Understanding Uterine Pain in the Third Trimester: Causes & Relief

Question
This is my fourth pregnancy, one missed , two chlidren delivered vaginal births, lst mens 28/01/05, I am 34 and 1 weeks pregnant, I have been experiencing severe pain isolated to the top of my uterus in one spot that radiates throughout causing a tightening of my uterus. The pain is almost like a muscle cramp.  Could it be just a decrease in amniotic fluid so the baby's movement is painful.. I have this awful feeling that the baby is lying transverse or head up. I dont have a lot of pelvic pressure or heaviness in my groin area like i did near the end with my first two pregnancies.I delivered with induction both times, could this be the baby or just practice labour?

Answer
It is common at 34 weeks gestation to start having irregular contractions at the fundus (top) of the uterus. These "Braxton-Hicks" contractions usually do not cause dilatation of the cervix. However, they are not regular and often disappear when you walk around a bit. When you start to get contractions every 6-8 minutes (from the start of one contraction to the start of the next contraction) at the level of your belly button, and each contraction lasts (remains hard) for at least 45 seconds, and all of this continues for a full hour, then you should be checked by your doctor. All of the pains you are having now are insignificant unless they become regular.