BH or baby's head engaging?

[CristaBell]

I'm 36 weeks with my first baby, last night and a few times today I've been experiencing period type pains in the very lower part of my stomach and back. It's not a constant pain it lasts probably less then a minute and comes back. Could this be the baby's head engaging or Braxton Hicks?

Thank you.

Sounds like BH. Once the head is engaged it feels like there's a bowling ball between your legs!

I had a bit of a scare Friday, and the pain I had was constant and only was relieved if I sat down. Laying down and standing made it worse. I took myElf to hospital, and it's the baby's head engaged. Sounds like you had BH if they're on and off

I've had these for several weeks, have been hoping it's a sign of things starting (am 38+5) but sadly not. So think they are just a form of bh - quite uncomfortable though! Saw mw today and not engaged - although is dc2 and I gather they often don't engage until labour starts.

Thank you for your replies. I've been wondering what BH may feel like so at least I have some idea now. I don't think baby's head can be engaged as I don't feel a bowling ball down there yet.

I haven't had any pains today.

Probs bh, my baby's head has been engaged since 37 weeks and I don't feel anything down there intact I'm very comfortable, first preg aswell don't think it always feels like a bowling ball mine definitely doesn't and she's as far as she's gonna get before birth! Xx

Yes both of mine have been engaged from 36 weeks and no bowling ball feeling here either time. I never felt any BH in first pregnancy but had loads in second. For me they were painless tightenings of the whole bump. I had period type pains at the end with both and this seemed to be related to baby's head engaging.

Thank you, I got MW tomorrow so I will mention the pains to her :) x

I'd say BH. I didn't get the bowling ball feeling when my DCs engaged but I found it hard to sit up straight and couldn't lean forward as it felt uncomfortable but not painful.

I had quite bad BH with dc3 from 30 weeks which came and went. When she engaged at 33 weeks I had to lean back a bit when sitting down as I could feel pressure (a bit like having a full bladder) whenever I sat upright or forward and it would last until I reclined a bit.