Braxton hicks v contractions

[ItsMelting]

Just wondered those who had braxton hicks in the run up to labour how did you know it wasn't braxton hicks anymore?

Im getting tightenings more and more often, they are in the top of my bump where I know her bum is, I was timing them earlier and I had 4 in the space on 15 mins, lasted about 1 1/2 min each. I've got a really dull back ache and period type pains but I'm only 30 week pregnant so I'm guessing they are braxton hicks. If they get worse I will obviously ring maternity assessment but wanted some experiences from others.

This is baby number 2 and DS1 was born at 36 weeks when I went into labour spontaneously and was all done in 5 hours!

Personally I found BH way different. They were an uncomfortable tightening that stopped me in my tracks (I got them all the time in my first pregnancy, even from just standing up).

Contractions for me were much more intense and painful. They were a combination of javelin arse and really bad period cramps, not just a stomach tightening.

We're all different though.

Braxton Hicks don't hurt, but contractions do! And contractions get worse as time goes on, longer and more painful

@StrawberrySanta

Braxton Hicks don't hurt, but contractions do! And contractions get worse as time goes on, longer and more painful

I agree with this!

But at only 30 weeks I would ring the hospital and discuss it with a midwife.

I thought I was getting braxton hicks as it was 3 weeks before my due date. I drove to work with them. 24 hours later I had a baby

I didn't have braxton hicks with my first and second but got them really early in the pregnancy with my third. I used to get them every day and the day I actually did go into labour, it took me about 3 hours to decide if it was braxton hicks or not. I knew because the got progressively more painful and close together, whereas the braxton hicks would be irregular and although sometimes painful, nothing like labour pains.

@StrawberrySanta

Braxton Hicks don't hurt, but contractions do! And contractions get worse as time goes on, longer and more painful

I beg to differ. Mine were definitely painful at times.

Turns out they were contractions - I've been admitted to hospital to keep a very close eye on me!

I had BH with both pregnancies and they were interchangeable from regular contractions.

It was only once I was in established labor at 6-7cm that I started getting the period cramps. I was in labor with DS1 and didn’t even know it because my BH weren’t painful.

Glad you’re being monitored OP!

Thinking of you OP!