Anyone here to reassure me?

[MrsMattie]

Last pregnancy (DS now 3.7 yrs old) quite different to this one - never had a single Braxton Hick, whereas this time I've been having them from 20 weeks-ish.

I'm now 32 weeks pregnant and have been getting loads of BH over the last couple of days. The baby also seems to be going a bit mad with movements, too, doing big turns, and I have a strong lower back ache and period like pains. No contractions - not painful or regular ones, anyway - but I feel quite odd. I had a small bleed a couple of weeks ago and was monitored in hospital for a day, but they couldn't find the source of the bleed and a scan, internal and some monitoring of the baby confirmed that all was absolutely fine.

My problem is, I never went into labour last time around. I had an induction, which failed, and went straight to c-section, so all these niggles are totally new to me. Is it normal to feel quite achy and grim and generally like things are 'happening' inside at such an early stage? Am i just being a paranoid Patty? i don't want to keep hassling the midwife / hospital with petty complaints!

[moonlily]

this is my 3rd pregnancy and Ive had bh since about 16wks with this one. im now 34wks ive also got a gymnast baby and back ache I was convinced the other night that i was in labour I didnt sleep a wink it was so uncomfortable. I told my midwife and she said it was perfectly normal.
if you are worried though do see your mw cos thats what they are here for

[Cadbury]

It sounds pretty much like a normal state of afairs to me but I had very achy pregnancies. Your body is stretching and loosening all over the place to get ready for the birth and that is what you could be feeling. If you are worried though, do speak to a midwife. Trust your own senses. If something feels wrong, then ask about it.

[OhWellNeverMind]

I echo the last line from Moon's post.

It is perfectly normal to have more BH's with subsequent pgs...

However, I had a mucousy bleed at 24wks. Confirmed everything was fine. Another at 26+3, again confirmed everything was fine. I gave birth at 26+6 after having a very short and very painfree labour.

It doesn't always happen. but please be aware that it can be a sign. I ignored it. If you are worried at all please see a MW to check.

The rule of thumb that I was given was to phone for advice if I had more than 4 contractions in a 1 hour period (either tightening or period pain type cramp).

I am sure all is well...just don't dismiss it. Listen to your body.

[MrsMattie]

Thank you, all of you!

OhWell - I suppose at the back of my mind this is what worries me. I keep thinking ;what if this isn't just aches and pains and I am just not recognising the signs?'. Think I will go to the doc's tomorrow.

[OhWellNeverMind]

If you are worried ring labour ward. Thety are in a better position to assess you than GP.

As I say I think it is usually nothing...but I (personally) prefer to err on the side of caution.

Have you lost any mucous at all (which was my problem) or was it fresh blood?

[MrsMattie]

It was dried blood that I noticed in the evening before going to bed. No mucuous, although at times I have felt a bit wet down below (watery rather than dischargy) and worried about a hind leak - but midwife put it down to normal increase in lubrication during pregnancy and the fact I have a bartholin's cyst that may be a bit leaky. I went to the maternity day unit at my hospital and had an internal - they said my cervix was completely closed and as they would expect for 30 weeks pregnant (which I was then). Scan and CFM both showed baby was fine.

I normally err on the side of caution, too, and also usually go with my gut...you're probably right, nothing to worry about, but worth getting checked out. thank you!

[MrsMattie]

Quick update - was up for hours last night with BH and crampy feelings. Had a warm bath and DH massaged my back. Contemplated going to A&E, but fell asleep in the early hours and when I woke up I felt right as rain! Am fine today. So...will see what happens.

[JohnsonsShampoo]

Glad all seems to be well.

Just for reference - if you do need to see someone don't go via A&E. Call the maternity hospital/labour ward. They will do a primary assessment over the phone and advise. If you then need to be seen - you will have been seen and assessed by the obsterian by teh time you have got passed triage in A&E. A&E will onlly call the Obstetrician over anyway.

Labour wards are open all night like A&E . They will see women as I described above from about 24wks. Prior to 24wks then you do need to go via GP/MW/A&E