Braxton hicks

[Susieloo]

Please can someone describe what these feel like, this is my first baby so I have no experience of contractions so nothing to compare bh too, not sure if I'm having them or not!

Well I didn't have them with either of my DSs. I never had a niggle or a twinge or any sign that labour was on it's way. Had a show with DS2 but that was it! So was induced at 40 +10 with both.
This time DC3 I think I have had Braxton Hicks. Occasionally have had a feeling that my bump is very hard and uncomfortable, then it passes. It usually occurs in the evening when I'm worn out after work and DSs all day!
All I can tell you is that when I was induced-just had a pessary, which was enough to start me off both times-I knew that I was having contractions.
With a first baby things tend to happy quite slowly, so you will have at least an hour or two of contractions where you will know "ok this is definitely it!"
Good luck!

Happen not happy!

Are they painful? Are they are regular and increasing in frequency? If so: contractions (probably).

Are they just a bit weird? Does your bump go really hard (ie if you prod it, it doesn't feel squashy)? Are they pretty painless? If so: Braxton Hicks (probably).

How many weeks are you?

To me they feel like someone is holding my sides and squeezing; not painful but a tightening sensation. Plus you can see your tummy getting tenser. :)

Thank you everyone, I will be thirty seven weeks tomorrow, I don't think from what you are all describing I am having them, just get low down very fleeting sharp pain and usually when I'm sat down, think its just the baby trying to find some room, bump does feel very tight though. Definitely doesn't feel like contractions by the sounds of it, thanks again.

Fleeting sharp pain doesn't sound like BH to me.

My bump felt rock hard during BHs, different to just feeling very very big /tight when you're heavily pregnant.

You'll know if they're contractions as after a while they are absolutely unmistakable, as they get more.... intense .

For me with BH I can kind of feel my heart going faster, they make me feel like I need to pause and my bump goes hard. No pain really. Contractions were like this for me but with increasing amounts of pain too!