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Pregnancy

How do i tell if i got strong BH's or mild contractions??

32 replies

biglips · 14/09/2008 19:42

as this is my 2nd baby and i didnt have any pains in my 1st pg....no bh's or contractions (i ended up with a induction)

how do i tell the difference?

thanks

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PillockOfTheCommunity · 14/09/2008 20:03

no idea I'm afraid, I was in labour for 8 hrs with my first before I noticed and woke up with strong contractions with the second

Good luck if it is time

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biglips · 14/09/2008 20:21

Yes it is time as im 2 days overdue now

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PinkyDinkyDooToo · 14/09/2008 20:28

If it feels like you need to go to the toilet with the contractions then they are very real. Also try timing them BH tend to be erratic Good luck

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pinkspottywellies · 14/09/2008 20:35

Apparently if you get up and walk aorund BH will stop. Haven't had them but that's what I've heard anyway.

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lovebeingmum · 14/09/2008 20:39

Hi!

didn't have BH's but very mild labour pains, like period pains to start - knew it was labour as they came and went - almost instantly to no pain at all after a contraction

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expatinscotland · 14/09/2008 20:41

you have to stop what you're doing with a real contraction.

i have always had load of BH with each child - they don't stop if you get up and walk about.

but you can continue what you're doing with them.

with DD2, i had what i thought were strong BH the day before she was born.

they were actually contractions. i remember having to hang onto the trolley at Sainsbo's through one.

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tellyaddict · 14/09/2008 22:35

BH are more of a tightening sensation where you can temporarily feel your tummy go hard, they are not supposed to be painful or regular. Contractions are painful (for most) and regular and should gradually get closer and more intense. For all 3 of my
labours I started off with backache and period-type pain before it got worse. How exciting for you - hope it all happens soon!

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biglips · 15/09/2008 08:58

well the pains are there....will have a go on the contractions timer when i get one as none atm!...it comes on from the afternoon till all thru the night but its not painful enough to wake my dp. it must be the BH's as it is painful - happened again last night in the early hours - as tummy goes rock hard and i can feel my uterus/tummy is trying to push the baby down. Head is not fully engaged as yet but is in the correct position. i rather stand up than sit down as its not as painful then.

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ajm200 · 15/09/2008 09:50

Drink lots of water, have a warm bath and move around. The BHs should go off.

Real contractions will feel like you want to go to the loo or make you feel like you have period cramps. Early on they might not be regular but they will gradually get stronger and establish a pattern that you can track

1st time round, mine started with crampy on/off backache. This time I had preterm labour and realised it wasn't BHs when the crampy tummy pains kept making me get up to go to loo thinking I had an upset tummy and couldn't go.

My BHs tend to set in around 4pm when I've overdone it all day and not had enough water to drink..

Drink half a pint of water every hour and more if you can manage it. Maybe it will keep the BHs at bay or at least ease them

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biglips · 15/09/2008 10:54

i do have all day period cramps on the lower bit of my tummy and also back cramps....it make me have the runs often though ! as my tummy is so sore. i am having baths...not to wash my hair but to pour the lovely warm water over my tummy

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biglips · 15/09/2008 11:27

oh and ive had the strong ones for the past 2 weeks....ooowwww!!!

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Ohforfoxsake · 15/09/2008 11:32

BHs should go when you rest, contractions will continue.

So sit down and put your feet up.

If you've been overdoing it, BHs will be stronger.

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ninja · 15/09/2008 11:32

Hi biglips I had a lot of BH's last time as well as this time. Although this time my BH's really CAN be painful.

I agree though, if I relax I tend to get fewer BH's - although atm still get them.

I knew last time when it was contractions - it really was different even early on when they weren't so painful, they were a sudden sharp perion type pain but not so much the tightening. Soon it became obvious that they were very regular (at that point every 20 mins) and I just wanted to lean over with them.

Hopefully it's your body getting ready!

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biglips · 15/09/2008 11:33

well thats the prob....if i do sit down, it kicks off. so it feels better if im mobile

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Ohforfoxsake · 15/09/2008 11:35

OH!

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CarofromWton · 15/09/2008 11:41

I remember asking my mom the same question and she replied "when it happens you won't be thinking "is this it?" you'll be thinking "THIS IS IT!" She was right.

However, I know all women are not the same.

Good luck by the way, and congratulations!

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tellyaddict · 15/09/2008 11:41

With my third I had 'BH' from about 26 weeks, regular and quite painful. At 33 weeks I went in to be monitored as the baby was very quiet. The monitor registered strong regular contractions (which I still maintained were BH). The doctor was having none of it and admitted me for 3 days. The contractions had lasted well over 19 hours before stopping. A week later, same thing, went to bed with a heat pad on back and waited them out (21 hours this time), same thing again a week later and so on until baby born at 37 weeks.

Sounds to me like your body is getting ready for lo's arrival .

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biglips · 15/09/2008 17:00

well i went to the shops before and i bowled over twice abit cos of a lower stab pain on the tummy.

my fingers are drumming >>>

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lulumama · 15/09/2008 17:02

could be the start.. you have my mobile number for advice ?

hope this is it !

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biglips · 15/09/2008 19:40

yes i ddddooooooo!

ive got a sweep booked in for this Friday....what would happen if im so many cm's dilated...do they just leave the membrane alone and let nature take course ans send me home or to the hosp where im having the baby? im having a sweep at a Antenatal clinic which is not at the hosp.

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ninja · 15/09/2008 19:59

Hope you're the next announcement on the Due Sept thread then!

Can't decide if I'm ready or not. I think I want a few days of rest first (just stopped work) - however I'm sick of aching and BH's and ...........

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diddle · 15/09/2008 20:12

biglips - i had irregular, painful contractions that i thought were BH before having my 2nd child. I saw the midwife one day, nothin ghappening then had a check the next day and had somehow dilated 4cms!!! so hopefully you're in early labour and you'll dilate quickly. good luck and i hope it kicks off soon.
Mine got more intense eventually then i went to the hospital and they did an internal which broke my waters, full on from there.

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lulumama · 16/09/2008 13:34

a sweep could just tip you over the edge into labour if you are dilating .. keep me posted !

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biglips · 16/09/2008 21:25

i will

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lizzyleek · 17/09/2008 12:12

Hi i'm expecting my 2nd in 6 days ( due 23/09/08) I did'nt have pains on my first as I was induced and given an epidural as they were talking about taking me for emerg c-sec last night started getting some pains that felt like period pains but they died off after an hour and now writing this i have some mild pains going on! but don't know if it's the real thing! i have low dull backache also but had that on and off for the last4 wks any ideas???

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