What's the difference between false labour pains and the real thing?

[TheOlihantheIvy]

I'm 37+5 and have been having niggly pains since about 5am. They come and go around the bottom of my bump and pubic bone. This is my 3rd and the pains aren't the same as the previous times but dh is working in London today and I can't decide whether to panic him or not!!

It doesn't seem to make any difference whether I move about or sit down, they're still there. Is there any sure fire way of knowing what's happening or is it just a case of waiting and seeing?

Oh, and I was late with both my other 2 (5 days and 12 days) so it'd be nothing short of a miracle if this is the real thing!!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

A baby!!!

Sorry for that!

Really just wait and see - bumping this for you in case anyone can be helpful.

awwww..you got there first

Thanks Pindy . Ask a silly question and all that.............!

it's so hard, basically getting more regular, getting longer, stronger and less able to get through them without having to stand up and exhale
it's trite but once you actually get them you think
How the hell did I mistake those widdly ones for THIS?

That's what's making me think this is just a bit of a practice run, MerryPiffmas. They don't feel like the ones I had last time but that was all over in less than 3 hours and dh is a 2 3/4 hour train ride away so I don't want to suddenly find myself in full blown labour!

Have just had a shower and shaved my legs so that's sure to put an end to it and am going to drag the dcs out for a walk and see what happens.