I hope it's just Braxton Hicks

[*Sal*]

Hi, I'm pregnant for the third time so this may sound a little silly, but I'm not aware that I have felt Braxton Hicks contractions before now. I'm getting these strange tight feelings in the tummy, and they feel A LOT like labour, and are coming regularly as well! It's too early for bubba to come, I'm not due for at least 2 more months, but I don't want to panic if it's just BH.

After having read they are usually felt at the top of the uterus, I'm concerned because they are low down. Can anyone please explain to me how BH felt to them, so I can relax?:(

[Cheekychops]

braxtons are usually not regular intervals.....sorry, but you will probably not be in labour (fingers crossed)......but if it feels like labour and it's low down, it may be prem. labour so if it keeps up go to hospital early and they can sometimes stop it or if they can't they can give you steriod injection to help bubs lungs, but best place to be is up there if you are worried at all......hope all goes well. Keep us posted.

[xkwzit]

Hi CnC

I have been told that BH are stronger with each pg. I didn't feel them at all with my first, but I did with my second. The difference between true labour and BH is that BH will not get stronger or more frequent and they often stop if you change what you're doing. So if you're running around and you notice them, sit down for a while and see if they stop: if you are sitting down then change position or get up and walk for a while. If they are BH they should stop. If they get stronger or closer together it may be actual labour

Cheers

[*Sal*]

Thanx.
I think I've been sitting here bub-hubbing too much, cos they went away when I got up and walked around. Still a little concerned though, as I haven't experienced that before :o

[shereejoy]

Hope you are ok C-N-C'S MUM. Just make sure you monitor it I guess.

Funny thing is I thought I was getting BH, now I have changed my mind after you saying that they are meant to be at the top of the uterus??? I get these tightening sensations really low and only when I lay down on my back at night, but not all the time either, probably every 2nd or 3rd night. I feel this wave sensation and the lower tummy tightens then I see one side of my stomach raise. Must be tigers bum after what you have just said???? Oh and it only last for 20-30 secs and it is gone!

[Foxymoron]

It's normal to feel them more strongly with each bub C'n'C's Mum :D

I'm having BH pretty much everyday, sometimes every 3 minutes for two hours or so, as if I were in early labour. I did this with my 3rd bub as well. Also the occasional absolute ripper BH will appear on it's own and be really full on, with lower back pain and all the trimmings ;)

It's all good practice for the big day, I figure... I only laboured one hour ten minutes with number 3, from first twinge to holding her. Hopefully it means your body is gearing up for an efficient, easy labour :)

[Pixie]

ohh hope not!! your due the same day as me!!
But I know I have been getting them wow they get stronger with each baby my gawd I thought Eliza was getting massaged the next one might come out morphed in some shape lol

check with your DR/midwife!

[Kirstlea]

Hi CNCsMum

I suffered braxton hicks in my first pregnancy so much so I really thought I was going into labour, then bugger it after about 2 hours it stopped. That was about a month before I was due. Then when I did go into labour there was no warning, just bang contractions at full pace, I was 10 cms dilated in 2 hours. Driving into the hospital was a blur as I was in transition lol. a 10min drive turned into a 75min drive. lol.

My second pregnancy I started feeling strong braxton hicks at about 14 to 15 weeks.

Every time I've had bhs I have never had pain in my lower back so I guess if the there is pain in your lower back and you can feel it building up like the contractions do just go to the hospital and get checked out, you have nothing to lose.

If your hospital is anything like ours they are only too happy to make sure everything is ok.

Good luck :)

Kirsten

[mel04]

I had an irritable uterus with both pregs so got them constantly from 17 weeks.
Go get yourself checked out just in case, because for me, it was no different to early labour. With DD2 i was booked in for a c-section on thursday. On the monday i was having the contractions, no more frequent/regular or painful then normal but i just had a feeling that it was labour. Anyway, i kept putting it off, then by 9pm they were more painful, still not regular though. Got too hosp at 1.30am and they couldn't believe i waited soo long. I was definately in labour!
For me, the BH really weren't any different than early labour (which meant many trips to the hospital thinking it was it). Just go get yourself checked in case. I had prem labour with DD1 at 33 weeks which luckily i went in early enough to stop, and had to have the steroids just in case. Your better safe than sorry.
Good luck!

[Rikred]

"I get these tightening sensations really low and only when I lay down on my back at night, but not all the time either, probably every 2nd or 3rd night. I feel this wave sensation and the lower tummy tightens then I see one side of my stomach raise."

What you described is exactly what I got in the last two months with my wee dot (now nearly 7) and it was her just her trying to turn over cause she was running out of room! It' such an odd sensation, isn't it! *grin* Some nights I could see/feel her bum sticking up from my belly and then I'd watch it move fromone side to the other... it sure was a neat party trick! A quick rub where her bum was would settle her back down again.

I had some mild BH about 3 weeks before labour, and tought she was coming a little early, but whenthe real labour hit I was really surprised at how much like AF cramps it felt like.

[shereejoy]

Hi Rikred,

Did you read my post, mine is exactly the same as what you described. How early did this start happening for you. Exactly what you said happened to me re: a wave sensation when laying on my back every few nights and a raised part on one side of my tummy! So I guess it is just baby moving, not really braxton hicks as I first thought????????

[Rikred]

Hi Rikred,

Did you read my post, mine is exactly the same as what you described. How early did this start happening for you. Exactly what you said happened to me re: a wave sensation when laying on my back every few nights and a raised part on one side of my tummy! So I guess it is just baby moving, not really braxton hicks as I first thought????????

It was so long ago now that I can't remember the actual dates, but I'm pretty sure it was at around 30 - 32 weeks preg. And yes, it was mainly when I was lying on my back at night trying to sleep!

My BH were quite different to that. The whole tummy tightened - very noticably - and not in a wave.... just suddently tight all over for about 10 - 15 seconds at a time. I actually had to stop work at 34 weeks cause they were coming so frequently and MW said I should rest up just in case bubs was coming early... she arived almost exactly 2 weeks later. *grin*