Painful Braxton Hicks/Irritable Uterus - Help

[objectivebread]

I was triaged last night and tested for preterm labour at 35+5, it was negative thankfully. I said I find baby's movements painful, like I breathe through it sometimes especially when he pushes up with his entire rear end, it feels awful. They said I have a low pain threshold and an irritable uterus, was advised I'm just experiencing painful false contractions. Now, the midwives said if this is painful 'just wait til labour.'

Are false contractions anything like the real thing? I feel like such a wimp, like totally unprepared and terrified now of real labour if I'm doubled over on the sofa groaning with seemingly very 'minor' braxton hicks. These false contractions have been ongoing for over a week now, they are about ten to 5 minutes apart, they come on if I stand up, if I go to the loo, if I eat, if baby moves... etc

And finally, has anyone experienced this before and did you find it was a sign you were going into labour soon?

I had false contractions and they were really painful. I have endometriosis and definitely don’t have a low pain threshold.

I didn’t have a natural birth so I cannot say how they compare to labour. But it’s a myth that false contractions are not painful. They definitely can be. Don’t let those kind of comments make you more apprehensive about labour. All the best.

I remember the first few braxton hicks being super painful, they took my breath away. I was doing breathing exercises to get through them!

Labour was a different pain and you have access to pain relief. I got through with limited gas and air, so I'd say: don't assume the worst based on this.