Braxton Hicks or Real Deal???

[mishelfish]

is this it???? last night i was getting BH more and more frequently (tightenings and could feel my hearbeat quicken it felt like in my throat) and then this morning at 5am it was accompanied by increasing amounts of period/back ache. had a really painful one about an hour ago which got me out of bed. have just had a bath and nothing since, just little aches and pains as usual. are they just BH on a grander scale or the start of something BIG? its my dp birthday today, dont want to panic him unnecessarily!! am 40+1 , would appreciate the reassurance/encouragement!

Are they coming regularly? (Ie every 10 mins or somthing)

Are the contractions increasing in intensity and getting longer?

Are they getting closer together?

I had increased braxton hicks with ds over christmas, he was due on 10th Jan. I had a show on Christmas Eve too.

The braxton hicks did feel very tight and I kept waiting for the real thing to happen. My waters broke on the 9th Jan and my first pains came shortly after, they felt like period cramps in my tummy and back. The contractions started a hour later and they were very strong pains which were like a 'wave'. I could tell when one was going to come as it would build up. If I were you I would take it easy, have a sleep and chill out as much as possible!
Keep us informed!

it is certainly an indication things are getting going......if they seem to be getting more regular and in a pattern, try nipple stim, to keep them going , and sit on a gym ball to help get baby wiggled down into the pelvis..remember to eat and drink!

Ok... don't bother timing them yet. In fact no real need to time them... you'll know when it's time.

Sleep, relax, ignore them as much as you are able. Your uterus is stretching up and the baby is getting ready to push down (doesn't mean it's imminent!). Try and enjoy your DP's birthday (happy birthday DP btw and carry on as normal as much as you can.

Do you have a birthing ball or beanbag? Make use of them today. Lots of gentle rotations of your hips are good. When you lie down lie on your left side. When you sit, sit forwards.

Keep us posted! Love a good MN labour.

thank you! i fell asleep on the sofa for abit then, they seem to have gone away for now, they were getting more intense and painful. had so many false panics with pains that wanted a double check!! am going to go to shops later and pick up my turkey, just in case he waits til after xmas after all will keep you posted, thanks guys!!

I never really understood my BHs with DS... I had them painfully, frequently and regularly for days before having him and I definately wasn't in labour (checked over twice). I still wasn't convinced when they were 3 mins apart as I 'missed' one now and then, even though I was 7cm dilated!

If they keep going for more than a few hours I'd get checked over. Mind you, I guess ultimately it wold have become obvious to me I was in labour when I was 9cm +!

Don't rush to get checked! Nothing more frustrating that going in, waiting for ages and going back home.

You're doing all the right things!

well, i'm still here, have spent the day in waitrose buying veg and in the butchers picking up a turkey and then on the sofa watching films with dp. am trying not to encourage lo out so much as would like to continue with my grand plan for xmas. now its 3am and i cant sleeep, dp is snoring and i have those constant aches and twinges that are now driving me mad. not painful enough to warrant any action but making me aware of their existence and the possibilities all the same! as much as i want to meet my little treasure i dont really fancy xmas in hospital...rocks and hard places... feel like ive tripled in size since yesterday too, whats that about? he seems to be sticking out all over the place. am going to try and sleep again.
happy xmas everyone !!

have a good rest !!!! and look forward to reading a birth announcement !!

take care x

what luladoula said!