Braxton Hicks - Back Pain

Hi Everyone!

I'm at 35 weeks and last night had some really really bad back pain that would come and go every 10 minutes for about 2 hours. My stomach would also tighten significantly during this time and i had diarohea (sorry if tmi) and also lots of pressure on my rectum area (apologies again!!)

I thought Braxton Hicks contractions weren't meant to be all that painful? But is this still what it's likely to be?

Is this a sign that things might happen sooner rather than later? I havent packed my bags yet. Think i might have to do it this weekend just in case!!

I would pack your bags just in case - but really labour could still be weeks off yet.

hi jess, i've had the exact same things. braxton hicks can be painful, and my back is so bad at the moment that all i do is go from the bed to the shower to the couch and back to bed again!it's bad isn't it??

Hi Jessy
Braxtin Hicks can be painful and I think that is what you are having. Unfortunatly it is not an indication that birth will soon follow

I too have been having bh for quite some time, occasionally mixed in with lower back pain. While it isn't labour, I think it is doing some work in helping to get the uterus ready for labour. I would pack your bags though, you never know when labour is going to start.

Jessy, whoever said BH are not painful needs to be slapped!! Yes they can be *quite* ouchy! I guess if you'll feel more relaxed/prepared to have your bags packed it's a good idea, but like the other ppl said, no indication that birth is just around the corner. I had five weeks of painful runs of false contractions before finally being induced at 42.5 weeks - hopefully it's sooner rather than later for you. :)

I was wondering the other day if I was going into labour - my braxton hicks had become more prominent, the tightenings felt tighter and a little uncomfortable and more frequent, and my back continued to be achy (although it has ached for ages now), and had diarrhoea too (that has been an ongoing pattern for a while now too though).

Anyway, I saw my ob yesterday and described the increasing strength of my bh, but she checked me and said I'm not in labour yet....she said when it is real contractions they will be really painful, will "take my breath away" and I won't be able to concentrate on much else....

I didn't really notice bh with my first two pregnancies so this is all a bit new. And when in labour with my first bub, I didn't even know I was having contractions at first until they showed up on the monitor.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. At this stage I am going to pack my bags and be thankful that this is another step closer to the end, and things are getting nearer everyday!! :)