Period type pain...

[Heaven]

...is this normal??

I don't know if it was just from walking around too much or what. Yesterday I was walking around the shops for a couple of hours and then had some bad period type pain. Cramps in my lower tummy and back. It lasted for about an hour, ouch! And then went away a bit, I had a bath when I got home because it was hurting my back and it went away but then came back as soon as I got out, lol. So I just layed on the lounge and watched a movie and it went. I got more cramps every time I got up or something though and then during the night when I got up to go to the loo I got it again.

Haven't had it again this morning, phew. Is this normal? It was a bit scary because the only time I've had these pains in the past has been when something is coming out and I don't want anything coming out just yet!!!! lol.

I was also going to start my RLT tomorrow at 34wks but now I'm a bit scared, don't want to aggrevate anything!!

[jackrose]

It sounds pretty normal, my Braxton Hicks felt like period cramps for me (but amped up 10x!). Mine started at about week 30 and I ended up going to term, giving birth at 38 weeks.

Of course everybody is different in their experiences, some people never get BH and some ppls BH are not painful at all but mine sound very much like yours... the could last for an hour.

If you are slightly concerned you could always call your midwife for advice to be on the safe side.

BTW my BH came on and were made worse by RLT but I never saw that as a bad thing. In fact I found that the BH really helped me prepare for Labour as my contractions were very similar. Just remember that RLT is really good for preparing you for labour (There is a thread about this on here somewhere) and BH are all about getting you ready too.
How exciting!!

[Heaven]

Thanks jackrose!! I'm seeing my midwife on Wed so will just mention it to her then anyway. Just didn't know why I was getting the pain coz I thought BH was the other things I was getting where my tummy just goes really tight and its a bit uncomfortable but not painful.
ETA- when did you start the RLT?

[Olive]

ive been getting period like pain too sara! also contractions the other night, its our bodies getting ready!!

[diva det]

i have got them now as well- as I type actually!
only start to stress if they start to get regular and they become more intense.
If they settle down after a while- then its OK!

its our bodies 'practicing' far out how much practice do you need!!!

[Heaven]

Thanks guys!
Great, looks like I have weeks more of it!! lol.

[jackrose]

ETA- when did you start the RLT?

I started RLT at about 30-32 weeks, in tea then in tablet form as I couldn't stomach the tea

I stopped taking the RL after about 1-2 weeks as the BH were waking me at night and they settled again, still coming but not as frequently.

I used the cramps to practice some relaxation techniques, breathing, positive thinking etc. It was so much more helpful and more realistic than trying to imagine what labour was like and theorising how I was going to cope!!