Suddenly experiencing braxton hicks 40+4? Lost mucus plug?

[Firstttimemum2021]

Hi all, need some help as a very confused first time mum to be please 😩

I am 40+4 today and have been losing pieces of my mucus plug since midday. Decided to go for a big walk around 3:30pm and have been experiencing intense tightenings at the bottom of my bump since. They are very irregular and don't really seem to have a rhyme or reason. All of this of corse sounds like classic braxton hicks symptoms!!

However what is confusing to me is that isn't 40+4 a bit late to be experiencing my first braxton hicks? Particularly on the same day I start losing some of my mucus plug? I have never experienced braxton hicks or tightening feelings like this my entire pregnancy and now been having them on and off for a good few hours. Is this potentially a sign labour is near or am I completely crazy?

Got induction booked already for 28th anyway if little girl decides she doesn't want to make an appearance. Just a little freaked out as I haven't felt anything like this before and needing some mummy help please x

You may well be in the early stages of Labour especially if you’ve had a show (ie losing your plug)

Keep active and keep an eye on contractions (time between). It is possible to have a long slow first phase of Labour so be prepped - try and eat if you can bear it and good luck

Sounds to me like you’re in early labour. Congratulations! Hope it all goes smoothly

The thing about babies is that they work to their own rhyme and reason. Sounds like you'll be holding your little daughter soon

My early labour was identical to braxton hicks- irregular tightenings, not painful to begin with (though that changes!). I expect you're getting going- good luck! 👍

At 40+4, this is almost certainly labour.

Your baby will be here in a few days I think! Good luck!!!! Such joyful moments!

Sounds more like contractions then braxton hicks. Keep an eye on them, good luck with impending labour 😁

Oh guys I could cry 😭 thank you so much for your reassurance and advice. The other half is just cooking some dinner now then going to have a nice bath and see if that changes things. Watch this space!!

It sounds like labour not braxton hicks, that’s how labour starts

Also - not down the time between each contraction and if they are getting more intense. Have you rang the hospital?

Sounds more like labour, keep moving about and stay relaxed