When should I worry about contractions/Braxton Hicks?

[pinkstriped]

34w pregnant with baby number three (last pregnancy was 8 years ago), and I have been experiencing BH contractions since around week 18. Totally normal I know, but they've ramped up and up and up in pain and intensity, and keep getting stronger. They're now at the point where they feel at the same pain and intensity level as when I was around 5cm dilated with my son.

I know it's part and parcel of being pregnant but I am in SO MUCH pain, having to breathe through them, and it's becoming quite unbearable. I didn't sleep at all last night because they were coming on and off every 15 mins or so, they've really ramped up in the last 48h. They've now gone off again and are less painful every 25 - 40 mins.

They're more regular at night and there are periods where they are as regular as usual contractions, but I have no other labour symptoms. My MW hasn't been great and every time I've mentioned them to her she just tells me this is how it feels for a third pregnancy.

Baby is measuring on 93 centile so I'm slightly concerned about size - my last 2 were 20-30% throughout pregnancy. I've been in to triage twice for periods of reduced movement and have suffered with PGP throughout.

When do I worry about how bloody painful this is? I'm sure THIS much pain has to be doing something. When do I go back to triage and make a fuss? I don't want to contribute to overstretching midwives but I'm not sure I can cope with this much pain for many more weeks.

Hopeful bump!

You need to call your maternity unit and go in to get checked.

My aunt was a midwife and when I experienced pain she told me to call the maternity ward ('told' is a polite way of saying it lol).

I called the maternity ward and they advised me to take 2 paracetamol.
I called my aunt and she was sort of talking to herself 'why would a midwife advise 2 paracetamol when you're experiencing pain'
My lovely aunt again tried to intervene and ensure that I had a urine sample taken. I was put on antibiotics as I had a urine infection.
In the end, my lovely aunt possibly saved my child's life (she was a very senior nurse in the hospital I was attending).
As a pregnant mother, I wouldn't be taking chances.

Listen to my aunt. It's not normal. Get it checked out.

Tootle in, bring a cup of tea and a sandwich and perch yourself at the maternity unit until they at the very least check for a urine infection.

BH aren't meant to be painful as far as I'm aware! And they should go away when changing positions etc so if I were you I would go in and get checked to see if you're actually in labour!

Thank you all - I'll do this, god it's stupid to have to seek validation and advice online , I'm a thirty-something woman, but I'm so confused with the midwife just telling me these are Braxton hicks. I've had Braxton hicks before and I've been in labour before, I know one is normal and one is not.

Sounds like you might need to go and make a bit of a (polite) fuss OP. Good luck!

I've had three children, and my BH weren't any more painful with the third one, I agree trust your instincts.

I've just given birth to dc3. I didn't have any pain like you're describing until 38+ weeks, and when I did, it was labour. I'm sure my MW would have listened if I'd said the sort of thing you're saying. You need someone who will take you seriously today, op.

Another vote for 'BH aren't supposed to be painful'

Get it checked out, good luck!

Let us know how you get on. My aunt would never forgive herself if she didn't pass her knowledge onto me.

My aunt actually came with a urine sample bottle and brought it in with her to work. I was on a first time pregnancy and had NO IDEA of what was normal and what was not. I knew that midwives tend to take the word of a first-time-mum with a pinch of salt, but my aunt, was a force to be reckoned with. As I said, had I NOT had my aunt in my corner, I may well have lost my baby (said baby is now a grown adult). She pushed me to argue and when I wasn't willing to argue, she took matters into her own hands.

Thank you all for your advice today - I spent 6 hrs being monitored in triage today, cervix is closed and no infection. The consultant believes it's just really brutal Braxton hicks, but we have a scan on Friday just to check everything over and we'll be seen more regularly in clinic to keep a close eye. Well worth the trip!

Glad everything is okay and that you went in op! Always worth getting checked if you're not sure and glad they're going to keep a close eye.

You're nearing the end, you've got this!

Brilliant news and excellent care!

I'm sure everything is perfect.