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Childbirth

37 weeks with regular braxton hicks, how long is this going to last?!

9 replies

scubastevie · 24/02/2013 05:55

So, I'm awake. 37 weeks +1. Went into hosp yday as hadn't felt baby move all day. Monitor indicates tightenings (that I couldn't feel) quite a few times in 25 mins, she said this could potentially mean I was going into early labour. Later that eve had tightenings again and constant backache (have had a bit of period type pain in back recently as well). Awake since 4am with pretty constant backache and tightenings about every 10-15 mins. They are not really painful but keeping me up and I feel generally uncomfortable.
I'm aware these aren't proper contractions, but potentially how long could this go on for?! I'm hoping not another 5 weeks! Baby's head is 2/5ths engaged I don't know if this makes a difference. Anyone else had similar experience?

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MrsHBaby3 · 24/02/2013 09:21

I've had BH since 18weeks, so I don't think it makes any difference. Ive read everyone gets them from conception but usually don't feel them until pregnancy progresses and uterus full of baby

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iloveholidays · 24/02/2013 16:47

Hi scuba. I had exactly the same with DD3... Was in hospital with tightenings and backache and they admitted me thinking I was in early labour. I wasn't and knew deep down. Had DD1 at 36+2 and DD2 at 37+4 so wasn't expecting to go full term.

Anyway, just wanted to say that I continued having them on and off until DD3 came at 40+1!!! I was lucky they didn't keep me up at night although were very uncomfortable during the day. The worst thing was that I was constantly watching for labour signs...

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scubastevie · 25/02/2013 09:37

Thanks for your replies. So you had them for 3 weeks iloveholidays? :(

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SpaghettiBologneighs · 25/02/2013 09:41

Did they say 2/5ths? Counterintuitively, that means they can only feel 2/5ths of the head, so 3/5ths is engaged in the pelvis.

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SpaghettiBologneighs · 25/02/2013 09:44

Not that that answers your question, sorry! I don't think there is an answer tbh. I've had fairly frequent and strong BH for a few weeks now, and I'm 39+4. Baby's head not really engaged yet, though .

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my2centsis · 26/02/2013 20:29

I had then for 3 weeks :( each day getting more intense too :( but I ended up having a wry good 8hour labour at 39weeks! Good luck

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Radiator1234 · 26/02/2013 21:24

Hi there probably not what you want to hear but I had those sorts of pains off and on for about 3 weeks before I finally went into labour at 40+6. The contractions in the "real" labour were noticeably different and more intense though. Good luck!

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gibson1234 · 04/03/2013 12:11

i am 27 weeks pregnant and im having really bad braxon hicks, lasting up to 4 hours long! and having the urge to push really badly what do i do?