Contractions/ braxton hicks (how do I tell the difference?!) that stop when leaning over ball?!

[Superslinger]

40+5.

Today I've kept on getting some really quite intense period type pains. The first couple were maybe an hour apart, and then for the last couple of hours they been maybe every 20ish mins (though I haven't been properly timing).

The thing is though I've leaned over my birthing ball a couple of times for comfort and the pains disappear. I thought it might be a coincidence and they were going to go anyway, so stayed over the ball for a while and felt nothing. Then sat on the ball for a bit and back they came. I've also felt them sat on the sofa, lying on my side, and walking about.

I'm really hoping they're something contractiony, but surely lying over a ball doesn't have the power to stop such a thing? Is what I'm feeling just a pressure pain or something and leaning forward is reliving it do we think?

TIA

Oh, I take it back! Just had another one, slung myself straight over the ball to see if it went, and it didn't - stayed for maybe another minute before going, as I think would have happened if I'd have stayed sitting down. So maybe it is something after all...

Sounds like it is something then! Good luck

Thanks slimjim

Hmm, very confusing. I've been timing for the last hour and a half and they've had these gaps between:

• 20 mins,
• then 13 mins,
• then 13 mins again

Each lasting a few minutes. But then the last two have been a 12 min gap and a very short one - I was about to lie over ball to soothe a bit, but it calmed down before I got there, and then just now a 10 min gap, but also a very short period of pain.

So maybe I got my hopes up unnecesarily? I don't know how I've got this far and still not a clue how to recognise early labour...

Might be worth calling in... see what the MW says, they may tell you to go in. Fingers crossed for you xx

Hi there super! I've downloaded an app on my mobile to count contractions, it measures the duration and intervals may be worth having a look for something similar? X

I would go in they may b able to ramp it up for u with another sweep and not send u home till bubby is here !