Early labour or Braxton Hicks?

[Kapowdee4]

Hello all, new to MN and after some advice please... Currently 38+1 with DC2 and been having irregular low down period like pain for the last couple of days. Last night they were painful enough to wake me up and they do come in waves. I have no other symptoms at all so have been putting it down to Braxton Hicks. However having spoken to a few people today they have said Braxton Hicks are painless. I had no Braxton Hicks in previous pregnancy or this one (that I noticed) so feel a bit clueless! These pains don't seem to be affected by a full bladder etc but do come on more if lying down or sitting slouched backwards (had quite a few in the car this morning). Should also mention baby was 3/5 engaged at last weeks 37 wk appt.

DD1 was born at 40+9 after a sweep and I knew as soon as I was in labour that it was 'it'. I'd had no niggles or anything before my sweep. Contractions were strong and lost mucus plug pretty quick so I am a bit confused by these rather niggly pains! I had convinced myself after going so far past due date with DD1 that this would follow the same pattern but now I'm starting to think may be sooner than later? So could this be a very slow burner start to early labour or might I have to put up with it for the next few weeks?

[SevenOhTwo]

I've been having BH for a good few weeks now (currently 35+1 with dc3) and I find them mildly painful. I also get a wave of nausea with each one. They are defo BH though as no regularity or build up - just odd bouts of them here and there. it is not period like pain though - more just unpleasantly tight and achy round bump. Contractions with dc2 were very period pain like, but for me they increased in regularity and strength fairly quickly so seemed quite clearly to be labour (probably around 10hrs from first pains to birth).


So could be either is my verdict! Sorry, not v helpful. Hope all goes well however it progresses!

[zannyminxoxox]

I have been getting period type pains on and off for weeks my midwife says it's because it's my third child everything is stretching so you feel it more as its already been stretched. I long to feel a sharp take my breath away contraction or a nice gush from my waters breaking as I am fed up of constantly thinking maybe this is it, my body seems to be going into labour, but then it all stops. I have lost mucus plug had braxton hics with period pain timing them for it to all stop😬 Im 38 weeks and had enough so I wouldn't like me hold your breath on anything happening soon. I went 12 days over with dd and 4 days and was induced with ds due to growth. The only time I felt the period pains before this one was when I started going into labour with my dd. I am booked for induction 4 days after my due date for this one too can't come quick enough bring on labour! 😊

[Kapowdee4]

Thanks for the replies. Have had the pains coming in waves all day pretty much, got as frequent as every ten minutes but since I had dinner and drank loads and loads of water they have died off. My gut feeling is that it's him moving down into position and stretching everything like you say. Either way at least things are happening!

[ShowOfHands]

Dehydration is a real trigger for braxton hicks. Stay well hydrated and you might find them less noticeable.

[PennyHasNoSurname]

BH werent painless for me! Enough for me to catch my breath (and pause X Factor). I basically had a bath and paractamols and if they stopped they were BH and the one time they didnt DS came four hours later.

[Kapowdee4]

Thanks everyone, they've carried on but are still pretty irregular. However have just lost mucus plug so now getting hopes up that things are happening!

[almmummy]

I'm finding them quite sharp and aggravating with baby number two - the first time around was painless though. I had a long latent phase last time with numerous BH - I was having regular contractions on the monitor but could not feel pain. So perhaps this is what is happening for you - keep your notes and hospital bag close!

[Kapowdee4]

Just to update I called my MLU yesterday at around 18.30 when contractions were about 3-5 mins apart and was told to stay at home and have a bath. I got in the bath until 21.00 when contractions suddenly ramped up so OH called back to be told they were full and we had to go to the next nearest MLU an hour away! As soon as I got out the bath I started needing to push so I ended up with two lovely paramedics and an on call midwife just in time to deliver on my living room floor. Having lovely newborn snuggles with DS1 now in total shock at having him 11 days before due at home!

[zannyminxoxox]

Congratulations

[almmummy]

Congrats! That's so naughty of them to turn you away when they knew you were coming in at some point soon. Glad it went well though!