A little concerned.

[queenofthehouse]

I am 32+4 with my 2nd child and I've been very uncomfortable since last night with what I can only imagine are braxton hicks. As this time I am much bigger but all bump as they say (a stone heavier than at this stage with my first) I am considering maybe the babys movements are actually just feeling like tightenings because he's so big? But I have been stopping in my tracks with breathlessness and I have constant period type cramps in my lower abdomen and back. I am feeling a bit sick (nothing unbarable but basically under the weather.) I am feeling baby still so I'm not over worried but perhaps I'm just more concerned as I didn't experience this with my first. O and I feel extremely heavy down below, is all this just because I'm bigger this time? Anyone experienced this? Would really appreciate some opinions. X

You sound like you're concerned this is more than just Braxton Hicks. I certainly 'felt' more with subsequent babies but this sounds like a range iof symptoms. Could you be going into premature labour? I think you should phone the midwife and have it checked out. It can't do any harm to pop in and see them. They won't mind and it'll put your mind at rest.

You may also have a UTI if you have constant aches low down and in your back. Just give your midwife a quick ring.

Hm, I would definitely speak to your mw if you're worried but I definitely had a lot more BH and much more noticeable (didn't really notice at all with first pregnancy) second time round. It was quite frequent and took my breath away along with lower backache.

I think you should always speak to a mw or gp if you're worrying but I have to say what you describe follows the pattern of what I found going from my first pregnancy to my second - much more aches and pains, BH and generally much bigger (baby was actually 1lb8oz bigger than first one too so it wasn't just me!)