Are these back contractions?

I've been having pretty consistent braxton hicks now for a few weeks, but nothing to call my OB about. Yesterday they got more intense and I can feel her VERY low in my pelvis. I swear during some of the contractions I thought my water was just going to start gushing.

This morning I woke up and as I started getting ready for work I started feeling what feels like very strong BH in the front, accompanied by painful lower back tightening. It stretches across the entire lower back (very low) and it's definitely more painful/crampy than what I'm feeling in the front. The BH in the front seem to come and go but the back ache feeling seems a little more consistent. For example, right now I'm sitting at my desk and I feel like I have a very low back ache, and then every so often I'll get the BH tightening feeling in the front and it will cause my lower back to tense up even more and feel more sharp crampy pain for about 20 - 30 seconds.

I'm 36+3 if that makes any difference. I have an OB appointment tonight at 5pm so I'm in no rush to call them. I'm more just curious if this is actual contractions or back contractions that I'm feeling or if it's just normal late 3rd trimester movements that mean nothing.

Are these back contractions?

Sounds like it could be either. You could always ask them to hook you up for an nst tonight

Re: Are these back contractions?

I had some lower back pain starting a week before DD was born. Similar to what you are describing. They sent me in for an NST which was normal. After DD was born they mentioned that the back contractions were probably DD moving down into the birth canal but since she was transverse I was feeling it in my back.

Also make sure you are still drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. I found the back pain and BH contractions decreased if I drank tons of water. They didn't go away, but it was definitely helpful. That last week I was drinking 75+ oz of water a day per doctor's orders to stay hydrated.

Message edited 10/19/2016 9:37:47 AM.

Re: Are these back contractions?

That sounds like what I experienced when I went into labor with my first. It started with crampy lower back pains that would come and go throughout the day, and BH contractions in front. I lost my mucous plug about 12 hours later and was three centimeters dilated. I had a c section a few hours after that.

Are these back contractions?

Sounds like it. I had back labor with my 1st and it was consistent. I always said, the contractions I could handle because pushing relieved the pain but the back labor was consistent and wouldn't let up. Good luck and keep us updated!

Are these back contractions?

Very well could be, but at 36+3 it might still be on the early side. I was achy and sore all over so it could just be everything going to shit now that the body is getting ready for labor.

Re: Are these back contractions?

Back labor felt like someone was grabbing my tailbone, twisting it and trying to pull it out of my arse.

Re: Are these back contractions?

Posted by petvet

Back labor felt like someone was grabbing my tailbone, twisting it and trying to pull it out of my arse.

Re: Are these back contractions?

I had back contractions for 36 hours every few minutes until I got an epidural. It felt like someone was squeezing and electrocuting me throughout my lower back.

Re: Are these back contractions?

Posted by MrsZ2014

Posted by petvet

Back labor felt like someone was grabbing my tailbone, twisting it and trying to pull it out of my arse.

omg yes! You'd know for sure if it was back labor, it's the most painful thing ever!