Contractions and Braxton Hicks - describe how they feel and the difference please!

[wastingmyeducation]

Hello all,

I had my show last night and started getting quite painful contractions. They went off for a couple of hours in the morning but have been reasonably regular the rest of the time, anything from 5-15 mins in between. Now, I've noticed some mild discomfort and tightening of the abdomen the last couple of days, and they are much more painful today. But they aren't really super aweful painful if you see what I mean. Also the pain is concentrated around the bottom half of the bump, though I can feel the whole uterus is contracting.

So, what is the difference between Braxton Hicks and proper contractions, how does it feel and am I going to have my baby today??!!

XX

I'm not going to be very helpful as I never worked out the difference in any of three births... just didn't want your question to go unanswered.

Hmm, you may well be halfway to hospital/cleaning the oven/lying on a beanbag with your newborn by now... good luck

For me, I had 10minutely BHs and constant hip/back pain for 2wks before DD arrived. The night it did start they just went woomph up a notch and just got stronger and more painful.
But everyone is different so again, not much help really. Plenty of people don't have that much pain throughout the whole labour or don't feel like the baby's coming at all.
Keep nibbling carbs and proteins and drinking plenty just in case. Maybe concentrate on your hospital bag to take your mind off things?