Painful Braxton Hicks at night?

[Lizbiz89]

I'm 38+2 and for the last couple of nights I've been getting painful cramps and then an urge to go to the toilet. It only seems to happen when I'm in bed which I find strange. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with them and I generally thought I was in labour but they went in the end. Anyone else experience this? Do you know what this could be? Does it sound like Braxton Hicks or the start of labour?

I'm 37+5 and I seem to be getting the exact same, pains in the night and I've had bloody discharge in the night too, but seems to die down during the day

It's annoying isn't it! I thought as soon as the cramps kicked off that would be it. With my dd as soon as I had these cramps I knew I was in labour. Maybe something will kick off today.

I had this. Only at night. The sleep deprivation was awful. I'm not sure Brixton hicks and early labour contractions are totally separate different things, more of a difference in strength and regularity - but isn't an expert! So could be getting ready for labour. I hope it either starts properly soon or you manage to get some sleep.

I had this with DS but would have it on alternate nights. Would wake up with the pains thinking is this it? Then after an hour or so I'd fall back asleep and then nothing.
After about 3/4 nights of that, my waters broke at night and proper contractions started immediately.

Thanks for the replies. Just so strange it's at night and not in the day! Really thought labour was here last night. Oh well, hopefully means things are getting going. Just could do without the lack of sleep 😴

I had this for 4 whole weeks before giving birth with DC3, I was finally induced at 40+12 😩. It was soul destroying. Every night I was thinking ‘is this it?’, but after a night of pain and no sleep I’d doze off at 4ish then wake up and it had all stopped. You have my sympathies.

Mine was always only at night too. Some nights I’d even be timing them on a contractions app. For 4 whole weeks 😩.

How's it going? I'm 37+6 today and feel absolutely fine 😬

@caitlinn haven't had any more Braxton Hicks. Apart from baby lying on my sciatic nerve I didn't have any other pains last night. I am waking up with more and more discharge every morning which I think is my mucus plug (sorry tmi)! Plus I'm starting to feel like my period is coming which hopefully is a good sign as well. Hopefully it starts kicking off soon. Any more niggles with you?

I had this from 36 weeks and the pains were generally regular. I would always be about to wake my husband up and then they’d tail off.
In the end baby was born at 42 weeks

@Bobfossil2 how frustrating for you! I'm actually not too fussed if I go over as my daughters birthday was only 2 weeks ago so it would be nice to have a bit of gap. Still doesn't stop me obsessing though ha ha. With my dd I didn't even know I was in labour until my midwife told me I was 4cms dilated! But tbh until I start having regular contractions I'm not predicting anything. All such a waiting game!