Pre labour / Early Labour or just late pregnancy niggles???

[stickybean]

I know that this post is probably useless and a bit like asking how long is a piece of string... but i'm asking anyway in case any of you has a strong opinion or psychic powers and can give me an answer!!!

I am 35+5 and have been having increasingly strong braxton hicks getting stronger and almost painful. Today i have had what i thought were a few proper contactions, but nothing regular or long lasting. I do have a child so i know the difference between BHs and contractions. I have back ache that is coming and going and a lot of period type pains at the bottom of my bump. I feel sooooo much like i did just before i went into labour with my 1st. I don't know whether i am just so much more aware of my body this time round or if i am actually gearing up for labour.

If this is pre labour how long can that go on for???
Also, as i am not 37 weeks should i be worrying???

Anyone else had this and then gone on for weeks??? I am not especially hoping to be in labour, would prefer to hang on for another couple of weeks. But if i am about to go into labour i should start getting ready! Haven't even packed bags yet.

Any thoughts?

With my second, pre labour started at about 36 weeks with regular BH every night more or less and I went into actual labour at 40+1. Not much help but I was convinced almost every night that this was it and it never was but all of that pre labour meant that the beby was well positioned and was out 2 hours after proper labour started.

I want it to be more of a positive for you but second time around, I think your uterus is more sensitive and just looking at the tv can bring on contractions - well that was my experience anyway!

I'm 35 weeks with my second and have a few friends who are too.......we have all said that we are having so many more twinges this time round (BH's and pelvic pain and also the period type pains you describe) There have been a couple of nights recently where I've been lying in bed thinking 'is this it?' Personally I wouldn't start to worry unless your pains become regular and start to intensify.

Thank you both, if it's normal i won't worry about the hospital bag just yet!
I know what you mean about thinking is this is all the time, with my last baby there was none of this. Woke up in labour went and had the baby...end of. (well not quite that easy but you get my drift) There were no false starts. You have reassured me that i probably have weeks of this to go!