Braxton Hicks

[Tosca]

Hi guys, I am 30 weeks at the moment, I started getting what I think are Braxton Hick since I was 26 weeks. What has made me nervous is that I can get up to 7 a day! They are not painful in anyway, but more uncomfortable for a short period, 30sec.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a sign that the baby might come early?

First time Mum concerns.....

:confused:

[xkwzit]

Hi Tosca
I can only tell you what I've experienced during my 2 pregnancies, but I don't think you need to worry. BH are "practice" contractions and don't signal an early delivery. I had them with my first pregnancy, but didn't even feel them. I felt them a lot more with my second, and both babies were born only a few days before their due dates. If they are not painful and do not become regular and gradually stronger, it's probably not labour. Try moving around (if you are sitting / lying down) or rest if you are up and about and doing things. Usually BH will stop if you change what you're doing.

Cheers (and best of luck!!)

[mamafelix]

hi Tosca

yes I also had pretty much constant braxton hicks from very early on- no pain, just a tightening sensation. I got a bit worried at about 33 weeks when one day they came every 5 mins or so, my midwife wasn't too concerned but sent me to hospital anyway, after being monitored for a couple of hours I was told it was probably due to a bladder infection? I felt fine, they slowed a little, and I had Felix at 38 weeks, no dramas.

I think the key is if you don't feel any pain, you're probably fine. Just the uterus practising, which is all good.

[lily'smum]

Hi Tosca :)

I too had Braxton Hicks from very early on, and by the end of my pregnancy was having 100+/day. As long as you are feeling alright in yourself and not feeling ill or experiencing any bleeding etc you should be fine, although when they become that regular it is extremely tiring.

If you are concerned, just talk to your GP or Obstetrician if for no other reason than to set your mind at rest. ;)

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

Lily's mum
xx

[Gemma]

Hi,

I only got them a few times but mine would last of 1-2mins...OB said it was fine.

[Lachlan's Mum]

Hi - I got them during my pregnancy - only really realised and properly felt them towards the end (last couple of weeks) - anyway they were always more painful for me at night and when my bladder was full :o and the night I went into labour I thought it was just another Braxton Hicks and woke hubby up to help me get out of bed to go to the loo! because it hurt soo bad.....I was 6 days overdue and thought it was never going to happen - was scheduled to be induced the next evening so just assumed that it was fake!! then my water broke!! :eek: So no I don't think it means you'll go into labour early..... ;)

[Bubinski]

I have been getting fairly string BHs since the start of my second trimester (I'm now 16 weeks) . Towards the end of my last pregnancy I was getting them every two minutes for about an hour at a time, particularly when lying in bed.

I just tell myself that it means those muscles will have had plenty of practice for 'the big day'. Practice makes perfect!

If you do worry about them, or if they ar getting painful talk to your doctor, it will help put your mind at ease.

Sandy

[OopsieDaisy]

Hey Tosca

I never got Braxton with either of my pregnancies but a close friend of mine got them at around 28 weeks and were painful and lvery frequent.

Her bubba was born late in the end!