Mild pains with tightenings. How long do these go on for?

[belindarose]

39 weeks today. I've had braxton hicks (pain free although uncomfortable now as baby takes up all the room) for months. Last night I had a few hours of more regular ones, accompanied by mildish period pains. I went to sleep eventually and they'd gone this morning. Now started up again.

Can this bit last for weeks, or is it a 'sign' ?

I'm just the same - 39 weeks tomorrow, bhs for months, although the last couple of days I've felt an almost constant tightening and occasionally mild pain with it. Sadly I think it can last for weeks.... :( I am also doing the face though, particularly as I am feeling a bit peculiar today and am hoping a general feeling of peculiarity is a sign too!!! Good luck :)

Sounds like something's starting!

My first labour was very much like period cramping that just....got more and more intense. And then out came DC1.

Second time around was sharp pains, very different.

Good luck OP! Don't forget to get your TENS machine strapped on nice and early. Maybe a warm bath now? And don't forget a big bowl of pasta for energy, who knows when your next meal will be!

X

I am having this too! Am 38+3, which is pretty much bang on when DD arrived 5yrs ago.

Interesting you mention feeling peculiar, gwenniebee - I am also feeling decidedly odd. I don't really remember that last time but perhaps I have just forgotten it. I have a definite 'funny feeling' as if something is about to happen, but my feminine intuition is generally crap so am hesitant about trusting it too much

Sorry to be negative, but I got mild period type cramps for about 10 days before I went into labour. Only in the day though, so I still could sleep at night. They were obviously doing something though because when I finally went into labour it only took 8 hours (first baby).

Not negative, just realistic, thing!

Nothing else has happened for me, apart from a few aches and not much sleep last night, and just bump discomfort now. Not a good weekend for his arrival anyway, so I don't mind if he holds out another week!

Sorry- I had this for at least two weeks before I gave birth. But- in better news- when I did go into labour (my waters broke in the early morning), it felt the same, maybe just a bit stronger, and the first time I was checked I was 7cm dilated... so maybe it does help make things more efficient when labour actually kicks in...? Good luck anyway!

Sadly mine lasted for 3 weeks. Although labour seemed much shorter as I didn't believe it was really 'it' as we'd had so many false starts, I just got on with my day and it was only after 12 hours of pains that I was convinced. Don't believe all the 'oooh, you'll KNOW when you're in labour'- I didn't and neither did my midwife, I rocked up at the hospital thinking maybe I should be checked out, I was 10cm dilated and still coping fine.

My advice would be to try and ignore it- I was physically ok but emotionally a wreck after 3 weeks of false starts and constant braxton hicks, from waking up each morning thinking this was the day and then it not being. I found it all much easier when I just stopped caring- my timing contractions, bouncing on birth ball, going for walks etc was exhausting me and babies come when they're ready!

I agree with Glabella- best to get on as much as possible, rather than watch every twinge etc. Though my baby was only born in March, so I remember how frustrating it was only too well. I think the most annoying thing was people advising me on 'making the most' of my sleep before the baby came, at a time when I was so uncomfortable I could barely sleep at all. I found it much easier to sleep (albeit in short bursts) once dd was born. Fingers crossed your wait is not too long. X

Not much chance for catching up on sleep with toddler DD around! She did try to 'help' me have a rest this afternoon. It was cute, but ineffective!

Had no prior twinges, warnings of any kind with DD, just went straight into contractions 5 minutes apart (for many hours!) so just thought this felt different.

I'm making the most of the time DD and I have together now.