Can someone explain the difference between labour and not labour?

[fernie3]

I am almost 33 weeks so not near a time to be excited about this!. but for the last few hours I have had tightenings in my tummy and back along with general achiness. BUT they are not regular and I would say shorter than real labour contractions but I cant remember early on in my last labours and the last two have been induced. The baby is still moving normally no other worrying symptoms, I have had alot more um "discharge" the last two days but not watery

I am having trouble decided if I should be trying to time these mroe carefully just in case or just try and forget it. I have come upstairs for a lie down but of course now that's just focused my mind on the whole thing! and made me worry

they are uncomfortable especially in my back but not uncomfortable enough to stop me browsing mumsnet obviously

From what I remember they are braxton hicks if they go away when you lie down and rest...but I might be wrong, it has been a while (I will have to remember at some point)!...do they go away if you lie down?

they havent gone away yet but I have only just come up really, so maybe i need to give it more time

I was told there are pre-labour signs such as yours and then real early labour signs.

had pre labour at the same ish time as you on and off, but really did know when it was real thing as they got so much stronger and regularly quite quickly..... and my waters broke.

How exciting for you.. See what happens when you rest or take a little bath to ease your back. (my back ached all the time in last 2 months anyway)

Oh and keep an eye on what goes down the loo or is wiped off on toilet paper. (sure you are anyway)I found my plug and examined it closely! Then knew things might happen soon!

I have felt very much the same the last few days (also number 3 and 32 weeks). It feels really achy in my back, my stomach just 'hurts' - not contractions but a general ache, tightenings. Just third pregnancy itis?

I couldn't speak through contractions with ds1 when I rang hospital to ask if I could come in.

I thought I was in labour with ds2 and spent a v pleasant afternoon watching telly in hosptial room before 'contractions' stopped and MW examined me and noticed I wasn't dilating at all! THAT was BHs which I hadn't had first time round!

I had DC3 (DS2) 8 weeks ago, I went to hospital 3 hours before he was born still not sure whether it was real or BH!!!!!