contractions for days-Braxton Hicks or the real deal???

[GAjenn]

I have had about 6-8 contractions a day for 5 days. I was 1cm on Tuesday. With my last birth I didn't have contractions until the day she was born. They hurt, but not as bad as the ones I had going into labor last time. Do Braxton Hicks hurt? I am just looking for someone to tell me this is "normal" and nothing is wrong. I thought I would be in labor by now even though I am not due for a week. I have felt for days like I felt the last day of my last pregnancy. I feel ready.

[2sweetboysmom]

In one sense any and all contractions toward term are REAL, in that they are all doing work to position baby optimally, ripening the cervix, etc. But I think what you are asking is 'is there reason to believe this is the beginning of active labor?'
In my experience 6-8 contractions in a day is not that many, with each pregnancy my uterus seems more likely to 'flex it's muscles' just for fun. At 20 weeks I am getting about 6 good BH a day. So on that fact alone I would not necessarily think you are imminently destined for active labor. Yes, braxton hicks can hurt. Just because there is discomfort with the contraction does not make it not a BH.
To me it sounds like your body is starting to gear up for labor, but not ready just yet.

I hope you have a beautiful birth when that day comes.

[GAjenn]

Thank you for your sweet message! It is just so different a feeling than last time, and you know how pregnant women worry.

[COgirl19]

I wouldn't worry until they are at regular intervals. I agree with PP.

[sanguine_speed]

Definitely normal!

Each pregnancy I have found I have more and more (and stronger) BH and also earlier in pregnancy. I have at least 6 contractions a day every day and have since 30 weeks. I often have to tell my partner to stop talking because I'm concentrating through the contractions. I'm 34 weeks now and I expect this will continue until the baby arrives.

[slgt]

I've been having Braxton-Hicks since about 14 weeks, and I still have days when I have a lot of them each day! Closer to birth, totally normal to have a lot more, and they sensation is more noticeable as you get farther along - because the uterus is just a lot bigger! It is an odd sensation, no?

FWIW, I have a friend who, with both pregnancies, had contractions 5-7 minutes apart for about 4 days leading up to birth. The first was regular contractions; the 2nd time, it was Braxton-Hicks.