early labor, false labor, or braxton hicks?

[SliverCheer]

Hey ladies I'm 36 weeks and around 7:00pm last night on my way home I started having what I thought were braxton hicks contractions... Except they didn't go away. I got home took a shower and tried to relax but the contractions continued not necessarily getting closer together but felt a little stronger then what I felt in the car. I finally got my son to bed and tried to go to bed myself, it took a while to fall asleep but I slept decently well waking up a couple of times with the contractions. woke up early because I had to get up and distract myself because they were continuing and just painful enough to be annoying.  So I've gone about my business this morning, when I lie down and sit down I can feel them pretty regularly (haven't timed yet) but when I'm walking around I don't notice them so much just a pain like pressing down.  I don't know whether this is false labor, just braxton hicks or early labor!!

[Raerae336]

Lol! if you're confused about if you are having them or not just when you're walking keep your hand on your belly and when it gets hard and you feel pressure then you obviously know its a contraction. Uh labor is SO excitin!!:)

[SliverCheer]

So they still haven't gone away. Been keeping busy all day I timed them this afternoon for an hour and they were about 3-5 minutes apart. They seemed to slow down a bit once I got to the store but I kept feeling bearing down pressure when I walked. I can't tell whether walking makes them go away or me just not notice them so much. It's driving me NUTS!! with DS i had regular 5 minute contractions for 3 days before my water broke and lost my mucus plug. No bloody show yet.... getting anxious. UGH! I wish I had a crystal ball!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I would defaintely time them and see.  If they are braxton hicks they won't have a set pattern to them. If they do you need to monitor and see if they are gettin closer together.  If they are you should call your doc or go to l & d

[Cassandrajane]

my sister in law is 35wks and she is having braxton hicks and they are really painful for her, but she has been very ill during her pregnancy and they nearly had to induce her at 29 wks anyways cause of something that could of killed her and the baby. and she has a hip problem and needs an Op. If they are really bad just go to the hospitall just incase :)

Good luck :) xx

[kylesMom09]

Being 36 weeks this could be the real thing...I would just try to time them for a little bit and see how far apart they are.  I have heard that it is normal to have inconsistent contractions for several days before actual labor insues.  When I went into labor with my dd they started out like you are describing, just kind of annoying and then slowly progressed into more pain and consistent contractions.  Good luck and I hope you meet your little one soon!