Strange pain, 39+3 - any ideas?

[thunksheadontable]

My bump has been hard and uncomfortable all day but particularly on left side it is really sore. It sort of feels like a stretching pain but deeper than that? I have had a few period cramps and a bit of backache but it doesn't really feel like labour yet I am pretty much uncomfortable all the time in a way that seems different to the usual discomforts...

Something or nothing?

Are you needing to breathe through the pain at all?

Sometimes, but it seems to come and go. I had two weeks stop-start labour last time, hoping this isn't a sign I am going to repeat the pattern. Nothing now but had a few this morning. I hope it means something is happening in there, that at least I'll get a faster birth at the end of it!

If they start again then start timing them and see if there's a pattern, then ring the labour ward :)

Mine started like this, but it was another day or so before I felt the need to go in.

I'd be thrilled if I could get in within a week! I was 40+13 last time. It would be great if this were a sign things were beginning, even if it takes a good few days to ratchet up...

I've heard that having a bath either makes contractions rev up a notch to the real thing or tail off if they're just BHs. Might be worth a go.