31 weeks, extreme braxton hicks, loss of mucus

[xxkellsbellsxx]

Hi everyone,

I’m 31 weeks pregnant with extreme braxton hicks and I mean extreme, they are relentless, baby is 4/5 engaged and have lost some of my mucus plug….. anyone else had this but held on to baby long enough to reach term ??

I’ve never had braxton hicks but are you definitely sure they’re not contractions? Losing my mucus plug has always been my first sign of labour.

Oh goodness, sorry can't help but have you spoken to triage?

You need to be assessed OP.I was admitted for preterm labour at 31 weeks and given steroids for DC lungs but only lost mucus plug in labour finally at 40+6. They treated in the basis of contractions, the fact you have mucus too definitely means your need to be seen/assessed

They are very very uncomfortable but not painful like contractions, I had midwife today, they said to take it easy, even start walking slower. Just worry this little one will make an entrance too early

Are you sure they are braxton hicks? Never had them with my first and at 28 weeks with my 2nd was convinced they were just braxton hicks and went on to work, turns out they were real contractions and I was dilating.

Midwife didn’t do and internal to check or anything, didn’t seem that fussed at all

Was this community midwife? I would ring your triage and ask them.

They have been going on for about a week but just getting worse

I had almost constant braxton hicks with my first throughout third trimester. Lasted up to an hour, very tight uncomfortable feeling across my stomach. Bump rock hard. Could happen 5-6 times a day. Midwife said it was normal. Baby came at 39+4.

@LefttoherownDevizes yes community midwife that I see at my gp

@JustWonderingIfYou I just get around 5 an hour, sometimes more, they were coming every 2 mins last week and then disappeared x

Also do you understand 4/5 engaged is not almost completely engaged but only just engaged?
As in 5/5 and 4/5 means it hasn't dropped down. 3/5 and 2/5 means it is engaged and dropped and 1/5 means its fully engaged.

Its the opposite of what most think.

I started to loose my plug around 33 weeks but it regenerates. Only when it has blood in it is the time that labour is starting. Also had loads of bracton hicks. I would ring your midwife at the day unit hospital. They can pop you on a monitor and check on the baby, Atleast it would put your mind at rest

I would ring ADAU or labour ward and pop in for assessment. They can do an internal and swab to check for labour. I have been having this since 26 weeks but my swab was negative which gives me some peace of mind when they start up again. I’m 31 weeks now and get them every day, sometimes it’s so tight, it takes my breath away and they can come every few minutes. Always seem to stop though.. 🤞

You need to go on a monitor. If baby is coming you should be on medication to develop the lungs ASAP.

Baby being 4/5 engaged means they’re barely engaged, and can still move about lots!
I had Braxton hicks a lot with my 3rd baby and lost my plug a lot! But she ended up being 5 days late!

This was me from 29 weeks. First baby and was anxious.
Are you drinking enough water? I found my BH were worse when I was dehydrated.
Also, mucus plus regenerates itself until the time is right, just like a previous poster mentioned. Only when it has blood in it, you're ready to go into labour.

If really concerned, please go to Triage.

@xxkellsbellsxx
Did you get checked out?