Belly feeling hard rock always from 36-37 weeks

[catherineq]

I'm 37 weeks +, starting from few days ago (maybe more days ago) I think when I felt my belly, it's hard rock (feeling hard surface). I know my bub has turn upside down position from 32 weeks. So I guess it can't be because he's turning that causes the hard surface feeling...

What is it? I am not sure it's contractions. It's not always hard rock feeling. Sometimes, it's softer. But, it's quite frequent that it becames hard rock, else I will not notice (I don't monitor it :P) - by the way, no pain or any uncomfortable feeling.... (By the time I'm typing this, it becomes hard rock again ... :P

Is it near-labour?

[Cass72]

Hi there. With DS I had the same thing at 36weeks. Lucky I was convinced by my mum to go to the doctors as she was convinced I was in labour. I was, he examined me and told me to go to hospital because I was already 6cm dilated. No pain, nothing else, just the tightening every now and then. See if you can time them, to see if they are fairly regular. I'd give the doc a call anyway just to be on the safe side.

Good luck!!

[catherineq]

Hi Cass72, Thanks for the reply!

I don't have mucus discharge yet. I can't be I"m in labour right?! I really really doubt so. If I don't deliberately feel my belly, I really won't feel any thing uncomfortable.

When you're having DS, is that your first pregnancy with such experience? And yeah, besides the tightening, what else symtoms you noticed?

[Cass72]

I don't have mucus discharge yet. I can't be I"m in labour right?! I really really doubt so. If I don't deliberately feel my belly, I really won't feel any thing uncomfortable.

I didn't have a mucus discharge - not one that I was aware of anyway. My mum noticed I was in labour because I was going to the loo to pee (more so than usual) and it was starting to get regular (she started timing me). I didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

When you're having DS, is that your first pregnancy with such experience? And yeah, besides the tightening, what else symtoms you noticed?

DS was my first pregnancy. The only other thing I had noticed was that earlier in the day I had a slight case of the runs.

[~clover~]

Could it be braxton hicks? Practice contractions?
They should cause no pain. Your belly becomes hard, like a barrel for a few seconds & then release again.
They are quite normal & happen in every woman. Some feel them, some don't. If thats what it is there is no need to think labour is close. They often start as early as 20ish weeks

Not everyone will have mucus or waters as warning before labour. Every body & every labour is different I never got the runs either.

[catherineq]

Thanks bjrose for reply.
I will have OB appointment early next week and I'll ask her. I'll put on hold first until I see some significant pattern, else I don't bother to call the hospital yet.
Maybe it's braxton hicks. It's pretty frequent and baby still move happily in my warm uterus.

[studymum]

It can be the position of the baby, if bubs is laying in the complete anterior position (OA), its back and bum will run straight down the middle of your belly, it gives it a harder feeling when you touch it, when it turns slightly to either side you will get a softer feeling. Check out the belly mapping on the spinning babies website to give you more of a visual.

[Mum2Willie]

Hi..I have been having this as well since Saturday night. My OB yesterday, said as bubs engages causes constant BHs. My bubs did engage over the weekend. Mine are still going (3rd day in a row) and cramping now too. But even if pre-labour can last for weeks! Good luck!!!