Start of labour or Braxton hicks?

[rach6122]

Hi all am 37 weeks today have been having pains for about an hour and the top of my bump goes super tight. I've also just had a bout of diarrhoea (sorry). Last time I just knew but I don't know this time does this sound like Braxton hicks or could it be real thing? Thanks

I remember with BHs the top of my bump went hard, but the real thing started with low period like cramps. And like you said, I knew it was different. (I'd been wondering, after 20 weeks of BHs!)

If you're not sure, assume you're about to have a newborn and sleep/read/eat a meal uninterrupted/have a bath/watch a whole film/relax etc. If it's going to be a false alarm you may as we'll make the most of it!

Good luck!

Do the pains stop when you change position (ie stand up and walk around?) Are they regular and/or getting closer together?

Jingle, when I had BHs they'd be every 5 mins from midday till 8pm, standing made them worse but sitting didn't stop them. Still went past due date.

Good plan! No I got up and walked when I had them but they didnt go. But haven't had pain for little while now seems to have gone

I've had some really intense, painful BH over the last few weeks (on two occasions I thought it must be it!) then on christmas morning my waters broke but I had no pain at all, when I went to the hospital they said I was contracting and 2cm dilated but I couldn't feel a thing lol. Am only 36 weeks so been allowed home but going back tomorrow for tests for infection etc :/

How strange! Hope all goes well. Pains have stopped now but still don't feel right, I guess we'll see.

I was in the same position this time last week. I started to get slight twinges on Friday and became uncomfortable. I assumed Braxton hicks as had already had some before.
Then on Saturday and Sunday they got worse, didnt go away when i changed activity/position, but they were less uncomfortable when i led down and they werent regular. I even called labour ward on Sunday just to see if they wanted to check me (they didnt)
Then on Monday I thought they had gone away but after lunch they returned and got like strong period cramps. Again they were all over the place time wise.
Come Monday night and i couldnt sleep they were beyond period pains, but still time wise all over the place.
I found i had to do deep breathing to get through them but was still painful. However as they didnt get worse or closer together or stay regular i thought braxton hicks.
At 9am on tuesday my waters broke and the pain ramped up. By 10am i was 6cm and by 10:50am my baby had arrived.
You'll only be sure once the contractions really kick in, but until then this could be the start or nothing at all.
Just make the most of your time if they are not causing too many issues.

Thanks, nothing else has happened yet

Marking place, hope this it for you op

I'm nearly 39 weeks and had the same last week but it was nothing, looks like my baby is going to be on time to late!

Ah thanks, but it's all stopped! Went to 41 weeks with dd but hope to meet baby soon