Braxton Hicks/Sciatica/PGP - normal.?

[OnNaturesCourse]

I'm slightly concerned if this is normal for additional pregnancies / braxton hicks ... (it's my 4th pregnancy, will be my 3rd baby, had a late loss)

I've been having braxton hicks for a few weeks and they've always been hardening/tightening of my bump from the top and in my ribs.

Today I woke up, DTD very gently and was fine... Until I got out of bed and got the worst sciatica pain I've experienced. It's continued all day, and progressed to my PGP flaring up. I was walking around the store earlier bent over the trolley as the PGP and sciatica was so bad. Then for the last 2 hours I've had braxton hicks but they are really low, only the bottom of my bump is going hard. It's not painful but feels a bit like a low grade cramp discomfort. My PGP/sciatica flares as soon as I stand.

I'm wondering if the PGP/sciatica flare up has just caused so much muscle cramp/discomfort that it's kicked the braxton hicks off lower down.

There is no rhythm to the braxton hicks, but they are very tight when they come.

I had silent braxton hicks with my 1st where I didn't feel them but the machine picked them up. I had very faint braxton hicks in my 2nd pregnancy and only towards the end and none in my short 3rd pregnancy so I don't really know how to handle them, on what is normal.

Is feeling them low normal? Can they be triggered by other things like PGP etc? What should ease them?

Hi @OnNaturesCourse we're on another thread together! I'm 33 weeks (second baby, fifth pregnancy) and I've been getting braxton hicks for weeks too. I get multiple a day atm and find them really uncomfortable. I find they make my entire abdomen absolutely solid from top to bottom to the point I feel pressure in my lower chest and in my pelvic floor. I haven't had them just at the bottom like you describe. Have you had any pain (other than PGP and sciatica- poor you sounds awful)? Could you call triage to ask, they might be able to give some reassurance?

Edited to add in terms of easing them, I find making sure I'm really hydrated and spending a bit of time lying on my left side with my bump supported can help...I know that's not easy with other little people around! I'm doing it now while DS is watching Peppa Pig 😆

@Hopingrae hey! hope you're doing well!

Thanks for replying - I've not had any more pains but I was in being checked over recently for reduced movement. All was fine and the midwife made me feel like a absolute waste of time and resources ("your 25 weeks, you can't rely on tracking movements but come in to be checked if you insist..." ) Because of this trip I am also booked in for a scan tomorrow.

I've been sat down for a while now and they have eased just a bit.

@OnNaturesCourse glad they eased off a bit and wishing you all the best for your scan today! Hope it all goes OK.
That's so horrible when you're made to feel like that by professionals. If they really thought it wasn't valid they would have said they don't need to see you, right. Always worth checking these things out, definitely!!

My scan went well.

Baby is on the bigger side and is currently breech which is likely causing PGP to be so bad when it flares up as baby's bum is low and feet are almost resting right at my pelvic bone edge.

Been given some exercises to try and entice baby to move but there is no rush for it, more of a comfort aspect at the moment.