6 cms. Yay!