I have been experiencing a lot of braxton hicks although not painful really just very tight and on saturday night they were regularly coming for a few hours every 25 mins. I remember with my first I wasnt sure it was the real thing with similar tightenings but I had more period type cramp. Had a few yesterday but knew it was nothing, I even got my partner to have sex (something he was delighted but shocked by as I've not been keen for ages) twice incase cervix had opened and it would do the trick. Then this afternoon I have had definate period pain and a few tightenings but not together??? Period type pain is still here, I just dont want to get my hopes up. I am very large for my dates and sooo fed up of waiting. I've been sick twice last week and thought this is a sign and then nothing, i've had back pain and thought here we go.....and all the time nothing. I sound so impatient (i guess i am :D.) Do you think you've known when you're labour is imminent and how?