BH confusion?

[Jellymaker]

Hi Ladies,

I was just wondering, what do Braxton Hicks feel like?
I started what I thought were BH at about 24 weeks, it felt like period pain and kinda like I needed to go to the toilet. But I am now 33 weeks and getting these weird sort of stretchy-tight feelings all the time that aren't really painful but uncomfortable and I need to bend over a little bit for it to go away, I still occasionally get the period-like cramps too.
Which are BH and which aren't? Are either of them BH? Are they both?
Im perplexed because I've read a few things that said that both feelings feel like BH?

[onthefly]

I think everyone feels them a little differently.
I noticed them from very early on - it was like a sweeping sensation across the uterus. Yes, the uterus goes very hard for a moment, but I think it doesn't usually last very long (compared to a contraction). I did notice they got stronger and even started to become a little uncomfortable (even periody cramp-like, though nowhere near as painful) as I got closer to my due date.
the crampy can also be related to your uterus stretching i think

[~Raven~]

BH's for me were like an uncomfortable tightening sensation that would come in groups. I also noticed at the same time my heart would feel a little racy at the same time. Towards the end of my PG's they got a lot stronger and closer together.

More often they came when I was being physical ie mopping the floor or shopping or at the end of the day when I was tired and trying to relax

[Jellymaker]

Thanks Raven,

I've noticed the racing heart too when i get the tightenings and if I'm being particularly active,(and after orgasms). Good to know that they are prob BH, but then what is the Period like cramping i sometimes get?

[Rooey5]

More often they came when I was being physical ie mopping the floor or shopping or at the end of the day when I was tired and trying to relax

Same for me. When I was still working (I'm a nurse) they would get gradually worse and worse the longer I'd been on my feet doing my nursey duties

They kind of feel like dull, brief period cramps for me now, and I have noticed they are getting gradually more uncomfortable as I get further along in the pregnancy.

[Linzy]

Thanks Raven,

I've noticed the racing heart too when i get the tightenings and if I'm being particularly active,(and after orgasms). Good to know that they are prob BH, but then what is the Period like cramping i sometimes get?

Sounds exactly like them...especially after orgasms! Very hard to get out of bed and grab your knickers when your uterus is like a bullet after an orgasm..or is that just me

I sometimes get a period ache with them as well especially if I'm lying on my left, and it starts to ache down one leg like toothache too. I think different positions might make a little bit of difference when one strikes

[Nelle]

As Marcellus says, I think everyone feels them differently. I didn't feel anything at all with my first, and with my second they were barely perceptible...I would think 'is that something' and touch my belly and it'd be rock hard. The period like cramping is what my contractions felt like a bit, so I'd say they're BH's too? The stretchy tight feelings are sort of more what I experienced, although I hardly felt them, they definitely were doing something!