Braxton Hicks vs True Contractions

Cassandra - posted on 01/14/2009

I just wanted to thank everyone who has written on this thread. I had a very stressful situation come up last week and since have been experiencing pressure and cramping (going to my doctor today) but I am relieved to know that someones doctor does not worry after the baby is 34 weeks if they go into early labor. As I am at 33 and am worried that I might end up in early labor if I can't remove some of the stress.

Nicole - posted on 01/13/2009

I get both BH and Contractions. When I finally sit down to eat or rest is when I get BH. They always go away after a few hours. I've only had 4 contractions that feel much different - back aches and your breath gets taken away. Two woke me up from a dead sleep. I'm now at 36 weeks and 1cm dilated. He is just getting ready.

Brooke - posted on 01/12/2009

I only feel tightning with braxton hicks but when i started to feel alot of cramping and sometimes very deep and low strong hard cramps I knew something was up and I was right. I went to the doctor at 33 weeks and found out I was already starting to dialate. My doctor said he won't stop labor after 34 weeks because the baby is pretty much ready and that I will know when labor is because it only gets worse, you can't sleep, you can't get comforatable and it doesn't stop or let up. Be happy that you are at a point where the baby won't have any real problems if they were born right now and just relax because stress will bring on contractions. Your almost there, hang in there!

Tara - posted on 01/11/2009

Quoting Patty:

I have been back to the hospital recently for preterm labor again,at 33 weeks, but this time it required intervention with drugs to make them stop.  I have learned that even though braxton hicks are not normally accompanied with pain , that they can be quite painful.  I have had what the doctors are refering to as "bothersome" contractions and they can be quite painful now.  I notice that I really can't move around a whole lot without them starting and at times it takes well over an hour and quite a bit of fluids before I can get them to calm down.  So far they said I can stick with my normal activities until I have cervical changes.  I go back in next week and we will see what they say because I have a feeling that this many contractions are not plain old braxton hicks. 

It could be that your uterus is irritated as well. I went in cause i was in quite a bit of pain after falling and it was mixed in with squishys. They sent me home saying my uterus was irritated and i wasnt having labor contractions but mild ones. The farther along you are i find the more they hurt. These hurt more than my pre term labor pains. and not nearly as bad as going full term and being in actual labor.

Patty - posted on 01/11/2009

I have been back to the hospital recently for preterm labor again,at 33 weeks, but this time it required intervention with drugs to make them stop.  I have learned that even though braxton hicks are not normally accompanied with pain , that they can be quite painful.  I have had what the doctors are refering to as "bothersome" contractions and they can be quite painful now.  I notice that I really can't move around a whole lot without them starting and at times it takes well over an hour and quite a bit of fluids before I can get them to calm down.  So far they said I can stick with my normal activities until I have cervical changes.  I go back in next week and we will see what they say because I have a feeling that this many contractions are not plain old braxton hicks. 

Ivy - posted on 01/11/2009

Hi!

I was in Hospital for 3 days also preterm labor and was givin drugs to stop it. I am now 32 weeks pregnant. The pains i was having is in my back and side moving to the front. Braxton you can feel but does not hurt. I was sent home to rest for a week but are still having the pains now and then. I am going back to work 2mrw and do not know if these pains are normal or not. I can not walk for more than 100m before getting pains! Please keep me up to date with you progress.

Tara - posted on 12/15/2008

Braxton hicks will subside and wont intensify...If you lay a different way or change what youre doing, like relax, then braxton hicks will go away and they usually dont hurt although they can be slightly uncomfortable. True contractions intensify and become more frequent and yes they hurt! a lot. I recently had to go to vancouver womans hospital because i was in preterm labor. They slowed it with drugs and i am now on bed rest as well. Although with mine i dialated and my cervix shortened and softened..There was progress so the doctor thinks i have about 3 weeks now until I go again. Good luck to you though!