so confused! spoke to the Midwife yesterday and described to her what I was feeling in my belly…

Braxton hicks can come from 16 weeks xx

I'm pretty sure you can get them. My belly did this this morning it was so uncomfortable. Defo not baby moving xxx

OK wow that's a lot earlier than I thought :-S so it could be either then. thanks @courtniegeexo xx

Yeah it sounds like braxton hicks to me Hun xx @baby301016

I dont get what he's doing in there half the time. when belly goes really hard it's like you can make out his body shape but nothing else he's not moving when it happens and it lasts about 30 seconds tops and then goes @robotunicorn xx

@robotunicorn, yeah that's what I get it almost feels like a stitch because I can feel it under my ribs and my stomach. My little man wriggles after wards. Nothing to worry about. Just isn't pleasant 😖 @baby301016 xx

I just wasn't sure as midwife said it was nothing then saw that when my OH looked it up. trying not to worry as much but after a difficult start just want everything to be ok if you know what I mean @robotunicorn xx

@mother_of_humans, 8 weeks?! thats so early! also that's a big difference between your 2 pregnancies. Guess it depends on the baby then xx

@mother_of_humans, yeah I thought it was a thing that started about 30 weeks as that's what I'd been told by people, clearly not. Nothing new for me to do it differently I guess xx

@mother_of_humans, this is my first and nothing has been straight forward. it's typical he's already like me. as long as he carries on and gets my time keeping skills rather than his dad's I'm OK with that lol xx

sounds like Braxton Hicks to me hun I've had them since I was 30 weeks x

That's what I'm thinking now. thank you @natsbabyboy xx

Funny you should say that I have a pregnancy app and to day it was expecting braxton hicks I'll copy and paste what it says in another comment it's very long tho but worth a read if you'd like worth noing the difference xx

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Just after the middle of your pregnancy, or earlier, you may notice the muscles of your womb (uterus) tightening. If you place your hands on your bare bump when it happens, you'll feel how hard your uterus becomes.

Each tightening usually lasts for about 30 seconds, and probably won't cause you any discomfort. You may feel this once or twice an hour, a few times a day. Or you may not even be aware of these contractions.

It's possible to feel Braxton Hicks contractions as early as 16 weeks. However, without you realising, your uterus has been contracting gently on and off since about seven weeks. The bigger your uterus gets, the more you'll notice the tightening sensations when they happen.

What do Braxton Hicks contractions do?

They may just be a sign that your uterus is keeping its muscle fibres toned, ready for the rigours of labour.

Some experts think that Braxton Hicks contractions affect your cervix. In the last few weeks of pregnancy, your cervix may start to get shorter and stretchier, ready to dilate and make way for your baby.

Braxton Hicks contractions, combined with changes in the tissues of the cervix and your hormone levels, may start to ripen your cervix in preparation for labour.

How do Braxton Hicks and labour contractions differ?

There are differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and labour contractions, so you should be able to tell them apart.

Braxton Hicks contractions:

Are infrequent, and usually happen no more than once or twice an hour, a few times a day.

Often stop if you change activity. So walk about if you've been sitting, and sit down if you've been on your feet for a while.

Are usually irregular, or if they are regular, only stay that way for a short spell.

Don't last long, usually less than a minute.

Continue to be unpredictable and non-rhythmic.

Don't increase in intensity.

Compared with Braxton Hicks, labour contractions are:

noticeably, and increasingly, longer

more regular

more frequent

more painful

increase in frequency and intensity

Prelabour is when Braxton Hicks contractions may come more rhythmically, perhaps every 10 minutes to 20 minutes in late pregnancy.

Prelabour can be hard to tell apart from early labour, particularly if the tightening of your uterus feels uncomfortable. During prelabour your cervix won't have started to open yet. Your midwife will be able to tell by carrying out a vaginal examination.

Try to welcome prelabour tightenings and discomfort. It's an encouraging sign that your cervix is ripening and changing, and that things are moving in the right direction.

What if Braxton Hicks contractions become painful?

As your pregnancy progresses, these contractions may become more intense, and even painful at times. When this happens, they may feel like the real thing. But however strong they feel at the time, if they ease off, they are probably Braxton Hicks.

Try to think of Braxton Hicks as practice contractions that help you to rehearse the breathing exercises you'll learn in your antenatal class. Try concentrating on your out-breath when you have a Braxton Hicks contraction, breathing out long and slow. See our relaxation podcasts for advice about breathing in labour.

You may notice that Braxton Hicks contractions come more often when you do some light activity, such as carrying bags. If you feel discomfort, it sometimes helps to lie down, or to take a walk. It's the change in activity that can help to ease pain. A warm bath sometimes helps, too.

When should I call my doctor or midwife?

If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, call your doctor or midwife if you also have:

watery discharge or bloody vaginal discharge

lower back pain or cramping

pelvic pressure

These are signs that you may be going into premature labour.

After 37 weeks, call your doctor or midwife if:

You think your baby's movements have slowed down or stopped.

You think your waters have broken.

You have any bleeding.

If your contractions become longer, stronger, more regular and more frequent, your labour may be starting. Your midwife will probably have talked to you about what to do when you think labour has started. But if you're in any doubt, give her or the hospital delivery suite a call.