Naive question about contractions

[missingmymarbles]

33 +2 with second, but first was born by emcs at 29 +5 before labour classes and they're not for another couple of weeks yet this time either, so I really have no idea what I am doing at this stage. In fact, I am quite amazed to be at this stage, which is probably why I am a bit naive, as I didn't really believe I would be here

Anyway, I have been having Braxton Hicks for a few weeks now, where whole belly has gone really hard, especially on change of position or pace etc. Today, I have been having period type pains quite low down, not lasting long and I haven't noticed any regularity or pattern, but have become aware that it has been going on all day.

My question is, could these be early contractions (I am pretty sure it's not labour or anything like that - lol)? Are they generally felt low down like that? I had always thought they would begin higher up and move down over?

sounds to me like they are just cramps.

fwiw, I'm 35wks and I quite often get low down period type pains, esp in the evenings or if I lie on my side. Have been getting them for a number of weeks now which made me think it was due to dc's growing weight.

It's been 5 yrs since I had a real contraction but I remember them being much more of a 'whole body' type of thing.

you will know when contractions start!

My contractions started as period type pain, but I had cramps like you describe for weeks beforehand, then when it was contractions it was period type pain in a wave building up and then coming back down, low in my bump and across the front

Usually if you can time them then they are contractions, however I'd get the MW to check you out given your hstory.

They might be as Braxton Hicks' contractions are not like labour pains. However unless they are close together it is probably not even early labour. Look out for water breaking and mention it your midwife when you next see her.

Don't agree with Xenia sorry. Waiting for your waters to break doesn't work for all women. With DC1 I had been in established labour for a few hours and the MW broke my waters. DS was born an hour later. DD was born in her waters so if I'd waited for my waters to break before I got checked out I would have been giving birth on my own.

If you are concerned at all please see your MW today .

You need to see your midwife.

My sister complained of a belly ache at 30 weeks. She saw her GP who said she was constipated. Belly ache persisted until dinner time. I advised her to go to maternity unit. They said she was not contracting. She used the loo and complained of pressure. 2 hours later her twins were born.

Labour feels different for everyone. It is never a waste of anyone's time to have someone check you. If my sister had listened to her GP she could have delivered at home.

Thank you for replying
DD's prem birth was due to pre-eclampsia, but all well so far in that department this time I don't even remember BH's with her.

I am still dithering. This morning I have 'tightenings' at the top and sides of my bump that are definitely coming and going - feels sort of like 'knots' if that makes sense; I need to properly time them.
Thanks again, I will time and call someone if anything changes.
MMM

I didn't mean to suggest you wait until waters break. Sometimes that is much later on or only well into labour. I just meant watch out for that too because if they already have then even if these contractions are not painful you should tell the midwife.

How are you getting on now miss? Have you timed them? How are the cramps?

I'm OK thanks, Jilted. Everything has settled down again. I had quite bad backache too, but that has passed as well. I do feel generally uncomfortable, but I think perhaps the baby is just organising herself If it ramps up again, I'll go down to the unit. My bump has dropped in the last few days, hopefully she was just getting herself into the right position and will stay there for a while yet

That's good news but please don't hesitate to get yourself checked out at the unit if it happens again, especially as you had backache.

If it helps in my antenatal class's they told us to get in the bath if we weren't sure of braxton hicks or contractions and if it was braxton hicks the pains should stop/be reduced if it was labour they would keep coming

Not entirely sure I agree with what you've been told susie as I thought that waterbirths could slow or stop contractions. Wouldn't it be the same for a bath?

I think one of the best ways is, if you suspect you're having contractions, drink a large glass of water, lie down and time any tightenings. If they continue and/or get stronger despite doing both these things you need to get checked out. Dehydration is a very common cause of cramping like feelings and being upright/active is another one too. If you rule both those out by doing above then it may be the real deal...