Forum 3rd trimester

Menstrual symptoms week 31

19 replies

Bibi92
Hi all you other mamas-to-be,

I'm currently 31+4 weeks pregnant but have had stomach pain since last night. It feels exactly like when I'm on my period.

I'm someone who always has really heavy periods. Meaning: lots of cramps, pain in my legs and lower back, migraine attacks, acne, needing to poop way more often, ...

I have all of that right now except for the migraines, which I luckily don't have. But since I have all the rest, if I weren't almost 8 months pregnant, I'd think it's just "that time of the month" again.

I've been walking around with dull period-like pain for about a week already, but it wasn't very severe back then. My gynecologist said it was fine but that it was a sign I should take it easier. I did follow that advice, but since yesterday I've gotten really bad stomach pain that can no longer be described as just dull. On the contrary, it really comes in waves...

I just went to sleep, but I woke up last night from the pain. It's stabilized a bit now, but the stomach pain is still there. I don't think they're real contractions because they would only increase instead of stabilizing.

But what is this then? Are these Braxton Hicks? Is this something harmless or should I keep an eye on it? I can feel the baby moving well, so luckily she doesn't seem to be bothered by it!

I'd love to hear your experiences!

Replies

  1. Hartje #2

    Practice contractions or maybe dropping down? When are you due for your next check-up?
    At least you know for sure you won’t be getting your period hihi but waking up from pain doesn’t sound nice, and it’s a sign you should do something about it. I’d like to get in touch with the midwife!

  2. Hartje #3

    That’s tricky, isn’t it! Just listen to how you’re feeling, but if I’m lying awake from the pain, that’s my limit Is it still really bad now, or is it more manageable? What did she say at the last check-up? Was your baby already engaged or just ready to engage? I remember experiencing that as a really unpleasant pain. Besides, I had back labor, so I didn’t have belly pain except for a few sharp twitches and stuff.

  3. floydi #4

    Hi BH,
    It started around 30 weeks for me too, suddenly I thought, "Huh, that's really period-like feelings." Turns out she was already descending. It got less intense over the next few weeks, but now I notice it's getting worse again. She's naturally coming lower and lower.
    Good luck, girls!

  4. Hartje #5

    False alarm again: I also think Floyd is right! I had it around that time too, and the next check-up confirmed my doctor's opinion.

  5. floydi #6

    Yes, that's right, and I thought, shit, it's quite early at 30 weeks, but the midwife assured me it didn't mean anything about the actual due date. Of course, I'm hoping not to go past 42 weeks, but 39 is also fine!

  6. Bibi92 started this #7

    Yeah, that’s mainly what I’m scared of. But getting stomach pain now doesn’t mean it’s a sign of an early birth or something? I mean, my little one should stay in there as long as possible! I’m looking forward to his arrival, but only when he’s completely ready.

    The pain is getting more intense again. But I’m also wondering if it’s engagement pain, because the baby is really kicking hard against my ribs and is still quite high up at the moment?

    I am reassured that you’ve had the same feeling. It must be normal then!

  7. Hartje #8

    A contraction has a starting point, gets worse, and then weakens until it's gone. Is your pain like that? Because I get the feeling you're a bit scared of it or not?

  8. Hartje #9

    Anyway, mine stayed engaged and stuck until 41 weeks, so engagement indeed doesn't say anything about when you'll give birth!

  9. Bibi92 started this #10

    So no idea?

    I have a constant dull ache in my lower back and legs (like when I'm on my period), and then every now and then (not at regular intervals, though I'm starting to pay attention to that now) I suddenly get a cramp that increases in pain, lasts for a while, and then subsides back into that dull ache.

    Last night those cramps were very severe, the past few hours they were less severe but still tender, and now they've been getting more painful again for about a quarter of an hour.

    I'm used to pretty severe periods, so it's not like I can't handle the pain anymore. It's also not like I don't know where to crawl or need to 'puff' to get rid of the pain, but it's also not that typical 'hard belly' feeling or the dull ache from the past week. These are really intense surges (like you can get with your period).

  10. Hartje #11

    Then I don't know either! I read that if your labor (people are further along) starts with something like this, you should get under the warm shower. If it's real labor, it gets worse quickly; if it's false labor, it goes away.
    I can't give you any more advice because I really didn't have that much pain. Again, if you keep worrying, you can just call! I base it on my experience and such, but that doesn't say much, of course. Hopefully, it calms down soon and you can still enjoy your pregnancy!

  11. Bibi92 started this #12

    I just spoke with the midwife, and she wants to see me tonight already. She said I shouldn't be feeling pain at 31 weeks, only the usual hardening of the uterus and round ligament pain. And definitely not waking up at night from cramps.

    She said it's mainly strange because I'm keeping calm and not doing any overly strenuous physical activity; otherwise, that could be an explanation. By the way, I've already had hardening of the uterus for a long time (since week 14) and pelvic instability (since week 20), and those are also signals she's taking into account.

    So tonight I'll have an examination, and depending on the result, she'll either reassure me or refer me to go to the monitor to see what comes up. I'm curious to see what happens

  12. Hartje #13

    Me too! Good that you called, still better than that! I had hard bellies throughout the whole pregnancy, and I already have them again now but the pain is quite different though. Good luck tonight, let me know what the outcome is?

  13. floydi #14

    Good that you called, I'm curious what she says.

  14. Bibi92 started this #15

    She examined me. No dilation yet, and the baby hasn't dropped either. But apparently I have a bladder infection. And that's causing the period-like cramps now.

    Apart from the abdominal pain, I didn't notice anything from my bladder at all, but apparently it's important because a bladder infection can cause preterm labor. So it's good I went for a check-up after all

    So now I just need to get rid of the bladder infection, and hopefully everything will be resolved!

  15. Hartje #16

    Aha! Well, it could've been worse! Hope it clears up soon!

  16. floydi #17

    Glad you were there, bh

  17. OnzeWens Guest #18

    Not really an answer to your question, but I've seen it before. Week...+4, what does that +4 mean?

  18. floydi #19

    Haha, the number of days I am week 34 plus 0 today exactly 34 weeks pregnant tomorrow 34 + 1 day

  19. OnzeWens Guest #20

    Haha, okay, makes sense! No, I heard it from someone who gave birth 4 weeks earlier. Also a number + 4, hence the doubt whether it might mean something else.

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