37 wks pg, hours of mad/ painful BHs??

[Tomatefarcie]

Last night, I started having very strong Brackston Hicks-style contractions at about 9pm. They were all over the place, irregular but strong and painful, but bearable, iyswim.

Baby was sticking right out of my bump! Anyway, I managed a couple of hours' sleep, got woken up at 1am by more painful Bhs, walked around downstairs for a bit, then went back to bed. "contracted" irregularly till about 5am, then feel asleep again, woke up at 8am to...nothing.

What does this sound like to you? Early labour? bit of practice?

I had the swine flu jab done yesterday (Celvapan), could this be a reaction to it?

I'm confused, as none of my two previous labours started this way, in fact it might not be anything at all, but I just thought I'd ask for your opinions.

Thanks!

I doubt it is a reaction to the jab but I would ring the midwife if you are worried.

Both mine went a bit mad in the last few weeks - maybe baby is wriggling down a bit? I seemed to get loads of practice runs of what were probably BH's but felt more like very mild contractions in the couple of weeks before. Each time I thought I would go into labour and I didnt. Once labour came it was pretty quick though

Would give the m/w a ring - better to get this checked now rather than in the evening if it's snowing.

PeppaPig, DD2 came in half an hour, I don't need it any quicker than that!

No BHs today, maybe a mild one this morning, but that was it.

God knows what that was all about last night then..

I am not going to ring my mw since nothing has happened today, she isn't helpful anyway tbh, she is a "fill-in-the-notes-and-off-you-go" type of person.

I've had this sort of thing for a few weeks now, tho not to the extent of waking me up. Have been pinned to the sofa a few times mind!
Could you call your hospital instead if MW isn't very helpful?
If it helps I've not had any for a good week or so now. The worst part for me is they remind me of how much it's all going to hurt!!!

Blondie, that's exactly how they've made me feel: scared! I had forgotten how much labour hurts, despite having done it twice before, and even though these weren't proper contractions, all I couldn't think was: "Am not sure I want to do this anymore!!".

I'm trying to focus my thoughts on the lovely gas and air, and maybe even a good ol' shot of pethidine if I make it in time to the hospital, that is.

My memory is that BH were whole-bump tightenings (actually going completely solid!), whereas when labour actually started the feeling was deep ache low in the bump and inside, like period pains. Not sure that's consistent for everyone but perhaps an indicator?

Tom - totally with you on all of that! Here's wisihing us luck.

Catilla, I get the tightenings but they don't hurt, this is like a painful stitch type pain. Nothing my midwife seems to answer or be concerned about so hoping all ok. Certainly not labour yet!

Have been having more today - joy!