contraction at 33 weeks

Rachel - posted on 04/09/2009

For some women, BHC do hurt--I'm one of the lucky ones that they are painful :p Most docs will tell you to call if you have more than 4-6 in an hour that do not slow/stop after laying down & drinking water. I was just taken off work because my BH were settling into a 2-3 minutes apart rhythm with back pain & nausea & cramping (same pain levels as the early labor I had with my first son) when I'm up and about working. Being at home where I can rest has put them back in their random pattern of a few times every couple of hours. Because mine were coming regularly and close together for almost five days and were not causing dilation, I've been told to call if they reach the point where I can't talk through the pain (I'm 35.5 weeks and on weekly doc appts/bi-weekly NSTs/calling L&D two days a week to call in my numbers so I'm pretty much talking to someone every day :p)

Kelsee - posted on 04/09/2009

Twice a week i have to go in for OB checks, i never know when i'm having contractions unless they have me hooked up to the non-stress-test machine [NST] I'm 35 weeks.

I have heard that a guys cum has something in it to make you have contractions! But you will know when your actually in labor, don't worry.

Rachel - posted on 03/19/2009

I've been having braxton hicks since 15 weeks and now I'm 32 weeks.  Lately my contractions have been coming more often and progressively intense and sometimes a little painful.  Mostly they just come whenever, often more in the evening.  But lately I've had twice where regular ones have woken me up in the morning.  One time they were 5 minutes apart consistently for over an hour, then I decided I was tired and just went to sleep and they were gone when I woke up.  That happened again a few days ago.  My childbirth instructor said that it's totally normal and that some people just have more braxton hicks or are more aware of them than others.

Lizzi - posted on 03/18/2009

it is prob braxton hicks its nornal i get them all the time if ur getin pain wit then and there getin stronger id go 2 the hospital but dnt worry xx

Tiffany - posted on 03/17/2009

I'm at 31 weeks and started having contractions about 2 months ago. I was put on Pricardia which slowed them down. But I've continued to have issues. One thing my Dr. said was that sex can make contractions worse. We had one afternoon where after sex I was having contractions every 2 minutes for over 2 hours when I finally gave in and went to the ER. They we easily able to stop them with meds.  Your Dr. may reccomend no sex for the rest of your pregnancy. That's where we're at now. It sucks but it's worth the safety of my little one.

Brittany - posted on 03/17/2009

I saw the dr. today. He said it's normal but if I have more than 4 in an hour to call him or if they last more than 2 hours. He also said when I start feeling them to drink some water and lay on my left side to see if they go away.

Lacey - posted on 03/17/2009

If you don't know your better off calling them!!!  You are not bothering them!!  Better safe than sorry!!!  They could just be braxton hicks but they could be the real deal!!!  Good luck!!  Don't be afraid to call and just ask never hurts!!!

Jennifer - posted on 03/17/2009

Not to scare you, but I am due May 12 and have already been in the hospital four times with contractions. Not all of them hurt but my dcotor told me to call if I had more than six contractions an hour. Everytime I went in the hospital they told me I was in false labor and put me on medication. My cervix has already effaced 50% and I am a little dialated. So, don't ignore it! Call the doctor. Worst case scenario, the doctor tells you to wait it out. I never want to call the doctor, but he told me he would rather me call 100 times then wait and have something be wrong. Don't worry about annoying the doctor.

Jade - posted on 03/16/2009

Just so you know, you can have BH anytime from 6 weeks.
As for bothering your Dr. I am sure they will tell you it is not a bother. Better safe than sorry.

Brenda - posted on 03/15/2009

To be honest you might time them just to see.  And then if they seem to come in regular intervals, you might call the doctor especially if you're having back pains.  There really shouldn't be any pain, just discomfort with BH, though even that is iffy because you might have pain caused by other pregnancy issues at the same time.  I know that with my son all my labor was in my back, and I didn't even notice the tightening in the front.  And I'd especially call if you have trouble getting her to kick 10 times in a two hour period.  Try eating something and laying down and see if she moves mover.  If your mom had a premmie, I don't know, I might be tempted to call just in case.  It never ever hurts to call them and at least talk to an on call nurse and discuss it.

Brittany - posted on 03/15/2009

Quoting Brenda:

As long as they are just BH you're fine.  BH will probably be more frequent right now.  Just keep an eye on them and as long as they don't settle into a rhythm, you should be fine.  BH ctx should be irratic and should come and go.  Also you shouldn't have any pain, but if you are feeling discomfort that's normal.  BH can start even earlier, I've had them since about 24 weeks with this one because its my second.  Just make sure they aren't real ctx.  Look for steady rhythm, pain (back or front), lessened fetal movement (when they settle in for labor, babies tend to stop moving as much), and if in doubt call the doctor.  BH should also be very variable in length. One will last a couple minutes, the next a few seconds.  BH are just your body's way of getting ready for the real thing!

Ok, I do seem to have pain with them. The early ones I contributed to my stomach stretching, but i just realized that my stomach was really hard. My lower back would hurt, I would take baths to relax and help with the pain. That was a few weeks ago. Last night, it was more painful like my stomach clenching. Should I start timing them to make sure they don't become rhythmic? Also, some days the baby will move around a lot, others she doesn't move at all. Yesterday I felt her move quite a bit but today I haven't felt but maybe two movements. I just told myself they were BH, but I've been worried I wouldn't know when they weren't. When my mom was pregnant with me she had me 6 weeks early (34 weeks) that's a week later than I am now, but there's nothing that says that it's hereditary so I feel better about that). But my mom's water broke before she ever felt any contractions.

Brenda - posted on 03/15/2009

As long as they are just BH you're fine.  BH will probably be more frequent right now.  Just keep an eye on them and as long as they don't settle into a rhythm, you should be fine.  BH ctx should be irratic and should come and go.  Also you shouldn't have any pain, but if you are feeling discomfort that's normal.  BH can start even earlier, I've had them since about 24 weeks with this one because its my second.  Just make sure they aren't real ctx.  Look for steady rhythm, pain (back or front), lessened fetal movement (when they settle in for labor, babies tend to stop moving as much), and if in doubt call the doctor.  BH should also be very variable in length. One will last a couple minutes, the next a few seconds.  BH are just your body's way of getting ready for the real thing!