Are these contractions?

[rageagainsttheBIL]

I know no one can be sure but I'm getting cramps low down in abdomen every 3-10 minutes lasting around 20-30 seconds. Not much back pain. Happening for about 3-4 hours and don't seem to to getting much worse... They are painful enough that I have to stop what I'm doing and focus on my breathing.

Also need the loo every 15 minutes.

The thing is in my last pregnancy they were quite different and I had no doubt they were contractions - started mildly, got stronger and more frequent, in my back as much as my front.

I guess these could just be Braxton hicks but they're really quite achy!

Sounds like contractions to me, especially since you have to focus. How far along are you?

ive said this many times on here before, a bit of advice my mum gave me and I cant fault it....at the time I had no idea how to take it, until I felt my first proper contraction.......

when you are in labour you will know, you wont need to ask.

the fact that they are every 3-10 mins is showing they are varying quite a lot so I personally wouldn't say it is. But I'm not you nor am I a midwife/doctor so if you are concerned please call someone!

I am only 27+1 today but was admitted last week due to having strong contraction like pains and was getting checked for pre-term labour. my DP freaked out about having our baby at 26 weeks and was googling what his chances of a normal life/survival would be etc but I knew it wasn't actual labour because they had no pattern. now been having pains on and off for around 2 weeks.

Congratulations, if this isn't it I hope its soon for you! (assuming you are near/past your due date!)

I'm 37 + 3. They seem to be getting worse and closer together but not sure if that's because I've been moving around a lot.

call your midwife or delivery suite anyway they will want you to go in and get checked probably, always better to be safe than sorry!

oh god didn't mean that like anything bad would happen by the way!! sounded terrible didn't it! sorry!

Mine never had a pattern, so don't necessarily wait for that. Give them a call, see what they say.

I was told way back that exercise (as in moving around or going for a walk, not a quick 5k run!) Will make Braxton Hicks reduce but strengthen real contractions.

I'd say so. Hope all progresses well. Am v jealous as 38 wks and not a twinge and I'm so fed up and grumpy! Keep us posted!

Yep it was labour! Thanks for helping to convince me as I nearly didn't call my husband to come home and he got there pretty much as we needed to leave for hospital!

So... the outcome please? Give me some happy news!

Yes baby arrived at 5.45, water birth, went from waters breaking to birth in about 15 mins!

Congratulations!!!! Hoping you're both doing great and yourself and DH are enjoying newborn cuddles.

Congratulations! Gives me hope that not everyone goes overdue so I might not...

Thanks - our first was a week late and I only finished work yesterday so it was a bit of a shock - completely disorganised with hardly anything prepared, except hospital bag (thankfully!).