what is Braxton Hicks??

okay so last night was horrible. I had BH for like 2 hours, I couldnt sleep. every time my stomach would tighten my heart would start pounding and i felt short of breath. I also had a little cramping, and what felt like needle pricks in my va-j-j. I am 34 weeks, one pain even woke me up around 4am, i jumped out of bed thinking maybe I had to poop, but nothing and then pain went away. So today I decided that i better start washing baby clothes and getting things ready just incase this baby decides to come early.

Braxton Hicks are contractions.   So yes CAN be painful.  They are contractions that are preparing your body for labor.  There are varying types of braxton hicks... just like with real contractions.  The 3 that I know of are:

1: Your stomach tightens and there is a crap ton of pain.

2: Your stomach tightens and there is no pain what so ever.

3: There is a crap ton of pain, but no tightening in your stomach.

They suck... I've had all three kinds this pregnancy.  I'll be 38 weeks on Thursday, and I go in for my c-section on the 26th, exactly when I turn 39 weeks, because I had a c-section with my daughter... who for some reason was stubborn and didn't want to come down (she was tilted diagonally).

ok they must be BH then, they dont hurt but are uncomfortable sometimes they make my eyes water its so tight. been getting them more lately. I am 34 weeks now.

It could be braxton hicks. I have a hard time telling if it is a bh or the baby sometimes. I noticed though that  a BH lasts longer than the baby just pushing out. sometimes almost a minute. But yes they can be painful, but mostly just uncomfortable. I notice alot of bladder presuure when i get a bh and not so much when it is the baby also a bh makes me feel out of breath where as when it is the baby i do not feel out of breath. Hope this helps!! :)