Braxton Hicks every 5 minutes, does that mean labour is coming?

[Deniselouise10]

Hi everyone, I'm 38wks today and I went to the hospital earlier as I was worried the baby wasn't moving. The midwife strapped me to the monitor and thankfully baby's heart beat is fine. What was surprising though, is that the monitor showed my stomach contracting every 5 minutes, which it is still doing. I have no pain apart from a shooting pain every now and then down below (not crampy). The monitor was showing the contractions measure 40-60 on the scale, was about 2-5 when no contraction.

Has anyone had any experience of this? I'm not sure if it means I'm in pre-labour and if it does how long that might last? The midwife didn't really give me much direction, she just said everything was fine and to call them if I get sore or waters break.

Any advice would be great, thanks.

I had this with DS1 from 33w. He was born at 40+6.

Believe me, you'll know when it's labour contractions. They will be low and uncomfortable. It sounds more like you've overdone it and need and with your feet up.

If you're worried/interested/excited then call the ward. But honestly I wouldn't get excited too soon!

Same here. Braxton hicks from 27 weeks. Around 37 weeks I was convinced it was labour because they were so regular. Still went 25 days over. Grrrrrr. Sit bavk and relax have a cuppa. When its conyractions believe me you will know x

15 not 25.

I've been having these since 17 weeks, now 35. Very very uncomfortable and every five or ten mins.exhausting.

Was actually admitted to labour ward last week and nurses were freaking out as they were off the scale and they were sure I was in labour.

But then my consultant arrived and as I can control them by lying on my side she sent me home.

She did check my cervix though, contrary to what some people say she said you can dilate without pain. If no dilation, you may have to wait...good luck!

I was also told that you would 'know' when it was real labour pains and contractions but I actually didn't, I could not tell and thought it was either Braxton hicks or wind. This happened to me at 36 weeks and I went shopping to get my mind off it, didn't work. Had a bath, didn't work. We went to hospital convinced they were just going to tell us all is well and that it was just false labour or Braxton hicks but when I got there they told me I was almost 5cm and baby came 5 hours later so I also believe you can dilate but not feel (much pain)!

Hope everything goes well and don't hesitate going to hospital if you think it might be happening

Thanks guys, doesn't seem to be happening just as much today but everything is definitely lower. I'll just have to wait and see I think. Bejeena I'll keep my fingers crossed for a labour like yours, painless contractions would be fantastic.

I get braxton hicks all the time and have done for months I'm 34 weeks now. x