Hi, this might sound a bit silly, but does early labour feel like BHs? I have had BHs since 20wks, and find I get either a frozen stomach, or back pain, or both. But today the pain became so intense when I was driving that I had to pull over, and breathe through it until it passed. It has continued to happen in waves all afternoon - to the point where I could only get comfortable crouching or on all fours  In between them I have been fine though, which makes me wonder if it is just BHs getting more intense towards the end of the pregnancy?

My mw is away, and I really don't want to bother her back up unless I have to. Did any of you mums experience this? The reason I don't think it is real labour, is that I have had no pain or discomfort near my cervix, and the only period-pain type thing i have had is the acheing uterous.

Thanks ladies, called backup MW and she said as I hadn't has show or waters break it is unlikely that I am in labour - so just monitoring it for now. Had a shower (no bath tub ) and that reduced the severity of them, so thinking it was just a more intense  practice run, although they are still coming - albiet irregularly.

I think I panicked, as I spoke to my mum and she said it sounded excactly like all four of her labours...! Funny how it only occured to me this arvo as to whether pain would be felt down there, as thats always how I imagined it, and I cant remember a thing from antenatal classes.

Did any of you definately know that you were in labour when it happened?

That sounded a lot like how my labour started, I knew I was definately in labour though as my waters broke about half an hour beforehand.

My MW said exactly what A&Cs mum said - have a bath and if it doesn't go away call her. I don't have a bath either, but showers definately helped when I had bad BH's (which I got a lot in the final trimester).

Good luck, not too long now

I think she meant it in regard to the whole picture - as the contractions are still irregular - not just as symptoms of labour on their own (sorry still getting intense ones as i type, so probably didn't explain myself too well). 

Thanks for your answers, I will keep monitoring it and hope that bubs doesn't decide to make an appearance until at least next week!

Bex & Jess...just wicked BHs - ouch! I wrote about it in my last post in due date thread, but I think it was at the bottom of the last page so probably got missed quite easily. All ok now, but gees, really wondered if that was it!  Panic over, this baby has at least another week to cook first