Braxton Hicks Contractions. How long will this last?

Lady Heather - posted on 10/18/2010

I started getting them at about 24 weeks and had them constantly for the rest of my pregnancy - sometimes 10 times in an hour! I wouldn't call them painful, but they got stronger as I got closer to my due date. A few weeks before my daughter was born I thought I might be in early labour, but it was just a few hours of really regular BH.

So sorry, but it's not necessarily a sign of things to come soon. If they are really strong though, it might mean something (especially with the cramping and such).

Sara - posted on 10/18/2010

for me with my fist it was a week

Kellie - posted on 04/18/2010

I thought I was having braxton hicks when I went into labour because the contractions were very irregular and not that painful... 27 hours later my little boy came into the world!!

Renee - posted on 04/16/2010

When I was pregnant with my daughter I started having Braxton Hick at about 37 weeks. Mine were very painful more like proper contractions and a few times we thought it could be labour. Just keep an eye on them if they increase in frequency and/or strength, I'd recommemd heading to the dr/hospital any way. They wont think that you're silly for going in and find out your not actually in labour and its worth it for your peace of mind!

Stephanie - posted on 04/16/2010

I started having the Braxton Hicks 2 weeks before my daughter was born but I didn't have any back pain until I actually went into labor! She was born at 38.5 weeks too. :)

Jennie - posted on 04/16/2010

Natalie, it is really hard to say. Im currently 35 weeks, and have been having Braxton Hicks since I was about 20 weeks, the farther along I get the more uncomfortable they get. Just keep a close eye on there regularity, lenght, and all that good stuff, your almost there! Congrats.

Natalie - posted on 04/16/2010

Thanks 4 ur advice. I went into the hospital on Thursday night coz those braxton hicks werent going away and yeah turns out i was 1cm dialated lol. Still waiting 4 something to happen but they have been stuck at 15 - 20mins apart since then and still aren't very strong. Driving me nuts but as they say a watched kettle never boils so just trying not to think too much bout it now. When it happens im sure ill know

Jeramie - posted on 04/16/2010

I had contractions ALL the time for a few months before I gave birth, but they never hurt until two days before. I was having contractions 15 minutes apart for like 4 days before my baby was born. if they get that regular then you will probably go into labor soon

Rebecca - posted on 04/15/2010

When I was going through my braxton hicks, I was talking to a lady who had 8 kids and she told me a glass of red wine will stop them if they are baxton hicks. If they don't stop then i would get checked out but of course i would check with a medical professional before doing this to make sure it is safe for the baby.

Melisa - posted on 04/15/2010

Oh I feel for you! I Had early labour signs for 4 weeks. They started at 37 weeks and my daughter was born at 41 weeks. As for the BH, I had them strong from about 35 weeks. So just be prepared for baby to come, but have the idea in your head that it may not be labour just yet. I was certain it was and the later it got in my pregnancy the more frustrated I was because of all the early labour signs! Good luck, and wishing your baby in your arms as soon as possible!

Sierra - posted on 04/15/2010

I had them since 20 weeks, and if they hadn't given me terbutaline from 28-37 weeks, I definitely would have had her earlier. I had them all day every day until I went until labor. So you could have them for a while and nothing will happen, or you could go into labor tomorrow..you never know! When you're in labor you'll definitely notice a change in them though..they get much stronger with time. Mine were even 3 minutes apart but it wasn't labor because they wouldn't get stronger, they'd go away after a couple of hours of monitoring them.

Jenni+shane - posted on 04/15/2010

h i i had them for about three nights in row so i was so tired by time i went hosptial the nurses brought on the labour

Louise - posted on 04/15/2010

I had them from 5 months on both my kids so strong that I was taken in as they thought it was premature labour. The monitors were registering regular contractions. I was in and out for observation like a yoyo! But I went 41+ weeks on my first and induced at 38on my second.
All women are different so hang in and best wished for the birth of your baby!

Chelsey - posted on 04/15/2010

Mine lasted my whole pregnancy. I found that a hot bath made them go away.

Rebecca - posted on 04/15/2010

with my first i started having them when i was 8 months pregnant. I was 6 days early with my first baby and 9 days with my second.
My second I was 7 months i think but it got really intense about 3 days before I went in.
My water didn't break with my second one and i was dialated almost 7 cm's when i went to the hospital. I had back labour with both babies and cramping is a sign. Now if your water breaks and you have cramping get your pregnant butt to the hospital because you are in labour, lol.
It sounds to me like are very close. i would get checked to see how far you are dialated.

Karen - posted on 04/15/2010

i had them for about two weeks before baby...one weeks in they were really bad in my back and i was admitted to the hospital because the nurses though it was the real deal....unfortunately 6 hours after going in they realized it was not real labour and sent me home...exactly a week later i went into real labour and had my son....i wouldn't think it's going to be much longer for you. good luck and congrats on the upcoming arrival!

Josslyn - posted on 04/15/2010

Lower back and leg aches sound like you pretty close to labor. Go have it checked as soon as possible, I know braxton hicks aren't accompanied by any pain only tightening as my doctor told me. Go Go Go lol

Sam - posted on 04/15/2010

Everyon eis different, you could have Braxton Hicks right up until you give birth! Sorry its not much help but hang on in there, won't be long now!!