Braxton hicks?

[Queenbee95]

I’m 17+5 weeks, baby number 3. I’m getting painful cramps (feels like start of period) in lower belly and back. Are these braxton hicks? I can’t remember having them this early with ds 1&2, although they were painful then too. Thanks

Hi OP, it does seem quite early to be getting braxton hicks and they are not normally painful....more an all-over tightening and quite a strange breathless sensation. Although you did say yours were painful last time so it might be different for you. It could just be the usual cramps as your uterus grows and blood flow increases, but give your midwife or maternity unit a call as they are best placed to help you out with this. They won't mind you calling....that's what they are there for x

P.s. I just looked it up and it does say BH can start in the second or third trimester.