37 weeks with DC3 - early labour or braxton hicks?

[Mamabear32]

I know I probably have another three weeks to go but does this sound like labour start/stopping or am I just a wuss who can’t handle BH? 😂

This is my third baby, but was induced with my first so didn’t have a ‘proper labour’

My second baby I had contractions through the night, went into hospital at 4cm and had him a few hours later!

I don’t remember ever having any signs at 37 weeks with my first two.

on Sunday night, I woke up in the night with tightenings and cramps and pain across my stomach and back. Took paracetamol did nothing but after 3 hours, it died down and nothing!

Then Wednesday night, started with some BH about 6 and then from about 9, the tightenings were the same - painful, lasting about a minute, every 8 minutes for 3 hours then at midnight stopped.

Yesterday morning, I had some period like cramps and since then, nothing!

Has anyone else had similar? Wondering if this one is going to come early or if they’re just painful BH - I’ve not lost my plug or had a show or anything!

Interesting...the regularity makes it sounds more like early labour pains than BH?

I am 37+5 and getting some fairly intense BH. Top of bump goes super rigid, accompanied by mild period type pain low down. But the timing is completely random, there's no pattern to it.

How did your second labour start?

@RocketLolly1 my friend said this! She said it doesn’t sound like BH as they don’t usually cause pain. They got more intense and then stopped! I had to lean over the next to me at one point as it really hurt 😂😂 then all stopped but for 3 hours there was definitely a pattern!

My second I had what I thought was contractions on the Wednesday, stopped, started again on the Friday and lasted all night until I gave birth the Saturday! I didn’t have a bloody show until I was in hospital and 4cm. I think it’s all come to a halt now. I’m not sure I can do this for another 3 weeks 🙈😂

Yeah the fact it's a pattern is definitely suspicious. Urgh god, 3 weeks sounds like a long time doesn't it. Would you be quite pleased if it was labour now? I think I wouldn't mind getting it over with now.

With my 4th I had pains like this for 2 weeks. From 38 weeks every day I got everyone on standby as they started up and I was sure it was labour.

At 40 weeks I had a routine appointment and asked them to check my cervix as I'd had 2 weeks of it (that days I had no pains)

I was 5-6cms!

DC arrived 4 hours later with a one hour labour.

I had similar pains/sensations/discomfort on and off over a whole working day. That was the Thursday, went to bed that night and woke on the Friday to nothing. No niggles or anything else for a few days then water broke on the Monday evening at 37+1 and a very quick labour followed. Didn't have any sort of pain etc after that whole day until water broke so it was a bit of a surprise. Looking back, definitely feel like that was the start.

If you want to try and bring things along you could try and do some colostrum expressing tomorrow? It might take a few gos/days before it does much.

At 37+4 I had what I thought must be BH, and only realised it might be labour a few minutes before my water broke. It was my first (and only) baby so I had no frame of reference! Anyway, I'd get checked, or at least get your birth/hospital stuff ready. Packing a bag whilst in labour wasn't the most fun!

@RocketLolly1 3 weeks feels forever, then the thought of potentially going over 😂 pregnancy with 2 toddlers is exhausting! I’m so ready for her to come!

@GhibliSonnet i keep telling myself that hopefully it was something moving things on a bit! I’ve had nothing else though since so not sure it was early labour!

@Classicstripewastaken ohh really! Was everything ok at 37 weeks? It still feels like it’s too early!

@SouthwestSis I think I’ll wait another week before I try bring anything on. I definitely didn’t appreciate pregnancy with DC1 enough when I had nobody to run round and look after 😂

@NerdyBird I have started to pack my bag and ordered some bits on Amazon like adult nappies/pads - everything sorted and washed for the baby, I was sent home when DC2 was 4 hours old so hoping for a nice quick delivery again!

@Mamabear32 yes everything was fine. Baby was a healthy 7lb3. He had jaundice with being a bit early so we had to stay in hospital for a week for phototherapy but he responded well and otherwise he was absolutely fine.

Aw amazing! That’s good to hear. I’m wide awake now with tightenings and strong period pains but no doubt it’ll ease off again. Never had this with my other two so I’m hoping it means a nice quick and easy labour!

I’m 37 W and I’ve had Braxton Hicks going on all day long, but in terms of reoccurrence they come and go on random days, there is no pattern and they are not painful. I don’t think yours are BH.

I don’t think it’s Labour, but I do think your body is getting ready for the big moment.
The term “you’ll know” applies, without sounding like a pain in the butt.
Put your feet up, drink raspberry tea, take some walks and get some rest, this baby will be here soon. Best wishes x

Early labour I'd say but it can last days and days. Is the baby back to back by any chance? Back to back babies tend to cause a slow on off style labour as they're not in the perfect position on the cervix

I had lots of BH last night - no pattern, cramps but nothing like Sunday and Wednesday! Definitely agree with the I’ll know!

I don’t think baby is back to back - had a growth scan Monday as bump hadn’t grown and all was fine - measuring about 6lb 5 (which I know can be very inaccurate!)
baby was really low down but not back to back

Still here so definitely thinking must have just been baby moving into position!!

Im ready for her now 😂 but I would rather she came in another week or so meaning I can come back to my other DC quickly 🫶🏻