Contractions

All my contractions were in my lower pelvis and thighs

4/5 engaged means baby’s head is only at the beginning of entering the pelvis - so that may suggest you have a little while to go! I’ve been having period pains, hard stomachs and cramps for about two weeks and no baby yet 😂 They like to trick us! I was 3/5 engaged (more than half his head engaged) two weeks ago, so I’m hoping he’s near exiting soon haha.

@Christina yeah I’m aware that 4/5 only means the very top of the head has entered the pelvis, I’m just not quite sure about all the comments I see a lot saying ‘you’ll know when they’re real contractions vs braxton hicks’ because I don’t think that’s necessarily true🤣 and yes hopefully they decide to make an exit soon and don’t leave us waiting too long!! xx

@Isobel what I really want to know is if real contractions can start as period like cramps low down at the front of the uterus, opposed to starting at the top of the uterus, which is what is said online, as I’ve seen a lot of different things, just so I know what to look out for because I don’t want to go mistaking real contractions for braxton hicks. Anything I’ve ever seen about real contractions says that they will start at the top of the uterus, but I don’t think that’s the case for everyone xx

My situation was a little different, but my waters went at 34 weeks, a week before I went into labour (pprom), and when I did go into labour I honestly didn't know until I went in for an appointment, I'd been in early labour for about 16 hours at that point and thought it was just related to baby not having much fluid around him. When I went in for the appointment I didn't leave for 6 days until baby was here and ready to go home (5 days later as preterm). So while everyone says you'll know I agree that isn't necessarily true! Pregnant with my second now and I still feel like I won't have a clue because my first situation was so different, but also having some cramping, tightenings etc but they keep starting and stopping too and I keep thinking today's the day 😅

I think the thing is it feels different for everyone, and even different between pregnancies. It could feel like period cramps, it may feel like back pain, it might radiate from top to bottom of your bump. I think for most women it quickly becomes unmistakable though because the sensation is so overwhelming x

The difference is the frequency/regularity. You can usually tell but it's much easier to say that when you've had a baby before, and doesn't make it any simpler for a ftm. If they're happening regularly, painfully, all over and around 5 minutes apart then consider that they could be real labour contractions and phone triage (or if you've passed a bloody show or your waters have gone). Braxton hicks are irregular and unpredictable. Labour is when increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity.

@Nikita thank you, I totally agree that I don’t think it’s always the case that you’ll just know, especially if it’s the first time or like you said, you had a slightly more unique experience the first time xx

@Sona thank you, this is very useful information xx

Different for everyone, but if you are not sure, then it's either not labour or super early in labour. Even if you mistake early labour contractions for braxton hicks, it'll soon become obvious. I felt my first labour all in my back because my baby was in a back to back position. Nothing much at the front at all

I have found it useful to have the contractions app that way I can easily just close my mind and think yes this is braxton hicks. Apparently regular contractions don’t really go away with rest so that may be helpful. I am 38 weeks and have been getting lower back pain and period cramps in front, I think it’s the body getting ready! Xx

Just wanted to say glad its not just me 🤣 I’ve been getting similar pains with no pattern to them at all, and people keep saying “you will know” but I have a high pain threshold and stayed at home for 4 days with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, so my real fear is not knowing when I’ve gone into labour 🤣

I had a C-section however the midwife said I was 1-2cm dilated and baby’s head was engaged (idk how much by) I feel like if I’d left it for baby to make his exit on his own I wouldn’t have known it was “go time” as I was put on heart tracers and got pains in my stomach and stomach hardening/tightenings, the heart tracers were saying my contractions were between 90%-100% but when the midwives asked are you having contractions I said idk how to tell, I think it’s just baby moving making my stomach hurts and feel hard/tight, one midwife felt my stomach and was like you are having contractions but I got told that the midwives can’t tell if we’re contracting or not Pregnancy is so confusing 😂 swear I’ll be just as confused as now if I ever have a second 😂

@Jade I don’t like the notion of the ‘you’ll know’ because what if I don’t know?!🤣 xx

@Eli this is my exact worry! I really don’t think I’ll know for definite if they’re real or braxton hicks🤣 like I’m not even sure now if I’ve been having braxton hicks or if like you said, it’s just the baby moving around xx

If you don't know then you'll stay pregnant forever 😝 Honestly, I was you in my first pregnancy, it was soooo annoying when everyone said "you'll know". But then when the real contractions started it was very quickly a case of "oh yeah, everyone was right!" X

@Paulina I’ve just heard so many different things! My MIL said when she went into labour with my partner (her first) she just felt like she needed a poo, others have said it was like period pains, others have said it was pain in their back🤣 it’s just so confusing how I’m supposed to know when there’s so many different ways it can feel!! xx

Yeah, it could be any of those or something slightly different because everyone is different. You just need to trust yourself x