Braxton hicks or the real thing

[Ilikegin]

I'm currently 37+3 first baby, been in pain since late afternoon/early evening with lower back pain, and thigh ache like period pain radiating round to my lower abdomen, it comes and goes but now it's mostly there all the time, my stomach keeps tightening but lasts quite a while (2 mins plus , rock hard, I think with a relax in between of 3-6 mins) I haven't been able to time it all properly as I'm not sure when to start/stop. I am getting very uncomfortable and cannot sleep at all due to the aching, I haven't really had BHs during the pregnancy so I'm not sure if it's normal for me to ache so much? Also I've needed to go to the toilet twice for number 2 since this started, no waters broken or mucus plug though! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Reallyhard]

It could be BH, or it could be the very early stages of labour beginning - no way to know for sure until you see whether or not things progress! Try to get as comfortable as you can, sleep if at all possible, even if it is the start of things it can take quite a while so you need to be as rested as possible.

[icklekid]

Sounda like braxton hicks- I had them for over a week before my waters started. If they ramp up and you can time them then do so you can get advice from maternity ward but agree with previous poster try and rest- a warm bath might help too

[DropYourSword]

Solely based on my experience,, but if you have to ask, it's probably not the really thing.
When my contractions started there was no way I could have confused them for braxton hicks!

[Sephipops]

Keep walking as well. I wish I had done more when I was trying to get things going - when I went to hospital I was 6 minutes apart and 3cm. They fizzled out at hospital so they sent me out for a walk to see what happened. I walked over 10km and got sunburnt, but it got me into the active labour stage. (I lived an hour from my chosen hospital so they didn't automatically send me home at 3cm)
And the clichés of when you're having contractions you'll know is true. The first day of them I didn't quite trust it, but the next day I knew, especially when they woke me up!

[Ilikegin]

Thsnks for the replies. Still have bad back ache but lying on my side seems to be helping the tightenings, I haven't had braxton hicks to this point so not really sure what to expect, when i read up on both they sound quite similar

[Sephipops]

To be honest, Looking at the length of time of each tightening I would say braxton hicks as well. My contractions were lasting 30-45 seconds tops. 2 minutes is a very long time - although that was the length of some of my braxton hicks as well.
Walk/bounce on your ball/have sex - see what happens!

[MoreGilmoreGirls]

Sounds like Braxton Hicks, have a warm bath should ease them off. Good luck OP

[Ilikegin]

So had an hour sleep the pain woke me up very hard stomach, period pains but like a trapped nerve pain radiating through stomach and back which took my breath, didn't think BH was painful? Also do BH last over 12 hours without going away? Sorry for the questions just don't want to waste anyone's time going to be checked out, hospital is miles away and we've got things to be doing today 😬

[Sephipops]

Try a warm bath (horrible in the is weather I know!) and a couple of paracetamol. If that doesn't help then depending on how you feel I would probably be calling the hospital. Or taking my labour bag with me 😂

[Ilikegin]

Thank you for all the replies I will try the suggestions and presume just BH for now!

[Sephipops]

How did it go today? Well yesterday..

[icklekid]

Yes bh can be painful and last for days...however so are contractions! Hope you managed to get what you need done. A tens machine is worth using regardless of if bh or contractions!

[Ilikegin]

I was still in pain most of yesterday but they are very irregular sometimes 30mins apart then 10 minutes a few times then back up to 30. Tried the bath and walking, (well shuffling Round the house) didn't really make any difference! Seems to be worse at night, felt terribly sick last night with it too! I'm hoping I don't have to wait too long !!

[Ilikegin]

I had a look for tens machine but they were £100 which seems a lot of money for something I'd only use for a day or so!

[ACatCalledFang]

You can rent a TENS machine for a month for about £16 - that's what I paid last year (never actually used it, but that's another story....).

[Sephipops]

When I was in labour I walked 10km and got sunburnt. I was walking as fast as I could (which felt like sprinting... I know it wasn't!) and hoping that I got to the next patch of shade before the next contraction hit 😂

[Ilikegin]

Ooh where can you rent them from?

Haha that sounds like torture to me, sadly I can't really walk very far, have SPD!

[Sephipops]

It was torture for me... Although I didn't have spd. I was doing threatened with being sent home (I lived an hour from the hospital) so I went out for the last minute desperate walk and got massively sunburnt! Got me to the magic 4cm though, so the bright red nose in the post birth photos are well worth it!

[durezz]

I feel for you OP. I am 1 day overdue with no.4 (have 3 girls already who all came early). I have been getting braxton hicks for 2 weeks! This is the only pregnancy I've had it this long. I kept thinking I was in early labour, but they do hurt and I've heard they get stronger the more pregnancies you have.
Frequent trips to the loo mean your body is clearing itself of waste to make room for baby's exit! Hope you feel better soon!

[icklekid]

You can hire from

boots

mothercare

Or found this one recommended on old mumsnet thread

Good luck op!

[Ilikegin]

Thank you all!
I will have a look at hiring the tens machine Icklekid!
It's still the same three days on, worse at night then seems to ease during the day! So definitely not early labour.. Bugger!!

[choccybiscuit]

Are you feeling baby move?