Period-type pain and cramping at 23 weeks - is this normal?

[MsElisaDay]

I'm in a fair bit of discomfort today and am a bit concerned, so I was hoping somebody out there may have some words of wisdom to pass on.

Yesterday evening my bump started feeling really tight and stretched, as if the baby was lying sideways and stretching his arms and legs out as far as he could. My bellybutton felt as if it was being pulled to the sides and was also very tight. I've had some tightness in the bump before, over the last week or so, but not so severely and not for such a long time.

Anyway, when I went to bed, I was still in quite a bit of discomfort, and that's when the cramping-type pain started. It feels like a period pain and I've had it pretty much constantly since about midnight last night. The pain wasn't so intense that it made me shout out or anything, but it has made me gasp a couple of times.
I was also woken up four times in the night with the feeling that I really needed to go to the loo, but when I got there nothing really happened.

This morning the pain is still there and I'm not sure if this is just an ordinary pregnancy-type pain and it's me being a wimp, or if it's something I should be worried about.
If it helps, my pain threshold is usually quite high, and I'm not usually pathetic with this sort of thing. If it was Braxton Hicks, wouldn't it be more of a short, sharp sensation rather than a 12-hour-long cramping?
Or is this just the baby in a particularly uncomfortable position?!

Thanks in advance.

I'd give the midwife/maternity unit a call and see what they say - it will probably be fine, but best to get checked out if you are worried.

call midwife or gp, they will probably sent you to the hospital for assessment.

in the meantime lie down and have a large drink of water.

I'm sorry to hear you're in so much pain.

Generally braxton hicks don't hurt, they just feel like your bump is tightening, and the fact this has gone on for 12 hours or so, I think you should call your midwife or maternity unit and get checked out. Is baby moving ok? Do you feel well apart from the cramping?

I hope everything is fine, all the best :)

I had some pain like this and what felt like contractions about a month ago. It just went away but I know consultant told me sometimes pain is just your body trying to tell you, "Slow down!" Def get checked - hope everything was okay

No idea about the cramping, but the urgent need to pee is something I am aware of! My little twiglet appears to love lying right on my bladder so I feel the desperate need to pee, but actually nothing really comes out & it's only the pressure of her lying like that that's making me feel like it. Get yourself checked out about the cramping though & good luck x

braxton hicks can hurt, i know from experiance. but for the length of time youve had them i would call midwife/ go to a&e they can check whats going on. probably nothing but better to be safe good luck