Don't know if its BH or the real deal

[tracypenisbeaker]

I'm 36+3 and currently in quite a bit of pain! It's very much like constant period pains- it doesn't seem to be easing off. If it does then its very briefly. I wouldn't know how to time it, ifswim. It happened all of a sudden when I was walking to the shops. I also have a bit of back pain, nothing too terrible, just discomfort mostly.

I had this the other night, from 2am to 7am and then it completely stopped for two days. I've read that BH is uncomfortable, but this kept me awake. It's worse today.

I'm sure that my waters haven't broken (had damp knickers/ pads recently), and I've not seen a show I don't think- although yesterday I had what appeared to be a LOT of discharge. (Think 'troll bogeys' in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Sorry about the image!) It wasn't tinged with blood though, and to be fair I have been producing a bit throughout my pregnancy.

Also, something else that makes me unsure if it BH is that it hasn't gone away after changing positions/ having a warm bath.

I appreciate everyone is different and people who have been in similiar circumstances may have gone on to give birth, and for others it may have been a false alarm. I was just hoping someone could share their experiences or maybe let me know why I'm having some BH/ true early labour symptoms mashed into one. It's hard to tell!

If they're not easing up then it could be early stage labour, the best thing to do is pop in to the Mat Day Assessment Unit and ask them to monitor you and teach you how to time the contractions.
Your waters may not go until baby actually crowns so its not too useful to use that as an indication. Mucus like discharge could be the start if your show.

I think you should call the midwife and get their opinion. I didn't have any pain in pregnancy at all until labour and I'd want to get the pain checked out personally.