Painful Braxton Hicks

[DaisyBee123]

Hi all,

So for a week now I have been experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions. The other night they were so bad and frequent, I timed them and had myself convinced this was the start of real labour.

Anyway, now I am worried about coping with pain relief and getting through the contractions since I have been struggling with just Braxton-Hicks (that I read aren't supposed to be painful..) !

I was wondering how you compare your experience of Braxton-Hicks vs. real labour. I am still experiencing them very often and to me they can be intense which drums the fear into me with how I am going to manage the real ones!

I am over 38 weeks pregnant and feel this baby is going to come soon! These random contractions have made me house bound and sent me to to the Triage unit under false labour! I thought I would be able to tell the difference!! (yes first pregnancy)

I guess I am just looking for some positive vibes, as I was feeling calm (ish) about giving birth throughout my pregnancy, but this has set me back a bit with what to expect, the level of pain and intensity and so my anxiety has reached a peak!

I am trying to wean off panic mode and focus on some good stories - like how all of these "practice" contractions makes labour easier, or shorter in general. Or how some women's Braxton-Hicks aren't that much different to the real thing etc.

I need to be hopeful as I try and mentally set myself up for the big thing!

Thanks for reading and your comments :)

I never had any BH. I don’t think they bear any resemblance to actual labour though.

Your body will take over when it is the real thing. It is entirely different pain. It may be better or worse than you expect but there are loads of options. You just have to go with it.

I had my baby 6 months ago today, I’d do it again in a heartbeat even though it was terrifying at the time. I remain in awe at what I did.

Good luck!

@Megan2018
Yes think I just have to trust my body and go with it - easier said than done!
Aw that's sweet, it is an amazing thing

Yes the worst bit is not knowing what to expect. It was nothing like I expected (better not worse in my case). It is very hard to accept you can’t control it and that no-one can tell you how it will feel.

I have had some very painful injuries, labour was entirely different pain. It is like nothing I have ever experienced but it was somehow positive (and bloody awful at the same time).

The result is spectacular.