36 weeks...Intense braxton hicks! I need a good dose of sensible please!!!

[Up2nogood]

Ok being on dc #2 and having had a normal straight forward labour with ds I know I should know what's going on, what to expect and not to panic and every twinge, but..... I need a good dose of sensible please so I can go to sleep in peace!! 

I'm 36 weeks. Had a lots of activity over the past week or so, things starting to gear up. Baby absolutely bashing its way down all night last  night, and very low, but then back up again today ( although low again now). Anyway, my braxton hicks have notched up a gear. I've had them
Now since 6.30. They were mild then for about an hour and intensified around 7.30, then got even stronger after that as I embarked on some cleaning. Stopped and rested for 45min but no let up. I've timed them on and off. They are less than a minute and with 2-3 mins between them so too frequent and too mild to be the real thing. (??) But, it all feels a little familiar. I think
I had a slow progressive latent labour  last time which spanned over a Sunday day and night, until it all
Finally kicked into active labour at about 7am Monday when I was 5cm when the midwife came. 

It's purely a tightening of the belly, all over, but not from the back. But I've also had on off period pains. Some are strong enough to take my breath away! 

In a flap as only 36wks, it's my first day of mat leave today and I'm soooo not ready!!!! ...oh and dh away till weds night. Plan is home birth so hospital bag not packed / not even got everything bought to put in it!! 

Just sound like normal hicks? Or should I be rushing out to my nearest 24hr tesco for a pack of newborn nappies??! 

[mineofuselessinformation]

Phone the labour ward!

[LandsN]

how did u get on op I have been having the same for a few days just thought I was overreacting and being paranoid I am 35 weeks and also had really bad heart burn!!! mmm am wondering if maybe I should contact midwife and pack bag x

[MummyJetsetter]

Definitely pack bag and get nappies anyway but it does just sound like BH, I'm 36+5 with dc2 and been having big strong ones for weeks and baby bearing down big time for weeks too. I think with 2nd all the movements and pains feel stronger as I had BH with dc1 but not all the other pains and twinges. x

[LandsN]

that's the only thing worrying me this is dc3 and I never had this with last 2 x

[Up2nogood]

I'm still here. Things calmed down once I lay down in bed. These are definitely stronger than what I had at this stage with ds but as you sayjetsetter I have felt everything much more and much earlier this time around. All quiet today but I'm not convinced I've got 4 weeks to go. Really need to pack my bag. Small bag of nappies bought...need to wash all ds's old grows and get organised.... But first I'm just going to take a nap!!

[MummyJetsetter]

I can't believe you haven't already done all that! I've done everything but now I'm finding myself re packing my hospital bag all the time! I did do everything too early I couldn't stop myself! I'm having more pressure now and do feel like the time is coming! You'll be fine though if the baby comes soon, at least you're not too early. x