Yesterday was a pretty normal day for me. I finally picked out a crib, which was quite stressful, but I finally have one ordered. I was fairly inactive and the only complaint was some serious heartburn all day. Well, last night around 8 I started having cramps. They were constant and didn't let up for quite some time. They kept getting worse and eventually moved around to my back. My belly wasn't tightening, so I didn't think it was contractions, but I didn't think braxton hicks hurt so bad! I told my hubby that if this was anything like what labor has in store (knowing it only gets worse) I will definitely be getting an epi. I tried walking around the house and resting, also tried a bit of water, but nothing was helping. Finally around 10:30 I was able to start timing them. They were pretty inconsistent, but they lasted longer than the breaks in between. I chugged another bottle of water and they finally went away a little after 11. I'm worried that these were actual contractions, and is a sign of what's to come. I didn't call the doc or go to the er cause I wanted to see if they would go away. Figured I would try what I could at home, and because my belly wasn't getting tight and they were constant I didn't want to believe they were contractions. Can anyone give me any insight? I feel fine so far today, don't even have heartburn, and baby is still very active. I'm just worried!

Sounds like braxton hicks to me. I started feeling some light ones about a week ago, but they can get painful. It is normal to start feeling them anywhere from 6 months on... but if you are concerned call your doc an dbe sure.. My doctor always told me to do a face check before calling if I was concerned. If you stomach feels like your chin, its normal, if it feels like the tip of your nose, its probably strong braxton hicks but if it gets to the point where it feels like your forehead, call the doctor. Braxton hicks will be irregular... real contractions will be like clockwork steadily getting closer, to the point where you can predict when the next one will come.

Thanks so much. I figured they were bh, but hadn't heard of them being constant and causing so much pain. I also didn't know they would last so long. I guess that's kind of why I waited it out! Also, thanks for the info about checking your face. I hadn't heard of that. It's very helpful!

I had Braxton-Hicks with both my children from 20 weeks on. They varied from very strong and irregular to very light with very regular timing. Try to take it easy and stay off your feet and tell your doctor.

Thanks emland. I'll be sure to call him today.