Can someone please tell me what is normal.

[maybebaby23]

Hi, me again, worrying as usual

Ok my first DD was breech and i had a planned section at 39 weeks. I was uncomfortable by that stage but thats about it. With DD1 i had one huge practice contraction type thing in the middle of the night at about 26 weeks and can remember what that felt like, it was different from what im feeling now.

This time im nearly 37 weeks and for the last week ive been having dull period type aches in lower tummy and back. They last a minute or so and are quite uncomfortable. They tend to come and go but sometimes now the ache is constant but not bad, just uncomfortable. Sometimes my bump feels tight at same time, sometimes it doesn't. This baby is head down and DD1 was breech the whole time so i guess what im asking is,

Could this be because her head is low? Obviously DD1's bum didn't engage so she stayed high up. Maybe this baby is engaging and so triggering braxton hicks? (if thats what they are, i have no idea!) Im thinking i will call the midwife and ask her. I just dont know what is normal because i never went into labour with DD1. I would be grateful if you could share how you felt in the last 3-4 weeks? Baby still moving around and seems ok Im not too worried about going into labour early as i think it would be ok at almost 37 weeks? Just need to stop worrying and find out what is normal!!

Thanks for reading!

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

With DS2 - I was huge - he was 10lb12 and carrying him killed me.

For the last 3 or so weeks I had what you are describing, coming and going, and I went all the way to 3 days overdue when I went for a sweep only to be told I was already 3 cms dilated. This made me very happy as that meant only 7 to go!
Certainly it wasn't very nice having the aching on and off but I could carry on as normal while I was experiencing it.

[maybebaby23]

Thankyou so much Ladyoftheflowers. Very reassuring! 10lb 12 DD1 was only 7lb 1 but i think this baby is a bit bigger. Maybe that has something to do with it too!

Thanks again for replying. Anyone else?

[choufleur]

I had dull aches and very mild irregular contractions for about 3 days before DS was born (he was 8lb 7 and 5 days overdue). After my waters broke i went to hospital about an hour later and was already 7cm so i guess the dull aches and pains had been doing their work without me really noticing.

[maybebaby23]

Thanks choufleur! So you had your baby soon after starting with these period aches, and ladyoftheflowers had them for weeks and was overdue...so theres no telling when my little one will arrive then! At least i know they are normal, thanks again i feel much better about it

Anyone else?

[CantThinkofFunnyName]

I have the period pain aches now in lower tummy and back with DC3. Am 35+3. I also feel like baby is about to fall out - but know that it won't because it's breech/transverse!

Unfortunately, this is all just par for the course and will undoubtedly get a lot worse before the real thing starts