Feeling silly...reassure me please!

[ChiroMum]

Ok, short story is...I'm 31 weeks pregnant with #4. I've been having CONSTANT BH contractions - which I realize happens more and more frequently as the number of pregnancies increases.
What is scaring me are the 'breathless' contractions and the lower uterine ones coupled with what I *think* of as cervical twinges. My last child was born at 35 weeks, 6 days and while he was a pretty good size for so early (5.5 lbs), I really don't want this babe to be born earlier than 40 weeks. Heck, I'd be thrilled if I lasted until 42 weeks.
Here is my issue...am I being overly analytical with the contractions and is everything I feel something that I need to watch out for? Or should I bring this up with the midwife. I have found that laying down on my left side and keeping hydrated has helped, but the icky contractions haven't quite gone away.
So...have any of you ladies with progressive pregnancies noticed a marked difference in the type of B.H. and/or increase in the number of 'real' contractions? Is this something I should be worried about? Do I suck it up at this week's visit, feel totally silly and ask for a NST and/or cervical check to ensure that all's well? Help!!

[tri31]

I don't think your being silly. My midwife pointed out the more times your body has been pregnant, the faster your body feels the progression of things. I am having bh most days, in addition to lower back aches, ligament pain, hip pain, sciatic pain (you get the idea). I was just joking to dh, that unless my water breaks, I won't know I'm in labor.
You went pretty early last time, I would be biting my nails too.
Hope you feel better.

[BlackSheepPDX]

Bring it up with your midwife. It's what she's there for. And then the two of you can have a rational conversation about what you're feeling and how it's different and whether you're "being silly" or not! Best part is, you have a visit scheduled for THIS WEEK, so you don't have to spend very long wondering and worrying.

[Dov'sMom]

Well, I will say that with this, my third, pregnancy, I've had way more and way stronger BH than with either of my first two. With my first, I don't remember having (or noticing) any. With my second, I was aware that my belly tightened up every so often, but I had to be paying attention to notice. With this one, I started having noticeable BH from maybe 30 weeks or so. By 34-35 weeks, I'd have a contraction every time I stood up and they'd keep coming as long as I was walking around. And they HURT. And there's what feels like cervical pressure (though I'm not dilating).


I am not terribly concerned because my understanding has been that the BH contractions get worse every pregnancy and because as far as I can tell I'm not dilating (tried to check myself once unsuccessfully, but I know both prior births I started to have thick mucus-y discharge when I started dilating, which I definitely don't have now). I would not be surprised if by the fourth pregnancy I was having painful contractions at 30-31 weeks.

BUT if you have a history of pre-term labor (and once is a history, I think) then I'd be much more proactive about getting a cervical check. If you are even the slightest bit open (which can be normal in later pregnancies), I'd request another check a week later to make sure you're not progressing.

I don't know that the NST will tell you much, because the contraction monitor will pick up BH as well as "real" contractions and cannot tell you whether they are productive contractions.

[Ashes]

I have major BH too and I am 29 weeks. I had them with my previous (first) pregnancy as well from around 30 weeks onwards. I know that cervical twinge you are talking about too. Last pregnancy, it hurt. My Dr. called it "picket fence" pain. Like you are sitting on a picket fence. ick!

If you get worried about the BH's being actual contractions, try the old bath test if you are able to. If they calm down in the bath tub, you should be ok. BH's shouldn't hurt too much either.

Of course still mention it all to your midwife. Especially with your history.

[3tammuz]

I would bring up your concerns with your midwife - best case she ays you are reading too much into it . The BH CAN possibly get worse with subsequent pregnancies, but you should still pay attention. I think the fact that you went early with #3 is an important piece of information and you don't want the BH becoming real labor early....

[ChiroMum]

Thanks for all the responses! I decided to move my appointment from Thursday to today...and am very grateful that I did. Turns out I'm 1 cm dilated in the outer ossa but an ultrasound confirmed that the inner is still nice and closed.

I'm on bedrest for the next week while we try drug therapy and rest. Thanks again for all the responses!