Painful Braxton Hicks

[TLH0307]

I'm 33+5 and I've had Braxton Hicks for weeks and weeks now, and usually they're just uncomfortable. At about 4:30 this morning I had a few that felt like period cramps that woke me up, I got up to walk to the loo and couldn't stand up straight because it hurt. They died down but I just had another painful one at work. It's nowhere near as painful as I imagine a "real" contraction to be, but they've never hurt me at all before! Are they just stronger Braxton Hicks? Have any ladies had similar?

Thank you!

I started having really painful ones around that time, so bad I was worried I was going into premature labour. What helped was drinking lots more (dehydration makes them worse), taking lactulose daily (I was a bit constipated which didn't help) and taking it really really easy - don't carry anything heavy, don't go for long walks (I can't even go for short walks), don't do too much housework at once (good excuse not to do the vacuuming!). Since I started doing those things I have only had the occasional painful BH and nowhere near as painful as those ones before.

Thank you Natsku! I went for a long dog walk to tire the puppy out yesterday so I wonder if that's had some bearing on how my BH have been. Also I'm still supposed to be working for the next 4 weeks but doubt I'll make it that long, I think I need to treat myself to early maternity leave haha. Thank you x

I'll bet that long walk has something to do with it! Early maternity leave might be a good idea unless you can get some adjustments at work so you are not over exerting yourself.