Braxton hicks or contractions?

[febbabies2023]

Wondering what everyone else thought

Last night and today I started getting cramps / uncomfortable feeling in my lower back

Today I've also had some white discharge (doesn't look like bloody show / mucus plug though?)

Also had one or two dizzy spells and some nausea.

I'm only 33+3 so too early to be having the baby but what do we think?

A hot water bottle doesn't seem to ease the uncomfortable feeling, nor does moving

Oh bless you! The end of work is in sight! How far will you be when you've stopped?

I'm awake and contracting.. watching shameless. The things we go through lol. X

I do worry about this!! When did your BH start? Did you make it to term?

As my cervix was closed and I'm now 34w I'm starting to worry about them less and just be annoyed with them lol. Xx

@GoT1904 oh gosh are they real contractions?! How are you feeling this morning?
I'll be 37+3 which is slighter earlier than I went off with DS but he was born during covid so I was WFH anyway!
Gives me enough time to sort the house, relax and spend time with my eldest before baby girl arrives xx

Sorry if I've worried you. All of them the Braxton Hicks was strong, often regular and intensified and would last for hours, so I only knew I was in labour when I was really in labour if that makes sense.

I really do think this is an under researched area of pregnancy and maybe more goes on than we realise maybe our bodies prepare for weeks and the hormonal cascade that triggers labour starts much earlier than is realised.

With 1st pregnancy I was 38/9 weeks DD is 15 so can't really remember, 2nd I was very quick as well and was 40, 3rd pregnancy I was 41 weeks and the midwives supported me waiting for a few more days before being induced which I'm glad of and that I decided on home birth,I'd have had DS in the car otherwise!

My top labour tip is keep moving I get really annoyed when I watch call the midwife 🤣

No they're not real 🤷🏻‍♀️ drive me crazy though. I have had a few today already so am trying to drink more as I know that makes it worse.

Aw that's a good time. How old is your other child? X

Noooo it's fine, I'm concerned about that anyway to be honest. If I were further along I'd be more chill about it, but I know at this stage baby would probably need steroids.

I definitely think it's under researched! I know the term irritable uterus isn't even a medical thing, but it's obviously something medical. Even if it is harmless.

Ah that's reassuring that you went to term with them though! Xx

Hey girls. I'm 34+5 now. I've had 5 glorious contraction free days and stupidly got really hormonal and emotional today whilst taking kids to a play gym... Contractions then started about 4.30 and have been with me ever since. 😑

How's everyone else getting on?

@GoT1904 hey! Oh no, sorry to hear they've kind of flared up again! Not ideal with the rest of the pregnancy aches and pains at this stage! How many other children do you have? Absolute superwoman doing fun things with them at this stage!

I'm now 35+5 and I am exhausted! Boyfriend has been away for 3 days so just me and the two year old and it has been hardddddd. He's a good boy tbf, but pregnancy is hard enough without a tiny human!

The end is in sight! (I hope)

Hi ladies. Bit better over this end, I'm 32 weeks now. Still contracting away but no where near the pain I was in last week. I've taken a few days annual leave from work to try and relax a bit. 5 weeks left of work but I just don't know if I can see myself lasting that long x

Haha I have 3 already! My son stayed home though as he's 13. The girls just bugger off and play.. I buy them food there and I sat and drank a hot chocolate whilst reading on my phone. It's definitely a cop out so I can relax 😂 but they have fun.

Oh bless you! 2 year olds are work sometimes aren't they lol. However your age gap will be lovely. I've 2.5 years between my girls and it's sweet. X

Glad you're doing better 🥰 do you find relaxing has helped your contractions? I absolutely would not be okay working now so don't be hard on yourself if you need to start leave earlier xx

I work with 40 2-5 year olds every day so I'm absolutely beat 😂😂 I have found relaxing has helped some of my symptoms.... has also helped me mentally being off work. I am a nightmare and hate sitting doing nothing however I have actually given in and done it this afternoon as I was really sore x

@GoT1904 @Stephanie226 hey girls just checking in to see how you're both doing?

36 week app today and these Braxton hicks are starting to get worse now! Had monitoring today too due to a change in movements but all is well. I could see the Braxton on the little monitor thing too so I definitely know they're there!

Not long to go, less than a week left at work!

Bless you. I'm glad you're monitoring went well though. ❤ 35+3 here and have had loads of contractions today, minutes apart for hours. Baby feels really low too so got lightening crotch with them lol. They're tapering off now.

Exciting about you nearly finishing work!! Have you any plans for after?? Xxx

@GoT1904 oh gosh, actual contractions? Were your other babies early?
Oh god I remember the lightening crotch, I do not miss that! Mine is still not engaged which is annoying 😂

Really boring but plan to just do little tasks and try and take it easy but also get stuff done if that makes sense. Knowing me I won't get any of it done and she'll come early 🤦🏽‍♀️

Hey ladies.... 33 weeks now. Was back at work today after a few days annual leave but I'm floored tonight, so so sore everywhere 😫 I still have 4 weeks left of work and just don't know how I'm going to manage it at all! Glad everything was ok after your check, they know how to stress us out!! xx

@Stephanie226 the few days off has made you relax and made it harder! It does feel like hard work to the finish line doesn't it but we're nearly there! I hope your 4 weeks fly by, I've got 4 days left and currently feeling like I can't even manage that haha

Nooooo not actual contractions. These 'irritable uterus' contractions. Honestly they have been getting sore sometimes but just stop. I'm going to speak to my consultant on Friday after my next scan and see if they want to examine me again just incase they're productive... especially because they're hurting more. They never seem bothered though!

I also should be getting my induction booked on Friday 😱😱😱 Excited and nervous.

Haha yeah I'm moving on to getting the little jobs done now. I finally packed my hospital bag tonight. I have put the steriliser out etc. I worry though that if I get everything ready it'll make time stop. 😂 xxx

Aww I had to take early mat leave with my daughter. I think I managed till 33/34 weeks. Have you got any more annual leave left?? It sounds really hard for you. There's no shame in having to come away a little earlier than planned xxx

I do have some annual leave I can use so will speak to my management next week and see what I can do, they aren't the most understanding unfortunately. Hospital told me yesterday I have pelvic girdle and that's why my bladder is so sore as well as back etc so I'm starting physio for that. Feel like time is dragging now 😂😂 I'm just full of moans just now x

Right there with you! I've pgp and the pain is rotten isn't it. I like baths for it but it's becoming hard to get in and out now 😂😂

I should get my induction date tomorrow!!! Beyond excited to no longer be pregnant haha. Xx

@GoT1904 good luck with getting your induction date today! How far along do you think you'll be when they want to induce?!
I still feel like I have hundreds of little jobs to do until I'm fully ready and not enough time or energy to do them all!

@Stephanie226 moan away! It really starts to drag doesn't it when you get this heavy! I actually feel like a beached whale getting in and out of bed now 😂 I would definitely take some annual leave if you can, hopefully gives you a little time to relax before baby comes too!

We're so so close now ladies!

P.s these Braxton hicks keep coming 🙃

Baby was estimated at 8lbs 3oz today at 35+6. I'm getting so scared. If she continues next scan she will be 9lbs 10oz.. But don't they start to pile it on from 36w??

My induction is booked for 3w today. Soooo over 10lbs?? I'm really scared. The Dr two weeks ago said 38w, better to get her out etc. Today's doctor said he doesn't know if a 38w induction will work and would like to leave her in. So both conflicting!

I've an apt 2 weeks today, where they'll do a cervical check for my bishops score. Then induction the following week at 38+6.

My bh are daily too. Do yours fall into a pattern? Xx

@GoT1904 oh wow!I would be the same and not particularly happy with being left that long if they were estimating that size!
Yep they definitely start to gain the weight quickly in the last few weeks I think 😳
I definitely would discuss with the midwife when you see her and push for early induction if you need too? What's a bishops score?

Baby girl is on the 90th centile so not sure what her weight currently is but MW said she'll send me for a scan at 38 weeks if she's still up there. Also scares me to have a big baby! I'm only 5'2 and petite 😂
Doesn't seem to be a pattern tbh, if I have them then it seems to be all bloody day!

I am honestly baffled how people do this multiple times with young children by the way! I am absolutely exhausted and every inch of me hurts unless I'm lying down 🙃 thankfully I have an amazing partner who's given me lots of time to rest and has taken the toddler out most weekends for activities whilst I wallow in self pity / sleep 😂
I know I'll partially miss being pregnant but my god I can't wait until it's over right now!

Back to bed for another nap 😴