probably been asked several times but i'm a paranoid freak - sorry

[islandlassie]

Ok i'm 37 weeks.

I get BH ALL the time and i mean i get hundreds and have been since week 15 (yeah i know some people dont even believe me cos it was early but i am very skinny and would only notice if i was lying down)

ANYWAY, in the last few hours i am getting them a bit more reguarlly but INCREDIBLY STRONG and TIGHT but I'm NOT in any pain during them. I am however getting the sharp pains very low down that people have described on here before but again in the last few hours they have niggled on for several seconds rather than just one quick shock.

Whats happening? Is this common? I'm know i'm always paranoid about baby, have been all the way through.

Thanks

[belgo]

I had braxton hicks from 3 months with myu first pregnancy. I was monitored a couple of times for them. They were probably caused by dehydration caused by severe morning sickness. DD1 was born at 40 weeks.

At 37 weeks, I think it's quite normal to have long intense braxton hicks, which still aren't painful. Some women are more sensitive to feeling them then others.

The sharp pains could be caused by the baby pressing on a nerve.

If you are really concerned, then contact your midwife or labour ward

[moosemama]

I would contact your labour ward and describe what's happening. They'll either put your mind at rest or get you checked out.

Am sympathetic, I spent the whole morning having regular bh that were actually quite painful. Have been resting all day and they seem to have settled down - I'm 22.3 and have been having them for a few weeks now.

[islandlassie]

OK so now i'm having them like every ten minutes! HELP!!!

[Honeymoonmummy]

I agree with Moosemama, call your labour ward. They will probably ask you to come in as a precaution - if they're anything like my hospital anyway! Let us know how you're getting on and don't worry!

[MrsHappy]

Honestly?
It sounds to me like it might be the start of labour. See if they speed up and if so you might want to contact your hospital.

FWIW, if it isn't labour just yet, my friend had very strong Braxton Hicks for ages and when she went into labour first her waters went, then she drove (15 mins) to the hospital and when she got there she was already between 9 and 10cm. Lucky girl.

[naturalblonde]

I'm 37+5 and get BH (really strong ones) all the time. A couple of weeks ago I got them 5 mins apart for 2 hours, ended up in labour ward (where obviously they stopped!) Anyway, they monitored me for an hour, checked to see if I was dilated (I wasn't)and sent me home.

Then same thing happened a week later, but stopped again after 2 hours. So you're probably fine, but might be worth ringing delivery just in case.

[islandlassie]

Thanks. It only worries me cos it has been like this since i wrote that first message i just wasnt timing it when i wrote that! so about 4 hours now

And naturalblonde thats why i havent done anything as yet. I just know it will stop as soon as i get there. that kinda thing always happens to me!

If by 9 its still happening i'll phone.

[moosemama]

Did you phone? What did they say?