38+4 tightenings but not painful

[AmyLouiseMumto2]

Hi mums and mummy's to be!

So I'm a little confused I'm 38+4 my bellys been having tightenings all last night and all today but they're not painful...
I'm just stumped as to whether these are Braxton Hicks (BH) or if they could be the real thing? Bloody hope so I've never had bh's before and with my first son I didn't know I was having contractions (didn't feel them) til they broke my waters at 8cm...

I've got a stretch and sweep tomorrow at 1pm so I haven't got forever to wait to see a midwife, also do S&S hurt?
just wondered if anyone else has had these feelings at all?
Going to try a bath soon, had paracetamol and they haven't eased.

[AmyLouiseMumto2]

No no don't take me off the active posts! I need someone to reply to me pretty please! Even just to keep me sane!

[Sunnie1984]

If you didn't feel your contractions last time then it may well be real contractions.

It's unusual not to feel anything though.

[LotisBlue]

I don't know but hopefully this will bump this for you.

I had bh with my second but not my first, they felt a bit like you describe.

Good luck!

[Missmiller]

I had tightenings from about 30 weeks. At about 38 w tgey started becoming regular eg every 5-10 mins. Then after a few days, I woke in the night and felt uncomfortable and had a bit of bloody discharge in wiping . I went to hospital and my ds was delivered by c section (due to undiagnosed breech) a couple of hours later. Why are u having a sweep before 40 weeks?

[Missmiller]

By the way, my tightenings became 3 mins apart on last night x

[Sunnie1984]

Stretch and sweep is unvonfortable but usually not painful.

[AmyLouiseMumto2]

Ah thank you for replying I'm racking my brain over here...

I've got a sweep tomorrow only (38+5 then) as I'm high risk with on/off polyhidromias so consultants requested it... I wasn't really all that pleased, but now I just want him here!

As horrible as it sounds I'm so over being pregnant... Got a very active 2 year old to entertain too

[BMacklin]

I think you maybe right and it's Braxton Hicks. I had them and slowly got closer escalated in strength until I had proper contractions (over a couple of days). I've also had a s&s and I felt lots of pressure but no pain. I would also think it's a bit early today have a s&s though. Plus it sounds like you may already be on your way anyway. Good luck!

[AmyLouiseMumto2]

Thanks Bmacklin 🙌🏼
Fingers crossed I'm already on my way and they don't need to do the S&S tomorrow, ideally would prefer to not have someone rummaging down below lol

[BMacklin]

[achangewilldomegood]

My understanding is they can only do a s&s if you are favourable. I had one this week (I am overdue) but last week I had an internal and wasn't favourable. It was uncomfortable but not agony at the time however it kicked off contractions that mounted to nothing but tiredness. This is my third baby.

[AmyLouiseMumto2]

Achangewilldomegood yeah I think that's the case with me, I had my son early and so they've said its in best interest I have this one a little early as 90% certain il need manual removal for my placenta again, plus with polyhidromias they didn't want to chance anything...
I'm not holding out that it's going to work as I know so many ladies who it's done nothing for, but the consultants pushed for it so I said it can't hurt to have it a week before I was going too..... Or can it?
Thanks for all being so understanding here, still had tightenings all night but could sleep through majority 🙌🏼

[LotisBlue]

Oh, my first was early and I needed manual removal of the placenta, but my second was full term and I didn't... I think it is more likely with a premature baby.

[AmyLouiseMumto2]

Oh they've gave me an 80% chance I will need manual removal again as my placentas apparently die and start rotting.
I had my sweep earlier today and I think things are progressing, been having contractions since 6:30pm every 5-7 mins and shooting pains down below plus lost my plug and had my show 🙌🏼