How to tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and Contractions?

[BlueButTrue]

Everywhere I read, it says that BH's are painless Is this true or a lie told by NHS website/every other pregnancy article?

I'm getting really bad period pains as of now. I was walking around Asda thinking "oh shit, I might come on" - Not possible, I'm bloody pregnant!

It just feels like a constant period pain. No stopping or starting.

Aren't contractions and BH's suppose to stop and start up again?

This is just one long pain.

I'm in bed now and still feel it.

I have no idea what to expect. It isn't really painful, but very uncomfortable and feels like I should be wearing a pad in case AF appears

My BH are painless. Just tightening and sometimes I don't notice it until I put my hand on my bump.

How far on are you? Might be worth giving the midwife/ward a call.

Scots I'm 35 weeks.

It feels like constant period pain, but I was under the impression that even contractions weren't just one long stretch of discomfort/pain?!

Bh feel higher up the abdomen, squeezing tightly and radiating downwards in my experience. They can be uncomfortable enough to warrant deep breathing but never last past about 30 seconds. If you have period pain that is constant could you have a uti?

Give your midwife a call in case it is a UTI - they feel different in pregnancy so you don’t always have the urge to wee. But you’ll need to be treated for it if it is just in case of complications.

Saying that my mum had one long contraction and no let up in the pain when she had me so it is possible! But still give your midwife a call to check with her

Thanks for the replies all, my urine sample that I done a few days back is just waiting to come back.

They couldn't test it with a dip stick because it's the colour of red wine, the blood just stains the entire dye test

I was 38 weeks and having what I thought were braxton hicks and I'd describe the feeling like period pain, I went into actual labour though a week later and I new for sure I wasn't having braxton hicks because the contractions would come and go and they eventually got a lot stronger

My BHs were really strong but we’re always uncomfortable rather than painful.

Wait, why is there so much blood in your urine?!

But no, I found my Braxton hicks quite painful with my 2nd, I'd get quite flustered. Although, the worst bout of them at 35 weeks was due to a kidney infection, as soon as I was put on the IV they stopped!

Mrs No idea, it's been a bit of an medical mystery as of late

I had really really bad period pain in my mid teens that lessoned as I got older. When I started having contractions it was WHAM I was back in those teenage years. BH was nothing like that, it was uncomfortable yes but not like bad period pain uncomfortable.

I didn't know I was having Braxton hicks at the time, but now I know what they were. My whole bump went hard, I was fascinated but it was completely painless. I suspect the blood in the urine might be something to do with it!

My BH was always tight, short (most of the time) and resulted in the baby moving so you could see him through my skin IYKWIM, certainly was not painless though. My labour pains/proper contractions was a completely different feeling, similar to the worst period pain you could imagine x100 (but my baby had pooed and was distressed so probably not much help here)

I’d call your midwife if you can or just visit whatever hospital your giving birth at (unless home birthing) or even call 111 for advice if you can’t speak to a midwife because it is so late ect. Better safe than sorry OP

If it's constant I suspect it's UTI/blood in your urine related but you should speak to a midwife anyway.

BH can take your breath away but are usually not in themselves painful, are irregular and usually stop if you lie down/have a bath. Contractions usually start like period pains and intensify and get closer together.

I had red wine wee and pain when I was a similar gestation, it was a UTI. It's important to get it checked out as UTIs can bring on premature labour. I know your urine is already off for testing but as you have a new symptom with the pain please call your midwife to let them know