I'm 4 days away from being 7 months pregnant and for the past couple days I have been feeling period cramps I guess I could say but they are not as bad Also been feeling a sharp pain in my left side near my hip... and I have been feeling A lot of pressure on my lower stomach.. below the belly button... Are these Braxton Hicks?

I am not medically qualified to answer you , but can tell you from my experience I had that cramp and pain when I was 7 months and ended up being admitted to the hospital as it turned out I had the start of a premature delivery , however they managed to stop the contractions with medication and keep the baby safe and well inside until I could progress further into the pregnancy ,I went on to deliver only 3 weeks before my due date instead of 2 months early, Maybe you should get medical assistance or opinion right now to be safe from your own doctor.

It's always better to play it safe than sorry. While these pains may be nothing, it's best to talk with your doctor and make sure that it's not something more serious, like premature labor.

How many are a lot? If you are having more than 4 or 5 in an hour, try getting plenty to drink, change your activity and see if they subside, which braxton hicks usually will do.

If they continue, give your doctor or midwife a ring. They may suggest keeping track of them for a time or they may want you to go in, get monitored, and be checked to see if there has been any change to your cervix.

Braxton hicks contractions can be pretty frequent for some women, but if they are not causing change to the cervix it is usually not a concern.

I saw my doctor today... they cramps are braxton hicks, said the pressure could be the baby positioning himself to get reaedy to come out. When I said a lot I meant like when I put my hand on my stomach just sitting it there causes some discomfort. To be honest just moving is hurting there is that much pressure. My doctor seems to think everything is all right though... even though I am some what worried.

Try not to worry. At the very worst, if you had to deliver tomorrow, your baby should be far enough along to manage with very little help.

This stage of pregnancy is difficult, with backache, cramps, difficulty sleeping, a baby that presses on you in all sorts of painful ways, not to mention the endless trips to the toilet. This is all normal. It's only if something is very sharp, or just feels wrong that you need to worry.

Glad to hear all is well... try and find ways to pamper yourself. Treat yourself to a pregnancy massage if possible, spend time with your friends, catch up on some reading, etc. A warm (not too hot) bath can be helpful now and then. Practice preparing for labor and birth with relaxation techniques. Maybe look into a pregnancy yoga class.