Just painful braxtons?

At what point would the pain of your braxton hicks concern you? I’ve had them on and off throughout this pregnancy from relatively early on so I’ve gotten pretty familiar with how uncomfortable they can be.. but since 5:30pm this evening the tightenings seem to go from the top of my stomach to down below and I’ve felt the kind of pressure like you would if you were to squeeze on a water balloon. My tracker says I’ve had 24 tightenings since 5:30 until now. I went into early labour just before 37 weeks with my first, and currently I’m 35+5. Would you leave this and keep an eye for other labour signs or should I get myself into triage? I don’t want to go in if I don’t have to as I’ll need to get my parents over to be with my toddler!

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Do your parents live far? I'd still ring triage if I were you if they've changed in frequency. Are they more intense too?

@Nell they were! From 5:30-7pm they were really intense and strong and were about 3-5ish mins apart - now for the last 45 mins I’ve only had about 4 so seemed to have slowed down considerably. Baby is still partying away and not had waters go although my back is killing. Should I leave it a little longer now things have calmed down? X

You sound like me. I've had braxton hicks for a couple of months, just like I did with my first. I have the odd day where I get periods like this where they are much more intense, regular and come with lots of pressure in my pelvis. However, in my head, if they don't get more painful or more regular and eventually ease off, then it's not labour or worth worrying about?

@Katie that’s exactly what I’ve thought the latter part of this evening, it’s completely eased off now and I’m a lot more comfortable, no other major signs or symptoms were accompanying the tightenings so I’m glad I waited it out a little longer. If I hadn’t felt baby or if I knew they weren’t head down then I’d have probably been more worried, but I would probably want to labour at home for as long as possible anyway. Hospitals give me the heebie jeebies at the best of times 😂

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