Would you go in???

[blindsighted]

I'm 31 weeks, first time mum so not much to go on but I'm in a lot of pain. I feel like baby is extremely low, the pains in my vagina are insane and none stop and now I'm getting what I assume are braxton hicks but they're a tad painful. I say a tad, they're not stopping me from doing anything, but I'm definitely aware they're happening.

Again, first time mum so nothing to go on, but something just doesn't feel right.

It's worth mentioning I am a self confessed worrier, but my sister has a still birth and whilst I can still feel baby moving, I just can't help being paranoid. I have called the hospital and they said to see if the pains get worse and if they do to go in. They're not getting any worse and there's no pattern, am I just being a bit dramatic or would it be ok to go in for reassurance in your opinion? I don't want to waste anyone's time.

I'm a FTM as well and if I was you I'd go in. What do you have to lose? It's better to be safe than sorry. They will just reassure you but it will put your mind at ease. Xx

I’d make an appointment with your midwife or doctor instead of going into the maternity ward.

What's the point of seeing your GP? Either you decide to go into the pregnancy unit or you don't, no one else is going to be useful here! Can you give yourself a time, eg an hour or so from now, and try to relax till then - then when the time is up make the decision. I'd go in probably but I'm a worrier. Really you would have to sit there for a long time probably but might be worth it for reassurance/support on hand.

I would watch and wait if I were you.
The end of pregnancy is uncomfortable and you do get discomfort and a lot of pressure down there I remember thinking mine were literally going to fall out.
As long as the baby is moving ok and you are not in pain then I would have a nice bath and get in your pjs.
Maybe you could give it a couple of hours and a bath and see how you feel?
And a couple of paracetamol?

Third trimester+in pain+worried=go to labour ward.

Labour ward acts as A&E for third trimester women.

Do not worry about wasting their time. They would rather reassure a well mother and baby, than treat an ill pair who've left it too long.

Sorry I meant your not in pain with the Braxton hicks.

Trust your instincts and go in. Sounds like you need some reassurance but that amount of pain doesn’t sound right to me.

Go in

I’m 34 weeks and feel like I’m being stabbed in the vagina a lot of the time! I remember being surprised with the pain without dS1 but this time round I’m not worried.

Ring up labour ward and tell them what's been going on, they'll tell you if you need to go in.

Thanks a lot everyone, I called the ward she wasn't interested really she just said as long as the contractions aren't a minute long she isn't worried. I guess my concern is that if this is super early (I'm sure it isn't 😩) then shouldn't they try to stop it?

I really don't mean to sound like a drama llama but it's so difficult to know what's normal and what's not! Thank goodness for MN!! Xx

I was 31 weeks and getting Brixton hicks on and off- my friend was laughing saying how I’d better toughen in as labour was so painful. Less than an hour later I pushed my boy into the world - had no idea I was in labour, too early, didn’t hurt.... different for everyone. Go get checked, they’ll definitely not think you’re wasting their time

@TidaQuel really?! Wow. What happened? What signs were you getting? Did you make it to hospital?

Thank you for replying x

Never know what’s going on get checked out if you can for reassurance all is ok. I’m at 34 weeks and my gawddddd the vaginal pains are ridiculous over this past week and I can’t walk for very long at all as the pain is just awful. Been taking paracetamol and have the midwife app this Friday so will check with her then. Also been getting bum pains! No one tells you about this shit 😂 hope you’re ok!

I would go and get checked out too. I hope you’re ok Op

@snoopy18 wow I cannot imagine 3 more weeks of this let alone 9😩 I know, I had no idea it was going to be this tough!

I feel awful because I was and am so desperate to be a mother and I feel like all I've done is complain, but without sounding like a brat... it's just so hard!😂

Hope your last few weeks go quick and are a bit painless ❣️

Sorry, don’t want to alarm you. I was also a first time mum. Had woken early morning with a few little pains. Gone back to sleep. Busy-ish morning, bit of cleaning and shopping. Friend came for lunch, couple of noticeable twinges. She eventually persuaded me that I should get checked, arrived at hospital about 40 minutes before ds born.

Is there a pattern to the braxton hicks? Not sure I’d had any other signs. A big shift early morning that may have been ds engaging? Or what kicked it off. A possible show a week before that was dismissed by the hospital.

@TidaQuel no don't worry I'm really glad you posted, I know everyone is different but it's good to know that I am maybe right to be worried. I feel like baby is engaged but I have no idea what that feels like (that sounds bonkers I know!).

I haven't had any show or any more discharge than usual. Just these pains. I wouldn't say there is any pattern to the braxton hicks just that they're quite frequent,
still not too painful though.

I keep feeling like I need to go to the toilet though. Not sure if that's because I need to go to the toilet (nothing is happening when I try)... or a sign of anything! It's torture, can't switch off!!

Hope all went well with you and baby in the end? Xxx

Yep, my DS is now 11 so was some time ago. Took a few weeks to grow in NICU but no major or ongoing issues.

I was imaging labour would be the worst pain imaginable, that’s what everyone always told me. It isn’t. Well wasn’t for me.

Maybe baby is just sitting on your bladder? Keep an eye on the braxton hicks, time how far apart each is over the next half hour/ hour and score out of 10 for painful ness- see if they get any worse.

I didn’t ever get braxton hicks, straight into labour for me. I also didn’t get any ante natal classes so really not very wise on what’s normal.

If in doubt I'd call them. They can, and will, talk you down but trust your own instincts. I had a period of reduced movement that just had me feeling like I had to be seen and ended up in hospital for 2 days - not because of the movements but because I was having regular contractions without realising. They confirmed that I wasn't in labour and it was Braxton Hicks but had medication and monitoring to be on the safe side. A month later I've had Braxton Hicks over the last few days that feel almost identical to my early labour pains with my first and each time I have to figure out if I should call or not. They calm down after a while so I haven't but believe me I will if I need to as I had a fairly fast labour last time and almost didn't go because the midwife on the phone tried to talk me down.

Trust your gut and get checked if you feel something is not right.

If in doubt I'd call them. They can, and will, talk you down but trust your own instincts. I had a period of reduced movement that just had me feeling like I had to be seen and ended up in hospital for 2 days - not because of the movements but because I was having regular contractions without realising. They confirmed that I wasn't in labour and it was Braxton Hicks but had medication and monitoring to be on the safe side. A month later I've had Braxton Hicks over the last few days that feel almost identical to my early labour pains with my first and each time I have to figure out if I should call or not. They calm down after a while so I haven't but believe me I will if I need to as I had a fairly fast labour last time and almost didn't go because the midwife on the phone tried to talk me down.

Trust your gut and get checked if you feel something is not right.

How are you OP?