Early Labour or braxton Hicks?

[Aug12]

Hi everyone,

I am 36 weeks pregnant and last night I started with period type cramp pains, only a few and then disappeared. This morning I have been feeling nauseous and having tightenings in my tummy, not painful but lasting 20-30seconds and coming every 40mins or so. There has also been discharge after going to the loo but not had a show. I called the midwife for advice this morning and she said to just wait and see if it progresses and becomes painful or more frequent then to pop up to the ward to be checked over.

Do you think this is braxton hicks or could it potentially be early labour? (I am aware the only way to know for sure is to head to the ward but the midwife said only to come up if they started getting painful so I am following her advice)

Thanks

Yup, Braxton Hicks. Sorry! I'm almost 40 weeks, have been getting them stronger and stronger for the past week, even ended up calling Maternity. Followed their advice of having paracetamol and lying down and they went away! Very frustrating.

I hope things start soon for you and you can meet your sweet wee baby.

I was hoping that it wasn’t labour just yet as I’m only 36 weeks and our local hospital is only midwife run so it would of meant a 2.5hr drive to the nearest consultant led unit.

It's not IMPOSSIBLE you're in labour. My first one was born at 37 weeks, perfectly healthy and she's now almost 4yo.

The difference between 'practice contractions' and real ones seems to be real ones do not go away with change of position.
I even had some regular contractions for an hour or so, but they went away with a hot shower and paracetamol.
I seem to get them more in the evening, I get period-like pain with Braxton Hicks tightness of stomach.

Always call them if you're not sure, I find the midwives very helpful. Good luck x