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Pregnancy

Signs of labour or just BH?

68 replies

Madallie · 01/02/2014 23:13

Just wondered if anyone has any experience/advise?

I am 39+2 and have been having what I assume are BH this evening since about 8.30pm. They are quite a painful tightening over my bump but the pain is quite concentrated low down - where you would experience period pain. They don't seem to have a pattern to them but some of them have been quite painful where I have had to get up and change positions.

Just wondered if these do sound like BH or if this could be the beginnings of labour? I remember reading that BH can be uncomfortable but not painful and that you don't get many at one time whereas these are quite painful and have been happening for almost hrs.

Anyone any experience of this?

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HopeS01 · 01/02/2014 23:31

Sorry, I'm not sure but I didn't want to leave you!
I'm 39+3 and have been experiencing BH for a couple of days now (which is a great relief because I finally feel like something is happening!)
Mine haven't been painful or localised, just tightening with a little discomfort.
Is the lower pain a dull ache? Or stabbing pains?
I'm really hope this is the real deal for you!
Good luck!

Belle2808 · 01/02/2014 23:32

Don't have any experience but watching with interest as I'm currently feeling similar, if it's BH's then people lie they are painful! I'm 39+1 btw!! Best of luck x

Badmumof3 · 01/02/2014 23:33

You could well be in the early stages, but until the contractions form a regular pattern, you are probably not in actual labour. You will know soon enough. But if you are at all concerned, the advice would always be to call the labour ward or your midwife, depending on what care you are booked for. Good luch and let us know how it goes. Xx

Ilovekittyelise · 01/02/2014 23:34

i have had this both pregnancies from about 37 weeks, especially in evenings. its just your body getting ready and easing the baby into position. im 39+4 with dc2. dc1 was induced.

Madallie · 01/02/2014 23:36

Thanks. I'm going to go to bed and see if they calm down/wear off. If not then I guess I'll know! The discomfort is definitely localised low down and is a strong ache, not stabbing pain.

I sure will let you all know. Goo luck to everyone too.

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Boobybeau · 01/02/2014 23:38

With both my pregnancies I had what sounds like this about a week before I went into proper labour. They were more then hb but not labour pains as such. I'd get some rest though as it could kick off soon but like badmum said, they won't be 'labour' until they are more consistent.

Boobybeau · 01/02/2014 23:39

Sounds like it's your body getting ready though! Good luck

Yogibear72 · 02/02/2014 07:31

How are you getting on this morning Madallie and Hope?
I have been experiencing the same since late last night. Slept on it but they are still happening. Doesn't feel like established labour but then it doesn't feel like regular BH either. I'm only 35+6.
First time mum here so it's difficult to know
I noticed that my bump dropped in the week and it has further dropped overnight.

HopeS01 · 02/02/2014 21:26

Hi Yogi,
No news from me sadly. Had a check today and he's fully engaged so just waiting....
How are your signs? First time for me too

Apparentlychilled · 02/02/2014 21:32

My BH were like this and I even had the odd one I had to properly breath through (like contractions) but didn't develop into a proper pattern of (painful) contractions ie I'd have the odd painful one w lots of noticeable ones.

Madallie · 02/02/2014 22:53

Hi all, still oregnant here! Elaine subsided at about 1am after I went to bed last night. Today have had vague episodes of period type pains, a few BH but nothing like yesterday. This little on is really teasing me!

Been bouncing in my ball a but tonight but tbh not sure this really helps. Did it loads when expecting dd but had a sweep on my due date in the end and think that's what started it all off for me.

The don't do sweeps where I am until 41 wks with 2nd + babies though.

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Yogibear72 · 02/02/2014 22:57

Mine have lessened Hope to a dull ache and a tightening every few hours.
I contacted the labour ward and she said to keep an eye on it and call back if it continued.
As it happens, I have a consultants appointment tomorrow so I will mention it then.
Apparently how long were you getting these before you went into labour or at what stage of your pregnancy?

lastnightopenedmyeyes · 02/02/2014 23:03

Hi. I had Braxton's that were like this during the last few weeks. My real contractions (at 41+1 - 3 days ago ) were much stronger and (cliche I know) just 'obviously' real contractions as they were so intense right from the first one.

Good luck OP this must be the warm up

Madallie · 02/02/2014 23:15

Thank you.

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HopeS01 · 03/02/2014 00:19

I can't sleep.
I feel terribly nauseous and I'm having very sharp stabbing pains "down there". I had the same for the last few nights but tonight they're very painful (I use that word lightly knowing that I'm yet to experience the 'real' pain!)
Occasional tightenings but no more than 4 in the last hour.
This is unpleasant, especially because I know it is probably going to amount to nothing
COME ON BABY!!!!

Apparentlychilled · 03/02/2014 00:59

I'm sorry to say I hadBH for 3 weeks before DD arrived but it was really 12 days of them being v noticeable. 5 days before having her, I was awake 2 nights back to back in pain but each time i'd have eg an hour of erratic pain and then they'd ease. I was sure things were kicking off. We even went to hospital and I cried when they said it was just BH.

Apparentlychilled · 03/02/2014 01:00

Ps from 36 weeks. DD was born at 39 weeks.

Weegiemum · 03/02/2014 01:07

I'm wishing labour for you! 12 years ago right now I'd just gone into labour (at, iirc, 38+4) with my lovely (though currently a bit moody and getting greasy) ds! Great day for a birthday. Wishing you lots of luck xx

Dusty04 · 03/02/2014 07:24

I had similar tightenings went to get checked and baby was born 3 hours later! Wishing you all luck :)

HopeS01 · 03/02/2014 10:24

Still no baby here ladies so looks like last night was another false alarm.
How's everyone else feeling?

Steffyjayne23 · 03/02/2014 10:29

I'm 39 and have been having BH since 37 weeks omg they are sooo annoying! My first baby so no idea what to expect from the real thing! Hope your baby comes soon I know I'm getting more impatient every day but will come when they are ready I suppose! Think I've tried nearly everything now haha

Yogibear72 · 03/02/2014 17:19

Had a scan today and was told that I had reduced amount of amniotic fluid but nothing to worry about.
The consultant wouldn't really comment on the tightenings I had at weekend but then I suppose from hearing on ladies experiences that every experience is different.
I had a couple BH this morning with period pain so although it's different from this time last week it's not as consistent as it was at weekend.
From the scan the baby is engaged. Feels like he keeps head-butting my cervix wince!

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Yogibear72 · 04/02/2014 22:45

Anyone gone into labour yet?

HopeS01 · 05/02/2014 09:00

Not me, Yogi
Still waiting.......

Madallie · 05/02/2014 09:31

Still waiting too. Due tomorrow!

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