Early labour/ braxton hicks/ just being paranoid?!

[staceymarieox]

Hello!
I've read many threads on braxton hicks and early labour but nothing seems bang on what I'm experiencing so hoping I may find some reassurance if I explain what I'm having! I'm sure it's just me being eager or something minor but with current coronavirus going around I'm anxious about needlessly travelling to assessment unit 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️.

I'm 35+4 baby is head down but not engaged (when last checked by midwife 6 days ago) first baby. The last few weeks I've felt what I thought were big movements some feeling like baby was sort of pushing against my stomach and then the usual quick flicking movements where he'll boot my phone off my tummy. Over the last 3 days I've found that the pushing sensations have got quite intense and I will have period like cramps lower down. My bump will go hard at the top ( i am quite a chunky lady so bottom of belly is fatty and softer). At the end of the cramp will be a stabbing pain that is more uncomfortable than painful. I dont feel unwell in any other way, and I have had one tiny bit of reddish/brown discharge I dont know if this is the start of my mucus plug coming away?

Sorry for the rambling I'm just trying to explain as precisely as I can how I'm feeling 🤦‍♀️😂

Sounds like Braxton hicks, I had the same between 32 and 35 weeks, you could also be losing mucas plug as you can lose this weeks before labour and more than once you will definitely know the difference between labour and Braxton hicks when the time comes.

The babys head is also probably starting to push against your cervix which will be what causes the cramps but it's all good signs as it means baby is softening the cervix ready for labour xxv

Thanks for getting back to me and sorry for taking so long to respond! Pains I was having faded away a few days after I posted so had put it down to braxton hicks.

Since then I've had a midwife appointment where baby is now 3/5 engaged but I've had to go twice since monday to have him monitored as having low movement. Pains have got more intense but dont know if it's the weight of him being low down or the start of labour! Currently having achey pains low down like cramps/pressure and same in my back but nothing more intense than a stomach bug pain! Also constantly feeling like I either need to vomit or clear my bowels 😭 I have read this can happen towards the start of labour but as I'm only 37+3 I'm still unsure if anything more will happen!