PT versus Major Braxton Hicks?

[GradysMom]

Hey ladies, just found this forum, and Im due August 10th... so I'm almost 30 weeks... what a great resource

Yesterday I went out with my son, and maybe didn't drink quite enough water. Also I was alone with him over the weekend and lifted him a handful of times, even though I had instructions to quit that.

So anyway yesterday evening I started up with intense Braxton Hicks... only on my front, over and over and over... and I spent the evening out of breath. Also extremely constipated, though I tried. I took one tylenol to help me fall asleep.

I woke up around 2am and realized my body was still doing it. I was out of breath and frankly I felt like I had been in a marathon. I woke up this morning feeling very exercised and exhausted. Between these my expected LO is moving vigorously.

Should I be concerned? I am spending today resting at home and hydrating and hoping for the best. I am assuming that this isn't preterm labor until my back gets involved.

Also, I am having them again today, all morning when I start walking around, they go again. So far today I had 32oz of water, one glass of milk and my one morning tea. It's 1 pm.

thought? concerns? suggestions? comiserations?

[Spring Sun]

Real contractions are painful all around-BH are only in the lower belly. If you have more than 6 an hour or if they are very regular you should call your dr. They should also go away if you change position, pee, relax, drink a glass of wine, get a massage from hubby,etc... I was worried a few weeks ago so I talked dh into giving me a good massage- and it really did work.

It is nice to know that my uterus is practising this time-it may make everything so much easier during birth.

[GradysMom]

the water seems to be helping but my back is feeling sore, I think from all the abdominal tension, not sore in a rythmic full contraction sort of way...

I think I will ry to reach my provider for her thoughts.

[GenomicsGirl]

Well, I'll tell you what happened with my 3rd baby (now 2 years old). At 34.5 weeks, I had what I thought were BH contractions - uncomfortable, irregular, but after about 7 hours, and 3 calls to my OB, I had a little bit of blood when I peed. I went to L&D and I was already 10cm dilated!!!!! My other labours were fast and intense, so this one was nothing like my others! She was delivered that morning

My advice is to call your provider and get their opinion. Maybe go in and get checked. I had no history of preterm labour prior to her delivery.

[Koalamom]

Ditto what the other mamas say, but I also find that magnesium helps to calm things down.

[Jilian]

I agree that you should see your CP for a non-stress test to make sure they are just BH. They don't sound like just BH to me. BH shouldn't be coming that often and shouldn't wear you out as much as you are describing. The rule for real labor versus BH is that the contractions get stronger, longer, and closer. If they are doing that go in ASAP so they can stop them in time. The longer you wait the harder it gets to stop things.

[snowmom5]

My OB's preterm labor rule: 4 or more contractions per hour that do not go away with rest and hydration are an indication to call your care provider. The contractions of preterm labor are often painless.

Hope it's nothing - good luck!

[Abraisme]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

Ditto what the other mamas say, but I also find that magnesium helps to calm things down.

Magnesium also really helps me. I always take a high quality magnesium for muscle cramping (unrelated to pregnancy) and I realized if I doubled or tripled the dose that it made my BH contractions a lot less intense. It works quickly (within an hour or so)...

I take Magnelevures (available online only really) and Natural Calm (available to Whole Foods). The Magnelevures works the best, but it's $$$$, so I suppliment with Natural Calm.

Also, call your care provider. It's always good to double check these things with your doctor or midwife just to be sure.

[spiritedmama]

I have been having a lot of braxton hicks also. Not like yours. I agree with the other mamas that maybe you should call your provider and get checked

[GradysMom]

Update

Most of the afternoon I couldn't tell what my body was doing, I was soooo sore.

I called my provider and the nurse on call told me to drink 32oz more and lay down for an hour... if they didn't subside I was to go in and get checked at L&D.
I drank I rested... and when I got up to pee, each time, they started in again.
So we all made the trip, which I tried to paint as a healthy dry run (DH was really grumpy and not feeling well either).

They asked questions, one two three differnt people, same questions, and checked me... they never saw a contraction, LO heart rate was fine and I wasn't the least bit dialated. All tests neg, sent home... strangely I got really thirsty there, after 64oz of water during the whole day.

Sore today but better...

They did say even if I wasn't feeling it in my back that I should go in if I have more than 6 an hour... and no sex till next appointment.

side note - they gave me a script for flexerile...my mother mentioned beer on the phone so when I got home I had a beer and it helped tremendously... flexerile seems like a sledge hammer.