Stomach rock hard. 39+weeks

[livingdownunder]

Went to see obs today and she said I was having a contraction but because I can't feel it then it's probably bh. My stomach is still hard though and has been for a couple of days. Did anyone else feel like an overinflated beach ball?
I have swelling in hands and blood pressure rising so am feeling worried something is going wrong.
:(

Ooh I was having massive (but completely painless) braxton hicks a week before I gave birth. I was struggling to feel the babies movements so got hooked up to a monitor. Midwife said the braxton hicks looked like established labour would on the monitor. She said my body was probably gearing up for birth. (Oh bump was as hard as a rock, I know just what you mean).

With you being nearly 40 weeks it could be your body is about to go into labour properly. If your hands are swelling it really might be best to get it checked out. Best of luck. X

Thanks for your reply. I just seem to keep getting pressure in my groin but my bump is so hard that he isn't able to do much moving.
Doc checking bp in a few days as it was creeping up and swelling in hands, no protein in urine so she didn't seem too concerned but saud if bp still up they'll try a sweep then.
:) Thanks again.