I am 38+3 and have been having seriously painful contractins in my lower abdomen for about a week, on and off.
They're so painful that I can't do anything else when they're happening and I can't lie or sit - have to sway, lean and move around.
They're also quite long - lasting up to 5-7 minutes each and go on for up to 45 mintes.
They're accompanied by period pains and nausea.
Then they go away and I am back to normal (as far as 38 weeks preggers is normal!).
Have others had this? I am reluctant to call the midwivs as I suspect it's just pre-labour prep, but most websites say Braxton-Hicks should not be painful.