Question Not getting contractions - just pressure in face and forehead

[JamesSf]

Hello,
When testing for max breath hold time, I really just feel pressure build up around my forehead and front of my face, not the “contractions” in the stomach or chest most people talk about. Is this normal and do I need to just try to “push” through it? It almost feels like my forehead will explode lol.
I’m very new and have my best static dry breath holds are around 1:30. I’ve been using Freedive Apnea training app on iOS to try to improve for the last month or so and haven’t seen much improvement yet, wondering if there’s a “breakthrough” I’m missing. I’ve been doing the CO2 training portion of the app which has a constant breath hold followed by shorter breathing periods (based on what my max hold is).
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!

 

[NoFair]

I don't get contractions until after 3-4 minutes on a static hold. It differs from person to person, some hardly get any while others get strong contractions pretty quickly.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I've been diving since the early 1950s and have never felt a contraction. It would scare the hell out of me if I did.

 

[J Campbell]

I get mild contractions at the end of long static but it's not what bothers me. What bothers me is the strong "URGE TO BREATH, NOW"!
Regarding the pressure in the head and face - never heard of this but I would find out what it is. If you feel like your head is about to "explode" that would worry me - you don't wan to burst a blood vessel or cause a stroke!