Braxton hicks

[jenna81]

I was just wondering what braxton hicks felt like. I think i may have had them last night and i'm worried cause i'm only 25 weeks :eek: . Can anyone tell me if i this is a sign that i might go early and should i see my OB straight away? Or am i freaking out for nothing?

I should explain what happened, i woke up with a tightening and hardening in my lower abdomen, and cramping. This would last about 30-60 seconds before relaxing and goind back to normal. It happened every 3 to 5 minutes for almost an hour.

please tell me i'm worrying over nothing :confused: .

[nemosmum]

Dont worry its perfectly normal, braxton hicks I mean oh and its normal to worry too lol :D

I started getting them from about 30 weeks and they were very uncomfortable like bad period pain, not everyones are painful though so dont worry.

I have been told that practice makes perfect and BH is just your bodies way of getting preped for labour- it doesnt mean you'll go into early labour so dont fret.

I was actually 12 days over due and FYI Braxtons are nothing like the real thing LOL :D you will know when your really in labour. That said just relax and be sure to mention it to your doc or midwife at your next visit but dont worry about it, its very normal :)

[Miss_Vicki]

im 25 weeks this weeks an started gettin Similar feelings last few weeks , Realy hurt thou
From what ive read its pretty comman , epes if this isnt your first baby ;)

[kimmy]

I got them at 25 weeks when i was pregnant with my Jakob. first time when i was walking down the stairs i had to stop right in the middle & no one could get passed me but it felt like my tummy went really hard & back to normal again it hurt a bit. i freaked out because i didn't now what it was after that i got them a few times but its nothing to worry about all is well. ;)

[Anna&JacksMum]

I got BH during my 1st pregnancy from about 26 wks - and my bub was only a week early. They lasted for about a hour or so and but would have me worried each time that I was going into labour...

The advice from my OB was to take note of if they got stronger / more painful. He also suggested changing position (if in bed), having a warm shower, taking panadol (if really painful), or taking a gentle walk/ resting and see what happens. If they are real contractions they will continue and get stronger. If BH they should subside.

Hope that helps you!

[jenna81]

Thank you all so much.

I wasn't sure if i was even having BH and i'm still shocked that i could even get them this early.

was just thinking after my last post, last night for the first "special cuddle" my DH and I have had in a month. LOL. i wonder if that had anything to do with it :D maybe it's a good thing my libido has gone AWOL (sorry if TMI). LOL

[leabdea]

Braxton-Hicks are great for you and your baby. They help to strengthen your uterus for birthing power, and they massage and stimulate your baby.

The 'special cuddle' is also great because it helps to alleviate stress, enhances your relationship, and semen contains substances which act like antibiotics and kill germs (good to remember for the night before a GBS test if you choose to have one).

You can use your BH to practise relaxation. Whatever position you find yourself in when you're having them, stop, sag your tummy extremely and notice your breath...think of bringing it really deep down into your tummy...and then with your outbreath relax your whole body so that it feels heavy.

Your body works very well.

[jaydensmum]

Hi Jenna81 it does sound like you'll having braxton hicks. Its normal to have some contractions closer to the end of pg. I dont think that there is anything to worry about. If the contractions are becoming regular, getting stronger with each one and doesnt go away with change of position then i think you should get it checked out. If you're ever concerned about anything during pg its best that you ask your midwive or doctor for advice. Im sorry if im not much help.

jaydensmum

[Joey]

Hi Jenna81, those BH can give you a bit of start until you get used to them! I have had them from about the same time as you, and I am now 40 weeks along (due tomorrow) I was amazed at how hard your tummy gets! As you probably know, they are helping you get ready for the real deal but I can remember worrying too. I asked my OB about them and was told if it is actual labour, I would know the difference. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy anyway!

[Sandy]

Just confirming that you would definitely know the difference between real labour and BH.

I have "pre-labour" for three weeks before my DD was born 3 days early, so I know the difference!

My oby checked and I was 2cm dilated with 3 weeks to go. He said thats it good as I can spread my dilation out over a few weeks instead of getting it all in one day! Great.

So believe me that you will know when its labour pains. Your body just knows and sends alarms to your brain!

Hope this helps anyone experiencing either pre-labour or BH

[Pixie]

I am glad I found this!
I have had a few the last week and today I had 4 in the space of an hour and a hlaf I was a bit stressed sitting in traffic, which I never do, so hmm I am not worried just wanted to make sure that was what I was having!