Braxton Hicks

Rachel - posted on 04/09/2009

Mine started getting very regular and close together (2-3 minutes apart) along with back pain & nausea when I was at work so they took me off and told me to get plenty of rest. My toddler is very excited that Mommy is staying home with him and when I feel contractions starting and need to rest, he likes to bring me water to drink, talk to the baby, and sometimes climb up for a cuddle and read a book :p

Mandy - posted on 04/07/2009

Same thing here--if I've been standing for awhile I get that same clenching feeling throughout my core. Described it to my doc and he said it was okay.

Schmoopy - posted on 04/06/2009

YES!!! I get BH contractions all the time. My doc says if it's more than 4x in an hour, I should lie down, drink lots of water and monitor over the next hour. If it's still going on, head to the ER. I've been to the ER twice - they do a quick swab test to see if I'm going into labor and then they put me on monitors and gave me IV fluids for a few hours. Each time I was released, but it sure is a pain! And with children at home, it's extra complicated - especially when you're the primary caregiver.

Most of the time BH are harmless, but if they're becoming more regular and frequent it can be a sign of oncoming labor. Try to take it easy and drink LOTS of water!

Kelly - posted on 03/31/2009

Hi, i am prego with my second and i had loads of Braxton ihcks for the last 6-8 weeks with max (first) and this time i have been having heaps more from 24 weeks, feels like im in labor some days.

Rowan - posted on 03/31/2009

Very interesting! This is my first and I have been having them since week 30, my sister thought that was a bit early but it is good to know it is just another one of those 'everyone is different' things! Cheers gals, x

Wendy - posted on 03/30/2009

Thanks for all the feedback and advice.

Allison - posted on 03/29/2009

Quoting Keela:

I dont feel them and I have 4 weeks to go. I was monitored and it showed two BH,but I was clueless. Does this have an affect on my due date?

No, I don't think feeling Braxton Hicks has anything to do with how far alone you are or how ready your body is. Some people feel them, and some don't, and it's different with each pregnancy. I think baby's position would have some effect on how much you feel it, too. Just keep in mind that normal pregnancy is from 38-42 weeks, so you really aren't "overdue" if you hit 40 weeks +1 day...let nature and your body do what it needs to do. Trust birth.

I am 34 weeks, so have 6-8 weeks left. It's really hard to wait as I'm getting uncomfortable...but I need to remind myself that this time will go by quicker than I think and that it's best to try to be patient. I have a friend who was due last Sunday and as I today she hasn't had her baby yet. It's hard to wait :-) But no one has been pregnant forever ;-)

Keela - posted on 03/29/2009

I dont feel them and I have 4 weeks to go. I was monitored and it showed two BH,but I was clueless. Does this have an affect on my due date?

Allison - posted on 03/26/2009

This is my third and I'm feeling them much more intensely this time as well. I had an episode a few days ago where it was pretty uncomfortable, so I just did some practice labor breathing, drank a bunch of water, and walked around the house a lot. For me, relaxing or laying down makes it worse and last longer but some exercise helps a bunch. In fact, I'm more likely to have a BH spell if I laid around all day than if I was over active. The episode lasted about 30 minutes, but they weren't regular or anything.

Think of BH as your body practicing for labor. It helps tone your uterus and get things in motion. I know of several women who had labor-like episodes for a week or more, then had pretty quick labors.

Catherine - posted on 03/26/2009

DITTO to all of your replies, the exact goes for me and this is my 2nd child. I think it's your bodies way of getting ready but yeah it's also telling you to rest and/or your dehydrated. I lay on my left side and drink water and relax for 15-20min. It always happens to me when I am going things or cleaning up or standing as well!

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 03/26/2009

This is my first and I've been feeling them since about 20 weeks.  They keep getting more noticeable as my belly gets bigger.  My doctor has told me that as long as I don't have more than 6 in an hour to not worry about them.  All you can do is drink lots of water and change what you're doing to see if that helps.  I don't think they would put you on bed rest unless they felt you were at risk for preterm labor. 

Andrea DaBoss - posted on 03/26/2009

I have 9 weeks to go as well....and I honestly do the same thing Brenda does...I drink ice cold water and relax....Mines can get VERY uncomfortable as well...especially if i'm tooo busy or have been up n about 4 a looonnnggg period of time....

Brenda - posted on 03/26/2009

I didn't really notice them with my first but they're making up for it this time!  All we can do is drink some water and try to relax.  I've been having them since like  weeks, and they get darn uncomfortable at times.  Especially when I'm trying to sleep!!