Braxton Hicks or contractions?

[MB34]

I'm 40+8 and had my 4th sweep yesterday. Since last night I've been having tightenings but managed to sleep through most of them.

Got up at 6am with DS1 and they've been getting closer since - now at every 8 minutes. However, the pain is very low down (like where you'd get period pain) and not all over. Does this sound like the real thing? You'd think I'd know as it is my second but really can't remember what they were like!!

Bit late answering this but didn't want to leave you with no response. My labour was just like normal period pains at regular intervals for first bit which intensified, though I do get bad period pains!

Hit post too soon, meant to say good luck & hope all is going well :)

Thank you. Still in same position - every 8 minutes just hope they don't die out. How long did your first bit last?

My braxton Hicks have been uncomfortable (like period pain) but have never been regular let alone got closer together. I've not yet felt a proper contraction so I can't give a comparison but the fact that they come with such regularity and have got closer together is a good sign.

Have you tried a warm bath? Apparently BH will settle with heat but contractions won't.

I think low down is also a good sign, especially if radiating from the back. BH tend to be just abdominal.

(I've reseached this to death!!)

Was out all day so just getting back now. Mine was quick, maybe under an hour to be bad enough to go to the hospital and then 4-5 hours to baby. But the pain ramped up quickly & I had contractions every 4 mins in the car iirc. Was stressed to the max in the booking office, they took ages to process me and contractions were getting faster!

But I know that's unusual, I rang hospital before going in and they told me to have a bath first etc but I had a fair idea that it was moving faster than that.

My contractions were every 15 minutes then they slowed down & totally stopped for 6 hours .. They then re started and I had my baby within 7 hours .. It does sound like the real thing so my guess is you will have your baby within 24 hours .. Keep walking around the house so your babies head has a chance to get lower .. I was doing laps around my living room & it worked .. Good luck

Just an update - it was the real thing!

At around 5pm I went to get checked out but while I was lying down the contractions went to 15-20 mins apart. Got home around 7pm, put DS1 to bed, had some food, then went to bed at 9pm.

Before we even got into bed, the contractions ramped up to 6-8 mins apart and the pain was getting worse. Phoned the hospital at around 10pm, they said stay home and see what happens in the next hour. Within 20 mins they were 4mins apart so decided to go in. Got to the hospital at 11.30pm, DS2 was born 2 hours later after 5 minutes of pushing!

Congratulations! Not too long at all in the end. Hope you're feeling well & baby doing great :)