Early labour - what's it like?

[teaping]

What does early labour / first contractions feel like? I’ve been having painless Braxton Hicks all evening (though they are a bit painful / sharp on my bladder!) which are making me think about what it will feel like when it’s the real thing! 38+2 and hoping it’s not many more weeks left!

I can't describe it but you just know

They say that if it stops you in your tracks, it's a real contraction.
Also, braxton hicks can last for a few minutes at a time whereas proper contractions generally don't last longer than a minute and a half/two minutes.

Hope this helps xx

I thought I had an upset stomach / trapped wind.

I had painless BHs for months. Early labour for me was cramping or period type pains with an obvious start/peak/end. The longer it went on the more intense and frequent the cramping got.

Thanks all. Feeling impatient now but trying not to cause I know I could have another 3-4 weeks to go!

Period pains that come and go and just get steadily more intense and longer over time. First thing I always had though was a total clear out and slight diarrhoea.