Painful BH and feeling "off"

[Arcadia]

Ok, so I know its probably nothing, but the last two days I have had some pretty intense braxton hicks contractions, and have been feeling a bit "off", with runny #2 (TMI sorry)and a bit of a sensitive tummy.

I was supposed to see my midwife today, but we rescheduled until tuesday (she had a birth to attend). I asked her on the phone about the BH and she said they are a good sign that my body is preparing for labour, but I didn't mention the tummy upsets.

So now I am wondering - could I possibly be in prelabour, even though the BH are irregular? I have had two which made me stop and conciously breathe through them, but mostly they only last about 40 seconds and feel like period pain. I had about 5 in an hour this arvo, but now they have eased off to almost nothing.

I suppose I just wanted to hear some experiences and whether I should call the middy back.

[treesinnewzealand]

i can totally understand your pain and what you going through i to have had pretty harsh B and H's lately and been going #2 more often but would not say got runs as such i rang my midwife and she said as long as not having any unusual discharge or bleeding then it just body getting ready as your midwife said
Good Luck hun and i always find haveing a bath helps if you have one or wheat sack on tummy etc

[seenabeena]

I have had the painful BH's in loose bowel motions for a week now and it doesn't look like it is going to stop any time soon. I am not too worried about it because even though the BH's are painful and have stopped me in my tracks a couple of times they have nothing on real contractions so until the real one's hit I am just assuming my body is gearing up for the big day. I am over it though last Friday I was begging my baby to get out early.

Like tree's said bath's, and heat packs help. I have also spent a lot of time floating in the pool and even though it doesn't stop the BH's they don't feel so bad when your body is weightless.

I hope the pain is not too much for you to deal with.

[Arcadia]

Thanks girls. The heat pack was a great idea and definitely helped. I keep wondering if I am going to go early because of the frequency of the BH - my body is sure keen to be "ready".

Thanks again for the reassurance...

[puppies]

Yep I am in the same boat. BH are strong but not painful at all. I do get period pain but its irregular and not at the same time as BH. I do about 3 #2's a day on average which I am surprised about cause I am on Iron tablets and I thought they made you constipated more than anything. I have the heavy feeling as bump drops lower. Back aches etc. But I am pretty sure that although my body is gearing up for the big event I still have a few weeks at least so I am trying to just get comfortable when I feel these things and just ride them out.