CORONATION Street's Lucy Fallon is due to become a mum for the first time - and the final stretch is proving a struggle.
The 27-year-old star has been suffered from Braxton-Hicks contractions as her body prepares to give birth, and it's clear they're proving to be rather painful.
Lucy is expecting her first baby at the end of JanuaryCredit: RexLucy has been sharing her pregnancy onlineCredit: InstagramSharing the update on Instagram Stories, the worried mum-to-be wrote: "Why are my Braxton-Hicks painful? Do any of you know? Am I just pathetic?"
Braxton-Hicks - regularly dubbed "practice contractions" - are perfectly normal during pregnancy and involves your tummy getting hard and your body experiencing something similar to bad period cramps.
They are caused by the tightening of the muscles in the uterus.
Stacey Solomon says her life a 'mess' as she makes New Year's resolutionIt is not clear why they happen, but most doctors believe it is the womb preparing itself for labour.
However, if you notice they develop a pattern and are happening more regularly, it could be a sign you are in labour.
Lucy, best known for playing Bethany Platt on the ITV soap, revealed at the end of December that the birth is "just five weeks away".
To mark the occasion, she threw a "wild" baby shower earlier that month at the Shankly Hotel in Liverpool, where guests partied till 2am and were treated to bottomless Prosecco cart and live DJ entertainment.
Lucy announced she was expecting back in September, and will be her first child with footballer boyfriend Ryan Ledson.
Lucy announced on December 28 the birth was just 5 weeks awayCredit: lucyfallonx/InstagramLucy Fallon is expecting her baby with footballer Ryan LedsonCredit: INSTAGRAM